David's Strand of Pearls

Here are some pearls of wisdom David Strand cast yesterday as reported in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

*David Strand, the executive director of the church's communications board, said the cancellation was based on economics, not politics.

The "economics" are obviously guided by the $2.1 million the LCMS shelled out to consultants in 2007.

*He said KFUO-AM (the church also runs KFUO-FM, a classical music station) has lost $3.5 million since 2001, including more than $600,000 last year.

This is not to mention questionable cross-charges, exorbitant administrative costs, excessive fund raising charges, and the fact that KFUO-FM with its 18 employees and $1.07 million salary load is supposed to help fund KFUO-AM which is considered a "mission and ministry" of the LCMS.

It's interesting to note that KFUO-AM began losing money the same year Pres. Kieschnick took office.

*"We have tried every cost-cutting measure we can think of for a long time," Strand said. "And we've tried every fundraising measure we can think of. ... 'Issues' was the largest and most obvious cut at our disposal."

 Every cost-cutting measure?  Issues, Etc. was the only fat in KFUO's $3.7 million budget?

Every fundraising measure?  Like skimming 40% of the money raised and canceling the show in the middle of its fundraising drive?

Why didn't Mr. Strand fire the station management that received a no confidence vote from the BCS?

*Strand would not say whether the church was considering a sale of its stations.

Any bets on when KFUO goes up on the auction block to pay the LCMS credit card?

*He pointed out that the 7,000 signatures make up one-third of 1 percent of the church body.

Not to mention 1,650 listeners in the St. Louis area and 64 people who listen to live stream on the internet.

It's nice to know what your opinion is worth at the Purple Palace.  Numbers.  Let's see, if 7,000 is one-third of 1% (neglecting the fact that several signatures are from folks outside the LCMS), that means we are 2.1 million and shrinking under the leadership of the Kieschnick administration.

*In the vacated time slot, the church has launched a new program called "The Afternoon Show," with topics Strand said should have a broader appeal.

Mr. Strand would be referring to this:

Comments

[Tall Paul]

Here are a couple of "pearls of wisdom" from God's Word worthy of consideration by Pres. Kieschnick and Mr. Strand:

"He whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble." (Proverbs 17:20b)

"Why ask for trouble and cause your downfall ..." (2 Kings 14:10b)

[I Have Issues (Etc)]

The Afternoon Show, well, sucks by comparison.

[Craig]

Why do I get the impression that if 7000 Jesus First people sent in a petition that the IC would bend over backwards to make sure that they're not offended?

7000 is a lot of people or not depending on who they are.

[Pete]

Since when is the success of the gospel measured in numbers and the spread of the gospel only for profit? When he said this is not your father's synod, he was more right than he knows.

[Lieutenant Conspicuous]

KFUO’s Sharathon begins today.

David Strand will portray every dollar given to KFUO as a vote IN FAVOR OF his decision to cancel Issues, Etc.

http://adelphoitouchristou.typepad.com/savethelcms/2008/04/kfuo-sharathon.html

[Bob]

Economics, huh? I recall when reading the "Issues, Etc." online, petition the note from the guy from Iowa who said he was seriously considering not giving LCMS $750,000 thanks to their idiotic decision to fire Todd and Jeff. Too bad Mr. Strand and the rest of the HQ gang didn't take that into consideration before doing what they did.

Economics, indeed.

[Bob]

Economics, huh? I recall when reading the "Issues, Etc." online, petition the note from the guy from Iowa who said he was seriously considering not giving LCMS $750,000 thanks to their idiotic decision to fire Todd and Jeff. Too bad Mr. Strand and the rest of the HQ gang didn't take that into consideration before doing what they did.

Economics, indeed.

[Robert Talbert]

The Afternoon Show lost me right at the point they started talking about getting in shape for the summer. That is, right at the beginning. Not that there isn't some value in a show like this or some place for it, but come on. Some "replacement".