Summer Books - JUNE 2021 - Ancaster Christian Reformed Church
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JUNE 2021 THE BANNER.ORG
Summer
Books
A Bible for Those
Who Can’t Read
“Because I heard this Talking Bible, everything is changed for me,” says Mary.
Thirty years ago, Mary sought safety in a refugee camp. Today, she’s still there
and new refugees are flooding her community. Even though Mary herself
knows the pain of being forced to leave her home, she found it difficult to care
about her new neighbors.
The Solar Talking Bible
Easy to use Then she heard the Talking Bible. God’s Word softened Mary’s heart and filled
Powerful speaker her with compassion. Mary’s life was transformed by hearing the Good News
Solar powered on a Talking Bible! She makes peace instead of picking fights. She worships
God instead of practicing witchcraft. And she is a friend instead of an enemy to
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THROUGH OUR WEBSITE! “Now I have a new life! My neighbors and I love each other, and I am serving in
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JUNE 2021 2 THEBANNER.ORG
419 East Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025 • Telephone: 855-55-BIBLE (855-552-4253) or 760-745-8105 • Mark S Hoekstra, President
“Lo s t a n d
d ”
U n h e a r
That’s how 9-year-old Amelia felt when
she began her counseling sessions. But
between games of Monopoly, she began
sharing her heartbreaking experiences
with Ginnette, her counselor. Stories of
verbal arguments between her parents
and struggles of adjusting to a new
home after their divorce.
Then Ginnette shared a resource from
ReFrame Ministries that offers biblically-
based stories, advice, and activities for
kids and parents involved in a divorce.
“While reading through the pages,
Amelia’s mom broke down for the
first time in three years since I’d been
working with her family,” Ginnette says.
e C h r is ti a n R ef o r m ed Church’s
Th a v e a n ew name,
media m in is tr y m a y h
o n’t ch a n g e th e w a y G o d’s
but that w
story reaches Amelia.
JUNE 2021 3
ReFrameMinistries.org
THEBANNER.ORG
VOLUME 156, NUMBER 6
BY THE NUMBERS W H AT ’S ONLINE FE AT URE S
Church Juice and ReFrame Ministries Looking for more? Here are just a few of the
provided grants to churches and minis- stories you’ll find online at TheBanner.org.
tries who needed help with their media (Try typing the headlines into the
ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic. search box.)
In all, 15 churches received grants total-
» Partner Churches in Michigan and
ing $52,001.93. Grants went to Christian
Honduras Worship Together Online
Reformed churches in 12 states and
» Likes and Prayers: Facebook Tests New
provinces.
‘Prayer Post’ Feature 10
For Granted » Podcast: BECOMING: (us), by Moriah and
Joel Smallbone
» Children’s Book: Pugtato Finds a Thing, If I’m Such A Good Christian Girl,
by Sophie Corrigan Then Why Am I Still Alone?
» Movie: Minari Dana Drosdick // A single girl’s perspec-
tive on the relational prosperity gospel.
32
5 Reasons to
Embrace Hospitality
Peter Jonker // Walls of mistrust seem to
be thickening.
36
The Other Six:
Tell a Better Story
Sara Korber-DeWeerd // Revising
narratives of disability in the church.
Cover: Take a look! It’s in a book!
The Mixed Media editor lists this
summer’s top reads, including 111
Trees: How One Village Celebrates the
Birth of Every Girl.
JUNE 2021 4 THEBANNER.ORG
CONTENTS
NEWS OUR SHARED MINISTRY
14 Candidacy Committee Gets New Director; Koll Editor Kristen deRoo VanderBerg,
Retires Director of CRCNA Communications and Marketing
18 Pledge-based Budget Sees Income Down,
Allocations Changed
20 New Leadership Structure Recommended
Amid Much Disagreement
COLUMNS
22
7 Editorial: Revival and Spiritual Pride
Shiao Chong // Our churches need a spiritual revival.
Responding to the Global Effects of COVID-19
8 Reply All Beth DeGraff and Laurisa O’Brien // Poverty has skyrocketed
since the pandemic began.
9 Vantage Point: Vigilance Is Needed
Marion Dykstra // We are neglecting discipleship and instruction. 26 The View from Here: A Season of Change
Colin P. Watson Sr. // There is always hope in the difficulty.
12 Big Questions
What should church councils do about members who disappear?
31 Discover: Cool Summer Animals
Christin Baker // Animals find different ways to cool off.
35 Faith Matters: Adam Was Designed
to Be a Gardener
Rob Braun // Stewardship is part of our creational mandate.
38 Mixed Media: Turning the Pages
on a Summer’s Day
Lorilee Craker // 12 books for summer reading 2021.
41 Word Play The Banner is the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church
45 In My Shoes: Gripped Editor Shiao Chong
Amie Spriensma // A prayer for the hard times and the good. Associate Editor Sarah Delia Heth
News Editor Alissa Vernon
46 Still: A Psalm on Time and Busyness Mixed Media Editor Lorilee Craker
Jennifer Merri Parker // Giving thanks for all the seasons of life.
Art Director Dean R. Heetderks
Designer Pete Euwema
Contact Us 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49508-1407 info@TheBanner.org
Address Changes and Subscriptions 800-777-7270 or visit TheBanner.org
Correction Classified Advertising 616-224-0725 classifieds@TheBanner.org
The name of Rev. Robert Cumings was misspelled in “Classis Display Advertising 616-224-5882 ads@TheBanner.org
Watch: Spring 2021,” May 2021, p. 16. We regret the error. Editorial 616-224-0824 editorial@TheBanner.org
News news@TheBanner.org
Published monthly (except August). Periodicals postage paid at Grand Rapids, Mich.
Postmaster, send address changes to: The Banner, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids MI
49508-1407. Canadian publications mail agreement #40063614. Return undeliverable
Canadian addresses to: The Banner, 3475 Mainway, PO Box 5070, STN LCD 1, Burlington
ON L7R 3Y8. Copyright 2019, Christian Reformed Church in North America. Printed in
U.S.A. The Banner (ISSN0005-5557). Vol. 156, No. 6, 2021.
Member of Associated Church Press and Evangelical Press Association.
JUNE 2021 5 THEBANNER.ORG
One Gift.
One Thousand Churches.
You have the unique opportunity to make an impact on all the
congregations of the CRC with just one gift.
Your gift, in addition to ministry shares, ensures these twelve
ministries have the resources to serve the one thousand churches
of the CRC in their mission to share the love of God with their
communities.
