Episode 272: The Banner's Future and the Confessional Renewal of the CRCNA — Lora Copley (Part 2)
“Pray…write…read…[and] share The Banner…Write ‘Letters to the Editor’…We need to know where your God-given passion is meeting the denomination’s great need for this messy reformation.” —Lora Copley
Summary of This Episode
Jason and Willy are back this week with Rev. Lora Copley, the current interim editor and recommended editor-in-chief of The Banner. Jason invites her to share her dreams for where she sees The Banner going. Lora highlights a focus on meeting younger generations and being mindful of audio-visual-first audiences. There is a Banner podcast in the works with the first hosts being Rev. Derek Buikema (previous guest and pastor at Orland Park CRC) and Sarah Eekhoff-Zylstra (writer and editor for The Gospel Coalition). They will be unpacking the implications and decisions of Synod 2026. Along with that, Lora shares there is a plan for daily recaps of Synod with The Banner news staff. She also shares about new ways of gathering support with “Banner Builders,” similar to Patreon supporters, which would be regular donors getting some insider perks. For the longer term, she hopes to increase the amount of valued content and even being able to offer more print editions again.
Willy follows that up by asking her to share her concept and vision of how confessionalism can play out in The Banner. She shares a few unsolicited pitches that she’s received. Rev. John Medendorp from Michigan is developing a curriculum on or around the Canons of Dort for middle schoolers. Rev. Chad Werhoven is working on a summary of Christian doctrine connected to Berkhof for high schoolers. There’s a stay-at-home mom who’s writing about sustaining faith as young people get out on their own. Passing our confessional identity and passion down from one generation to the next is in the CRC make-up, and she believes it’s what people want to see in their denominational publication.
We’ve heard lots of great things from Lora, and Jason asks a bit more personal question—how she feels about going before Synod for her interview. She readily admits there’s anxiety about that. She’s energized by the day-to-day operations but interviews can be tough to keep succinct answers. Willy asks how we can be praying for her. In addition to clarity, she shares, “I would love to lay out this vision for The Banner that is…in line and aligned with the heart of the denomination, and with what we heard from Synod 2025…that really indicates the broader vision of what God is moving the denomination into.” She wants to share that The Banner can be part of helping the denomination know each other, know God, and to listen to each other.
Lora mentions with that, she hopes the quality and value of the articles will impress upon people that these should not just be tossed in the recycling can or other places. Jason encourages us, “Old habits die hard…The old habit of throwing The Banner in the recycling or the garbage, I would encourage people to take some action and try to reverse that habit and start getting in the habit of reading it.” He’s surprised to hear those words come from his mouth, but he praises God’s for his faithfulness and this change.
As the episode is wrapping up, Lora encourages people to subscribe to the weekly update (the top part enables you to subscribe to the magazine; the weekly update is a bit lower). She adds, “Pray…write…read…[and] share The Banner…Write ‘Letters to the Editor’”—she personally responds to each one. “We need to know where your God-given passion is meeting the denomination’s great need for this messy reformation.” She closes by referencing Jonathan Edwards, “‘You can’t counterfeit…exalting Christ.’” She sees the Messy Reformation as seeking to do that, and prays The Banner, the agencies, our denomination, and Synod would all be about exalting Christ.