Issues etc... RIP

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14783450.post-56624278438372612792008-03-19T23:11:00.006-05:002008-03-19T23:44:26.530-05:00Issues etc... RIP<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rTqDyZxDUd4/R-HnbzNDA3I/AAAAAAAAAMg/lAXUe33lII0/s1600-h/issues-etc.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179675511240196978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rTqDyZxDUd4/R-HnbzNDA3I/AAAAAAAAAMg/lAXUe33lII0/s320/issues-etc.gif" border="0" /></a> <div>Apparently, somebody high up in our Synod has decided to pull the plug on the most successful outreach and news program that ever was produced by our Church body. Issues etc, was cancelled Tuesday, March 19th. Rev. Todd Wilken, who was serving his call to be the show's host, and Jeff Schwarz the producer of the show, were fired. The buzzword that's being bandied about is "terminated". This happened during Passion Week. This blogger, who has been busy with a radio show of his own, is appalled that a pastor could be ripped from his call so easily. I'm equally appalled that a program, that aired for 14 hours a week and was the premier catechisis for many of us new Lutheran Converts, was taken down when it was so successful and was such a money maker for the station it ran on, KFUO in St. Louis. Nearly everyone you talk to who has become a Lutheran in the past five years will mention the profound impact that Issues etc. had on their walk of faith, and now that it's gone, there's a huge void left behind. Who will pick up the mantle? There's been talk on Wittenber Trail of continuing the show via the internet. I'm all for that, but I'm all for us lay people and pastors taking a greater role in the future of our Synod. We can, as has been proven in so many internet venues today like Youtube, Stickam, and others, as well as numerous podcasting services, make a huge difference in the world today. Since our message is the message of the Gospel, it's not beyond God's ability to bless this world with a huge outpouring of materila with a polished and professional look, while all the time proclaiming our Risen Savior and standing by our confessional heritage. What we need is resolve. I've learned that God is interested in doing what he wants to do, and not to argue with him when he wants us to do what he wants. He's already, literally, thrown a radio show at us. He's throwing more. It's going to happen whether we want it to or not. We're just caught up in the drama of God's work. Peace to you all. Let's show these emergent/evangelicals types how we do things down town!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14783450-5662427843837261279?l=teardownthehighplaces.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09323238670840371258noreply@blogger.com6