As I Was Saying....

Pastor Todd Wilken and company at Issues Etc. came back to the air waves yesterday.  I can't think of much that categorizes the return  better than Todd's first words...

"As I was saying... before I was so rudely interrupted..." Rev. Todd Wilken

The first hour back on the air was low key and better than could be expected.  The host and Mr. Schwarz reminisced about their unexpected "spring break."  I appreciated especially how they didn't focus on those who kicked them off the air but rather on their own journeys.  There could have been much accusation, "they did us wrong", "they are evil", there was none of that.  Just a focus on what the program is about.

"The Word of God has the power to change lives... and we were privileged to be that conduit..."

The second hour was unremarkable.  I mean this in the most complementary manner.  Todd's interview skills are top shelf.  He discussed to relevant issues in the manner that we have become accustomed to.  As I listened, doing the things I normally do during the day, things felt back in balance.  The center of our faith came through clearly and strongly, Jesus Christ crucified for Sinners.  It's the reason I tuned into Issues and the reason I will continue to do so.

Welcome back Todd and Jeff and Co...

My only complaint... only 2 hours!

You can listen online at Pirate Christian Radio

Technorati Tags: Issues Etc,Christian Radio,Lutheran Public Radio,Pirate Christian Radio,Todd Wilken

Issues Etc Returning.

Issues, Etc. will return June 30, 2008 at 3:05pm.

Issues will air on Pirate Christian Radio from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.  The last hour will be broadcast on St. Louis station KSIV, 1320am.  Podcasting will be available through the website.

IssuesEtc.org or PirateChristianRadio.com

I can't wait!

Technorati Tags: Issues Etc,Radio,Rev. Todd Wilken,Pirate Christian Radio,Lutheran Public Radio

Issues Etc to Return on June 30!

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!

Technorati Tags: Issues Etc,Christian Radio,Lutheran

Issues, Etc. Demonstration in the News

News regarding, Issues, Etc. demonstration at LCMS Headquarters.

Story on StlToday.com

David Strand's comment at the end is very interesting.

Strand 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

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.

Issues Etc, Program Replacment?

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).

What We Learned from Issues, Etc.

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

What has Issues, Etc. taught me? That's simple. One word. Preaching.

What has Issues, Etc. Taught me?
That's simple. One word. Preaching.

As a preacher I fall into the prideful trap of all preachers. I want to leave my listeners crying in their seats. I want my listeners to say, "he's the best preacher we've ever had in this church." I want my listeners to remember me and my preaching. But that's not what preaching is about is it Todd? If I do all these things but leave out the cross I've missed my purpose for standing in the pulpit. I learned much listening to Todd's analysis of preaching on the program. I still may not preach perfectly ;-) but my preaching has certainly become more Christ-Centered / Cross Focused.

The Issues, Etc. Sermon Diagnostic (My paraphrase)

• How many times was Jesus mentioned? (simple count)
• Is Jesus the one doing the actions in the sermon? (is Jesus the subject of the verbs)
• What did the pastor say Jesus did for me? (what are the verbs)

The Issues, Etc. Sermon Diagnostic is so simple, so straight forward, so right. As Todd always said it doesn't cover everything a sermon should be, but it hits the heart of the matter dead on. I use it for my Confirmation Class sermon notes and I wrote a simple bible study for my Sunday morning bible class.

This is not all I learned as a preacher listening to Issues. But this one stands out.
Thanks Todd and Jeff!
Rev. Jonathan C. Watt

I've attached a pdf file containing the "Sermon Evaluation Study and Form"
And a PowerPoint document "What Makes a Good Sermon" I used in the morning bible class.

Mollie Ziegler Hemingway former member of the Board of Communication Services interviewed on the White Horse Inn

Issues Issue hits GetReligion.

"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!

Issues, Etc. (updated 3/27)

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.

Some blogs to follow for more information:
http://bringbackissues.blogspot.com/
http://weedon.blogspot.com/

For now the program can be heard in archive: http://www.kfuoam.org/IE_Archive.htm

(some trouble accessing the archives has been reported)

The online resource page for Issues Etc is http://web.archive.org/web/20070809141032/www.issuesetc.org/links/guide.htm