A New Year

The editor’s thoughts on a new year of the Kerux

by Kory Plockmeyer

Editing a student newspaper is a tricky business. We have to navigate the waters between students and administration. Somehow, we are supposed to provide a forum for frank and honest discussion, yet, we must never forget that Kerux is published online and accessible by more than just those within the Calvin Seminary community. In addition, there are all sorts of questions of what the student newspaper is actually supposed to do. Ought we simply report on the latest happenings on campus and around the world? Yet, this seems like a vain endeavor, considering the time lapse between publication and the actual occurrence of the events in question. Simply reporting the “news” seems to limit too narrowly the scope of this publication. Should Kerux then be a forum for longer discussion? A place for interested students to espouse their viewpoints with impunity? A mouthpiece of Student Senate? A bastion of liberal thought? A resource for future church leaders?

With a new year, a new editor, and a (mostly) new staff, perhaps this is the best time to ask these questions. I encourage the rest of the Seminary community to get in on the conversation. Nothing makes an editor of a student newspaper happier than actually receiving feedback from his/her audience. We are excited to bring several regular features to this year’s edition of Kerux, including columns by first-year M.Div students Micah Schuurman and Braden Kok. We also look forward to a series of articles on the work of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches by Nathaniel Van Denend and are considering a complete revamp of the format of Kerux, looking into options that would give it the look of a more traditional newspaper.

No matter what changes the new year may bring to Kerux, we cannot do it alone. I covet your feedback, opinions, articles, letters, and, most of all, prayers. May God bless you richly in this new academic year.

Want to respond to this article? Send your letter to letters@kerux.org; see the guidelines for more information.