By supporting the CRC ministries, your gift reaches one thousand
churches across North America.
Give your gift at crcna.org/1000churches
Faith Formation Ministries / Worship Ministries / Safe Church Ministry / Disability Concerns
Office of Race Relations / Office of Social Justice / Indigenous Ministry / Centre for Public Dialogue
J U N E 2 0 2Diversity
1 / Candidacy Committee / Chaplaincy and
6 Care Ministry / Pastor Church Resources
THEBANNER.ORG
EDITORIAL
Revival and Spiritual Pride
Collectively, we SEVEN YEARS AGO, Henry Wildeboer Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century
wrote a Banner article suggesting the American revivalist preacher, warned
are guilty of Christian Reformed Church needs a against spiritual pride and listed a
spiritual revival (“These Bones Can number of its symptoms. First, the
spiritual pride— Live,” October 2014). I agree. Our spiritually proud often overlook their
churches need a spiritual revival more own faults, failing to recognize their
pride in our rich than anything else at this time. But pride. Instead, their pride makes them
what holds us back is our sinful pride. focus on the faults of others. A spirit of
theological heritage Collectively, we are guilty of spiritual fault-finding is a sure symptom of spir-
pride—pride in our rich theological itual pride. Humble Christians worry
and in getting heritage and in getting our doctrines more about their own sins and faults.
“right,” pride in our organizational
Second, the spiritually proud are often
our doctrines strengths and in our ability to get things
harsh in their criticisms of others,
done. These are all good things, for sure,
even of other Christians. Edwards
“right,” pride in but we have placed too much trust in
bemoaned how they often would cloak
them. Of course, we never say these
their prideful harshness in sanctity
our organizational are where our trust lies, but our default and bold zeal for Christ to call things
behaviors betray our inner beliefs. out. Rather, humble Christians, said
strengths and in I say this as someone who also strug- Edwards, should “treat one another
gles with the sin of pride, especially with as much humility and gentleness
our ability to get intellectual pride. I know pride when as Christ, who is infinitely above them,
I see it. I have hinted at our need for treats them” (Works, Vol. 1, ix.v.i).
things done. revival in past editorials (see “Praying Edwards listed more symptoms, but
for Our Lives,” July/August 2018). I we can already see ourselves in the
have written that we need “A New above list. Almost every camp in CRC
Reformation” (October 2017). This time, disputes has shown these symptoms
I want to be clear: the CRCNA needs a of fault-finding, harshness, and over-
spiritual revival or it will die, regard- looking one’s own faults or weak-
less of what else we do. nesses. Just look at how we argue
There are many reasons, within and online over anything.
outside the church, for declining We are collectively guilty of spiritual
church membership across North pride. I am sure we can rationalize it
America. There is no silver bullet away. But if we choose to be stuck in
to stop it. We have relied on study our prideful ways, we can be sure God
committees, organizational restructur- will oppose us: “God opposes the proud
Shiao Chong is editor- ing, and refining our Church Order as but shows favor to the humble” (James
in-chief of The Banner. ways to solve our problems. But if these 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5; Prov. 3:34). If we repent
He attends Fellowship collective strengths that we pride and humble ourselves instead, God
Christian Reformed
ourselves on can solve our decline, will dwell with us: “‘I live in a high and
Church in Toronto, Ont.
wouldn’t they have solved it by now? holy place, but also with the one who
Spanish and Korean
is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive
translations of this It’s time we humble ourselves, collec-
the spirit of the lowly and to revive the
editorial are available tively and individually, begging God to
at TheBanner.org. heart of the contrite’” (Isa. 57:15).
fill us with the Holy Spirit and confess-
이 기사의 한글번역은 ing and repenting from our spiritual I am committing myself to praying
TheBanner.org/korean pride. We must immerse ourselves daily for God’s revival and that he
에서 보실 수 있습니다. in Scripture with humble hearts and would cleanse us of spiritual pride.
eyes, without agendas. Revival might Who will join me?
Este artículo está
disponible en español en not be the silver bullet, but without it,
TheBanner.org/spanish. nothing else will work.
JUNE 2021 7 THEBANNER.ORG
Are We Evangelicals?
I would add this to the article (“Are We
Evangelicals?” March 2021): whatever
R E P LY A L L Christians may decide to do in terms
of embracing or rejecting or divorcing
themselves from the word “evangelical,”
To send letters to the editor, please see
politicians of today will use the term (as
our guidelines at thebanner.org/letters. Governance Restructuring
a praise or as a condemnation) for the
I am a member of the Council of
sole purpose of attracting some voters
Threats to OSJ Delegates and also a director of the
and denouncing others. And sadly, what
I was deeply disturbed by the Banner CRCNA Canada Corporation. As Canadian
politicians do with the word will have
article “Mercy and Justice Staff Report directors, we have done everything in our
a greater effect on its definition in the
Escalating Intimidation” (online: bit. power to ensure that there is no separa-
minds of the broader population than
ly/3tiq6Rv). Staff of the CRC Office for tion between countries (“Governance
what those who actually are “evangeli-
Social Justice have received offensive Restructure Causing Confusion, Angst,”
cals” claim for the word.
comments, racist remarks, and threats bit.ly/3fXafUl). At every meeting of the
» Doug Vande Griend // online comment
violent enough to involve the police from directors it is stressed: we are ecclesiasti-
people within our denomination. ... No cally one denomination in two countries.
Growth Chart
one should have to do their job, a job This must not change. All we want to do
Regarding the chart in the April Banner
mandated by Synod, under fear, intimi- is ensure we do not lose our charitable
showing “Growth Spurts” in the number
dation, or the threat of violence, and this status by not complying with Canada
of Christian Reformed churches in
needs action on the local church level as Revenue Agency regulations: money
Canada since 1940: would it not be more
well as by the Council of Delegates and donated by Canadians must be controlled
relevant to highlight the 17% decline
the executive director of the Christian by Canadians.
