LCMS Board of Directors Saves KFUO

By: Rev. Jack Cascione

At its February 2003 meeting, the LCMS Board of Directors moved quickly to separate control of KFUO AM and FM from the LCMS Department for Communication Services and placed it directly under the control of Board of Directors.

It is reported that LCMS Communications' staff were interested in selling KFUO and the Board of Directors decided that it was an important part of the LCMS's ministry.

KFUO had been a self-funding operation.  However, funds raised by the station were being used to cover expenses incurred by Communication Services.  Thus, on paper it appeared that KFUO was a liability to the LCMS and needed to be sold.  The Board of Directors' solution was simple: Separate KFUO from Communication Services and let it get back into the black.

The following statement appears on the LCMS Website
http://www.lcms.org/bod/HighlightsFeb03.pdf

"Radio Stations KFUO AM and FM
Financial challenges experienced by KFUO Radio due to current economic conditions and other concerns resulted in a Board action to assume direct oversight of the stations on a temporary basis, effective immediately. A subcommittee of the Board will work with KFUO staff and former members of an oversight committee to discover the best oversight arrangement for the stations. A recommendation will be offered by the subcommittee at the Board's May meeting."

March 20 , 2003