Rather than thinking radio and TV are evil, Lutheran Hour Ministries has put them to good use for decades.
By GAIL HOLLENBECK
Published September 20, 2003
INVERNESS - Lutheran Hour Ministries thinks television and radio are valuable Gospel outreach tools, with good reason.
The Lutheran Hour, first broadcast in 1930, is the world's oldest continually broadcast Gospel radio program. It is now heard on more than 1,200 radio stations and enjoys a worldwide audience.
Numerous television programs produced through the ministry over the past 50 years have won awards, including Emmys. Millions of people have tuned in to the radio broadcasts and have watched the TV specials, especially during the holiday season.
One day from now is "Lutheran Television Sunday" for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Lutheran Church-Canada. Faith Lutheran Church in Lecanto and First Lutheran of Inverness will participate by encouraging their congregations to support Lutheran Hour Ministries, which does not request donations on-air.
"It's been a tradition in our church body to support this work because it's a branch of the Lutheran Laymen's League, which is a very active lay-based initiative," said the Rev. John Fischer at First Lutheran. "They do an excellent job."
Fischer, 61, remembers first listening to the programs as a child.
"Ever since I was a little boy, I've always heard The Lutheran Hour on the radio," he said. "We didn't have a TV in the late '40s, early '50s. My dad would turn on The Lutheran Hour every Sunday, and I can remember hearing the voice of Walter A. Maier preaching every weekend. So my experience goes way back."
Fischer also grew up watching one of the ministry's family-based TV shows.
"They produced a show called This Is the Life. It was in black and white at the time I first watched," Fischer said. "In the 30-minute period there would be a dilemma and it would show how the faith in Christ the family had would help them in coping with it. So those two programs were part of my family when I grew up that still stick with me."
While non-Lutherans may not be familiar with the radio ministry, they have probably seen some of the holiday specials over the years like Christmas Is, The Stableboy's Christmas, The City That Forgot About Christmas, The Magic Boy's Easter or the more recent Red Boots for Christmas and Little Shepherd.
All the ministry's programs promote fundamental Christian values like faith, trust, hope, compassion and love. Family resources are available for the animated features and include videos and DVDs, parent teaching guides, picture-story books and seasonal Web activities.
Celebrities like Jack Nicholson, Sissy Spacek, Jennifer O'Neill and John Ritter have appeared on some of the nonanimated special programs and series. President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter appeared on the ministry's television talk show, On Main Street.
Lutheran Hour Ministries also teaches congregations how to grow and use media effectively in their own evangelistic efforts. Some discipleship programs include "By Kids for Kids," "Servants to the Nations," "Living for Tomorrow," "On Main Street" and "Woman to Woman." The ministry also produces topical booklets on real-life issues, Bible studies and correspondence courses.
The Rev. Kenneth Klaus was appointed speaker for Lutheran Hour Ministries in 2001. In addition to being the organization's spiritual leader, he is a primary speaker on The Lutheran Hour. Recently he talked about the ministry's purpose.
"The Lutheran Hour is not a church," he said. "From our broadcast booth we are unable to minister to people's needs like a church does, (but) it does things that a church cannot do. The radio broadcast can reach into a vacationer's car, a farmer's tractor, a hospital room or a nursing home. The Lutheran Hour can present the story of the Savior's salvation to people that have, for one reason or another, shut the door on a congregation. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the voices on The Lutheran Hour have presented, as clearly and concisely as possible, how God wants to call sinners to salvation through the Savior."
The ministry also helps people witness for Christ, he said.
"To help these concerned Christians," Klaus said, "The Lutheran Hour is producing a message which they can order and then personally give to a friend, family member or co-worker. We're saying the words for them that are in their heart."
Klaus explained the purpose of Lutheran Television Sunday.
"Lutheran Hour Ministries is concerned about what appears on TV. When we can, and that usually means when we are able to afford the high cost of TV productions, Lutheran Hour Ministries tries to make an impact with shows such as our most recent cartoon special, Little Shepherd. When people support such an endeavor, it results in a great blessing with tremendous positive impact. Young children's lives are touched and the Holy Spirit saves souls.
"At other times, it tries to raise the awareness of everyone, but especially Christians, as to the quality of what they and their families are watching. This Sept. 21 it is our prayer that Lutheran Television Sunday accomplishes both of these objectives: giving people the opportunity to make a difference by financially supporting Christian television, and encouraging everyone to be conscious and selective on what they view."
To learn more
Radio and television schedules, video and audio recordings, devotionals and a Live Help Response Center can be found at www.lhm.org The ministry has a toll-free contact number, 1-800-944-3450.
