by Chuck Finney, President
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
As I write this, I’m six miles from Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, where a mass shooting happened on August 27 that killed 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and hurt quite a few more.
How should Christian radio stations handle tragedies like this on the air?
First, pray. Ask God for guidance in this unique time of grappling and grieving.
Second, know your values. If your purpose is spiritual encouragement, focus your decision-making about how you handle it on the air through that filter. What would be spiritually encouraging now? Graphic details or political/discussion? Probably not. Prayer and/or Scripture on the air? Most definitely.
Third, understand that every one of these tragedies is different. And that means your decisions about what to do and how often to do it will be different every time. Hard and fast rules? No. Principles for how you will make decisions? Yes.
Fourth, err on the side of too much. Particularly if it happens near you. Our friends at 98.5 KTIS/Twin Cities chose to make this every break for two days. It was all people in the Twin Cities were thinking and talking about. You will sound more loving and hopeful if you lean toward more.
Here are a couple breaks from KTIS from those two days:
Praying that you never have to use the advice above.
Blessings,
Chuck
