Rational For Selling KFUO From  BCS Member

By: Rev. Jack Cascione

Reclaim News published, "LCMS Board of Directors Saves KFUO" on March 20, 2003.  Now, in reply, David Berger, a member of the LCMS Board for Communication Services (BCS), explains the reasoning behind the Board's interest in selling KFUO."

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Dear Pastor Cascione,

Please permit me to respond personally to your news release of March 20 regarding KFUO-AM.  As a member of the BCS, I want to assure you that the issue of KFUO-AM is not quite as simple as described below.  The charge of synodical boards is to exercise good stewardship of the increasingly limited funds available for the synod's work at large.  For the BCS that means, in part, using contributed dollars in the most efficient and effective way to promote high quality Lutheran programming for both a local and a national (even international) audience, in keeping with its charge to "b. authorize and supervise the production of necessary print and broadcast materials for the church and its publics" (2001 Handbook, p. 68. See also g.).   As you know, there is a difference between programming (or production) and broadcasting.  The synod is unlikely ever be a "major" in the broadcasting business.  KFUO is and always has been a local station, but it does have the facilities, personnel, and capability of providing good programming that can be developed and distributed using syndication and modern alternative communication technologies, such as the Web.   Some of that is already done, e.g., Issues, etc.

With that in mind, the BCS provided the BOD with as complete a picture as possible of the finances of KFUO-AM operations and an overview of the philosophical issues related to providing programming for Lutherans and the general public on a national / international scale.  KFUO has historically been a part of that picture and may well be in the future.  Since KFUO-AM in its role as a broadcast operation is a local St. Louis station with a listenership of 15-20,000 listeners at peak times, it might, for example, be "adopted" by local Lutheran entities, e.g., the Missouri District.  Selling the station, i.e., the broadcast band, to provide funding for more effective Lutheran programming on a larger scale was, indeed, an alternative offered for consideration, not necessarily the most desirable.  Selling commercial time is yet another approach.  Focusing available funds on national programming and syndication rather than on local broadcasting seems to us to be good stewardship.  Yet, it is a complex issue with historical roots.  In any case, the reputable name of KFUO could continue to be used to identify any future programming operations.

Information on the annual cost of station operations is not confidential and can be obtained from synod headquarters.  It represents a considerable financial commitment for synod.   If it is deemed proper for the BOD to take over the operation, it will be their decision how to exercise good financial stewardship vis a vis KFUO-AM.  Please keep in mind that KFUO-FM is a self-supporting commercial classical music station.  Many LCMSers outside of St. Louis are not aware of this distinction.  FM and AM do have their operations in the same building.  In good years, the FM side has been able
to subsidize the religious programming on the AM side.  The AM side is much
more dependent on gifts and bequests for its annual operating income.  As we
know, the timing and amount of the latter are unpredictable.  Indeed, it is the current shortfall in funds that precipitate the current proposals.

I hope this is a helpful perspective.  There is nothing secret about the
work of the BCS or the BOD.  Neither should the issue be viewed as a "board vs. board" conflict.  We are all in this work together, doing our best to do our assigned tasks, as God gives us wisdom, with the funds available.  If
someone wishes to take issue with how synodical funds are allocated, he is obligated to look at the whole picture and be informed of the variety of church communication issues that need to be dealt with on an ongoing basis.

Please feel free to quote from the above and express in your own words for your readership this more complete version of the intentions of the BCS regarding KFUO-AM and in providing effective communication services in the larger synodical context.

Together in His service,
David Berger "
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You can send your comments to the LCMS Board of Directors by using the following addresses.  Officially, the Board can only respond to signed letters. However, individually, they may respond to email.


Rev. Edward Balfour - 150 Mitchell Rd. - Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
E-mail:  mbalfou1@maine.rr.com

Rev. Dr. Karl L. Barth - 8220 Harwood #208 - Milwaukee, WI 53213
E-mail:  karlbarth@webtv.net

Dr. Betty Duda - 2450 Mikler - Oviedo, FL 32765
E-mail: BJDUDA11@aol.com

Rev. James E. Fandrey - 2603 North 51st Ave - Omaha, NE 68104
E-mail: jefandrey1@juno.com

Miss Elizabeth Fluegel - 1734 Kingsgate Court #302 - Alexandria, VA
22302 E-mail:  efluegel@excite.com

Ernest E. Garbe - 1661 N. 2200 St., - Dieterich, IL 62424
E-mail:  epgarbe@mmtcnet.com

Dr. Jean Garton - 4808 Shoal Creek Drive - Benton, Arkansas 72015
E-mail:  Dr.GST@juno.com

Oscar H. Hanson - P. O. Box 16852 - So. Lake Tahoe, CA 96151
E-mail:  oahanson@netfeed.com

David Hawk - 2814 Baywood Trail - Ft. Wayne, IN 46845
E-mail:  DKHawk@HawkHaynie.com (work)

Theodore A. Kober - 1537 Ave. D, Suite 352 - Billings, MT 59102
E-mail:  tkober@hispeace.org (work)

Rev. Dr. Robert T. Kuhn - 1387 Haven Drive - Oviedo, FL 32765
E-mail:  rtkuhn@cfl.rr.com

Christian A. Preus - 16205 5th Ave., North - Plymouth, MN 55447
E-mail:  preus@attbi.com

Dr. Edwin A. Trapp - 7624 Glenn Albens Circle - Dallas, TX 75225
E-mail:  eat2@airmail.net

Thomas W. Kuchta - 12841 Dubon Lane - St. Louis, MO 63131 (Treasurer)
E-mail:  tomkuchta@aol.com

March 23 , 2003