wfn.org | Lutheran Vespers Makes Plans to Solidify Radio Ministry

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 30, 2002

LUTHERAN VESPERS MAKES PLANS TO SOLIDIFY RADIO MINISTRY
02-018-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Vespers, the radio ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is putting plans in place
aimed at increasing listener participation and building an endowment
that will assure adequate finances for the ministry's future.
     The Rev. Walt Wangerin Jr., an ELCA pastor and Lutheran Vespers
speaker, announced the plans to the ELCA Department for Communication
advisory committee here Jan. 25-26, and in a Jan. 23 letter to ELCA
communicators.  Wangerin is also Jochum professor of English and
theology at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., author of numerous
books, articles and essays, and a lecturer.
     Lutheran Vespers is a 30-minute program that is broadcast on 238
radio stations. It reaches an estimated 3- to 4-million listeners each
week.  In addition to listeners in the United States, it reaches
audiences in Africa, Australia, Europe, Guam, Puerto Rico, and ELCA
missionaries throughout the world.  The program was founded in 1947.
     This month, the ministry added new stations in North Pole, Alaska;
Champaign, Ill.; Pittsfield, Mass.; Santurce, Puerto Rico; and Vieques,
Puerto Rico.
     Wangerin, 57, said he had already decided to leave as Lutheran
Vespers speaker in the near future, but changed his mind following a
video presentation and his introduction at the 2001 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly in Indianapolis.
     "I was really surprised and overwhelmed by the sustained applause
at the assembly," Wangerin told the advisory committee.  Wangerin said
he was grateful for the recognition but felt uneasy because he knew he
was going to leave the radio ministry.
     "All of those feelings transferred into a sense of call," said
Wangerin, who will remain as speaker for the foreseeable future.
Wangerin also announced a three-point plan "to move the ministry to the
next level," he said.  The plan involves "endowment, enlistment and
endorsement," Wangerin said.
     + Endowment: Wangerin said he and the Lutheran Vespers staff will
attempt to raise a substantial financial endowment, perhaps as high as
$10 million, over the next several years.   Large gifts will be sought
from individuals and families with an interest in the radio ministry, he
said.  The endowment fund will be used to finance the ministry's
expenses.  Such funding will also give the Lutheran Vespers staff the
freedom seek out radio stations it wants to air the programs, Wangerin
said.
     + Enlistment: Wangerin wants to build a network of Lutheran
Vespers listeners and supporters who will invest energy into the
ministry and carry it on to future generations.
     In September and October, Wangerin is planning a bicycle journey
through several states in the Upper Midwest to raise funds by the mile
and to call attention to the ministry.  He plans to visit radio stations
that carry the weekly broadcasts, hold rallies at several locations and
report on the journey at  http://www.elca.org/lv/ -- the Web site for
Lutheran Vespers.  A ceremonial kickoff for the trip is planned at the
2002 ELCA Communicators Consultation, Aug. 15-18, 2002, in Chicago.
Tentative plans call for the bicycle trip to begin on Sept. 2, 2002, at
Valparaiso University, Wangerin said.  It will end before Oct. 23, 2002.
     A Lutheran Vespers rally is being planned for next year, Wangerin
said.  It will be held March 28-30, 2003, at St. Matthew's Lutheran
Church, Charleston, S.C.  The rally's purpose is to provide a spiritual
experience for participants and to help people interested in the
ministry to establish a network of Lutheran Vespers contacts.
     + Endorsement: Through greater visibility and network building,
Wangerin hopes the ELCA as a whole will recognize the radio ministry's
service on behalf of the church and "own it," he said.  "This is a
missionary outreach on behalf of the ELCA," Wangerin said, noting that
listeners are Christians, non-Christians and people with no church.
     A donor has given Lutheran Vespers a $75,000 gift to help finance
the plan, especially costs for preparing for the bicycle trip, Wangerin
said.
     During the meeting, the advisory committee and staff of the ELCA
Department for Communication honored Wangerin in recognition of the 25th
anniversary of his ordination.  He was ordained in February 1977.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html