Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 05:47:01 -0400 From: Darrell Todd Maurina Organization: Christian Renewal/United Reformed News Service Subject: NR 98058: Synod Preserves Editorial Freedom of Banner in Light of IRM NR #1998-058: Synod Preserves Editorial Freedom of Banner in Light of IRM "Frankly, this isn't going to happen again as long as any of the persons involved are working for the church; they're going to remember this." That was Banner editor Rev. John Suk's response to a unanimous decision by the Christian Reformed synod to officially adopt a set of earlier guidelines regarding the editorial freedom of the CRC's official denominational paper. The June 16 vote follows a rocky road that began when CRC Executive Director of Ministries Dr. Peter Borgdorff warned Suk not to test the limits of press freedom in light of the controversy over the potential loss of $11.5 million in denominational funds invested in the California-based IRM Corporation. In response to the decision by the CRC Board of Trustees to impose a ban on IRM reporting, later lifted by the board, Classis Lake Erie submitted an overture to prevent such actions in the future. NR #1998-058: For Immediate Release: Synod Preserves Editorial Freedom of Banner in Light of IRM by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (June 16, 1998) URNS - "Frankly, this isn't going to happen again as long as any of the persons involved are working for the church; they're going to remember this." That was Banner editor Rev. John Suk's response to a unanimous decision by the Christian Reformed synod to officially adopt a set of earlier guidelines regarding the editorial freedom of the CRC's official denominational paper. The June 16 vote follows a rocky road that began when CRC Executive Director of Ministries Dr. Peter Borgdorff warned Suk not to test the limits of press freedom in light of the controversy over the potential loss of $11.5 million in denominational funds invested in the California-based IRM Corporation. "I know that you raised the issue of control over editorial judgment and prerogatives," wrote Borgdorff in an internal memo obtained by United Reformed News Service. "If need be we can discuss that further. However, I advise you against testing the boundaries on this one at this moment. It is very clear to me, if not to you, that a premature piece by The Banner could be most unfortunate and would cause great consternation among those who are working on this on behalf of the CRC and other agencies." In response to the decision by the CRC Board of Trustees to impose a ban on IRM reporting, later lifted by the board, Classis Lake Erie submitted an overture to prevent such actions in the future. "A report by our denominational publication would have been very beneficial in placing this matter in perspective and in defusing some of the rumors connected with it," wrote Classis Lake Erie. "Because The Banner was not allowed to report on the story, information about it came via the secular media, and the denomination looked like it had something to hide." The overture also cited a 1993 set of editorial guidelines for The Banner which state that "the editorial staff must be granted the freedom to inform its readers and subscribers 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." Synod adopted those guidelines with amendments to reflect the current role of the Executive Director of Ministries and the CRC Board of Trustees. Synod avoided criticism of the CRC Board of Trustees or Borgdorff, ruling that "the Board of Trustees acted in a fiduciary manner regarding the corporate interests of the CRCNA, consistent with legal counsel, when it issued the directive suspending The Banner investigations and publications regarding this matter." "The Banner is an official publication of the CRCNA and is accountable within the agency structure for what it prints," continued the synodical report. "We also believe that the Board of Publications raises a legitimate ecclesiastical issue of the editorial freedom of The Banner and the integrity of its pastoral and prophetic role within the church, and the mandated process of consultation between boards before such a directive is extended." "The occasion for this overture we believe was unusual in the extreme," concluded the report. "We do not think it is possible to make any kind of ruling or guideline that will cover any and all situations." Both Classis Lake Erie delegates and denominational officials agreed the report satisfied their concerns. "Classis Lake Erie would be very happy with the adoption of this, it is essentially what we are looking for," said Lake Erie delegate Rev. Paul Bakker, a member of the classical executive committee which drafted the overture. "Synod has established certain channels; our concern was that when the ban was placed upon The Banner it did not work through those channels." "During our discussions both representatives of the Board of Trustees and the staff of The Banner expressed satisfaction with the way this has been handled," advisory committee reporter Rev. Herman Salomons told synod delegates. "It's collecting a statement from the constitution of the Board of Trustees; it doesn't change anything, it just makes that statement a part of these guidelines, too." Suk said Salomons correctly represented not only his feelings but also the feelings of Banner staff members. "As long as the church owns the paper, the church has the absolute right to have in the paper whatever it wants, but the church has, over the years, been committed to the principle of editorial freedom," said Suk. "I think it speaks highly of the church's desire for honesty and integrity on how it reports about itself. For a church to have a periodical as a forum for self-criticism and self-examination is most valuable." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1998-006: Classis Chatham asks Top Christian Reformed Administrative Committee to Appoint Independent Investigators of $11.5 Million in Questionable Investments #1998-028: Classis Lake Erie Overtures Christian Reformed Synod to "Ensure the Editorial Freedom of the Banner" #1998-033: Three Reformed Denominations to Hold General Assemblies or Synods this Year in West Michigan #1998-055: Christian Reformed Synod Begins; $11.5 Million Fund Loss Among Hot Topics at Annual Denominational Assembly Contact List: Rev. Paul Ed. Bakker, Pastor, West Park Christian Reformed Church 3606 West 148th St., Cleveland, OH 44111 O: (216) 251-0782 * H: (216) 252-2261 Dr. Peter Borgdorff, Executive Director of Ministries, Christian Reformed Church 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0832 * H: (616) 957-3288 * E-Mail: borgdorp@crcna.org Rev. Herman Salomons, Pastor, Maranatha Christian Reformed Church 260 McGill Blvd., Lethbridge, AB T1K 4C6 O: (403) 381-7744 * H: (403) 320-7481 * E-Mail: hsalomons@telusplanet.net Rev. John Suk, Editor, The Banner 1510 Seminole Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 O: (616) 246-0791 * H: (616) 243-5695 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: sukj@crcna.org Pastor George Vander Weit, Stated Clerk, Classis Lake Erie 2901 Waterloo Dr., Troy, MI 48084 O: (810) 645-1990 * H: (810) 649-5388 * E-Mail: northhills@juno.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive98: nr98-058.txt .