Midwestern Radio Workshop

The Radio Broadcasters' Workshop held in Saint Louis, Missouri, May 17, 18, and 19 was the second workshop to be held in the his­tory of this denomination. The general format was practically the same as the first workshop, which was held in Takoma Park, and which was reported in earlier issues of THE MINIS­TRY. A large part of the success of the work­shop is due to the excellent cooperation of the Central Union, the sponsor of this project, under the direction of D. E. Reiner, secretary of the home missionary and radio departments. Upon invitation the Lake, Northern, South­western, and Southern Union conferences par­ticipated by sending the broadcasters and min­isters they felt could be spared at that time.

The meeting was held in the Central Sev­enth-day Adventist church. This was an ideal location, for aside from the spacious church auditorium we had use of a smaller auditorium with a platform that was ideal for our purposes. There also were facilities for cafeteria service.

Al Bland, director of KMOX Saint Louis, was very helpful in assisting us to secure the help of men who are specialists in certain fields of radio, and among them were Dave Paster­nak, director of special events for television on KSD-TV, and Richard Dutson, continuity ed­itor for KMOX. Frederick Jacky, director of the Hymns of All Churches, came down from Chicago and demonstrated how to blend music with the message. Practical and specific in­struction was given by Charles E. Weniger, professor of speech at the Theological Semi­nary; W. Fletcher Tarr, professor of speech, Washington Missionary College ; W. H. Beaven, professor of speech and English, Union College, Nebraska. Milton Carlson, vice-president of Western Advertising Agency, Los Angeles, and accounts executive of the Voice of Prophecy, discussed the relationship of agency to radio broadcasts and explained how an agency can help religious broadcasters. Dr. E. R. Bertermann, director of the Lutheran Hour, was also in attendance part of the time, and told in detail of the operations of the Lu­theran Hour. Dr. Elmer M. Pennewell came from Chicago to attend the workshop. He is director of the Midwest section for Spiritual Mobilization, an organization that is making a crusade for freedom.

Approximately ninety attended the Saint Louis workshop, and the men were kept busy from nine in the morning until ten o'clock at night. It would be hard to crowd more into three days.

No one will soon forget Charles E. Weni­ger's presentation and discussion on "Person­ality of Your Radio Voice," or his topic, "Voice and Diction" or W. H. Beaven's chal­lenge on "Specific Aims of Religious Broad­casting"; or W. Fletcher Tarr's demonstration of "Adding Color to the Radio Sermon." Be­sides the presentation by specialists from the industry in various fields of radio and by our own teachers of speech, opportunity was af­forded for panel presentations and discussions on the problems that face broadcasters, and a broadcasters' clinic in which certain programs were appraised.

R. E. Crawford, of the Southern Publishing Association, and J. J. McConaughey, of the Pacific Press, presented available literature that is suitable for broadcast purposes and fol­low-up work. One of the high lights of the workshop was the fellowship dinner, prepared by the sisters of the Saint Louis church, and served in the supper room. The guest speaker at this dinner was Dave Pasternak of KSD-TV, and his subject was television. He presented a simple, understandable talk on television, its operation and programming. A television set was brought in so that the group could see tele­vision in operation.

These two workshops have stimulated the minds of our broadcasters to raise the standard of radio production and broadcasting, in order to make the most of the time that is available to us. It was impressed upon our minds that follow-up work is as important as any phase of the broadcaster's work. Workshops of this na­ture are invaluable. These three-day meetings give all an opportunity to exchange plans and ideas and to listen to the other man's point of view and the results of his experiments and experience. They give the necessary inspira­tion that each one needs in order to carry on, for the microphone of itself is of no inspiration. Through the years the forgotten men are those doing broadcasting, for they have struggled against odds, without having opportunity to benefit by the experience of those in like cir­cumstances.

The Radio Department of the General Con­ference has nothing to promote other than good radio, and to foster the activities of all departments and phases of the ministry by pro­moting their interests in the best way and to the best advantage through this great medium. Within the scope of the denomination we have talent and professional experience along spe­cialized lines, and there is potential talent and latent talent waiting to be used.

PAUL WICKMAN. [Chairman.]