Since it’s the new year, I’m going to write about new things. Three new things. And, for balance, one old thing.

New look. The magazine’s design hadn’t changed significantly since we went to full color about a decade ago. We’re grateful to Mrs. Eileen Bechtold for the new design. She’s not only a professional graphic designer but also an RPCNA Education & Publication board member and a member of Salt & Light (Longmont, Colo.) RPC. Some other familiar sights, like the Crown & Covenant Publications logo and the most recent catalog, were designed by her. You’ll see the same features throughout the magazine, except that we’ve replaced the Kids Page with a new section called RP Living. With the digital revolution, activities for kids, even from Reformed sources, are much more widely available and so interest in that page has waned. We’re excited about the RP Living column that will focus on practical things Reformed Presbyterians have learned about fellowship, families, and the use of their talents. See the article Graciously Accepting Hospitality.

New conference. Every four years, thousands of Reformed Presbyter­ians from around the world gather in the heart of the U.S. The 2012 RP International Conference broke all records, and the 2016 conference might eclipse those. The facility, Indiana Wesleyan University, is ideal for the beautiful a cappella worship, the abundant fellowship, and the myriad of activities that conferees seek. Whether you’re a lifelong RP or a new one, you probably shouldn’t assume you know the RP Church until you’ve been to one of these. And even if you’ve been to previous conferences, the church has changed a lot in four years. We are even in more countries! Mark your calendar, save your pennies, start a fundraiser at your church, and make plans to go. Encourage a newer member of your church to go too.

New context. The world has changed a lot in a year. For Christians in the U.S. and Canada, it is painfully clear that, as Dr. Rosaria Butterfield has been saying for a while, we have lost the culture war. Those on the other side of the battle often use a take-no-prisoners approach, now that the power pendulum has fully swung their way. Even so, when troubles like terrorist attacks occur, people blame God or mock God, and any awareness of the enemies of the devil, the flesh, and the world has all but vanished. We are like the wretched people of Revelation 16 who, though they had rebelled against God and killed His saints, cursed God when they received what they deserved. These shifts have not changed our mission, but they have affected our context and should inform our tactics.

Something old. That brings us to the old, or, more accurately, the timeless. God’s truth, God’s Word, God’s promises sustain us now and always. Christ is King and will have His way. We have our mission and are equipped for it in this new year. Christ’s kingdom will advance.