November 2021
Download a full pdf of this issue below or find links to every feature, news, column, review, and Our Shared Ministry article included in this edition. Not the date you wanted? Find issues back to January 2016 here or use the search function at the top to find articles going back to 2005. To find something even older, The Banner archives are maintained at Calvin College's Hekman Library.
Features
News
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Two firefighters, two police officers, and a photojournalist from their congregation worked at the recovery site of the Surfside condo collapse. South Kendall Community Church in Miami, Fla., wanted to recognize the impact of their work.
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The Kingdom Network, a collective of churches focused on multiplying disciples, training leaders, and planting churches, launched Sept. 9, 2021.
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Albert Hamstra, former Asia regional director and director of special projects for World Missions in the Christian Reformed Church, died July 13.
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John Aupperlee, pastor and chaplain, was most shaped by his identity as a child of God. He died Aug. 31.
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Pastor and professor, Paul Bremer, centered his life around God’s story of love and grace. He died Aug. 2.
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East Martin Christian Reformed Church in Martin, Mich., marked its 100th anniversary with a ringing bell, worship service, and pig roast.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, missions that minister to seafaring workers are helping this population—only 22% of whom are vaccinated against the virus—get access to vaccination clinics and other supports.
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Ten months after their church building was burglarized, members of Crownpoint (N.M.) Christian Reformed Church are able to gather again for worship and have replaced the front doors.
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Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in Brighton, Ont., welcomed its community to honor the deaths of loved ones in a shared experience of releasing monarch butterflies on their southern migration.
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From a 24/7 cupboard in front of the church to biweekly food hampers, the congregation of Bethlehem Christian Reformed Church in Thunder Bay, Ont., is helping people in their neighborhood access food.
Columns
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“a prism of leaves drift in cool air / whirling dervishes on their way down”
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We have a way of convincing ourselves that we deserve power, blessing, and a privileged identity because of our relationship with God.
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For many years, I’ve tried to fit into other congregations, looking to serve as well as be served. I have cerebral palsy, which affects my movement and speech.
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My next-door neighbor and I are both moms in our 30s with kids close in age. I’ve tried to form a friendship with her, but she is not interested even in casually chatting. I am disappointed. What should I do?
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Our society’s growing understanding of the significance of community seems to resonate with Scripture and God’s desire for God’s world.
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We must first remember that what is done with the bodies of Christians doesn’t decide their everlasting destiny.
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A place of beauty and wonder. Stark contrasts and high drama. Secrets and mystery.
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See how readers responded to recent Banner issues, articles, and columns.
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If you take a quick stroll outside, it won’t be long before you come across a seed that will grow into something great.
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¿Cómo sabemos si hemos domesticado las Escrituras para alimentar nuestro orgullo espiritual? Existen al menos tres señales principales.
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How do we know if we have domesticated Scripture to feed our spiritual pride? There are at least three major signs.
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A special reading section rounds up a dozen books to read during the festive days ahead.
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I found that when students spoke about Christianity with people of other belief systems, they often reduced their faith to actions.
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Doesn’t God grant us faith by grace? Why do we need to “form” faith?
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우리가 자신의 영적 교만을 충족시키기 위해 성경을 길들여왔는지 아닌지는 어떻게 알 수 있을까요? 여기 최소한 세 가지 주된 징후가 있습니다.
Our Shared Ministry
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Around the world, people in different cultures are reimagining church in different ways.
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Para muchos de nosotros, nuestro concepto de la Iglesia se ha visto sacudido.
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Window Rock Christian Reformed Church ministers to people living on reservation land in Arizona.
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Can we be bound together by the power of the Holy Spirit as one body even though our physical bodies are forced to be separate?
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The “Encourage, Equip & Inspire” event at Delavan Christian Reformed Church in Delavan, Wisc., brought leaders together for workshops about faith formation.
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After briefly weighing whether to strike up a conversation, he leaned over and said, “Pardon me, I heard you say ‘Grand Rapids.’ I lived there for eight years.”
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비록 우리가 물리적으로 어쩔 수 없이 떨어져 있지만 성령의 능력으로 한 몸으로 묶여지는 것이 가능합니까?