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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 31

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
create and strengthen bonds with our target audiences to deepen
their resolve and heighten their experience.
Our designers work with web, video, and social media to bring
powerful visuals and design to strengthen our voice and image to
our audiences.

E.6. Social Media
Social media continues to be the most immediate and farreaching tool to disseminate news and information and to discover
audience opinions and trends. LCMS Communications constantly
monitors our presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, even
as we research and consider new platforms where we might reach
more people with the church body’s messages.
On Facebook at facebook.com/thelcms:
•

We have a global audience of 147,000-plus followers. In
terms of “page likes,” the Synod has the largest Lutheran
denominational presence on Facebook.

•

The Prayers of the Church and weekend church service posts
continue to be requested and appreciated. Congregations and
individuals share these posts frequently.

The LCMS has established its presence on Twitter and Instagram and continues to explore other media platforms for suitability
and feasibility.

E.7. Photojournalism
lcms.org/photos
Through documentary photographic storytelling, we have visually shaped the national and international mission work of the
LCMS. LCMS Communications offers a free church and liturgical images gallery for use by all LCMS congregations and partner
churches.

E.8. Video Services
Our video team gathers video footage from across the globe to
produce all manner of videos—documentaries, live streaming, webinars, missionary biographies, disaster relief, marketing, curriculum, training, interviews, and news—that help shape and tell the
stories of our collective work, making a strong case for its support.

F. Support for Other Units
The Communications department makes a major contribution
to the LCMS Mission Advancement and LCMS Disaster Response
(LCMS World Relief and Human Care) work on behalf of the
church body. This work includes publishing stories reflecting the
Synod’s mission and mercy work domestically and internationally,
as well as publicizing and providing opportunities for contributions
to the Church’s work.
In summary, the Good News of salvation in Christ Jesus is at the
core of all we do. This eternal truth straightforwardly compels us to
strive for excellent communication.
Michael Behr, Executive Director
R1.3

KFUO Radio
KFUO Radio is the flagship for Synod broadcasting and is much
more than just a radio broadcast station. We are the official broadcast voice of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Our pro-

grams can be heard on AM and FM radio signals in the St. Louis
region, worldwide on the KFUO app, and on internet media platforms.

A. Reaching the World with the Message
of “Christ for You”
KFUO reaches a worldwide audience with sacred music programming and Christian talk programs. These programs proclaim
“Christ for you.” The KFUO Radio signals are heard by thousands
of people daily, and our internet offerings (live streaming, podcasts, KFUO app, etc.) are available in all 50 states and over 130
countries worldwide. Our KFUO podcasts are listened to by over
1,400,000 people each year. Based on our current growth rate, we
project we will have a yearly podcast listenership of over 2 million by 2024. The KFUO app has 4,500 users, and our social media platforms combined (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) have
32,000 followers.

B. Broadcasting Growth
As we continue to solidify the foundation on which our LCMS
worldwide broadcast ministry is built, we are acquiring a new tower site for KFUO with additional radio signals, giving our radio
broadcast stations a better sound and coverage area in the St. Louis
region. As the local region continues to grow along with the growth
of our worldwide reach via internet technologies, we are well positioned as we move forward.

C. Revenue Streams
KFUO Radio depends on generous gifts from our listeners,
underwriters, and partners along with endowments, bequests, and
purchased airtime.

D. Radio Pioneer
KFUO is a Christian radio pioneer. Next year marks our 100th
anniversary of proclaiming Christ. On Dec. 14, 1924, our founders embraced this new thing called radio to reach people with the
Word of God. KFUO has remained at the forefront of broadcasts
and internet technology from those early days forward. KFUO and
LCMS broadcasting will continue to proclaim Christ crucified to a
worldwide audience as “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Gary Duncan, Executive Director of Broadcast Services
R2

First Vice-President
The First Vice-President is a full-time executive of the Synod
elected by the Synod at each convention. He is responsible to the
President for the performance of his duties, many of which are
established by the President (Bylaw 3.3.1.3 [i] and 3.3.2.2 [a]).
Among his duties that are established by bylaw are to serve as:
•

chairman of the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry (Report R2.1);

•

chairman of the Colloquy Committee for Commissioned
Ministry (Report R2.2);

•

a nonvoting member of the Board of Directors;

•

a voting member of the Council of Presidents, where he also
serves on the Program Committee; and
2023 Convention Workbook