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Calvin Bremer resigns from Back to God Hour, Christian Reformed Church
Calvin Bremer, executive director of the radio, print, and television ministry Back to God Hour, was due to become executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America on August 22. This week, he announced his resignation from both positions.

"I regret that my lack of good judgment to maintain appropriate boundaries with a colleague in ministry has caused pain to the church of our Lord Jesus Christ and to many of you both personally and professionally," he wrote in his letter of resignation. "Please forgive me for the pain and injury that my actions have caused to you and to the witness of the church."

The Grand Rapids Press said officials felt Bremer "had acted inappropriately in recommending an employee of a closely related fund-raising organization to be director of development for the CRC."

Bremer stressed to the newspaper that "he had not done anything morally wrong but admitted to poor judgment."

"If your employer says you lack good judgment," he said, "by definition you lack good judgment."

Peter Borgdorff, executive director of ministries for the Grand Rapids-based CRC, told the Press, "The information we dealt with caused an erosion of confidence in Cal's leadership ability, to the point where we felt he could not function as the executive director."

The woman resigned her position at the fundraising organization, RACOM Associates, the same day Bremer resigned his positions.

Pastor, professor, author, and counselor David Seamands apologizes for "breach of trust and moral failure"
David Seamands is a longtime friend of Christianity Today, where he has long served as a consulting editor, so it is with particular sadness that we note his admission of a "breach of trust and moral failure." The 83-year-old retired pastor of Wilmore (Ky.) United Methodist Church served as professor emeritus of pastoral ministries and counselor in residence at Asbury Theological Seminary, and is the author of several influential books, including Healing for Damaged Emotions. He has also been a key figure in United Methodist Church debates on the integrity and sanctity of marriage.

"One of the roots of my sin has been the sin of pride," Seamands told Wilmore United Methodist Church on Sunday. "In response to a complaint filed against me of sexual misconduct with an adult female occurring over a number of years, I admit that I have broken my covenantal relationships and have abused the trust of those I have harmed."

As a part of the Methodist disciplinary process, overseen by Kentucky Bishop James King, Seamands will take a one-year leave from all ministerial functions.

Christianity Today's August cover story focused on church discipline, an area of deep concern for us here at the magazine. Frankly, aspects of that cover story were a bit pessimistic about the practice of church discipline in this country; it seems it's hardly practiced today. But both the Bremer and Seamands situations, as sad as they are, are signs of hope. There are places where church discipline is being carried out, and it's working.

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Bush remarks on Intelligent Design:

• Bush remarks roil debate over teaching of evolution | President Bush on Monday appeared to endorse the push by many conservatives to give intelligent design equal treatment with the theory of evolution in public schools (The New York Times)
• Bush remarks on 'Intelligent Design' theory fuel debate | President Bush invigorated proponents of teaching alternatives to evolution in public schools with remarks saying that schoolchildren should be taught about "intelligent design," a view of creation that challenges established scientific thinking and promotes the idea that an unseen force is behind the development of humanity (The Washington Post)

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August (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49