Outer Rim Territories

WHEREAS, the “Issues, Etc.” radio program on KFUO-AM, St. Louis, has been a great blessing to many of the pastors and laity of the Southern Illinois District; and

WHEREAS, pastors and people are at a loss to understand the decision to cancel a show that winsomely engaged the culture and offered a distinctly Lutheran perspective on the issues of the day; and

WHEREAS, official explanations for the show’s cancellation have not satisfied or answered the concerns of many, and

WHEREAS, there is extensive public support for the continuation of Issues, Etc., and

WHEREAS, we wish to demonstrate pastoral concern for Rev. Todd Wilken, the show’s host (a member of the Southern Illinois District) and Mr. Jeffrey Schwarz, the show’s producer, (a member of a Southern Illinois District congregation);

Therefore be it:

RESOLVED, that the Pastoral Conference of the Southern Illinois District gathered in solemn assembly at Wartburg, Illinois this eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord 2008, give thanks and praise to God for the ministry of Issues, Etc. and the hard work of Pastor Wilken and Mr. Schwarz, and be it finally

RESOLVED, that Pastoral Conference of the Southern Illinois District officially petition the Board of Communications Services to revisit the decision by its Executive Director, David Strand, to cancel Issues, Etc. and also petition the Board to reinstate both Pastor Wilken and Mr. Schwarz to their positions, restore the ministry of Issues, Etc., and make a public apology for the offense this cancellation has caused.

Adopted 4/8/2008