Reformed Church. Discussion is appro- » Aaltje van Grootheest // in denomination-wide membership in
the past 10 years, or the 20% decline in
priate, but it is not enough. This type online comment
membership in Canada for that period?
of threatening behavior, as well as the
(Data from the 2011 and 2021 editions of
inaction by the denomination, feel very Synod Canceled Again
the CRCNA Yearbook.) We in the CRC are
far from Jesus of Nazareth and the king- I understand and affirm the need to
far from being in a growth mode, which
dom of God. cancel synod for a second year in a
would seem more pressing to address
» Sandy Navis // Grand Rapids, Mich. row (“Council of Delegates Discusses
than the increase in churches that
Synod 2021, Ministry Share Pledges,
I was deeply saddened when I read of occurred between the 1940s and 1990s!
the attacks—from “pastors and other
Governance,” April 2021). The 2022
» Burton VanderLaan //
agenda is going to be massive. I wonder if
office bearers in the CRCNA”—on the Byron Center, Mich.
it might be wise and necessary to extend
staff of the Office of Social Justice, includ-
synod to 10 days or even two weeks
ing “threatening postcards and letters” Healing
next year.
sent to staff by officebearers and pasto-
ral staff. Not only that, but the fact that
» Bill Vis // online comment I am grateful for the healing that Andrea
received and for her willingness to share
it has been going on for years—so much that (“The Trauma of Bullying,” April 2021).
so that staff members have left their After seven years in healing prayer minis-
positions over it! ... It is no wonder our try, I struggle with her line that she had to
denomination is failing to thrive. My own “imagine I was in a safe place and Jesus was
lifetime of support and membership is with me.” I believe that Jesus can cross
growing very near the breaking point. We time and space and that what Andrea
should all be ashamed. experienced was the resurrected, living
» Aaron Jonker // Grand Rapids, Mich. Jesus bringing healing to her. I have seen
so many miracles that it is hard to believe
that this is just people’s imagination.
» Theo D. Beels // Grand Rapids, Mich.
JUNE 2021 8 THEBANNER.ORG
VANTAGE POINT
Vigilance Is Needed
The Gifts of Sundays BILLY GRAHAM reputedly once referred I think this
Wonderful article! Thank you for writing to the Christian Reformed Church as
it! (“The Gifts of Sundays,” April 2021.) I a “sleeping giant.” I understood that to “three-legged
really like the phrase “What restores and mean we were a potent force for good
delights you?” I know that, since choos- even if he was implying that we were stool” of home,
ing to be more sabbatarian as a family, not as engaged as we ought to have
Sundays have quickly become a day to been. If he were alive today, I doubt church, and school
look forward to. A day of restoration! that’s how he would describe us now.
It was hard at first. Shifting thinking to
Several decades ago, Christian Reformed is now cracked
remember to go to the store Saturday
families held tenaciously to the disciple-
night so that you have everything you
ship and nurture of children as a three-
and wobbly.
need in order to avoid consumerism
fold responsibility: at home, at church,
on Sunday was a hard transition. But it do we apologize for our Reformed theol-
and at Christian schools. Members
has been so worth it! Making it to the ogy, or do we offer it as a remarkably
were well-schooled in the Bible, the
evening service every week was a rough relevant message for our challenged
catechism, and the tenets of the
transition at first too, but it has paid off times? A steady diet of “happy only”
Reformed faith. Although this was not
immensely for us as a family. messages is only half the gospel. Sin,
a utopian system, families were gener-
» Trevor Mouw // online comment hell, and the challenges of right living
ally Scripturally literate, doctrinally
in a secular and often godless society
informed, and convicted to transform
READ MORE ONLINE should also be preached. Confronting
their square inches for Christ. I think
the brokenness of our hearts and the
this “three-legged stool” of home, church, world should make us more eager to
and school is now cracked and wobbly celebrate covenant grace. God in the
because we are neglecting discipleship Old Testament and Jesus in the New
and instruction as a result of our prefer- Testament did not avoid offense and
ence for absorbing the world’s culture did not promise an easy path.
rather than transforming it, often at the
expense of Scriptural knowledge and Christian schools equip students
intentional Christian living. academically and in preparation for
earthly and kingdom citizenship. “The
What am I suggesting? If I needed fear of the Lord is the beginning of
to choose only one word, it would be knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). When choosing
vigilance. schools for our children, should we not
be vigilant about prioritizing moral
At home, Christian parents have a
and spiritual formation in the lives of
difficult time parenting in the present
our children as much as their academ-
culture. The busyness and stresses of
ics? Isn’t the same true for those who
everyday life wear us down. Often it is
choose to pursue higher education?
easier to give in to the mainstream than
to object to what is against Scripture. “This is love for God: to keep his
Media saturates everyday living—often commands. And his commands are not
with violence, immorality, or vulgar burdensome, for everyone born of God
and profane language, as well as inane overcomes the world” (1 John 5:3-4).
and meaningless content. I suggest vigi-
Find the latest posts from our award- lance in our habits of consumption— Marion Dykstra is a former
particularly those habits that consume Christian school teacher
winning blog online at TheBanner.org.
who led church Bible stud-
our time and convictions.
» Pastor and Council Teamwork ies for 30 years. She is a
Church: Naturally, bringing unbeliev- member of Palos Heights
» Time Lost or Time Gained ers into the church fold and deepen-
Christian Reformed Church
in Palos Heights, Ill.
» 5 Lessons from a Pandemic Year ing the knowledge of Jesus Christ in all
believers is our Christian calling. But
JUNE 2021 9 THEBANNER.ORG
If I’m Such A Good Christian Girl,
Then Why Am I Still Alone?
I
By Dana Drosdick
f 12-year-old me were to But even if that was a bit unrealistic, rewarded with solid marriages and
look at my 23-year-old self, I still never expected to be 23 with a live happily ever after.
sitting in my bed alone on dating history about as fruitful as the
Except, that is, when they aren’t.
