LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 53

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

SYNOD REPORTS
Following the 2007 Synod Convention, the BCS was given
responsibility for the LCMS Church Information Center (CIC), now
a unit of the Public Affairs division. Serving essentially as a “reference desk,” the CIC connects LCMS members, laity, employees, and
the public with the information they seek to further their work and to
open doors for the unchurched.
Over the past triennium, the CIC has worked to increase awareness
of its service. In 2009, it responded to an average of 1,000 inquires
per month. Questions range across an array of topics, although the
majority deals with LCMS beliefs and practices, denominational
differences, and locator information for congregations and church
workers.
Public Affairs goals for the next triennium include enhancing relationships with rostered clergy, fostering even stronger relationships
with members of the media, increasing awareness and differentiation
of the LCMS brand, and escalating the use of the CIC’s resources.
KFUO Radio:

Synod-owned KFUO AM and (as of this writing) KFUO FM
“Classic99” reside on the campus of Concordia Seminary in Clayton,
Missouri and are administratively overseen by the BCS.
The mission of the stations is synonymous with that of the LCMS:
to “vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed
within our churches, communities, and the world.”
Several major decisions involving KFUO were made since our
Synod’s last convention in 2007. In October 2009, the LCMS Board
of Directors (BOD) voted to enter into an asset purchase agreement to
transfer the license of KFUO FM to Gateway Creative Broadcasting
(Joy FM). As of this writing, the sale is under review by the Federal
Communications Commission.
Well ahead of this decision—throughout much of 2008—three
members of the BCS participated on a committee with three members of the BOD to study two “scenarios” concerning the future of
the Synod’s radio ministry, both AM and FM. Upon the conclusion of
these meetings, the BCS as a whole expressed its “strong preference
to retain the [FM] license” in the hope that the BOD would decide to
keep the FM station for the benefit of the Synod.
The disposition of FM notwithstanding, the ministry of KFUO
AM will continue. Founded in 1924 by Concordia Seminary, KFUO
AM will celebrate its 86th year of broadcasting in 2010. Now heard
around the world through Internet streaming at kfuo.org, KFUO
AM blends information, interviews, Bible studies, and music into
a respected and cherished format. Additionally, every week, the station broadcasts live worship services of St. Louis-area congregations.
KFUO AM also distributes programs to other stations around
the country—most notably the short-form daily devotion “By the
Way” and the weekday parenting program “Front Porch Parenting.”
Moreover, the station archives many of its programs and worship services, making them available via the Internet either for on-demand
listening or convenient podcasting. Many LCMS congregations feature links to these programs on their Web sites.
In March 2008, under pressure to reduce AM’s unsustainable
budgetary shortfalls, the BCS executive director ended the local and
syndicated versions of the program “Issues, Etc.” The termination of
the program created a stir among many fans of the show, resulting in
an e-mail campaign, an online petition, and a demonstration outside
the International Center.
At its quarterly meeting the following month, April 2008, the BCS
unanimously adopted the following resolution:
“The Board for Communication Services deeply regrets the cancellation of the program, ‘Issues, Etc.,’ owing to the financial realities

53

facing KFUO and the Synod at large. The board recognizes the value
of the program to the Synod for nearly 15 years and is seeking ways
to develop more cost-effective, engaging Lutheran apologetic programming for broad distribution.
The board thanks God for the blessing ‘Issues, Etc.’ has been to
faithful listeners both in the Synod and its wider radio audience and
asks for their prayers and their continued support of the Synod in its
commitment to address the fiscal challenges of maintaining a highquality broadcast ministry.”
The board also instructed its executive director to “prepare, in
consultation with two board members, a concise ‘Q&A’ document
on the cancellation of ‘Issues, Etc.’ to share with the Synod and its
radio- and Web-listening publics.” This “Q&A” was produced and
exhibited online for several months.
Today, in the late-afternoon timeslot formerly occupied by “Issues,
Etc.,” the station features the less-costly but still theologically substantive program known as “Studio A.”
In March 2009, KFUO AM celebrated its 85th anniversary with
a gala dinner and celebration, honoring the founders and supporters
of this historic radio ministry. Guest speaker for the evening was Dr.
Paul Maier, son of KFUO founder Dr. Walter Maier.
KFUO AM partners with many Lutheran organizations both in
revenue development and outreach efforts. Some of the more notable
relationships involve the LCMS Foundation, Concordia Publishing
House, Lutheran Senior Services, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans,
the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Lutheran Hour Ministries,
and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.
As we move into the second decade of the twenty-first century,
it can fairly be said that KFUO AM, throughout the generations, has
accounted for millions of listeners of the Gospel. Now, as the digital age unfolds, the station strives to be at the vanguard of reaching
people not only via broadcast through the air, but also through all the
tools made available via the Internet and its applications.
KFUO AM: “The Gospel Voice of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.”
Conclusion:

In the latter part of this current triennium, the BCS embarked on
a rigorous strategic-planning process, the fruit of which we pray will
lead to our
• strengthening relationships with pastors, who are so important
to the information flow between and among their people, the
districts, and the national Synod office.
• expanding the effective use of social-media platforms throughout the Synod.
• making video-based communications a staple on the Synod’s
Web site and in other important venues.
• producing new and compelling radio content not just for broadcast on KFUO AM but also for audio-streaming, podcasting,
and syndication across America.
• helping to fine-tune the efficacy of International Center-based
communications, demonstrably showing that they are hitting
their mark and gaining the desired results (i.e., providing a
return on investment and prompting people to action).
• contributing to making IC-based communications more coordinated and cohesive in serving to “brand” the Synod and
promoting its key messages and emphases.
• working with Concordia Publishing House to improve the business plan of The Lutheran Witness and its stitched-in district
editions, the magazine’s content and layout, its subscription
system, and its marketing and promotion, thus maintaining the
2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 53

4/15/10 2:38 PM