Eighty years ago, as a little boy, I experienced the sadness and the sin of a church split.
Find exclusive content here not available in the monthly print version of The Banner. New As I Was Saying blogs are posted Fridays and sometimes Tuesdays, and Behind The Banner blogs post on the third Friday of every other month (but sometimes more frequently).
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- READ MOREIf Christianity is all about always having the right or correct answers, why does Jesus regularly teach in such a convoluted way? 
- READ MOREDan Veeneman’s news writing has shown him acts of community service that deepen his faith and encourage reflection: ‘how can I make a difference?’ 
- January 17, 2025| |READ MOREThe end of her life came fast, less than a year from the start of signs of things for which we did not know they were signs. 
- READ MOREEffective pastors in times like these must feel adequately equipped for the complex and nuanced job of imparting peace, unity and intelligent civic participation to their congregations. 
- READ MOREBeing a mediocre parent, I pick my battles. Trying to model the values of faith and the covenant community is No. 1. Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation helped me identify No. 2: technology. 
- READ MOREI was relieved it was over. But still wondering what this result meant for me, our family, our faith, and our country. 
- READ MOREThe physical demands of running were intense, but I soon realized that the mental aspect was equally challenging. 
- READ MORELeaders are typically given way too much credit on both ends of the spectrum. They are either venerated as saints or demonized. 
- READ MOREShe told the audience about how her ethnic group suffered vicious attacks that left about 400 dead and displaced thousands in her community. 
- READ MOREAs my pedals whir, I listen. Do I hear the trees groaning? Is that a heavy sigh on the wind? If it’s groaning I hear, I can relate. 
- READ MORERegardless of how righteous and benevolent our requests are, petition is still just one small aspect of prayer that often gets treated as the whole. 
- READ MORELet’s ensure all voices—and all stories—have the chance to be heard. 
- READ MOREI hope April 8, 2024, is a sunny day here in East Palmyra, N.Y. If it is, I’ll have the opportunity to view a solar eclipse from within the “path of totality.” 
- READ MOREPreparing to say goodbye, Papa said, “Let’s sing our song before we leave.” Our song? Tilting my head and squinting his way, I wondered, “What song?” 
- READ MOREThe two criminals crucified with Jesus (Luke 23:39-43) are a microcosm of humanity under suffering. 
- READ MORERecent criticism questioning the value of The Banner and the kinds of articles its staff choose to publish prompted a response. 
- READ MOREOne of the things I’m (re)learning is that fasting is one of the most helpful disciplines for listening to God and discerning his will during difficult or divided times. 
- READ MOREI learned a lesson recently: the art of asking, in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, “What can I do?” This takes my focus from the barriers to what is possible. 
- READ MOREThe story of the Gävle in Sweden helps us see that since the very beginning, Christmas has been under siege. In large and small ways, we’re all guilty of shooting flaming arrows. 
- READ MOREWe often view receiving gifts—especially of assistance, necessities or financial help—as signs of weakness. 
- READ MORESeveral news stories, a few of our Cross Examination columns, three features, and an As I Was Saying blog post captured the most attention in The Banner’s web-published articles this year. 
- November 13, 2023| |READ MOREA good pastor is hard to find—in art, at least, if not life. 
- READ MOREAn Indigenous Cree and follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reflects on the two lenses needed to consider the news of “no human remains found” at a Canadian residential school. 
 
     
 
 
