In the inaugural issue of the Reformed Herald (August 1956), Editor Rev. Norman C. Hoeflinger wrote, “The preacher says ‘there is no new thing under the sun.’ Then why start a new paper? Our contribution to the world of religious literature is not an attempt at newness or novelty. We hope to say what has been said before—by prophets and apostles, by the saints of every age—to sound forth the faith once delivered to the saints. What we do hope is that we will say it in a pointed way to meet the needs of our own time and people.”
What a way to kick off a church magazine, seventy years ago! That’s right, Reformed Herald celebrates 70 years of publication. Rev. Hoeflinger further explained, “We are heralds. The job of a herald is to bear and proclaim the message of his king. We have a message from the ‘King of kings and Lord of lords.’ We dare not corrupt this message with our own imaginations and vain thoughts. Rather, we must follow the injunction of Paul to Timothy, ‘Preach the Word.’ Our new paper seeks to continue the stand of the Eureka Classis in all its former publications, holding forth the Word of life, heralding the message of God’s Word.”
Prior to the Reformed Herald, the Eureka Classis had published Reformiertes Gemeindeblatt (literally “Reformed Congregation-sheet”) with Rev. William Korn as its editor. That publication sought to connect with congregations by solidifying the Eureka Classis as the continuing RCUS during a time when many were still working through the effects of becoming a remnant of a once-large denomination. It was challenging for some to understand the math of God, that is, how addition can come from subtraction, or what was lost in denominational number was gained in orthodoxy and confessionalism. Another longstanding publication was The Witness, a theological paper that had become the voice of conservative Reformed Kohbrueggians.
By 1956, President of Classis, Rev. D. E. Bosma, argued: “The need for a periodical, set in the midst of congregational life, as the members experience it and live it, induced Classis at its annual session, the forepart of May, to launch the publication of the Reformed Herald in bilingual form.”
It was time for the Eureka Classis to define itself not so much by what the continuing RCUS was against, but by what this remnant, preserved by God’s grace, was for, and to be united in the hope of the Lord. Rev. Bosma expressed that well:
“More and more it has become evident that our churches need a medium of contact in their difficult and rather lone stand over against the impact of indiscriminate, delusive, confessionless unionism. They must become more conscious of the fact that also other congregations are partakers of the same tribulations in their stand to remain Reformed. This, however, needs to be expressed, so that fellowship in the faith be more firmly established, sharing each others burdens as well as joys and blessings in the Lord.”
Seventy years later, the Reformed Herald, under the watch of many gifted editors, has faithfully continued to carry out its purpose. The most recent retired editor, Rev. Ruben Zartman, suggested a broader threefold purpose for today’s iteration of the magazine:
“With reference to God, the purpose of the Reformed Herald is to glorify Him. That’s not controversial, since that is the ultimate goal of every Christian endeavor. Indeed, that was the purpose of our original creation (Heidelberg Catechism Q.6). With reference to RCUS members, the purpose of the Reformed Herald is to edify and encourage our readers by publishing articles and news items that bring God’s word to bear on our lives, that inform us of what God is doing among us and our friends and partners in ministry, and by sharing what has been a blessing to others. With reference to others who also may read, we want to make sure that the Gospel is clearly contained in our pages, and that we highlight God’s faithfulness in our midst as a witness to His grace and as an instrument God can use to bless others also.”
Having served for several years as Chair of the RCUS Permanent Communications Committee, I leave the world of electronic media and digital platforms to return to print media, as the new Reformed Herald editor. I scoured over many a Reformed Herald issue to pick up a little wisdom from those who were elected to this position. My favorite tidbit is what Rev. Paul H. Treick wrote back in 2001, when he took over the reins from Rev. William Haddock:
“Having arrived home from Synod and thinking about the work of being a new Reformed Herald editor, I was convinced of something I quietly suspected for sometime–I’m losing my mind! Some of the brethren at Synod perceived this and capitalized on this debilitation convincing me to agree to this daunting editorial task. But, here I am and I am bound to make the best of it. A recent movie title comes to mind– “Shrek!” I’m filling some pretty big shoes from my recent memory Hoeflinger, Jones, P. Grossmann, Dawn, and Haddock.
“I hope to continue the legacy. Let me start by begging. I need the help of contributors and readers alike. I want the Reformed Herald to be the best we can make it. It will take some cooperation. I have a poster on the file cabinet in my study with a quote taken from Ursinus, ‘Amice, Quisquis huc venis, Aut agio paucis, Aut abi, Aut me laborantem juva’ (‘Friend, whoever you are who enters, either be brief, or go, or help me in my work.’) Good advice, but pay particular attention to the final suggestion.” Pure gold!
A recurring motif from many past editors has been, “The Reformed Herald is only as good as the contribution of its writers and readers.” May we all continue that which was started in 1956. As Rev. D. E. Bosma put it, the Reformed Herald, must be “a welcome and profitable monthly visitor in the homes of our church membership.” Happy 70th, Reformed Herald!
Rev. Chuck Muether
Editor, Reformed Herald