Lutheran Hour Ministries: From Radio To Internet

» H2O - About the Lutheran Hour

Don McFarland wrote to me a very good question:

"Why is it named "Lutheran Hour"? Seems to be a half hour program. Or could it be I hear a condensed show?Wouldn't "Lutheran half hour" sound more truthful?"

My answer was:

"I believe when it originally started (Almost at the birth of radio) the show was a full hour. Radio rates were likely cheaper and people had longer attention spans. "The Lutheran Hour" has become such a franchise that "Lutheran Half-Hour" or any other name wouldn't have the resonance. Many LC-MS congregations still advertize "the Church of the Lutheran Hour." It has been a powerful evangelism tool."

I recently participated in a focus group regarding "Time of Grace Ministries" and the Sunday morning telecasts. The first question was what got us into religious broadcasting. I don't know if they meant broadcasting in general or TV in specific, but several mentioned "The Lutheran Hour" as a starting point. Programs come and go--but "The Lutheran Hour" remains.

I ask my readers, when did you first encounter "The Lutheran Hour?" What prompted you to listen to "The Lutheran Hour?" What memories of the program do you have?

john

-- posted by H2O

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