http://www.lifenews.com/state3084.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120727003307788443.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
I'm out of town and have limited access to email. Please check the links in the sidebar for breaking news (especially Save the LCMS).
Friday, April 4, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Roundup
Swiped from Christopher Esget
For those of you who haven't followed the "Issues" scandal carefully, here is a summary of the latest information and news:
President Kieschnick responded to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway's article in the Wall Street Journal. President Kieschnick states that KFUO was losing a lot of money, but goes on to say that the LCMS had "its most positive and unified convention in years." He cites as evidence of our unity Ablaze!(tm). Pastor David Petersen commentson Kieschnick's response, pointing out that Ablaze!(tm) is an excellent example of our disunity. He summarizes, "[Kieschnick's] presidency is the most divisive we've ever known."
Mollie Hemingway was interviewed by Michael Horton of the White Horse Inn regarding her article. Click here to download the audio directly (mp3).
The LCMS Foundation was keeping 40% of money raised for Issues, Etc. - much higher than the 10% industry standard. Additionally, the head of the Foundation, Tom Ries, is alleged to have been antagonistic toward the program because it was critical of Joel Osteen.
At least some members of the Board for Communications Services were not consulted, and do not approve of the decision. The BCS did not vote to cancel the program, and under church governance rules, the decision was illegal.
"Save the LCMS!" puts the supposed financial losses at KFUO and Issues into perspective. The alleged losses are approximately 0.25% of the Synodical budget.
BCS Executive Director David Strand's statementregarding the popularity of the show did not include downloads or podcasting. Adding in those numbers paints an entirely different picture. Here is a chart just of the downloads. Sources say that Strand knew that his numbers were inaccurate.
While Synodical HQ is saying that they couldn't afford the alleged $250,000 that Issues, Etc. cost, it has been learned that Kieschnick sought and was granted a $5,000,000 (five MILLION dollars) line of credit for Ablaze!(tm). This after he already is alleged to have spent $3,000,000 in donations earmarked for human care.
This runs far deeper than a bureaucratic decision regarding a radio program. The "issues" revealed here go to the core of our purpose and identity as a church. Secrecy, falsified or misleading statements, a failure to keep the Gospel message the main thing, mistreatment of faithful servants - none of these things should even be named in the house of God. If you are concerned--and you should be--what can you do? Please see the conclusion to Christopher's previous post here.
For those of you who haven't followed the "Issues" scandal carefully, here is a summary of the latest information and news:
President Kieschnick responded to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway's article in the Wall Street Journal. President Kieschnick states that KFUO was losing a lot of money, but goes on to say that the LCMS had "its most positive and unified convention in years." He cites as evidence of our unity Ablaze!(tm). Pastor David Petersen commentson Kieschnick's response, pointing out that Ablaze!(tm) is an excellent example of our disunity. He summarizes, "[Kieschnick's] presidency is the most divisive we've ever known."
Mollie Hemingway was interviewed by Michael Horton of the White Horse Inn regarding her article. Click here to download the audio directly (mp3).
The LCMS Foundation was keeping 40% of money raised for Issues, Etc. - much higher than the 10% industry standard. Additionally, the head of the Foundation, Tom Ries, is alleged to have been antagonistic toward the program because it was critical of Joel Osteen.
At least some members of the Board for Communications Services were not consulted, and do not approve of the decision. The BCS did not vote to cancel the program, and under church governance rules, the decision was illegal.
"Save the LCMS!" puts the supposed financial losses at KFUO and Issues into perspective. The alleged losses are approximately 0.25% of the Synodical budget.
BCS Executive Director David Strand's statementregarding the popularity of the show did not include downloads or podcasting. Adding in those numbers paints an entirely different picture. Here is a chart just of the downloads. Sources say that Strand knew that his numbers were inaccurate.
While Synodical HQ is saying that they couldn't afford the alleged $250,000 that Issues, Etc. cost, it has been learned that Kieschnick sought and was granted a $5,000,000 (five MILLION dollars) line of credit for Ablaze!(tm). This after he already is alleged to have spent $3,000,000 in donations earmarked for human care.
This runs far deeper than a bureaucratic decision regarding a radio program. The "issues" revealed here go to the core of our purpose and identity as a church. Secrecy, falsified or misleading statements, a failure to keep the Gospel message the main thing, mistreatment of faithful servants - none of these things should even be named in the house of God. If you are concerned--and you should be--what can you do? Please see the conclusion to Christopher's previous post here.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
UPDATE for 3/28
Return to the Issues, Etc. Petition
A hearty THANK YOU to everyone for showing your support for "Issues, Etc.". Todd and Jeff have been touched by your kind words and encouraged by your moving testimonies of how God has used "Issues" to ignite your hearts with the Gospel.
In addition to signing the petition, we encourage you to make your concerns known by emailing the following individuals:
The Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, president of The Missouri Synod - president@lcms.org
David L. Strand, Executive Director of the Board for Communication Services - david.strand@lcms.org
Read about "Issues" in the Wall Street Journal.
Objective news regarding the cancellation is difficult to locate. The 3/27 statement from Mr. Strand's office is misleading. Below are some sites you may visit to keep up with the buzz:
www.adelphoitouchristou.typepad.com/savethelcms (asking tough questions)
www.bringbackissues.blogspot.com
www.weedon.blogspot.com
www.revcwirla.blogspot.com
www.augsburg1530.wordpress.com (for protest/vigil information)
www.wittenbergtrail.ning.com (a Lutheran forum/community)
A Vespers service will be held in St. Louis at Emmaus Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 13th at 5pm. A Bratwurst dinner will follow. PLEASE REGISTER if you plan to attend.
If you would like to help support Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz financially, you may do so by sending a check to:
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046
Put "Wilken/Schwarz Fund" in the memo line.
Please contact the admin at issuesetcpetition@hotmail.com if you accidentally sign the petition more than once. Include your signature #s in your message. All couples and families, please submit one signature per line. We understand your desire for privacy but please include either your last name, or your congregation & location when signing, as seemingly phony or incredible signatures will be voided.
A hearty THANK YOU to everyone for showing your support for "Issues, Etc.". Todd and Jeff have been touched by your kind words and encouraged by your moving testimonies of how God has used "Issues" to ignite your hearts with the Gospel.
In addition to signing the petition, we encourage you to make your concerns known by emailing the following individuals:
The Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, president of The Missouri Synod - president@lcms.org
David L. Strand, Executive Director of the Board for Communication Services - david.strand@lcms.org
Read about "Issues" in the Wall Street Journal.
Objective news regarding the cancellation is difficult to locate. The 3/27 statement from Mr. Strand's office is misleading. Below are some sites you may visit to keep up with the buzz:
www.adelphoitouchristou.typepad.com/savethelcms (asking tough questions)
www.bringbackissues.blogspot.com
www.weedon.blogspot.com
www.revcwirla.blogspot.com
www.augsburg1530.wordpress.com (for protest/vigil information)
www.wittenbergtrail.ning.com (a Lutheran forum/community)
A Vespers service will be held in St. Louis at Emmaus Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 13th at 5pm. A Bratwurst dinner will follow. PLEASE REGISTER if you plan to attend.
If you would like to help support Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz financially, you may do so by sending a check to:
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046
Put "Wilken/Schwarz Fund" in the memo line.
Please contact the admin at issuesetcpetition@hotmail.com if you accidentally sign the petition more than once. Include your signature #s in your message. All couples and families, please submit one signature per line. We understand your desire for privacy but please include either your last name, or your congregation & location when signing, as seemingly phony or incredible signatures will be voided.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
