Issues Etc will return to the air June 30th.
You can listen live on the Internet by tuning in at http://www.piratechristianradio.com/
3-5pm (central standard time). June 30.
The second hour will be broadcast in the St. Louis area on KSIV-AM 1320.
Welcome back Todd and Jeff!
News regarding, Issues, Etc. demonstration at LCMS Headquarters.
Story on StlToday.comStrand would not say whether the church was considering a sale of its stations. He pointed out that the 7,000 signatures make up one-third of 1 percent of the church body.
In the vacated time slot, the church has launched a new program called "The Afternoon Show," with topics Strand said should have a broader appeal.
Passed April 9, 2008 – South Dakota District Pastor’s Conference, Dakota Dunes, SD
Whereas, the “issues, etc.” radio program on KFUO-AM, St. Louis, has been a great blessing to many of the pastors an laity of the South Dakota District; and
Whereas, pastor and people are at a loss to understand the decision to cancel a show that winsomely engaged the culture and offered a distinctly Lutheran perspective on the issues of the day; and
Whereas, official explanations for the show’s cancellation have not satisfied ore answered the concerns of many, and
Whereas, there is extensive public support for the continuation for Issues, Etc. and
Whereas, we wish to demonstrate pastoral concern for Rev. Todd Wilken, the show’s host and Mr. Jeffry Schwarz, the shows producer;
Therefore be it:
Resolved, that the Pastoral Conference of the South Dakota District gathered in solemn assembly at Dakota Dunes, SD this 9th day of April, in the year of our Lord 2008, give thanks and praise to God for the ministry of Issues, Etc. and the hard work of Pastor Wilken and Mr. Schwarz and be it finally
Resolved, that the Pastoral Conference of the South Dakota District officially petition the Board of Communication Services to revisit the decision by its Executive Director, David Strand, to cancel Issues, Etc. and also petition the Board to reinstate both Pastor Wilken and Mr. Schwarz to their positions, restore the ministry of Issues, Etc.
With all due respect to the hosts... the "replacement" show for Issues, Etc. on KFUO is a pale second.
The show seems to be a repeat of the "old morning show" content, mostly fluff; interviews (what are you doing) with "ministries" in St. Louis; chat between the hosts; Today's Light with CPH (not necessarily "fluff"); interviews with "psychologists", etc.
It's not the "etc" we are used to. Certainly non-controversial, certainly non-Doctrinal. I don't know how they expect to draw an audience with the same content as in the AM.
Mr. Strand's hope is at the moment ill founded "However, we hope you will enjoy our future programs." (from his email response to me).
pr. Weedon has a nice article today "What We Learned from Issues, Etc."
http://weedon.blogspot.com/2008/03/tribute-what-have-we-learned-from.html
Mollie Ziegler Hemingway former member of the Board of Communication Services interviewed on the White Horse Inn
"
tmatt" a writer at the GetReligion blog (A blog that studies how religion is represented in the media) chimes in (http://www.getreligion.org/?p=3328) on the Issues controversy with an entry about MZ Hemmingway's feature in the WallSteet Journal. He talks about his connection to the show.
This is especially interesting to me, since this was one of the only radio shows that I used to agree to appear on (for free) to talk about trends in religion news. It offered intelligent hosts and very fine listeners with good questions. It was worth the time and effort to hook up with them. It was not a shouting show.He finishes with an interesting observation.
Welcome to the worship wars and the post-denominational age. This is the kind of conflict that is quietly developing on the right, while the left draws more headlines battling over the creeds, salvation and, of course, sex.Any thoughts that this issue isn't a big issue should soon evaporate!
On Tuesday of Holy Week, the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod canceled the radio program Issues, Etc. on its Radio Station KFUO AM. This program was a lifeline of Lutheran Theology to many people all over the globe. Host Pastor Todd Wilken and Producer Jeff Schwarz were dismissed and the program ended without notice. I have struggled with the reasons that may have prompted this decision and will not speculate here. This is a great loss to the whole Communion of Saints. (see http://www.bookofconcord.org/largecatechism/4_creed.html Article III, paragraph 47ff)
Update!
Read the Official statement by the LCMS.
for Reaction see:
http://bringbackissues.blogspot.com/
http://weedon.blogspot.com/
And the Wall Street Journal: By MOLLIE ZIEGLER HEMINGWAY
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120667366412170875.html?mod=taste_primary_hs
If you care to sign a petition in protest of this decision and ask for the return of Issues, Etc. to the air please visit http://www.petitiononline.com/Issues/petition.html.
