Carol Kinney Student ID # 928059 September 24, 2009 Will the Demise of the Church Herald be the Death of the RCA? Although there are many crucially important theological points to be considered and voted upon by the Reformed Church in America (RCA) at the assembly of the General Synod in June of this year, there is one that remains highly controversial three months later. General Synod, the highest governing body within the RCA, has pronounced the denomination’s printed magazine the Church Herald defunct. The decision has some RCA members questioning the wisdom of the General Synod and wondering if they are sealing the demise of the denomination as well. Only those relying on extreme sentimentality can possibly draw this conclusion. These few are attempting to stir controversy within the denomination by playing upon the emotions of all members. Misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the five rulings of General Synod regarding the Herald are at the root of this emotional controversy. It is inconceivable that members of a denomination which is deeply rooted in the adherence of scripture and has existed in this country since 1628, would base any evaluation on emotions. Christians are always wiser to consult and follow the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, rather than to let emotionalism or sentimentality lead the way. Amidst proceedings regarding homosexuality, the addition of a fourth Christian confession on unity and several women’s issues General Synod votes on five rulings regarding the fate of the Herald, including the defining decision R-50. This ruling calls for “an orderly cessation of publication of the Herald; and further, to ensure that the orderly cessation include appropriate severance for Church Herald personnel” (Acts and Proceedings 2009, p.209). To better understand how General Synod has arrived at this decision, a look at the history is necessary.
2 Since 1987 the Herald has been a major topic of discussion within each assembly of General Synod. At this time, the call for a comprehensive philosophy in regards to communication within the denomination is made. During the next six years several studies are done, and in 1993 General Synod is ready to start making overtures concerning the Herald. General Synod’s decision is to make a financial assessment on each member of the RCA and to change the status of the Herald from paid subscription to free to all member households. One year later, eighteen overtures are brought to General Synod to cease the assessment and free distribution of the Herald; however none of these are passed. In 1995, a task force is formed to do an apprehensive study of the Herald. Between 1995 and 2006 other studies are done by the RCA and advisory committees of General Synod that covers all aspects of communication within the denomination, not just the Herald. The findings of the groups state the following: “The Church Herald has been a forum for discussion of issues…The magazine might be a sidewalk for the RCA, but with the changes in technology, there is a super highway that can connect members in a variety of ways… Is it cost effective and efficient to use nearly a million dollars annually to communicate… that is currently reaching only 70 percent of RCA households on a regular basis? The Church Herald currently does not reach every RCA household. Nearly 30 percent of RCA households either have requested not to receive the Church Herald or attend an RCA church where the magazine is sent in bulk to the church…the current print communication tool is not meeting the information and resource needs…new communication strategies are mandated.” (Acts and Proceedings 2007 pgs. 187-199) After taking a year to pray and deliberate about these discoveries, General Synod votes to return the Herald to a subscription based publication. In 2008 the controversy regarding the Herald begins to take shape. After the 2007 conclusion that the Herald is no longer a cost effective way for communication, the RCA begins printing a new publication called RCA Today. Instead of each household receiving just one copy of the new publication, each confessing adult member and each of their baptized children within the household are mailed a copy, in addition to each church receiving multiple copies. This appears to be counterproductive to the 2007 vote, wasteful and a show of poor stewardship. The RCA
3 Today funding source is also a source of contention. While General Synod determines the Herald an inefficient use of money in the communication budget, the new publication is being funded in the same manner. The differences of communication between the two publications are also noted. The Reverend Louis Lotz, D. Min., pastoral leader of Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and three time Evangelical Press “Best Regular Column Writer” for his “Signs of The Kingdom” contribution to the Herald (www.mlive.com), writes in his last column “RCA Today is a fine publication but the story it tells…is fundamentally different from the story you’d find in the Church Herald. RCA Today is more promotional; the Church Herald is (pardon me-was) more personal… RCA Today has a different agenda. Not better, not worse, but different” (Church Herald Sept. /Oct. 2009 p.62). While the RCA Today may not be the publication of choice for RCA members, others advise that we cannot totally disregard its value. Jay Harsevoort, Coordinator for Volunteers in the Reformed Church in America Global Missions, hopes that the RCA Today borrows some aspects from the Herald such as a “cross section of viewpoints from across the denomination” in order to maintain an open forum. Losing that open forum to discuss theology, to read reflections of members and to keep the communication lines open from coast to coast is why some members are drowning in a sea of sentimentality. Sadness, anger, disappointment and frustration are just a few emotions that readers use to describe their feelings over the loss of the Herald in the “Flak and Flattery” section of the last issue (Sept. /Oct. 2009 pgs 8-12, 54). Since the Herald has been the RCA’s consistent form of communication for members of the RCA for the past 180 years, deeply embedded into the history and life of the denomination, losing it is similar to losing a member of one’s own family. However, the theory that the demise of the Herald leads to the ultimate death of the denomination is not logical or faith based. Sentimentality is the reason that amendments
