The Truth IN Context: Issuesetc

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Thursday, March 27, 2008

More Damage Control Spin From David Strand

March 27, 2008

Dear Christian Friends:

Last week the decision was made to discontinue the “Issues, Etc.” program on KFUO-AM Radio, a ministry owned and operated by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). A brief statement was posted soon after on KFUO-AM's website citing programmatic and stewardship (business) reasons for this decision.

Following the discontinuation of the program, some KFUO-AM listeners asked for more information as to why “Issues, Etc.” had been ended. Detailed reasons are not usually provided when making program changes, and I intend to continue our policy and practice not to publicly discuss specific personnel matters. However, I do want to provide additional information regarding some of the significant challenges we faced prior to the discontinuation of the program and to respond to the inquiries of those who were particularly fond and appreciative of “Issues, Etc.”

In fiscal year 2007-08, KFUO-AM’s operating deficit was $620,698. Since 2001, the accumulated deficits at the station have been in excess of $3.5 million. The LCMS budget, entrusted to our care by members of our Synod’s congregations, has absorbed these shortfalls for years. After long and prayerful consideration, it became clear that measures had to be taken to stop the ongoing, staggering losses.

Although some are under the impression that “Issues, Etc.” was profitable and self-supporting, the fact is the program lost approximately $250,000 in the last fiscal year. While airing for only 18 percent of KFUO-AM’s programming week, “Issues” accounted for more than 40 percent of the station’s total deficit. These figures are based on the audited financial statements of the LCMS.

Over the years, every effort has been made to cut expenses at KFUO-AM. At the same time, particularly in the past year, extraordinary measures were taken to bolster the financial support of the station. A sizable portion of those efforts focused on assisting “Issues, Etc.,” the most costly program on the AM schedule. Unfortunately, these measures have not solved the problem. As of February 29th, two-thirds into the current fiscal year, KFUO-AM was on pace to suffer heavy losses again.

Some may also be under a misapprehension about the size of the “Issues” audience. In 2005, station management decided it could no longer justify paying for expensive ratings reports in light of the predictably low and static nature of KFUO-AM’s audience numbers. At the time, a blending of the spring 2004 and spring 2005 “books” showed an average listening audience during the “Issues” Monday-Friday timeslot of 1,650. There is no indication these numbers have grown appreciably since.

As for the audio streaming of “Issues, Etc.” via the Internet, the numbers are similarly low. During the last full month (February 2008) for which we have reports, the average number of live, streaming listeners during the “Issues” Monday-Friday timeslot was 64.

On Sunday nights, when the first hour of “Issues” was syndicated in a number of markets (an opportunity for which, during the past fiscal year, the LCMS actually paid $66,000 in broadcast fees), and where the second hour was available only on the Internet, the peak number of online listeners on the KFUO stream was 39.

Sadly, very difficult financial conditions sometimes require decisions that are not popular among all affected. In the case of KFUO-AM, the time had come when good stewardship of the church’s funds required a decision that meaningfully curtailed the deep, ongoing losses at the station. Ending the costs associated with “Issues, Etc.” was the only viable option, and the decision to do this was prayerfully and contemplatively made.

I am sorry that those who enjoyed “Issues” are disappointed, but I have made the show’s archives available, and I respectfully hope that all listeners will support the ongoing radio ministry of our beloved Synod.

Sincerely in Christ,

David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication Services

Link:http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=13252

Obfuscation!

David L. Strand, Executive Director of the Board for Communication Services for the LCMS has posted an 'explanation' that he hopes will make the controversy surrounding the cancellation of Issues Etc. go away. However, as someone who is well connected to sources deep inside the Purple Palace I know for a fact that Strand's official statement is full of half-truths and bureaucratic misdirection.

Here is just a sampling.

1. In his official statement Strand states:

In fiscal year 2007-08, KFUO-AM’s operating deficit was $620,698. Since 2001, the accumulated deficits at the station have been in excess of $3.5 million. The LCMS budget, entrusted to our care by members of our Synod’s congregations, has absorbed these shortfalls for years. After long and prayerful consideration, it became clear that measures had to be taken to stop the ongoing, staggering losses.

Please consider this, if Issues Etc. was cut because of business losses then how come it was the ONLY program on KFUO AM that ever asked for donations and support? If Strand was so concerned that KFUO AM was operating in the black then how come all the other programs which constitute 82% of the total air time for KFUO were not asking for donations?

One of my sources in the Purple Palace told me on Monday that the Synod has always considered KFUO AM to be a ministry outreach and therefore was not concerned by the expenses of keeping KFUO AM on the air.

