ISSUES ETCETERA

"This is not your grandfather's church."

*UPDATE: Issues, Etc apparently is being broadcast on the radio in some markets, particularly St Louis, according to a commenter.

One of the things I appreciate most about the internet is that I can listen to shows and programs from around the world online, when I want to. There are online radio stations that exclusively broadcast across the internet, existing radio stations that also broadcast their feed online, and shows that are played on both then stored so you can listen to them later, downloading the program for your convenience.

Issues, Etc was one of those programs, one I always enjoyed listening to. It was started by Don Matzat in 1991 as an alternative to shows such as All Things Considered and other radio culture and news programs, interviewing pastors, writers, and public figures from a Christian perspective. Issues, Etc quickly grew and attracted a large audience with 100 radio stations carrying the program every night and soon it showed up online.

In 1998, Don Matzat left the show to return to preaching, and Todd Wilkins took his place on the show. Then, early this year, Issues, Etc was canceled and its host and producer fired. Mollie Hemminway at the Wall Street Journal explained:

But when the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod canceled its popular, nationally syndicated radio program "Issues, Etc.," listeners were baffled. Billed as "talk radio for the thinking Christian," the show was known for its lively discussions analyzing cultural influences on the American church. It seemed like precisely the thing that the Missouri Synod, a 2.4-million-member denomination whose system of belief is firmly grounded in Scripture and an intellectually rigorous theology, would enthusiastically support.

Broadcast from the nation's oldest continuously run religious radio station, KFUO-AM in St. Louis, and syndicated throughout the country, "Issues, Etc." had an even larger audience world-wide, thanks to its podcast's devoted following. With 14 hours of fresh programming each week, the show was on the leading edge of what's happening in culture, politics and broader church life. The Rev. Todd Wilken interviewed the brightest lights from across the theological spectrum on news of the day. Guests included Oxford University's Dr. Alister McGrath, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's Albert Mohler and more postmodern types, like Tony Jones, national coordinator for a church network called Emergent Village.

On its last show, on March 17, listeners learned about the life and faith of St. Patrick; scientific and philosophical arguments in defense of the human embryo; the excommunication of two Roman Catholic women who claimed ordination; and the controversy surrounding the sermons of Barack Obama's pastor, Jeremiah Wright.

Despite the show's popularity, low cost and loyal donor base, Mr. Wilken and Jeff Schwarz, the producer of "Issues, Etc.," were dismissed without explanation on Tuesday of Holy Week. Within hours, the program's Web site -- which provided access to past episodes and issues of its magazine -- had disappeared. Indeed, all evidence that the show ever existed was removed.

They had the money, they had a huge audience, they had dozens of stations carrying the program, what happened? The station claimed it was canceled for business reasons, the Lutheran Church synod in charge of KUFO claimed the ratings were low in St Louis and the internet listeners were not very numerous. They also claimed the show lost $250,000 a year.

Those sound like fairly good reasons, except they don't appear to be true.

The Rev. Michael Kumm, who served on three management committees for the station, said that the explanation doesn't add up. " 'Issues, Etc.' is the most listened to, most popular and generates more income than any other program at the station and perhaps even the others combined. This decision is purely political," he said.

Like many large denominations in America, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is undergoing an ideological battle. There is the path the denomination has long followed: orthodox, very reformed Christ-centered theology and traditional worship, and the path the new leadership wants to follow: seeker-sensitive, market-driven and less concerned with theology. They want to abandon historical confessions for slick campaigns and 70s-era music based entertainment services. Self-help and self improvement psychological messages are to replace Biblical sermons, prayers, and hymns. Oh, and stop calling yourself Lutheran, that's old, boring, and turns off seekers.

Issues, Etc was not shy about criticizing this shallow, populist, and market-driven abandonment of the history of the church and doctrines. And that probably best explains what happened to the station. It was a sore point for the new ideas of the LCMS leadership, it was opposing their plans and ideas with powerful arguments, Biblical theology, and persuasive speakers. The show was unrepentantly Christian, boldly Lutheran, and openly traditional and theologically conservative. That was something that the synod leadership would not tolerate any longer.

And there's another reason. KUFO has a very valuable radio license from the FCC, in a very lucrative market (St Louis, Missouri). If the station tanks badly enough - which is more than a little possible after taking its most popular show off the air - the Missouri Synod leadership can sell the station for big bucks.

As soon as Issues, Etc was off the air, listeners were enraged. They demanded to know what happened, they deluged KUFO with letters, emails, and calls. An online petition sprung up to condemn and protest the decision to pull the show off the air. More than 7000 people signed (sadly, I didn't, because I never knew the petition was out there). After several months, the show came back, this time online only.

You can listen to Issues, Etc, and its carrying on what it always did, openly Lutheran and openly Christian, unshamed of the gospel and the Bible and their faith, while critically and intelligently examining modern issues with interesting and learned guests. The old archives are still out there too, you can listen to online shows as far back as 2003. Every day for two hours, Todd Wilkens continues his work and you can listen for free - but they can use the donations.

I recommend Issues, Etc even if you're not a Christian. The perspective is fresh and intriguing, they examine issues not from a left-right political spectrum but from ethical and theological bases: is this right, not will this work. Is this proper and does it serve the cause of good? Give it a try some time, you will find it interesting and informative.

For more reading on the topic, check out these blogs:

Save the LCMS has a hilarious comparison of how much the synod is paying their marketing consultant vs the cost of Issues, Etc.

In the comments of Outer Rim Territories, a commenter notes the KUFO downloads that are stupendously in favor of Issues, Etc over any other content they have.

*Incidentally, I'm a member of the Christian Reformed Church which is having the same sort of struggles, not the LCMS.