If you are outside the Lutheran blogosphere or other means of Missouri Synod communication, you may not have heard that the KFUO program “Issues, Etc” has been canceled, and its host, Todd Wilken, and producer, Jeff Schwarz, were fired. There is no other information given.
If you are concerned about this, call the LCMS International Center (888-THE-LCMS [843-5267]) and ask to be transferred to the Board for Communications to register your disapproval. This is a significant loss to the Missouri Synod, to all Confessional Lutherans, and to the world at large. Many people have come to better understand Lutheranism or even be converted because of this program. Perhaps the outcry will reach the ears of those in charge so that this disastrous decision can be reversed.
KFUO.org (apparently, the website for KFUO-AM has crashed; I’m guessing it’s because of a massive attempt to download old Issues, Etc. broadcasts)
The Wittenberg Trail has set up a PayPal account for Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz, who are jobless:
A message to all members of The Wittenberg Trail
The Wittenberg Trail is organizing a drive to offer financial support to Pastor Wilken, Jeff Schwarz and their families during this difficult time.
The WT has a secure Pay Pal account set up. Please indicate “Wilken/Schwarz” in the donation comment section.
Please log into the Wittenberg Trail and click on the “Donate” button on the right side of the screen.
Visit The Wittenberg Trail at: http://wittenbergtrail.ning.com
More from WT:
A message to all members of The Wittenberg Trail
Today’s a black day in the LCMS.
Today the Synod ordered the cancellation of the popular radio show Issues, Etc. without stating a reason why, and terminated the employment of Pastor Todd Wilken, the show’s host, and Mr. Jeff Schwarz, the show’s producer.
If you can get into the archives and save MP3 files of the show ASAP.
The person who made the decision to cancel Issues, Etc. was Mr. David Strand, Executive Director of the Board for Communication Services.
Here is Mr. Strand’s contact information:
David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication
314) 996-1200
david.strand@lcms.org
If you care enough, you might cease support for KFUO-AM until they restore the program, its host, and its producer.
More from Necessary Roughness, Pr. Weedon, The Minnesota Lutheran, Outer Rim Territories, Lane’s Blog, Hoc Est Verum, Rapp Files, Putting Out the Fire, Northwoods Lutherans, and On the Wittenberg Trail. No doubt there are and will be more. Feel free to post more links in the comments.
*New* And, sign the petition.
Balaam's Ass 