Jubilee Network/KFUO AM 850

Summary

KFUO AM 850 ("KFUO") is a radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The Jubilee Network is a distribution ministry that provides some of KFUO's programming to radio stations throughout the United States. JOY is a music program produced by the Jubilee Network. This ministry has chosen not to be open and transparent with MinistryWatch.com. As such it is difficult to understand all aspects of its ministry.

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KFUO AM 850 ("KFUO") is a radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The Jubilee Network is a distribution ministry that provides some of KFUO's programming to radio stations throughout the United States.

JOY is a music program produced by the Jubilee Network. It is a 60-minute weekly program of music, with religious music. In addition to a 90 second message often described as a "Thought for the Day." One program is produced for each day of the year. Another program is Front Porch Parenting. Front Porch Parenting is a 60 second message best described as a "Practical Tip for Effective Parenting." Issues, Etc. is a live radio call-in program that discusses theological issues from a Reformation perspective.

This ministry has chosen not to be open and transparent with MinistryWatch.com. As such it is difficult to understand all aspects of its ministry.

Prudent donors want to understand what it is they are going to support. Some ministries claim they have no legal obligation to share financial or other information — but they do have a moral obligation to do so. Without access to comprehensive ministry information it is not possible for donors to make optimal giving decisions. Ministries that seek to obscure critical information from scrutiny undermine the faith and trust of donors and damage attitudes that have a long term negative impact. For those few ministries that state it has no legal obligation, it should be noted that donors are even less so obligated with any legalist obligation to give, but they do have a moral obligation to give in a prudent and wise fashion. Transparency is a consensus of practical sound wisdom. Many Christians are willing to live ethically without a governmental entity mandating that they do so. Transparency is the key component to a growing and prosperous donor — ministry relationship and fundamental to long-term ministry success. Information, however, must be timely, relevant, accurate and complete for it to be used effectively.

Christians should have nothing to fear by being open. All will be judged at a future date, and with this thought in mind, how are we to conduct ourselves before God today? Organizations described as “Christian Ministries” are at least giving people an image of God. Is God characterized as closed, impartial and hidden; or, open, personable and knowable? Scripture enjoins Christians to conduct themselves honestly (1 Thes. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:2), with due candor (Jms. 5:12) and grace (Col. 4:6), without deliberate offense to Jew, Gentile or the Church of God (1 Cor. 10:32), with decency and orderliness (1 Cor. 14:40), blameless, giving no occasion for rebuke (Phil. 2:15), and offering no opportunity for false accusation (1 Pet. 3:16). Responsibility for the resources God has placed in the trust of His saints is called “stewardship” in the Bible (1 Pet. 4:10), the person responsible for the resources is called the “steward” (Lk. 12:42; 16:1-8). Most Christians would not argue with the principle that the chief aim of man is to ...”to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” However, how can a “Christian Ministry” “glorify God” if they are not open? Are not organizations that hide things characterized as cults? Should not Christian ministries lead by example? Besides being characterized as a steward, Christians can be characterized as ambassadors and as light because God is light. Just these few summary ideas indicate that Christian ministries should be open and transparent. In addition, responsibility to God is linked to responsibility to government and mankind.

MinistryWatch.com's hope is that Christian ministries are indeed an example to follow and not otherwise. It is one of our premises that Christians should be light in a world of darkness and as such, Christians should be setting the standard by their conduct.

It is not enough for ministries to live up to the minimum of any written law, or to give all men their due. Ministries ought to give them more than their due. Ministries should be concentrating on the good of others, seeking reward in self-denial and sacrifice, and not of personal advantage. Therefore ministries should treat others as they would want to be treated by them, regardless of unworthiness and ingratitude.

Donors should be seeking information before they give as well as after. Before in order to have an idea where the money is intended, as well as if it corresponds to the donors values. And then after to see if it really happened. Trust but verify, so that they know if they would desire to continue to give.

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History [ Back to top ]

Radio Station KFUO is owned and operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and was officially dedicated to the service of the Lord on December 14, 1924, during an evening progress broadcast from attic studio 9:15 to 11:00 p.m.

The idea for such a station grew out of the emergence of radio as a potentially powerful medium of mass communications following World War I. Prior to that time radio ('wireless', as it was called) had been used largely for the communication of messages. However, with the beginning of the 1920's, several existing stations began to develop daily programs on the air, with emphasis on musical entertainment and news. Among those closely identified with the conception and inauguration of the Station and to be designated as founders of KFUO were the Rev. Prof. J. H. C. Fritz, the Rev. Richard Kretzschmar and the Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier. Concordia Seminary, the Lutheran Laymen's League and St Louis Lutheran Publicity Association were all connected to the start-up of the station. KFUO became a Synodical enterprise in 1927.

During the 1930's KFUO was involved in a drawn out fight with fellow station KSD (with whom it shared a frequency) and the FCC to increase its transmitter power and hour of operations. In bright contrast to this struggle was the inception and growth of The Lutheran Hour, which today is one of the largest outreaches of the Lutheran church with the message of Jesus Christ. The project, while not an integral part of KFUO, had its beginning with the Radio Committee of KFUO and grew out of a suggestion that effort be made to secure a 'Lutheran Hour' over one of the coast-to-coast networks.

The continuing growth and expanding ministry of KFUO, since its inception in 1924, has been financed largely by voluntary contributions from individuals, congregations and organizations and without any regular subsidy. During the time the AM Station has retained its non-commercial status, thus deriving no revenue from advertising. This voluntary support has sustained the station through several building enlargement programs and significant improvements of its technical equipment.

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

Research Analysis

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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

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