Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Rev. Matt Harrison on Hati, Issues, Etc.
Pastor Matt Harrison of LCMS World Relief and Human Care
http://issuesetc.org/?p=2426
Posted using ShareThis
Friday, December 04, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
LCMS Working to Sell KFUO-FM (Updated)
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is working behind the scenes to sell KFUO FM. A few years ago it was worth about $20m. Now days about half that. Is it bad stewardship to sell the station when the price is down? Here's an article in St. Louis Today.
Given the climate at the Synod one is always suspicious of decisions to sell valuable assets that can never be replaced. As the article says generally AM FM pairs are sold together. If the FM goes the AM is likely to follow. Some are hopeful the FM sale profits will be used to support the AM station. I think this is not likely. It seems that the AM has always been used to shelter the FM and protect it from criticism. As the budget at the Synod is likely not to be well funded, cash is going to be needed. $10m is an attractive number to help balance the books.
I have always found it difficult to understand the FM's Classical Music as a ministry of the LCMS. I listened a bit when we were at Seminary, and was quickly disappointed. I changed to the AM, primarily for Issues, Law and Gospel and the Bible Study. These kind of programs are what the AM and FM should be playing. The AM / FM combination has potential as a platform for Lutheran Web radio. It's loss would be a great loss to the synod, albeit it is being wasted now. The value of the FM as a potential for the Gospel combined with the AM and Internet is worth well more that the price tag.
On the other hand the value of the FM will likely continue to plummet. The cash is likely better now than it will be in the foreseeable future.
However, again, the sale of this valuable asset to pay the bills is probably rather shortsighted.
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Fad Driven Church
Here's the Info on the Issues, Etc show I mentioned in my previous post.
The Fad-Driven Church
Terry Mattingly of Scripps Howard News Service
Further Resources & Reading:
Nailing the Evangelical Fads by Terry Mattingly
The Fad-Driven Church by Todd Wilken
Monday, February 16, 2009
Two Hundred Years...
Born 1809, Charles Darwin brought us the "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life" On this the 200th anniversary of his birth we would do well to revisit his theories. Particularly in light of the increased complexity of the cell.
Listen to the following thoughtful program on Issues, Etc. Todd's guest Dr. Michael Behe of Lehigh University, author of Darwin's Black Box. I highly recommend this book... and this podcast.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
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
Monday, June 23, 2008
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!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Issues, Etc. Demonstration in the News
News regarding, Issues, Etc. demonstration at LCMS Headquarters.
Story on StlToday.comDavid 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.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Issues Etc, Program Replacment?
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).
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
What We Learned from Issues, Etc.
http://weedon.blogspot.com/2008/03/tribute-what-have-we-learned-from.html
Saturday, March 29, 2008
What has Issues, Etc. taught me? That's simple. One word. Preaching.
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)
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.