Valentine’s Day with brown barren fig tree in Luke 13:6. I thought
smudges of chocolate staining I’d at least have had a few solid rela- I grew up a child of the True Love
my crisp, white sheets, she tionships to look back on, all of which Waits movement, meaning I was
would probably be shaking her head would end for completely legitimate indoctrinated from a young age
and saying, “Girl, get your life together.” and mutual reasons like moving far to believe that my waiting (in
away, realizing we weren’t “equally Christianese, waiting almost always
Because this was not how my 20s were
yoked,” or discovering that he didn’t refers to sex) would result in a happy
supposed to go.
know the difference between “your” and fruitful relationship. I heard
In my 12-year-old mind, I figured I horror stories of young women who
and “you’re.”
would probably meet a solid, Christian didn’t wait and endured hardships of
guy when I was about 18, and we I fervently believed I would have teenage pregnancy, sexually trans-
would date a respectable length of those kinds of relationships because mitted diseases, and relational abuse.
three years or so. Then he’d propose it seemed like that was just what That is not meant to delegitimatize
at the end of college, and I would be happened to good Christian girls. the realities that can sometimes come
blissfully wed by 21 years old. (I don’t They spend their youth staying pure with premarital sex. It is meant to
know—I was 12!) and doing good, and then they are emphasize the opposing philosophy
JUNE 2021 10 THEBANNER.ORGI grew up believing: if premarital sex the first time in God’s sufficiency. I
leads to pain, then purity must lead realized that God’s love is not some-
to paradise. thing to be earned, and blessings
The longer I are not a result of good works. God’s
This purity-to-paradise philosophy
grace is based on God’s goodness,
led me to a separate belief: a belief was single, the not my own.
in the relational prosperity gospel
and the notion that if I stay pure more convinced The moment my mentality switched
until marriage, then I will inevita- from seeing relationships as something
bly be blessed with a future happy I became that it to be earned to something to be expe-
relationship. rienced, I felt years of existential guilt
was a result of and shame melt from my being. I grew
The Relational Prosperity Gospel less anxious on dates since rejection
The relational prosperity gospel, also a lack of faith or no longer indicated a lack of God-given
worth. I stopped envying my friends in
described as the sexual prosperity
gospel, is a relatively new term that some hidden sin. relationships since relational status no
longer represented some sort of moral
Photo by Marisa Harris/Unsplash
falls under the prosperity gospel
superiority. And most importantly, I
umbrella. Unlike the more generic
felt less alone because I finally realized
prosperity gospel, which emphasizes
that it was a result of a lack of faith or that what I lacked in romantic relation-
health and wealth as key indicators
some hidden sin. Every date I went on ships was made up for in the peace of
of a solid faith, the relational prosper-
(however infrequent) contained deep God’s goodness.
ity gospel is a subtler form, one that
religious anxiety for me as each unsuc-
equates faithfulness with relational Now I look back at my 12-year-old self,
cessful connection seemed to testify to
reward. Within the relational pros- the one who thought her worth was
perity gospel ethic, there is the idea some deep-set sinfulness. Dating even-
dependent on the eyes of men and of
that a person’s faith can be judged by tually became so painful and stressful
others, and I wish I could tell her how
their relational success. Those who that a mere offer of a blind date set-up
loved she was. If I could, I would wrap
are married are deemed more faithful would trigger panic as I tried my hard- her up in the warm embrace of God’s
and good, while those who are single est not to hyperventilate and think grace and tell her that she didn’t need
or divorced are seen as lacking in about the existential spiral that would to be perfect or faultless. She would
faithfulness. inevitably result. sin, make mistakes, and mess up,
And yet, despite my dating anxieties, I but none of that would or could ever
It’s a belief system that has no real
still longed for a relationship. I longed change God’s unending love. With
Scriptural rooting, but something
to reach that benchmark of religious one’s repentant heart and spirit, God’s
I clung to nonetheless. Believing in
success and have that golden stamp of forgiveness and grace know no bounds.
the relational prosperity gospel gave
me a sense of control. It made me approval that I was worthy in the eyes Sweet girl, I would whisper into those
feel that if I attended enough Sunday of God and men. But the more I tried ears ringing with fears and religious
services, consumed enough grape and failed, the more I begged God to insecurities, you are not alone. You are
juice and matzo crackers, and listened reveal my great sin, the thing keeping loved and beloved by God.
to enough Christian music, then God me from total love and affection.
God’s grace is enough.
would bless me with a man. I contin-
ued to wait for God to reward me The True Gospel
with the man of my dreams delivered Finally, after countless prayers, it Dana Drosdick is a Calvin
directly to my door, conflating my clicked. Maybe there was no great sin University graduate and a
marketer in Glens Falls, N.Y.
Christian piety with the plenitude of a that was keeping me single. Maybe my
Her work, inspired by her
healthy relationship. greatest sin was believing that there Christian Reformed roots,
was anything I could do to earn my way has been previously
When God didn’t reward me for my
into God’s good grace in the first place. featured in Chicken Soup for
good behavior, I began to wonder what the Soul and at The Odyssey
I was doing wrong. The longer I was After years of striving to do more, be Online. Follow her on
single, the more convinced I became more, and love more, I found rest for Instagram @danadrosdick.
JUNE 2021 11 THEBANNER.ORGIllustration for The Banner by Gisela Bohórquez
BIG QUESTIONS
Stewardship
We want to put up a clothesline
to dry our clothes outside in
warm weather so we don’t
have to waste gas or electricity this is to limit your electrical usage or Doomscrolling, sometimes called
using a dryer. However, our natural gas consumption and to rely doomsurfing, is a new-ish word to
on solar energy for clothes drying. If describe the practice of scrolling
housing subdivision prohibits
they express any concerns, explain through your social media feeds look-
clotheslines. What do we do? that the drying will not be visible from ing for negative material: troubling
Drying clothes outside on a line or a the front of the house. If you show that headlines, horrific news photos, and
rack is so pleasantly old-fashioned. you are concerned about aesthetics, graphs that prove we are indeed living
There’s a lot to be said for it. It’s most neighbors will be willing to show in the worst possible times. We’re
solar-powered. You get to spend time some flexibility. (And I agree: using a naturally drawn to them all.
outdoors. It’s cheap. And you don’t clothes dryer on a sunny, 90-degree
need those wasteful dryer sheets summer day feels like a waste of Social media is designed for endless
to give your clothes that fresh-laun- scrolling, of course, but it’s our brains
solar energy!)
dered smell. that are wired to notice anything that
Rolf Bouma is an ordained pastor in the
Restrictive covenants banning clothes- might pose a threat—our survival
Christian Reformed Church who teaches reli-
lines were put in place starting in the depends on it. These days, there’s lots
gion, ethics, and ecology in the Program in the
1960s as a way to protect property Environment at the University of Michigan. to grab our attention.
values, but bans are now being chal-
In the real world, noticing the occa-
lenged and in many cases have been Digital Life
sional car coming dangerously close to
struck down as part of solar energy
initiatives. In some states, guaran-
I sometimes find myself us is one thing, but it’s another thing to
tees of solar energy use have been scrolling mindlessly through believe every car anywhere is a threat.
interpreted to include the use of solar Likewise, doomscrolling can cause
my social media accounts. I
energy for drying. anxiety and lead to depression.
