One Month Later

Well, it's been a month now since the LCMS tripped over the power cord and unplugged Issues, Etc. A spot check reveals that the KFUO-AM archives are up and running, at least at the speed of a Tandy TRS-80. My little poll seems to have settled in as to the opinion of the handful who read this blog. Here are my two cents:

1. Personal Reasons (2%) - Impossible to prove unless you are among the favored foursome on the golf course or overhear a men's room conversation in the Purple Politburo. Phrases like "abrasive," "hate radio," and "hyperorthodox" come to mind.

2. Theological Reasons (31%) - Certainly part of the mix but try to prove that to people who admit they aren't theologians. Besides, do you think the administration is so thick-headed as to state publicly, "Yeah, it was for theological reasons." Now that would get really interesting!

3. Financial Reasons (3%) - The winner of the "best construction on everything" award, but the dollar dog doesn't seem to hunt. Economics still don't explain the suddenness of the cancellation a month ago. The Board of Directors meets in May to discuss the budget and the fiscal year ends in June. The KFUO Sharathon is now. So what was the hurry? Why not strike up the band and have a nice going away party?

4. Political Reasons (62%) - Can't fool the astute readers of this blog, no siree. Of course it's political. Everything is political. Anyone who doesn't think there are politics in the church needs to get his head out of his prayerbook and smell the incense.

At the outset, I posited that the administration's play book is change management. Here again are the 8 steps according to Kotter (1999):

1. Establish a sense of Urgency
2. Create a guiding Coalition
3. Have a vision
4. Over-communicate the vision
5. Remove obstacles to the vision
6. Create short term wins
7. Be patient
8. Anchor the changes in the corporation’s culture

The synodical administration has executed the plan perfectly. They've removed a vocal obstacle to the vision. They've minimized the opposition ("less than one-third of 1%" - never forget that!). They've stonewalled every inquiry and stymied all dissent. They've even created the perfect checkmate over at KFUO. If this weekend's Sharathon is successful, it will confirm their decision to cancel Issues, Etc and replace it with Tissues, Etc. If it fails, it will confirm the dire economics of KFUO and hasten its sale. Perfect!

One has to admire good work when one sees it.

Peace and blessings to Todd and Jeff.
We miss you guys and hope to hear you troublers of Israel soon.