# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S200 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 200 PROGRAM AND FINANCE broadcasting the Gospel where traditional church evangelism ef- forts cannot reach and blessed with the opportunity to communi- cate that Gospel through the unique settings of the world’s most beautiful music; and WHEREAS, KFUO radio is therefore an asset of far greater value and potential than its monetary value in the radio marketplace, an irreplaceable asset for communication of the Gospel and Christian virtues and one with potential and value that has in recent months dramatically increased with the initiation of broadcasting world- wide via the Internet; and WHEREAS, Early reports already make clear that this Internet po- tential has and will continue to increase exponentially, for which reason KFUO radio has begun to evaluate its AM and FM pro- gramming with a worldwide audience in mind; therefore be it Resolved, That by singing the Common Doxology the 2007 LCMS convention pause to give thanks to God for the wonderful opportunities provided by the combined ministry of KFUO AM and FM for the broadcasting of the Gospel (Luke 13:3-9) and the promotion of “whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is lovely” (Phil. 4:8); and be it further Resolved, That KFUO radio be encouraged to take full advan- tage of the opportunities provided by radio and Internet broadcast- ing, thereby to make full use of this priceless asset provided by our Lord to His church, with the same vision for the proclamation of the Gospel that prompted our Synod’s forefathers to pioneer the radio broadcast ministry of KFUO nearly a century ago, a vision that has motivated the listening community of KFUO radio to pro- vide for its support for these many years. Zion St. Louis, MO 4-26 To Continue to Support KFUO AM and FM as a Mission Outreach to Entire World WHEREAS, KFUO radio, AM and FM, has faithfully served the LCMS for many years. KFUO AM is the oldest continuously broadcasting religious radio station in the United States, and KFUO FM has been broadcasting since 1948; and WHEREAS, KFUO radio is a mission outreach of the LCMS, using modern technology to reach to the far corners of the earth, with both the AM and FM stations broadcasting on the Internet. Evidence for this is the many messages received each month from people throughout the world, including servicemen and service- women serving around the world; and WHEREAS, The radio stations survived a legal challenge that would have removed the stations from the Synod, and in doing so spent its surplus funds of $900,000 plus over $1,000,000 donated by a supporter. This expenditure of $2,000,000 not only saved the legal and religious rights of our Synod but also those of other Christian church bodies; and WHEREAS, The current financial difficulties are the result of a number of happenings, such as the above legal challenge, the changed financial policies of the Synod, the downturn in advertis- ing revenues after 9/11, and a change in fund-raising policies of the Synod, but are a small cost in relation to the number of people being reached throughout the world; and WHEREAS, Many people throughout the church have an owner- ship in the stations, secured by their generous and continuing gifts to the stations. Practices have been put into place to overcome the current financial difficulties, and such practices will continue to improve the financial picture; and Wuereas, The dollar loss being published is an accumulation of losses covering the last triennium, the only mission outreach of the Synod that is forced to show an accumulated loss, while losses are being forgiven at the end of each fiscal year for other mission efforts; and WHEREAS, The AM and FM stations function as a unit, and the loss of one would shift many of the day-to-day operational expenses to the other station and thus cause the loss of both stations; and WHEREAS, The loss of the radio stations, AM and FM, would be a loss that could never be replaced, as the loss of the licenses and radio frequencies once gone are not replaceable, thus losing any chance to use new and improved technology that is continu- ously being developed; and WHEREAS, The sale of hard assets is not an acceptable way to provide operational money, as there will come a time when there are no more hard assets to sell; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod maintain KFUO AM and FM as a mission outreach to the world, the nation, and the local area, pro- claiming the Word of God, the message of Christ crucified, with both current and new technology; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention uphold and applaud the past and present faithful mission efforts of KFUO radio and continue to support it into the future as it grows to reach the gener- ations yet to come; and be it finally Resolved, That the convention direct the Synod’s Board of Directors to continue any additional support needed to maintain and preserve the radio stations. St. John Dieterich, IL 4-27 To Support KFUO Radio WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has long been a pioneer in the use of radio and other communications tech- nology for the dissemination of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and WHEREAS, KFUO radio has been broadcasting the Gospel mes- sage of salvation via its AM transmission for more than 80 years and via its FM transmission for the past 60 years; and WHEREAS, KFUO-AM Bible studies and talk programs such as Issues, Etc. have provided spiritual nurture to listeners in the greater St. Louis area throughout those 80 years; and WHEREAS, KFUO-FM classical and special holiday programming have offered witness to the Christian Gospel while supporting fine arts in the St. Louis community throughout the past 60 years; and WHEREAS, Through the miracle of modern technology, KFUO AM and FM programming is now made available to listeners world- wide via the Internet; and WHEREAS, Such advances in technology offer great promise and an opportunity for a new pioneer spirit in our day, still using radio for the sharing of the Gospel in places and to audiences that other means of sharing the Gospel cannot reach; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod give thanks to God for this treasure handed down by our forefathers of our Synod; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pray that God will continue to open doors to make the best use of mod- em communications technology for the sharing of the Gospel worldwide; and be in finally Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod con- tinue to provide the support necessary for KFUO AM and FM radio to continue to carry out its unique Gospel ministry around the world. Trinity St. Louis, MO 4-28 To Retain KFUO AM and FM Licenses WHEREAS, KFUO AM is the oldest continuous broadcast Chris- tian radio station in the world; and