think that’s a problem. Would
If your community has a restrictive Acknowledging this bad habit is a good
covenant, another way to approach
you agree? first step. The next time you grab your
the situation is to talk to your neigh- I suspect any parent would answer phone and launch into your social
bors and explain what you would like this question with a resounding “Of media, ask yourself what it is you plan
to do and why, telling them that one course that’s a problem!” But if we to do once you’re in. And after that lost
day a week you would like to be able take the shiny digital device out of this hour of scrolling, ask yourself what
to place a clothes rack or line in your picture, would you also say that mind- caught and kept your attention. Was it
back yard for a couple of hours to dry lessly weeding a garden is a problem? I
everyday stuff of interest, or did it lean
your clothes. The reason you are doing don’t knit, but as I watch some people
more toward the dark side? Take heed.
do it while carrying on an intelligent
conversation, it doesn’t appear to be a Dean Heetderks is co-director of Ministry
problem for them. Support Services of the CRC and art director of
The Banner. Wondering about any part of the
But if it’s doomscrolling you’re doing, digital side of your life? Tell him about it at dean.
that could be a problem. heetderks@gmail.com.
JUNE 2021 12 THEBANNER.ORGBIG QUESTIONS
Vocation/Calling being faithful with the gifts and oppor- circumstances that make it impossible,
tunities you’ve been given. like military service, nursing home
I’m not sure what I ought to be residence, missionary service, or being
May you also trust that the Spirit will
doing next. Why does deciding away at school.
guide you into the right next steps and
this feel so hard? redirect you as necessary. This doesn’t If members move away or stop attend-
When we see our skills and work as change how hard the decision(s) might ing for longer than two years and
gifts from God, we can put pressure on be, but we can have comfort in know- claim to have a new church but don’t
ourselves and others to get it exactly ing that God—and the community transfer, their memberships can be
right. It’s hard not to feel like something God has given us—are with us on lapsed, which is a technical term
is wrong with us when we’re struggling the journey. essentially meaning they are removed
with decisions. How do we be gracious to from the membership rolls of the
Brenda Kronemeijer-Heyink is a Christian
ourselves and others in this situation? church. But lapsing should never be
Reformed chaplain at the University of Toronto.
used to avoid following up on people
One way we can make better deci-
Church/Bible/Doctrine who slip away from the church.
sions is through seeking advice. But
Sometimes elders discover lists of
even getting helpful advice is often How many categories of members who have not been around
difficult. So much has changed in the
past decades in terms of technology,
members do we have in the for years and become eager to go on a
cleaning spree to “clean up the rolls.”
jobs, and economic uncertainty. There Christian Reformed Church? This can be needed, but faithful, loving
were times when getting a university What should councils do about discipling all along would be prefer-
degree translated easily into getting a
well-paid job, regardless of what you
members who disappear? able. The elders should always think
first of the people involved and be very
studied. Now a university education The CRC has two categories: baptized
reluctant to lapse members who might
often means accumulating a lot of debt members and confessing members.
then lose their official connection to
without the certainty of a job. But not Baptized members have been baptized
the church of Jesus Christ and have
going to university also limits what as infants or as adults or at any age.
their last experience with the church
job you can do, so it feels like a no-win Confessing members have professed
be a negative one. Better to reach out
situation. Whether we’re giving or their faith in Jesus Christ and affirmed
to them occasionally and give the
receiving advice, it’s hard to know the confessions of the CRC. Confessing
Spirit time to work in their lives. Treat
what advice, even if it comes from members were also called “commu-
them with great patience, love and
experience and love, is truly wisdom nicant members” until 2011, when we
care—the way you would want the
for today’s situation. disconnected partaking of commu-
church to deal with your children if
nion with making profession of faith.
Perhaps indecisiveness is not the they were inactive members. And
Now all baptized members, under
biggest problem. It’s genuinely hard to make these missing members of the
the supervision of their elders, are
know how to shape the things we are church a matter of your prayers.
welcome to participate at the table in
passionate about into a paid job. It’s age- and ability-appropriate ways. Rev. Kathy Smith is senior associate director
not likely to be a straight path either. of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship,
What about members who don’t
So many jobs, such as teacher, jour- adjunct professor of church polity at Calvin
participate in the sacrament, or Theological Seminary, and adjunct professor of
nalist, or musician, are either hard to
worship, or anything else? Aren’t congregational and ministry studies at Calvin
find or unlikely to pay a living wage.
inactive members a third category? University. She is a member of First CRC in
Following God’s calling to use your Grand Rapids, Mich.
No, inactive members are baptized
gifts to meet the world’s needs then
or confessing members who for one
requires creativity. It might mean
year have not made faithful use of
piecing together several jobs, volun-
the means of grace, especially the
teering, or learning to live with less.
hearing of the Word and the Lord’s
Determining what’s next is a complex Got a Big Question for any of our
Supper, unless there are extenuating
journey that is less about how good panelists? Email it to editorial@
you and your efforts are in pursuing thebanner.org with “Big Questions” in
the job you love and more about how the subject line.
you might love God and others by
JUNE 2021 13 THEBANNER.ORGCandidacy Committee
Gets New Director; Koll Retires
David Koll, 66, will retire from
the Christian Reformed Church’s
Candidacy Committee at the end
NEWS of June. Koll was the first direc-
tor of Candidacy and has served
since 2008. The new director,
For more news and longer
Susan LaClear, whose appoint-
stories about the churches
ment was approved by the
and ministries of the Christian
Council of Delegates in February,
Reformed Church, visit
started April 5.
TheBanner.org. Or get the free
app by searching for “CRCNA The Candidacy Committee was
Banner” in your app store. established in 2004 and is meant David Koll, Susan LaClear
to guide the process of preparing
Follow The Banner on
candidates for ministry in the CRC. In the past, the majority of those wishing to become
social media:
» Facebook.com/crcbanner CRC pastors would go to Calvin Seminary. As the denomination grew in diversity, Koll
» Twitter @crcbanner said, the committee “was created by synod to bring better hospitality and integrity to
the ways that we ordain pastors.”
Got a news tip?
LaClear, 48, was a commissioned pastor in the CRC before being ordained as a minister
Know of a noteworthy event
of the Word in 2013. She has served on the Candidacy Committee for six years. LaClear
or accomplishment in the life
describes her own journey into the CRC as one formed by many Christian traditions.
of a CRC member?
