LCMS Foundation Fees

We have confirmed that the LCMS Foundation (LF), the bureaucracy responsible for fund raising for KFUO AM including the Issues Etc. program was charging 40¢ per dollar that they raised. (The industry standard is only 10¢)

That means for every $100,000 that the LF raised for Issues Etc. they pocketed $40,000 for themselves.

That left Issues Etc. with only $60,000.

This leads to another question for those who claim that the decision to cancel Issues Etc. was a business decision based upon financial considerations,

"If profitability was so important, why didn't the synodical executives find a cheaper solution for fund raising for Issues Etc. and KFUM AM?"

David Strand claims that Issues Etc. was responsible for more than 40% of KFUO AM's operating deficit. But, we'd like to know how much of a difference it would have made if KFUO AM and Issues Etc. would have been allowed to keep 90% of the money raised for it rather than the meager 60% that was left under the forced arrangement that it had with the LCMS Foundation?

This leads to yet another question...What was the LCMS Foundation doing with all of the money they were pocketing from Issues Etc. and KFUO AM?

Comments

[FreeSpeechLutheran]

Great posts, whoever is behind all of this. I hope you all stay encouraged. I am so impressed with the research and precise information.

Thank you for keeping this updated, and for laying the bricks for each possible case.

Psalm 27:1,3

[Tommy Pain]

This is outrageous, but I'm not surprised. I believe that if you dig just a little, you will find all sorts of financial mis-dealings in "Our Beloved Synod." GAK!

I have heard tails about money being collected for one purpose, but being used for others.

Keep up the good work. This stuff needs to be dealt with by the laity, the pastor's hands are tied. The 8th commandment has been interpreted in the LC-MS as "if you criticize the false theology or even illegal behaviors of another, without talking to them face to face, then you can be taken off the roster."

Translated, if a pastor publicly says anything - the full force of the law will be applied and he will be removed!

Saddle up hombres, we have some work to do!

Tommy Paine

[Stryker]

I have heard two things, but have been unable to verify the facts. Does anyone know about:

1. Monies collected for tsunami relief (9 million?) that was never dispersed for relief but is now being "lent out" to various people and organizations.

2. Donations collected for KFUO AM ( an non profit organization) being routed through Synod and used to purchase equipment for for KFUO FM, a for profit company.

Does anyone know if this is true? If so how can it be verified?
Or are these things completely false and unsubstantiated? Any info would be of great help.

[Greg Johnson]

The person who can, and should, answer these questions is Mr. Tom Kuchta, treasurer of The LCMS.