LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 48

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48 SYNODICAL REPORTS

ing the first two years of the triennium to serve the Synod in a va-
tiety of ways. Services included planning, writing, photography,
editing, design, desktop layout, and printing services. The objec-
tive of the unit was to provide quality print and audiovisual prod-
ucts in an efficient and coordinated manner. Significant assistance
was provided during the first two years of the triennium to boards
and commissions of the Synod, to the 150th Anniversary effort, to
the LCMS Foundation, and to Lutheran Church Extension Fund.
The unit also was key in providing assistance for efforts of the
BCS.

Accomplishments

* A one-of-a-kind book that chronicles in photos one week (April
21-27, 1997) in various areas of ministry within the Synod was
produced as a special project of the Synod’s 150th Anniversary
observance. “A Week in the Life of the LCMS” was funded by
AAL and directly involved some 600 congregations that jointly
submitted some 8,000 photographs for possible use in the book.

Assistance with print and audiovisual planning and production
was provided to the 150th Anniversary Committee.

« A Communications Conference for District. college, and semi-
nary communicators was hosted by the BCS in 1997.

* Training workshops were held in a variety of areas in the Synod.

Broadcast

The Broadcast Ministry of the BCS and its Standing Committee
on Broadcast includes KFUO and KFUO-FM (St. Louis), KNGN
(McCook, Neb.), and The Jubilee Network.

The BCS gratefully acknowledges the Standing Committee on
Broadcast (listed above) for its efforts in supervising much of the
broadcast ministry, especially for its efforts in preserving and ex-
panding the ministry during the trying time of KFUO’s litigation
with the FCC.

The BCS also acknowledges with gratitude the committee in
McCook, Neb. for its efforts in furthering the ministry of KNGN.
Those who served this committee during the past triennium include
Rev. David Bergquist, Pastor Don Stuckwisch, Pastor David Dob-
bertien, Rev. Paul Kaldahl, Ophal Riggs, Stuart Euhus, Ervin
Schaffert, and Mike Nielsen.

Accomplishments

* The Jubilee Network has continued to expand, now serving some
300 outlets with live programming via satellite or through tapes
or compact discs. Major syndicated program offerings include
“Issues, Etc.,” “Joy,” and “By the Way.”

KFUO-FM is observing its 50th anniversary during 1998.
KFUO-FM has programmed classical and sacred classical music
throughout its 50 years and is being recognized both locally and
nationally for this record of service.

Both the audience ratings and advertising revenues have in-
creased for KFUO-FM during the past triennium. Through ad-
vertising revenues, KFUO-FM is able to provide support to
KFUO and The Jubilee Network.

* The BCS was the successful bidder for an educational radio sta-
tion in St. Louis but was unable to acquire the station because of
the litigation with the NAACP and the FCC. The BCS considers
this a very unfortunate consequence of the unfair and unneces-
sary FCC litigation.

* KNGN in McCook moved into a new broadcast facility in 1996.
The facility, provided by a generous donor, accommodates well
KNGN’s operation.

* The Educational Initiatives program of KFUO has grown during
the last triennium. It has been a very successful way to gain vis-
ibility for KFUO in the community and to provide the valuable
service of education in classical music.

* As of this writing, significant progress has been made in defend-
ing the good name of the Synod and its religious freedoms in the
face of the strong attacks on KFUO by the NAACP and the FCC.
The BCS continues to work toward a positive resolution of this
matter.

Plans

* During the next triennium, KFUO will implement plans for a
major observance of KFUO’s 75th Anniversary (1999) and will
use this occasion to move forward in expanding its service to the
Synod.

The Jubilee Network will expand through an aggressive market-
ing program designed to acquire placement of its programs on
more radio stations in the United States.

The BCS will explore possibilities for acquisition of additional
broadcast facilities in areas throughout the United States.

* KFUO-FM will generate additional revenues from commercial
advertising to be used in support of KFUO and The Jubilee Net-
work expansion.

The Jubilee Network will introduce new syndicated features for
distribution via satellite or through tapes and compact discs.

The BCS is grateful to Almighty God for His blessings to the
BCS and its work during the past triennium and for the opportuni-
ties to serve in the communication ministry of the Synod. It com-
mends all those in the Synod who participate in this ministry. To-
gether, we seek to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, glorify His name,
and extend His kingdom.

John Frahm, Chairman
Paul Devantier, Executive Director

R2-07

Biblical Stewardship Principles Task Force

In response to 1995 Convention Res. 4-07A the Department of
Stewardship Ministry convened a six-member task force to assist in
the process of articulating biblical stewardship principles which
should guide all the stewardship and fund-raising efforts within our
church body.

This task force began its work in July of 1996 and developed
an initial draft of biblical stewardship principles which was shared
with a large number of leaders throughout our church body for
study and reaction. As a result of this feedback a second draft was
prepared and shared with over 200 leaders from various entities
within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for further study
and reflection. The task force then finalized a draft which was
printed and shared with all rostered church workers and entities of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for study prior to the 1998
convention.

The task force received many helpful comments and sugges-
tions from those who studied and reviewed the document and made
some additional changes which are reflected in the document in-
cluded as an appendix in the 1998 Convention Workbook.

Larry L. Reinhardt, Director

R3-01

Commission on Theology and Church Relations

The Commission on Theology and Church Relations has two
functions: to “assist the President at his request in discharging his
constitutional responsibilities” and to “provide guidance to the
Synod in matters of theology and church relations” (Bylaw 3.925).

CTCR membership consists of 16 voting and 4 advisory mem-
bers. The voting membership is made up of 2 parish pastors, |
parish teacher, and 2 laypersons elected by the synodical conven-
tion; 2 pastors (one of whom is a District President) and 2 layper-
sons elected by the Council of Presidents; 4 seminary professors, 2
appointed or elected by each seminary faculty; and 3 additional
members appointed by the President of the Synod, in consultation
with the Vice-Presidents (one of these appointees is a nonseminary
synodical professor). The advisory members are the President and
First Vice-President of the Synod and the presidents of the two
seminaries (see membership list in “Directory—Officers and
Boards of the Synod” in the front of the Workbook).

The officers of the commission during the past triennium were
Dr. Richard Kapfer, chairman; Dr. Richard Meyer, vice-chairman;