Send your news tip to “I learned spiritual practices in college from mentors who were mostly Baptist and
news@TheBanner.org. Methodist. Then, as a young adult, my faith was stretched in a Pentecostal Haitian
mission and an Assemblies of God megachurch,” she said. “My first leadership role was
as an assistant pastor/music minister in an Assemblies church plant, and it was out of
that unlikely place that God launched me into the CRC.”
Classis Red Mesa, a regional group of churches in Northwest New Mexico and Northeast
Arizona, ordained LaClear as a commissioned pastor in 2005, and she pastored
Maranatha CRC in Farmington, N. Mex., until 2016. Classis Red Mesa “supported me
to pursue my M.Div. and go through the EPMC (Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial
Candidates) program so that I could be ordained as a minister of the Word,” she said.
Her most recent position was pastor of discipleship and care at Alive Ministries in
Jenison, Mich.
In the Council of Delegates meeting in February, LaClear spoke of the variety of candi-
dates hoping to serve as pastors in the CRC, each bringing “experiences and gifts” that
“will enrich the CRC and make us better.”
“God has given us candidates who are as native to America as you can possibly get, contribut-
ing a leadership that’s been shaped by their rich traditional culture; also, candidates whose
strong Reformed worldview has been instilled in them through generations of Dutch heri-
tage,” LaClear said. “Some candidates are recent immigrants, still fluid in their languages,
bringing with them a piety that’s unique to their culture. Others, such as our Black and brown
brothers and sisters, bring the strength of an unwavering faith and overcoming love that’s
been formed through the fires of generational suffering and injustice here in America.”
Koll said he has enjoyed being part of the growing diversity in the CRCNA. In retirement
he intends to continue mentoring younger pastors, specifically pastors from ethnic
minority groups. “If people my age can become supporters of the younger pastors,” Koll
said, “the church will be better off.”
—Callie Feyen
JUNE 2021 14 THEBANNER.ORGNEWS
IN MEMORIAM
Noteworthy
The Banner and communications from RCA-CRC
Overview
2020: The Synod That Wasn’t Disability Concerns were recognized in April with
SYNOD 2020 NEWS
nine “Best of the Church Press” awards from the
Associated Church Press for work produced in 2020.
Meeting on behalf of Synod
2020 to conduct the business of
the church deemed necessary
before Synod 2021 convenes, the
Christian Reformed Church’s
Rev. Ralph Adrian
Council of Delegates gathered
The Banner received the Award of Excellence for
via Zoom video conferencing
June 12-17. Stories on the
following pages highlight the
actions taken.
“Best in Class, Denominational or Other Special Bruxvoort
Interest Magazine,” and former news editor Gayla R.
Follow The Banner on For the first time in its 163-year history, William Koopmans, another synod
social media: the Christian Reformed Church canceled veteran from Classis Hamilton, missed
» Facebook.com/crcbanner its annual synod due to the COVID-19 pan- the celebratory aspects that are part
» Twitter @crcbanner, #crcbanner
1933-2021
demic. (See “Most of Synod 2020 Agenda of synod: the celebration of new candi-
Deferred to 2021,” June 2020, p. 17.)
Postma was recognized with Awards of Excellence
dates for ministry, commemorating the
Got a news tip?
services of pastors who are retiring (30
Visit TheBanner.org/News and Normally synod lasts a week, each day
this year), and launching a significant
use the “Got a News Tip” link. Or including enthusiastic worship, times
vision for the ministry of the denomina-
contact the news editor at news@ of camaraderie in committees and over
tion with Our Journey 2025.
TheBanner.org. meals, and times of prayer.
for “Convention or Meeting Coverage,” short and Ralph Bruxvoort, who died on
To recognize the candidates (p.18),
But little is normal in this pandemic.
Council made the best of it, having an
Instead of a rousing synod with almost
on-screen ceremony that included a
200 delegates and all its ups and downs,
modified laying on of hands.
the Council of Delegates met over four
long format for “The Synod That Wasn’t,” July 2020, and
half days, looking at each others’ faces in
March 23, preached, taught, and
“Though meeting by Zoom in a special
boxes on a screen. session is not nearly as personal, the
Conducting the business of the church disadvantages were mitigated in part
that the officers of Synod 2019 decided by the fact that the (Council) members
Council of Delegates Coverage, April 2020.
could not wait, the meeting was marked already know each other quite well,” said
lived out a theology centered on
by celebration, lament and mourning, a Koopmans. “The conversations were typi-
businesslike atmosphere, and most of all cally direct and gracious.”
by the oddness of it all.
Not a Rubber Stamp
An Odd and Strange
God’s unconditional love and grace.
For much of the meeting, the Council was
Experience approving aspects of its own work that
“Making a Difference Through Mentoring,” by Lemarr
would ordinarily be presented to synod.
As president of the Council, Paul De Vries,
But that didn’t mean it all passed easily.
synod veteran from Classis Thornapple
Valley, chaired the meeting. It felt odd, Roger Sparks, delegate from Classis
he said, because it has never happened Minnkota and also a synod veteran, said
Jackson and Meghan Donohue (February 2020),
before and there was no plan or prece- delegates were conscious of the dynamic
He was born in Tres Arroyos,
dent to follow. of not being synod. “We were careful
JULY/AUGUST 2020 16 THEBANNER.ORG
“Mindfulness and the Christian Faith,” by Irene Kraegel Argentina, where his father was
(March 2020), and The Banner Update electronic newslet- a missionary on behalf of the
ter received honorable mentions. Christian Reformed Church to the
Breaking Barriers, the newsletter of RCA-CRC Dutch immigrant community. The
Disability Concerns, received Awards of Excellence family returned to the U.S. in 1935.
for “Best in Class, Newsletter” and for “Theme Issue, Bruxvoort eventually graduated
Section, or Series” for its Spring 2020 edition, “Visual from Calvin College (now University)
Impairment and Blindness.” The CRC-RCA Disability and Seminary. Following ordination
Concerns blog on network.crcna.org received an in 1958, he pastored Alamosa (Col.)
Award of Merit. CRC. He went on to serve Pompton
Plains (N.J.) CRC, Ada (Mich.) CRC,
Manhattan (Mont.) CRC, Hope CRC
in Stony Plain, Alta., and Quincy
(Wash.) CRC. After retirement in
1998, the Bruxvoorts moved to
Bloomer, Wisc., to be near family.
