Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R1.2.5
- Report title
- R1.2.5 Communications
- Workbook start page
- 32
- Workbook end page
- 34
- Source pages
- 32, 33, 34
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R1.2.5 Communications Since the days when Martin Luther took advantage of Guten- berg’s printing press to fling the message of the Reformation to the four corners of the world, Lutherans have climbed to the forefront of mass communications. KFUO Radio is one of the oldest contin- uously operating Christian radio stations in the U.S. The Lutheran Witness is one of the oldest denominational magazines, older even than National Geographic. In the early 1990s, the Communications department was involved in a landmark U.S. Federal Court of Ap- peals case that protected Christian radio stations all over the coun- try. Mass communications and related topics have been frequently discussed and promoted in Synod conventions since the beginning of the 20th century. At the same time, the church must also ensure that such technol- ogies do not harm God’s people. Recent studies have demonstrated the tragic harm caused by algorithmically curated content plat - forms such as Facebook. So-called artificial intelligence platforms have wreaked psychological and spiritual harm on many and seem poised to upend some vocational opportunities. These technologies are not neutral. Each new type of media bears inherent biases that will inevitably shape the content and conversation that occur on those platforms, and the church must use them cautiously. LCMS Communications works within the Synod to ensure that the message of the Gospel is clearly communicated across various channels in such a way that it strengthens the faith of God’s people, encourages them in service to the neighbor, and gives all glory to Christ. 2026 Convention Workbook 33 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS C. Web Our small, dedicated web team maintains the LCMS’ online presence. The current website has been visited by over 4 million users, garnering over 25 million views in the last triennium. The website consists of many thousands of pages of content offering resources to districts, congregations, and church workers to help LCMS churches and schools remain faithful in proclaiming Christ crucified. The team also manages and updates ministry pages, giv- ing pages, missionary information, and more. Over the last two years, the web team has begun evaluating the LCMS’ current web technology stack to determine the best way forward to provide a revitalized online presence for the LCMS. In the near future, the web team plans a full overhaul of the current website to better serve the mission of the Synod. D. Design The department’s design team provides “branding from the in- side out.” This team works closely with production and all LCMS ministries to provide resources that adhere to LCMS brand guide- lines while also serving the proclamation of Christ in an engaging manner. The team also designs the publications of the Synod, in- cluding The Lutheran Witness and Reporter on a monthly basis and Lutherans Engage the World and the Journal of Lutheran Mission on a quarterly basis. In all they do, they seek to point to Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world. E. Video Video remains a key channel for raising awareness of the church’s work and teaching God’s people His Word. Over the last triennium, the team has faithfully recorded the mission work of the Synod, showing the extent of the LCMS’ care for those in need and its proclamation of the Gospel. Over the next three years, the video team seeks to increase both the quality and quantity of doctrinally sound video content for LCMS Lutherans and those beyond the Synod. New, engaging, and easily digestible videos will educate and strengthen the faith of cur- rent and potential members of the Synod’s congregations. Offering various types of content will support God’s people as they grow in and learn more about God’s Word. F. Social Media In addition to maintaining the LCMS social media presence, LCMS Communications has spent time over the last triennium evaluating and prioritizing social media activity. Over the last five years, research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of social media on users of all ages, but especially the long-term, harmful effects of social media on children and teenagers. It is incumbent upon the church to use social media in a way that mitigates poten- tial harm, even if that means a temporary reduction in overall reach. Additionally, changes in social media algorithms have increasing - ly made these platforms less than ideal for marketing and raising awareness. The LCMS social media strategy is adjusting to focus less on quantity and more on higher quality content tailored to individual platforms. This reduced cadence has already demonstrated higher engagement on posts. The strategy also focuses more on providing content that teaches rather than as a marketing tool, thus building up and encouraging God’s people. ity storytelling and photography, Engage stories often include vid- eo and audio components (engage.lcms.org). Currently, the LCMS mails just under 72,000 copies of each issue to subscribers. Since the last convention, Engage has told over 35 stories of work in more than 30 countries, requiring over 20 international trips for Communications staff. Within the U.S., Engage has shared well over 40 stories showing how LCMS ministries have partnered with LCMS districts, congregations, church workers, RSOs, and others in the work of God’ s Mission Here. Staff collected stories, photos, and videos from disasters such as hurricanes Helene and Milton and fire-ravaged Los Angeles County. Multiple stories were told of church-planting efforts in Texas, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Work with youth, whether in relation to the LCMS Youth Gather - ing, YouthLead, or Servant Events, also received significant atten- tion, among many more stories. A.4. Journal of Lutheran Mission The last triennium also saw the relaunch of the Journal of Lu- theran Mission (JLM) with the Office of International Mission (OIM). The updated digital journal now includes a peer-review process handled by the theological educators of the OIM. It stands at the forefront of a Book of Concord Lutheran perspective on mission. It includes articles submitted by OIM educators, LCMS scholars, and global partner church leaders. This year, JLM plans to publish four issues with topics ranging from justification to the practice of church planting nationally and internationally. See more at lcms.org/journal-of-lutheran-mission. B. Production Each year, the production team coordinates the work of several hundreds of projects and pieces of content created, edited, and pub- lished by LCMS Communications on behalf of LCMS ministries, districts, and congregations. This means coordinating the work of all these various groups in the common goal of directing all mate - rial published by