LCMS Pulls the Plug on "Issues, Etc."

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's Board of Communications suddenly pulled the plug today on our friends @ Issues, Etc.  Both Rev. Todd Wilken and his producer Jeff Schwarz, were both let go without advance notice.  

All of the White Horse Inn regulars, along with Ken Samples, regularly appear on that program.  Todd and Jeff are great guys, and more importantly, defenders of justification sola fide.  According to reports from several Lutheran pastors who broke the news on their blogs, apparently, there is no scandal of any sort, and the program does not lose money.

I'll keep you posted if and when someone devises some sort of protest or response.  I don't know the Lutheran world very well (much less the internal politics which led to this), but apparently, there is already great outrage on the part of many Lutherans, who see Issues, Etc.  as the LCMS' only successful outreach to those outside Lutheran circles.

Please be in prayer for Rev. Wilken and Jeff Schwarz!

Yet another reason to dislike denominational bureaucrats (as if I need another reason), who always act in self-preservation, even if it means throwing overboard those actually preaching Christ to the masses.  And, of course, they do this right before Easter and without warning.   Amazing. 

Update on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 08:45PM by Kim Riddlebarger

Those of you who want to do something by way of protest, here's the contact info.    My e-mail missive to Mr. Strand probably will not change his mind, but it sure made me feel better . . .

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

David Strand: (LCMS Board of Communications)
David.Strand@lcms.org

Synod's address:
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
infocenter@lcms.org
800-THE-LCMS

Comments

[Eric]

I echo all the comments already given...and just want to add that this PCA presbyterian will be joining the fight to save this program, pray for its hosts, and help in any way I can.

[Paula]

When a few years ago I became aware of the purpose driven fraud being perpetrated on the evangelical church at large I remember talking to an LCMS member who had just fought long and hard to have a purpose driven pastor removed from their church in California. This person seemed to think the leadership was trying to push church growth on the denomination. I don't know how credible that is but if it is true, it would make more sense of why they don't want a discernment ministry being so popular.

I also noticed an ad for "Contemplate" -- a seminar for pastor and deaconness "formation" -- I wrote to express my concern that the LCMS is borrowing New Age spiritual terminology. I think there is trouble brewing.

[Ivan]

I went to the Issues Etc. site this morning to listen to a program only to find I couldn't retrieve the sight. Thought it was only technical difficulties.

Now tonight I read Kim's blog.

This is upsetting and troubling.

I'm a PCA man who loves to listen to dialog regarding Christ-Centered Preaching, Scriptural Authority, Modern Liberals in Conservative Clothes.

No notice?
What is going on in the LCMS?

Kim,would Rod be willing to post a guest blog regarding this on your site?

[Laurie Trlak]

Kim, although I am not familiar with Issues, Etc, as a Missouri-Synod Lutheran, I am deeply disturbed by this news. I have seen a few trends in the LCMS that have caused me to wonder how long it would be before the LCMS went the way of the ELCA or the PCUSA. If and when that happens, the WELS just may have a new member.

[Laura]

There is an online petition that people can sign in protest of the firing of Rev. Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz as well as the elimintation of Issues Ect. programming. Here is the link

http://www.petitiononline.com/Issues/petition.html

Please pray for their families.

[Laurie Trlak]

Thanks. I've already signed the petition. I will keep these men and their families in my prayers, especially since I understand that one of them has health concerns and is left without insurance by this action.

[Matthew Pancake]

The Wittenbergtrail was where the news initially broke, when pastor Will Weedon posted the news. The synod wasn't expecting the outcry they got.

As a result of this, we at WT and RG are now looking to move media outreach out of the hands of the synod leadership. Visit either www.radical-grace.com or http://wittenbergtrail.ning.com/. Although we started all of this before Black Tuesday, it's become apparent that if there is to be quality programming that serves as outreach to the world it's going to have to happen at the layperson/pastor level.

Just wanted to share the news. Although Issue's etc is down for the count, the people STILL have Issues!

[F Clark]

You can now hear Issues Etc from a Bott Radio Station
Read a recent e-message from Todd Wilken:
Dear Friend of Issues, Etc.,

We’re excited about the return of Issues, Etc.! Since the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod canceled the show on March 18, we’ve been working on the show’s return. We’re very happy to announce that Issues, Etc. will be back on the Radio and Internet starting Monday, June 30!

The show will broadcast LIVE from 3-5 p.m. CST weekdays at our website, www.issuesetc.org. Issues, Etc. will also air LIVE from 4-5 p.m. CST on KSIV, 1320 AM in St. Louis. Of course, both hours will be available for on-demand downloads.

As always, Issues, Etc. is listener supported. Lutheran Public Radio is the producer of Issues, Etc. Please consider making a special startup gift to Lutheran Public Radio. You can make a secure online donation at our website or you can also donate by check to:

Lutheran Public Radio
P.O. Box 1046
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693

If you have any questions, email me or call me at (618) 223-8385.
Thanks for your support!
Wir sind alle Bettler,
Todd Wilken, Host
Issues, Etc.