David Zietsma, provost and vice president of He continued to preach when
academics at Redeemer University in Ancaster, needed for Christian Reformed and
Ont., has been named as the school’s interim presi- Presbyterian churches in Wisconsin
dent. Zietsma, a professor at Redeemer since 2007, was and Minnesota.
appointed after president Robert Graham announced he Bruxvoort loved watching sports,
was resigning. Graham had been president since 2018. served on the Bloomer school board
Ongoing health concerns and difficulties in visiting his for almost a decade, was an avid
family, who live in the U.S., because of pandemic travel reader of histories, biographies,
restrictions were key factors in Graham’s decision to and books about social justice, and
step down. swam regularly at the local pool until
the Thursday before he died.
Survived by four children and their
spouses, a daughter-in-law, 16
grandchildren, and five great-grand-
children, Bruxvoort was prede-
ceased by his wife, Elaine, two sons,
and one grandchild.
—Janet A. Greidanus
JUNE 2021 15 THEBANNER.ORGNEWS
Council of Delegates Meeting
Included Intense Debate
When the Council of Delegates of the Divided Votes “Pledge-based Budget Sees Income
Christian Reformed Church met for its Down, Allocations Changed,” p. 18).
Delegate opinions about a few matters
May meeting, it covered a large agenda,
including the first denominational budget
were divided, but a heated debate about » noted that Dr. Pablo Kim has been
the denomination’s proposed new lead- hired in Canada as senior leader
based on ministry share pledges, a deci-
ership structure took the most time. for anti-racism and intercultural
sion to take Bethany Christian Services
conciliation.
off the list of organizations recom- The proposal intends to bring the
mended for church offerings, and recom- denomination’s governance structure » heard that there would be a temporary
mending a new leadership structure. into compliance with Canadian tax laws pause in the work of the Collaborative
governing charities. Many Canadian Church Planting Team due to a staffing
The 53-member Council includes a
delegates were unhappy, saying the new change at Resonate Global Mission.
delegate from each classis (regional
assembly) of the CRC plus four at-large leadership structure does not achieve » recommended to Synod 2021 that all
delegates. It serves in the interim of parity between the U.S. and Canada. Council members must sign a Code of
synod, the church’s broadest assembly, Their attempt to pause the process failed Conduct prior to service on the Council
between synod’s annual meetings. All in a 28-18 vote (see “New Leadership in addition to signing the Statement
items recommended to Synod 2021 will Structure Recommended Amid Much of Agreement with the Beliefs of
be processed when the Council meets in Disagreement,” p. 20). the CRCNA.
June in lieu of synod, which was canceled
due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Another issue that divided delegates was » approved raising salaries of denomi-
whether to remove Bethany Christian national employees by 3%, with a 4%
The Council met May 5-7 by video confer-
Services from the list of organizations merit program.
ence. It has not convened in person since
recommended for church offerings.
February 2020.
Bethany changed its policies to now offer
» adopted search team mandates to hire
new directors for Disability Concerns
its services, including foster placement
and the Office of Social Justice / Office
and adoption of children, to same-sex
of Race Relations. Mark Stephenson,
couples. Some delegates thought the
current director of those agen-
organization should still be supported
cies, announced he will retire at the
because of all the good work it does.
end of 2021.
Others said that the Bethany policy
contradicts the CRC’s position on same- » heard updates on the morale of the
sex relationships and should no longer CRC’s justice staff and spent about two
be recommended. The Council hours engaged in conversation, prayer,
voted 23-21 to recommend and reflection focused on cultivating
that synod remove Bethany love and civility.
from the list. —Gayla R. Postma
Other Matters
The Council of
Delegates also:
» voted 33-16 to allow Calvin
University to change the process for
appointing a president. Instead of
synod, Calvin’s board of trustees will
In Friday morning devotions delegates now appoint the university’s president.
responded to questions about cultivating
The change allows Calvin to recruit a
the practice of prayer and other spiritual
president in a more timely way.
disciplines—part of a set of conversa-
tion cards developed to prompt discus- » approved a budget based on minis-
sion about the four milestones of the try share pledges that are about 11%
Our Journey 2025 ministry plan. less than last year’s income (see
JUNE 2021 16 THEBANNER.ORGNEWS
In Lieu of Synod 2021, Council Will Process
New Pledge Budget, Restructuring, Some Overtures
The Christian Reformed Church’s Council p. 23 of Agenda for Synod 2021). All of Reports from the Ecclesiastical
of Delegates will meet in a special session the related material will remain on Marriage Task Force and the
June 11-12 and 15-16. The meeting is in the agenda for Synod 2022. (See “New Bivocational Task Force, both
lieu of the CRC’s annual synod, which Leadership Structure Recommended assigned by Synod 2019, now also are
was canceled because of the COVID-19 Amid Much Disagreement,” p. 20.) deferred to Synod 2022. (The Banner’s
pandemic. Synod 2020 also was canceled.
That was the first time the CRC’s annual
» Addressing tasks assigned by Synod summary of the human sexuality
2019 about preventing abuse of report is in the January 2021 issue, pp.
general assembly had been canceled in 14-17. The Banner’s February 2021 issue
power. Recommendations adopted by
its more than 160-year history. includes summaries of the bivocational
the Canada and U.S. Corporations in
The Council’s role is to serve in the the past year include employee train- report (p. 19) and the ecclesiastical
interim of synod. It won’t tackle every- ing and changes to the employee hand- marriage report (p. 20).)
thing in the Agenda for Synod 2021, but book, a policy regarding nondisclosure » Items deferred from the agenda for
will address only those items that cannot agreements, training for all candidates
Synod 2020, including Faith Formation
wait until Synod 2022. The synodical for the ministry, a code of conduct for
Ministries’ review of the New City
program committee decided which items all ministry personnel, record keeping
Catechism (requested by Synod 2019),
to include. That committee is made up to increase collaboration between Safe
a report on the definition of heresy
of the officers of the last synod, in this Church Ministry and Pastor Church
(see “What is Heresy? Synod 2019
case Synod 2019. (The full Agenda and the Resources, and a Dignity Team to
Asked; Report Tries to Answer,” p. 19),
reports noted below are available online foster a culture of respect. The Abuse
at crcna.org/synodresources.) The Banner and three overtures requesting that
of Power Ad Hoc Committee report is
will cover the special meeting. Look for synod consider changing who may be
included in the Agenda, pp. 44-70.
stories in the July 2021 issue. delegated to assemblies of the church
» Discussion of a number of requests (classis and synod) and how large those
What to Watch For: from classes and congregations delegations should be.
