March 27, 2008
Dear Christian Friends:
Last week the decision was made to discontinue the “Issues, Etc.” program on KFUO-AM Radio, a ministry owned and operated by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). A brief statement was posted soon after on KFUO-AM's website citing programmatic and stewardship (business) reasons for this decision.
Following the discontinuation of the program, some KFUO-AM listeners asked for more information as to why “Issues, Etc.” had been ended. Detailed reasons are not usually provided when making program changes, and I intend to continue our policy and practice not to publicly discuss specific personnel matters. However, I do want to provide additional information regarding some of the significant challenges we faced prior to the discontinuation of the program and to respond to the inquiries of those who were particularly fond and appreciative of “Issues, Etc.”
In fiscal year 2007-08, KFUO-AM’s operating deficit was $620,698. Since 2001, the accumulated deficits at the station have been in excess of $3.5 million. The LCMS budget, entrusted to our care by members of our Synod’s congregations, has absorbed these shortfalls for years. After long and prayerful consideration, it became clear that measures had to be taken to stop the ongoing, staggering losses.
Although some are under the impression that “Issues, Etc.” was profitable and self-supporting, the fact is the program lost approximately $250,000 in the last fiscal year. While airing for only 18 percent of KFUO-AM’s programming week, “Issues” accounted for more than 40 percent of the station’s total deficit. These figures are based on the audited financial statements of the LCMS.
Over the years, every effort has been made to cut expenses at KFUO-AM. At the same time, particularly in the past year, extraordinary measures were taken to bolster the financial support of the station. A sizable portion of those efforts focused on assisting “Issues, Etc.,” the most costly program on the AM schedule. Unfortunately, these measures have not solved the problem. As of February 29th, two-thirds into the current fiscal year, KFUO-AM was on pace to suffer heavy losses again.
Some may also be under a misapprehension about the size of the “Issues” audience. In 2005, station management decided it could no longer justify paying for expensive ratings reports in light of the predictably low and static nature of KFUO-AM’s audience numbers. At the time, a blending of the spring 2004 and spring 2005 “books” showed an average listening audience during the “Issues” Monday-Friday timeslot of 1,650. There is no indication these numbers have grown appreciably since.
As for the audio streaming of “Issues, Etc.” via the Internet, the numbers are similarly low. During the last full month (February 2008) for which we have reports, the average number of live, streaming listeners during the “Issues” Monday-Friday timeslot was 64.
On Sunday nights, when the first hour of “Issues” was syndicated in a number of markets (an opportunity for which, during the past fiscal year, the LCMS actually paid $66,000 in broadcast fees), and where the second hour was available only on the Internet, the peak number of online listeners on the KFUO stream was 39.
Sadly, very difficult financial conditions sometimes require decisions that are not popular among all affected. In the case of KFUO-AM, the time had come when good stewardship of the church’s funds required a decision that meaningfully curtailed the deep, ongoing losses at the station. Ending the costs associated with “Issues, Etc.” was the only viable option, and the decision to do this was prayerfully and contemplatively made.
I am sorry that those who enjoyed “Issues” are disappointed, but I have made the show’s archives available, and I respectfully hope that all listeners will support the ongoing radio ministry of our beloved Synod.
Sincerely in Christ,
David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication Services
Now lets take a look at this with sincerity and an open mind. This won't be an easy task for many of us, myself included, because of the way things were handled (no response for a week, no reason given to those involved, lack of communication between the Board of Communications, or the fact that it was in the middle of HOLY WEEK!). Let's take Mr Strand at his word.
As I think about these statements...I'm left with the feeling that the cost outwayed the mission; the cost of Issues Etc. outweiged the mission of Issues Etc. I agree that we need to be good stewards but at what cost? On top of that....why as there no warning given? It would have been respectable to tell the audience that money is tight...and at least allow Issues Etc to have a funding campaign.
But then again there is something else that I'm reminded of thinking about this letter and the cost outweighing the mission. I am reminded of the cover of a magazine I had laying on my kitchen counter. The magazine is The Lutheran Witness (January 2008). See the above cover!
Sharing your faith. Since when do we put a price on the mission of the Church? Since when do we put a price on outreach? Since when do we say that the cost outweighs the mission? This is what is happening to my and our beloved Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The cost outweighs the mission.
I guess that what is being said by Mr. Strand really hits a nerve and reminds me of what is happening all over the country in our Synod. There are inner city churches that are dwindling in membership and dying. There are rural churches that are dwindling and dying. I suppose that many look at them and say that they haven't adapted; they haven't reached out...they haven't__________ (fill in the blank). And while that may be true for many of these churches...neither have we. We haven't done our all as a Synod to help these churches.
When I look and see the growing number of churches that can't afford a Pastor I wonder what can be done. Then I look at Synod begging for more and more money while cutting programs, missions, and Issues Etc. Then I also see the growing number of ordained Pastors that are put in jobs and vocations that really are not what they have been trained or called to do.
Here is my suggestion. Take all of the pastors that are in the "Purple Palace" (Synodical HQ) or some other place where they are not serving a congregation, continue to pay them (Synod) and put them in these churches that can't afford a Pastor and at least say we did our best, we proclaimed the Word, and we died fighting. Unfortunately...I doubt that will ever happen. The reason why? The cost outweighs the mission.
I'd rather forego a pay raise so that my congregation can survive than to expect a pay raise because of my years of service. I'm afraid I'm not so sure that everyone at the Purple palace would. Workers deserve to get paid...but how often do Pastors speak about not getting into this business to get rich. But there are Pastor's that earn upwards of 100,000 dollars. There are very wealthy congregations and there are Pastors making many times what some congregations bring in as a whole. I'm not saying it's wrong for a congregation to have wonderful giving...but shouldn't we be helping out our other congregations as well...or does the cost outweigh the mission?
In my opinion, take it or leave it, as a Pastor of a dual congregation I can say this... The MISSION outweighs the cost. Issues Etc. (if it is indeed true that it was a financial burden to KFUO and Synod) outweighs the cost for it has brought many to the Lutheran faith and more importantly to saving faith in Christ Jesus our Living Lord and Savior.
Christ died for each and every one of us. As far as God is concerned the cost (Jesus) did not outweigh the mission (Salvation for you and I). Whether Issues Etc. is brought back or not we have an important duty to share Christ. Let us carry on the purpose of Issues Etc. By being Christ Centered and Cross Focused. The mission outweighs the cost!
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