Three Presidents Break Ground for “Worship for Shut-Ins” on Seminary Campus

 Lutheran Ministries Media (LMM), producers of the worldwide weekly television program, “Worship for Shut-Ins” and Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS) have announced plans to collaborate on the construction of a new television production center, located on the seminary campus at 6600 North Clinton in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  

ALH Construction of Markle, Indiana will supervise all construction activities.“It is the biggest moment in our ministry’s history!” according to Kenneth M. Schilf, LMM Executive Director!  “Our need for more production space and our desire to fully implement the use of new digital production equipment compels us to move from our current site on the campus of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. The seminary campus is the ideal place from which we will be able to produce our televised Lutheran worship program.” 

“The opportunity to have available top-flight taping and broadcasting equipment will greatly benefit our faculty and staff,” said CTS President, Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe.  “We see our resident students using the center to develop their preaching, teaching and counseling skills.  In addition, as we expand into greater use of “distance learning” to reach non-resident students, CTS can become the leader in the production of quality, high-impact visual presentations,” Dr. Wenthe added.

In 2008, LMM purchased over $300,000 of new television equipment to comply with FCC regulations requiring broadcasters and producers to convert to digital formats in 2009. The new equipment will provide a key element in the construction of the television production center.  Because of this conversion, LMM can continue to broadcast on its flagship station in Fort Wayne, WPTA-TV 21 (ABC), which it has done continuously for 28 years. 

In recent years, the TV ministry has expanded its coverage from the local market to the upper Midwest.  Then since Easter Sunday of 2008, this 30 minute distinctly Lutheran program has been shown across America and around the world via satellite.  “Worship for Shut-Ins” is the only locally produced weekly Lutheran program that is seen throughout the world.  It is seen on the Total Christian Television (TCT) network every Sunday at 11:30 am Eastern time (8:30 am Pacific).  TCT reaches a potential of nearly 125 million homes in over 170 nations. 

Besides being on the global network, “Worship for Shut-Ins” is seen in over 40 North American local markets.  You can go to their Web site of www.worshipforshutins.org to find a listing of these stations.  Additionally, LMM Webcasts all their programs.  Just click “Online Worship” to view their recent programs.  For its part of the collaboration, CTS is donating two existing buildings (its former child-care center) which will be remodeled into offices and volunteer service areas for LMM.  The seminary will also be contributing significant dollars to build the 2,000 square-foot studio/chapel in which all programs will be produced.  LMM will also provide a large portion of the funding for both remodeling and new construction. 

“The Rite of Groundbreaking” for the new complex took place on April 21, 2009 with three presidents participating.  The presiding minister was the President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), the Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick of St. Louis, Missouri.  Assisting him was the Rev. Dr. Daniel May, Indiana District President of the LCMS and the president of Concordia Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Dean Wenthe.  Late this fall, LMM should be filming their program “Worship for Shut-Ins” in its new home and the current generation of pastoral students at CTS will have new tools to expand their formation as pastors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.