» Setting the first denominational regarding Neland Ave. CRC in Grand
budget under the Reimagining Rapids, Mich. (Agenda for Synod 2021, RCA Synod Watchers
Ministry Shares plan. The budget will pp. 352-376). The overtures range Although the CRC decided to cancel its
be based on ministry share pledges from asking that the church be admon- synod for 2021, the Reformed Church
from the classes (regional groups of ished or even disaffiliated for ordain- in America is carrying through with its
churches) rather than on an expected ing a deacon who is in a same-sex
general synod but postponing it until
remittance of a specified per-member relationship (See “Woman in Same-
October. On the agenda is deciding on
amount to support shared denomina- sex Marriage Installed as Deacon,”
a path forward as laid out in the RCA
tional ministries. (The Council decided November 2020, p. 22) to requesting
Vision 2020 report released last June
at its special meeting in lieu of Synod that the Council rescind its decision to
(see “Restructuring, New Mission Agency,
2020 to go ahead with the plan, which communicate directly with Neland’s
and ‘Mutually Generous Separation’
had already been approved in principle council. (See “Council of Delegates
Recommended for RCA,” February 2021,
by Synod 2019.) Discusses Neland Avenue CRC
p. 14). As of April 30, neither the dates nor
Decision,” December 2020, p. 21.)
» Continued processing of adminis- the venue for the October general synod
trative and leadership structure What NOT to Watch For: had been finalized.
changes begun at the end of 2019. At
» The reports of three study commit- Decisions made by the RCA affect the CRC
that time Canadian members (known
tees (people appointed by synod because of the agreement between the
as the Canada Corporation) determined
to study a particular issue at length two denominations struck at Synod 2014.
that they had to direct and control all
and then make recommendations That accord commits the denominations
resources collected in Canada to be in
to a subsequent synod). The Council to “act together in all matters except
compliance with the Canadian tax laws
decided in February to defer the much- those in which deep differences of convic-
governing charitable organizations.
anticipated report of the Committee tion compel (them) to act separately.”
Council will discuss restructuring to Articulate a Foundation-laying
— Gayla R. Postma
matters deferred from 2020 as well as Biblical Theology of Human
matters intended for Synod 2021 (see Sexuality (assigned by Synod 2016).
JUNE 2021 17 THEBANNER.ORGNEWS
IN MEMORIAM
Pledge-based Budget Sees
Income Down, Allocations Changed
The Council of Delegates of the Christian Church, Social Justice, Race Relations, and
Reformed Church approved a denomina- Worship, gets nearly 70% of its budget from
tional ministries budget based on ministry ministry shares.
share pledges of $18.4 million, approxi-
The rest of the denominational agen-
mately 15% less in the U.S. and 5% less in
Rev. Henry Katerberg cies (Calvin University, Calvin Theological
Canada compared to last year’s income.
Seminary, ReFrame Ministries, and
1936-2021
While the total income is less, CRC direc- Synodical Administrative Services) saw
A gentle, honest, and sociable man, tor of finance and operations John Bolt said their portions of ministry shares go up or
Henry Katerberg loved people and more churches participated in the pledg- down by less than 2%. World Renew, the
was devoted to the church. He
ing system. In the past, only established
died April 4 at age 84 following a
churches, not emerging or newly planted
suspected heart attack.
ones, were invited to make contributions. While the total
Born into a farming family in the
Ministry shares are the money sent by local
Netherlands, Katerberg immi-
churches who covenant together to support
income is less, John
grated with them in 1956 to
Ontario, Canada. He worked farm-
shared denominational ministries. The
ministry share system has been called both
Bolt, the CRC’s
related jobs to support his family
until he attended Calvin College
the jewel of denominational fundraising and
the wild card of budgeting. The cost of rais-
director of finance
(now University) and Seminary.
He was ordained in 1969 and
ing money through ministry shares is negli-
and operations,
gible, taking about 20 cents for every $100
served four Ontario churches:
Zion Christian Reformed
raised. Raising that money via advancement
said more churches
activities can take $20 for every $100 raised.
Church, Pembroke; Maranatha
CRC, Belleville; Riverside CRC,
However, as Bolt told delegates at a 2019 participated in the
Council meeting, creating a budget of
Wellandport; and Maranatha CRC,
St. Catharines. He led churches
millions based on hoped-for receipts means pledging system.
with sound business sense, his operating “on a wish and a prayer.” Indeed,
sermons were direct and to the in recent times the amounts received fell far
short of what was asked. Last year, churches denomination’s international relief agency,
point, he enjoyed visiting parishio-
were asked for $346.48 per adult professing has never received ministry shares. Its
ners, and he interacted well with
member. Only 58% of that was received. support comes from church offerings and
young people. After retirement in
individual donations.
1994 he continued to serve local So Synod 2019 turned the system on its head.
churches as needed. Now churches are asked to pledge how much Bolt has convened an administrative team
they will contribute, and the budget is based to conduct a strategic financial review
Katerberg loved sports and played
on that amount. The budget for 2021-22 is of the agencies. Among its goals are to
soccer at Calvin. As a young pastor
compare each ministry’s working mandate
he developed a passion for golf, based on the $18.4 million pledged.
to the original mandate given by synod,
often playing with other local
The traditional allocation of the funds among to discover where there is duplication of
clergy. In retirement, he enjoyed
agencies has also been adjusted. For the service, to determine which ministries
more golf, volunteering, travel,
coming fiscal year, the biggest percentage are difficult or impossible for a congrega-
and daily coffee with friends.
changes are at Resonate Global Mission and tion to do on its own, and to look at histori-
Predeceased in 1993 by his first Congregational Services. Resonate’s share cal budget and staffing levels. The team
wife, Jean, and in 1968 by a toddler of the pie is now 26%, down from 31%, while expects to present a final report to the
son, Wesley, Katerberg is survived Congregational Services’ share is now 29%, Council of Delegates in October 2021.
by Janet, his wife of 26 years; three up from 23%.
—Gayla R. Postma
children, three step-children, and
The Congregational Services office, which
their spouses; and three grandchil-
houses many smaller ministries including
dren and eight step-grandchildren.
Chaplaincy, Faith Formation, Indigenous
—Janet A. Greidanus Ministries, Pastor Church Resources, Safe
JUNE 2021 18 THEBANNER.ORGYou can also read
