Note: The July/August issue contained Shiao Chong’s farewell editorial. While the search for an interim and long-term editor begins, we’re reprinting a condensed version of this article that was first published online at TheBanner.org.
For more than a century, The Banner has been the official magazine of the Christian Reformed Church. Since 2015, this magazine has worked under a mandate and publishing guidelines that called editorial staff to show “the diverse positions held within the church,” to “lead and encourage a responsible discussion of the issues important to the life of the church through editorial comment and publication of articles that represent the various views held within the church,” and to permit “people of the church to voice their views and reactions even though some of these views may be unacceptable to others in the church” (emphasis mine).
As of Synod 2025 those things are no longer part of the guidelines, and The Banner’s evaluation of trends within the church now must include “proper acknowledgement and respect for the official positions of the CRCNA and within the confines of our confessional commitments.” A new piece has been added, calling us to “represent the denomination publicly to the broader Christian church and to the world at large by speaking from a distinctly Reformed perspective in line with our confessions and synodical decisions, representing the CRCNA as its official publication.”
I lament the abruptness with which synod brought in these changes and how the appearance of curtailing any variety of opinion has affected what people think they can expect from The Banner.
But with a closer look, especially at what has stayed the same from the 2015 guidelines, these updates won't much change how we operate. Those of us who continue to serve The Banner hope and believe it is possible to maintain a journalistic publication that fulfills synod’s mandate with integrity.
Serving under this mandate will not change how we cover the news of the CRC, and we have always worked within the Christian Reformed belief system when presenting feature articles. We often have included editor’s notes indicating the official stance of the CRC. Now we will be more consistent in this practice and be even more specific about official denominational positions.
The mandate still calls us to report in an honest, unbiased manner information about activities affecting the church. We are still called to present materials to edify readers and encourage them to grow in Christian maturity and live out their faith in daily life. We are still called to provide a vehicle through which church members can express their views and opinions on pertinent issues. All these things we have done and will continue to do to the best of our ability, God willing.
What also has not changed is our editorial freedom to “inform … readers … about what is occurring in the church—including relevant problems, needs, and concerns—even though some persons, congregations, or agencies may prefer that such information not be disseminated” (italics added). We have no intention of dropping this responsibility. The Banner is a journalistic institution whose journalists love the church and want to love it well by raising “relevant problems, needs, and concerns,” as the guidelines require of us.
Our guidelines still include an important section on editorial integrity, which hasn’t changed. Among the 11 points are "truth must be written but always in love" and "criticism must be constructive and fair." This is the spirit in which we share this editorial. We will continue to use editorial integrity as we keep this magazine running.
Will you continue with us?
About the Author
Sarah Heth Sundt is the associate editor of The Banner. She is a member of Calvary on 8th in Holland, Mich.