Please also consider this fact. The treasurer of the LCMS was in Germany on the day that Issues Etc was cancelled and was shocked by the announcement that the show had been cancelled. If Issues Etc. was cancelled for financial reasons, then wouldn't it make logical sense that the treasurer of the LCMS would have been part of that decision?

2. Strand grossly understates the size of the Issues Etc. audience. In his statement he says:

Some may also be under a misapprehension about the size of the “Issues” audience. In 2005, station management decided it could no longer justify paying for expensive ratings reports in light of the predictably low and static nature of KFUO-AM’s audience numbers. At the time, a blending of the spring 2004 and spring 2005 “books” showed an average listening audience during the “Issues” Monday-Friday timeslot of 1,650. There is no indication these numbers have grown appreciably since.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice that Strand purposely omitted the number of people who listened to Issues Etc. via podcast. Why didn't he include those numbers? Answer: by omitting those numbers he is able to make it appear like very few people ever listened to Issues Etc. But if the Issues Etc audience is a small as David Strand would have you believe, then why is there a national outcry against this decision?

Also, missing from these figures are what those in the business world call a "comparative baseline". In other words, in order to get a proper perspective of these figures then we'd need to know how many listeners each of the other shows have during their respective time slots. But that information is also missing from Strand's statement.

This statement by David Strand is a propoganda piece designed to silence critics and end the controversy. It was carefully crafted using only carefully selected bits of information while omitting data that would give people the full and complete picture.

Unfortunately, this piece because of its half truths and omitted data will do nothing more than add fuel to an already raging fire.

Posted by Athanasius on March 27, 2008 at 10:55 AM in Synodical Half-Truths | Permalink

Link:http://adelphoitouchristou.typepad.com/savethelcms/2008/03/obfuscation.html

Thursday, March 20, 2008

David Strand Responds

I am angry over the Issues Etc. debacle, so much so I signed the petition and emailed David Strand. He returned my email and this just incited me all the more, it would have been better unanswered. I am copying my email and his response here so all can see just how hideous this whole thing is.

Dear Mr. Gielczyk:

Thank you for your e-mail. We are sorry for your disappointment over the change in KFUO-AM programming. However, we hope you will enjoy our future programs.

Sincerely in Christ,

David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication Services
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
314-996-1200

This electronic mail transmission, and any attachments thereto, may contain confidential information intended only for the named recipient(s). Any distribution or disclosure to another person is prohibited

From: Alan Gielczyk
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 11:49 AM
To: David Strand
Subject: Issues etc

Mr. Strand,
I have to assume that since Issues etc. was not losing money as a radio show your decision to cancel it must be a theological one. And since the show and it's host were fighting for the Biblical doctrine of sola fide you must disagree with this. This would, in my mind, call into question your own position in the Kingdom. I urge you to immediately change your decision, or at least resign your position before you can do any more damage to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners.

In Christ,
Alan
2 Cor. 10:5
Visit my blog!
Truth IN Context
http://www.truthincontext.blogspot.com

Issues Etc. Discussions In The Blogoshpere

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Bring Back Issues Etc.

There is tremendous groundswell to bring back Issues Etc. and I could not agree more! There is a blog dedicated to it you can find here. There is also an online petition you may sign to bring the show back.

Issues etc. Canceled

Yesterday Issues etc. was uncerimoniously canceled without notice. Rev. Todd Wilken and his producer Jeff Schwarz were let go. This move comes as a complete surprise to a multitude of people. The show was not loosing money and was a beacon of light in an increasingly dark LCMS. I for one am extremely disappointed. The show originated out of St. Louis and I had been listening to it for years. I remember when I started listening Don Matzat was the host. He had such a well weathered voice and when he left and this Todd Wilken character came in with his voice sounding as if he were twelve years young I was not sure the show would last. That was about eight years ago if I remember correctly and boy was I wrong. Todd has done a masterful job hosting this amazing 3 hour a day program. If you would like to join in the throng who is protesting and petitioning to bring the show back here is the information.

Synod: 888-843-5267
KFUO: 314-725-0099

David Strand:
David.Strand@lcms.org

Synod's address:
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295

infocenter@lcms.org

Also Todd and Jeff were fired, no pension, no severence, no nothing. If you would like to help them out financially you may do so by sending a donation along with a note to donate to the Wilken/Schwarz fund to:

Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046

I pray the dark forced of Satan at work in the LCMS would be thwarted and this great show be reinstalled on the airwaves.

HT: Slice
HT: Riddleblog

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