the LCMS to the glory of Christ and for the sal- vation of souls. Some key projects over the last triennium include: • The International Church Relations Conference: An extend- ed conference booklet that included materials for theological presentations, worship, and more, as well as a book of the previous years’ conference papers and video coverage of presentations and interviews. • 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music: This project included coordinating with LCMS Worship to pro- duce and design a conference booklet, a devotional sheet for every psalm, videos of keynote presentations, and more. • Digging Deeper resources: A refreshed and updated edition of the Living Planted resources that provide Bible studies, studies on vocation and Christian living, and more. • Office of International Mission (OIM) resources: Worked with the OIM to create missionary training and recruitment materials. • Conference booth at the 2025 Youth Gathering and 2025 LWML Convention: Coordinated and staffed the official LCMS booths at these two major conferences, which re- quired significant preparation months in advance as well as organizing multiple staff from multiple departments at the booths. 2026 Convention Workbook 34 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS As a self-funding ministry, KFUO partners with generous LCMS congregations, pastors, other church workers, recognized services organizations, and laity to serve the LCMS and the neigh- bor with resources that nourish and strengthen faith in Christ Jesus. Triennium Update KFUO began broadcasting in the St. Louis area on Dec. 14, 1924, using the new technology of AM radio. Now, over 100 years later, KFUO continues to employ established and emerging tech - nologies to reach a global audience. On Oct. 12, 2024, KFUO cele- brated its centennial anniversary with a service of thanksgiving and open house at the LCMS International Center (IC). KFUO Radio continues to broadcast from the studios at the IC in Kirkwood, Mo.; however, the radio transmitters have relocat - ed to East Carondelet, Ill. (as necessitated by the 2022 Concordia Seminary Campus Plan). With the move, KFUO acquired an addi- tional signal (now operating two AM signals, 850 and 1380, and three FM signals, 92.7, 104.5, and 105.3, in the St. Louis metropol- itan area). This was a three-year multifaceted project consisting of acquiring land, radio towers, and the additional AM radio and FM broadcast signals. The annual budget of KFUO Radio is only $1.7 million. This encompasses all broadcasting operations, sacred music royalties, program host stipends, and personnel (nine full-time, one part- time, and the trimester internship program). Funding comes from the generosity of listeners and program sponsors/underwriters and from partnerships with congregations, recognized service organi- zations, and other LCMS ministries, as well as bequest gifts, the KFUO endowment, and purchased airtime payments for programs not produced by KFUO. KFUO is led by the executive director of broadcast services, who reports directly to the Office of the President. KFUO Programs The Coffee Hour airs weekdays at 9:00 a.m. (central time, as are all following), sharing stories of mercy work, missionary updates, and practical conversations for living boldly Lutheran, and features special series like Set Apart to Serve and Lutheran Church History with the Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie from Concordia Theolog - ical Seminary, Fort Wayne. It is hosted by KFUO Radio’s Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth. The Coffee Hour was the third-most pop- ular KFUO program overall in 2025 with 90,120 total downloads by 18,459 people. It is sponsored in part by the Concordia Univer - sity System. (kfuo.org/category/the-coffee-hour/) Concord Matters airs Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., studying the Lutheran Confessions found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host the Rev. Brady Finnern, president of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and a guest LCMS pastor. To view this program, visit: kfuo.org/category/concord-matters/. Daily Chapel airs weekdays at 10:00 a.m., broadcasting live the IC chapel service. It is sponsored in part by the LCMS International Mission and the LCMS Ministry to Armed Forces. (See the sched- ule: kfuo.org/daily-chapel-schedule/) The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Podcast is released weekly and engages Lutheran women with inviting conversations, laughter, and fellowship and is hosted by KFUO’s Sarah Gulseth, the Office of International Mission’s Erin Alter, and Rachel Bomberger. The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge holds eight of the top ten most download- ed KFUO podcasts in 2025. The affiliated Facebook group has over G. Challenges In its work to serve LCMS ministries, districts, and congrega- tions, LCMS Communications faces significant challenges: • The cost of printing and distributing print publications con- tinues to increase dramatically. These costs affect all print publications, with a special burden on those subsidized di- rectly by the Synod, namely Lutherans Engage the World and Reporter. • Decreasing subscriptions for The Lutheran Witness, along with the aforementioned increase in the costs of printing and distribution, will require the LCMS and Concordia Publish- ing House to work together over the next triennium to review the subscription process and develop creative ways to con- tinue publishing this nearly 150-year-old magazine. • The psychological and spiritual harm that comes with so- cial media usage has led the Communications department to approach its use with caution. This will require continued and regular evaluation of these platforms over the next tri- ennium. • Talk of artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, for good or ill. AI platforms have dramatically ex- acerbated many of the issues inflamed by social media. The department remains aware of these problems and concerned about the effects of AI on polite discourse within the church and the public square. • The cost to expand video production is significant. YouTube is one of the most used platforms and provides a channel for long-form, educational content without as many of the potential harms seen in platforms such as Facebook and X. Expanding content on YouTube is expensive but also benefi- cial for the witness and work of the church. H. Looking Forward LCMS Communications is prepared to face these challenges in ways that will help the church proclaim Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world. Whether this means creating content for new platforms, evaluating current and new channels to determine their fitness for the church’s message and work, or sharing the mes- sage of the Gospel in various formats, service to the Church—and God’s mission through her—remains the top priority of the depart- ment. We stand ready to serve with and for you. Roy S. Askins, Interim Executive Director