4 are misunderstood. The end of the Herald is not end of the denomination. A closer look at the five rulings and the Bible proves this. The first vote concerning the Herald is R-47. This overture states that RCA Today is published on a three publication per year trial basis. Synod does not state that no print communication will be offered to RCA members; it is in the form of the RCA Today. RCA members should recall that this is not the first time that the Herald has undergone a name change; prior to 1945, it is known as the Leader. Isaiah 62:2 says that name changes lead to something wonderful. “The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.� The second amendment is R-48. General Synod instructs the RCA to explore ways to enhance current online offerings, especially by promoting online conversations through blogging and other social networks. The readers who respond negatively to this particular amendment all confess to be of older generations or possess no internet access due to geographical or economic reasons, which can foster a feeling of exclusion from communication. This does not have to be the case. Istrategylabs, an internet marketing company; reports on their website that the popular social networking website Facebook shows a 194.3% increase of people age 55 and older between June of 2008 and January of 2009 (www.istrategylabs.com). The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has recognized the usage of technology by older generations by offering a website version of their printed magazine. Jo Klock is in her early 70’ and prepares scrapbooking material and designs her own handmade greeting cards on the computer, posts pictures, chats, emails, shops, and blogs. She is a good example that it is possible for the older generations to become familiar with computers and the internet, if only to read articles on websites. For those persons who have limited access or no access to the internet due to geographical or economical reasons, the revamped version of RCA Today as instructed in R-47
5 will still provide print communication and many public libraries offer use of computers with free library membership. Proverbs 24:3, 4 tells us that “By wisdom a house is built…by knowledge the rooms are filled…” By being open to alternatives and learning new technology, wisdom is sure to grow. The next amendment, R-49, commands that a membership survey is to be conducted “to determine the quantitative level of actual readership (of RCA Today) as well as the levels of satisfaction with the qualitative issues of content and layout.” For RCA members who are able and willing to participate in this survey, there is a chance to be heard regarding RCA Today. When given the opportunity to voice opinions, RCA members are wise to prayerfully consider all answers and not let emotions run amok. “The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouting of a ruler among fools” (Ecclesiastes 9:17). R-50 instructs the General Synod Council to end all publication of the Herald. This is the decision that supporters of the Herald cite again and again to tug at the heartstrings and purse strings of all members. On the Herald’s website and on page three of the last print issue the staff warns all subscribers that since it is the General Synod’s choice to end the publication abruptly, they are not prepared financially to provide severance packages for the staff. They suggest that if all subscribers request refunds for the remaining balance of their prepaid annual subscriptions, the Herald will lose more than $70,000 towards severance packages. All have until October 1, 2009 to request refunds or forfeit said refunds. The staff of the RCA is using carefully chosen words in the warning to raise support for hurt feelings that they are not included in the discussions during General Synod. While these feelings have a certain amount of validation, words such as these are not meant to promote unity. Jesus warns that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25). It is better to eliminate all speech that divides and make “every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
6 Every member of the RCA will be wise to be mindful of the last vote. R-51 thanks God for the ministry of the Herald. In other words, mourn the loss of the Herald for a short time, be thankful for the time spent enjoying its ministry, but follow where God is leading the communication of the RCA now. Will the end of the Herald be the end of the RCA? “No!” It is absurd to think that the end of a magazine can destroy what has been in existence for nearly 400 years. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plans that he has, to not harm but to give hope and a future. That future is now. The Herald is a “sidewalk for communication.” In the year 2009 there is a superhighway that does not destroy communication, but improves it. For those who choose to remain on the sidewalk, the RCA Today is providing that mode of communication. However, choosing to follow where the Holy Spirit is leading and listening to God’s Word is always the better choice. 1952 words Cited Sources Acts and Proceedings, Minutes from the 2009 assembly of General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, p.209. Print Acts and Proceedings, Minutes from the 2007 assembly of General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, pages 187-199. Print www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/06/people_of_the_faith_grettenber.html 13 September 2009 Harsevoort, Jay. Personal email. 11 September 2009 The Church Herald, September/October 2009 issue, pages 62, 8-12, 54, 3 in that order. Print. www.istrategylabs.com/2009-facebook-demographics-and-statistics-report-276-growth-in-3554-year-old-users/ 13 September 2009 www.aarp.org 13 September 2009 www.herald.rca.org/ReadershipSurvey2007.pdf Warner, Linda and Van Ark, Laurie. Carl Frost Center for Social Science Research at Hope College. Holland Michigan. 13 September 2009
7 www.herald.rca.org 13 September 2009 All cited scripture from the New Revised Standard Edition of the Bible