FAQ
Q1: Why is another Christian radio network
needed?
A1: Because of the unique blend of
programming that we offer. We hold to the truths of the Reformation, our
music is traditional and uplifting, our features thoughtful and
engaging, and we support the local church.
Q2: What
in particular is unique about your programming?
A2:
For part of our broadcast day, Redeemer offers a program sound
reminiscent of the familiar "NPR." That is, a "Christian NPR," if you
will. Morning Magazine for example, will cover news and current events,
plus offer commentary and dialogue that comes at life from a Christian
perspective. We carry thoughtful, informed syndicated features such as
R.C. Sproul's Renewing Your Mind, and Ravi Zacharias' Just Thinking
programs. Additionally, we provide an evening teaching program produced
by Redeemer staff that is named Proclamation, which consists of a sermon
or conference message of well known pastors and theologians from around
the United States. At a future point, we hope to provide live call-in
programs such as Pastor's Forum which takes listener calls, and provides
answers by a rotation of pastors, theologians and Bible teachers. Our
selection of music and features is designed to support the Biblical
family. We see the family as the fundamental and foundational cultural
unit that God has created. We encourage following God's principles of
raising our families. Families who embrace the Bible, can often avoid
the pitfalls of man's modern godless inventions - for example, the
so-called "generation gap." The model of the godly family is to have the
youngest members looking upward to more mature siblings, who in turn
look to their parents. Thus Christian maturity is encouraged and
preparation for real life takes place. This model is inculcated into our
evening program, The Covenant Home. The programming on Redeemer is
supportive of each family member who is in loving relationship to each
other and covenantally with God. The programming will not undermine the
authority of the head of the home, the Father/Husband. The
Father/Husband's headship is always under the Lord Jesus Christ. As this
ministry matures, we hope to do some live remotes, conferences and
concerts.
Q3: How would you summarize in
broad terms, the doctrine of Redeemer Broadcasting?
A3:
Redeemer is committed to historical Biblical Christianity. We seek to
be thoroughly Biblical, properly catholic, and true to the
Reformation faith. We affirm the historic faith as presented in the
Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, and in the great statements of
the Reformation such as the Canons of Dordt, the Heidelberg Catechism,
and the Belgic and Westminster Confession and Catechism.
Q4:
In your Power Point presentation you say that you are
"Evangelically Reformed," what do you mean by that?
A4:
We stand in the tradition of Evangelical Christianity and in
particular, we embrace the Reformation understanding of the Scriptures.
We are Evangelical in that we believe: - That it is necessary that we be
born again. That we are responsible before God, and need to repent of
our sins and trust Jesus Christ alone for eternal salvation. The gospel
needs to be preached to all of mankind so that people may hear and
believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. We are Reformed in that we believe: -
That we have inherited Adam's sin and guilt, and are incapable of
salvation apart from God's particular work of grace. We are dead in our
trespasses and sins, and do not choose God on our own. Our salvation
requires the supernatural choice and act of God in bringing us to new
life. This gracious act is independent of any conditions outside of God
Himself. - That the order of salvation is: election, predestination,
union with Christ, calling, regeneration, faith, repentance,
justification, sanctification, and glorification. - That Christ died for
His people, and that His atoning work is efficacious and will bring His
people to salvation - Further, that Christians will experience God's
preservation and thus have confidence of eternal life with the Lord
Jesus Christ. These distinctives we believe, bring great comfort to the
child of God. Thus we can say with the Heidelberg catechism that our
only comfort in life and death is: "That I with body and soul, both in
life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus
Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my
sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves
me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall
from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation,
and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,
and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him."
This historic faith which we enjoy, further reminds us of the statement
in the Westminster Shorter Catechism describing man's chief end: "Man's
chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." To that we say,
Amen!
Q5: What kind of music is played over
Redeemer Broadcasting?
A5: Redeemer provides a
music mix that is Traditional, or as a friend of ours suggested, Classic
Christian. This means that our music style is uplifting and within
certain stylistic bounds. Our mix includes old hymns, new hymns, some
praise choruses, classical music, instrumentals, acapella works, some
anthems, and some psalms. Our music is examined for lyrical content to
assure its message is consistent with the Scriptures.
Q6:
Does Redeemer Broadcasting play Christian Contemporary Music?
A6:
We believe that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and that
individual tastes may include music not chosen by Redeemer. We do not
judge those whose tastes vary from ours, yet we have decided not to play
music which has a hard-driving, heavily-syncopated beat. The majority
of Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) is not played by Redeemer, while
some softer CCM pieces are.
Q7: What about
your syndicated features, do you edit objectionable music from them?
A7:
No, we do not. As you know, some syndicated programs may include for
example, some music having a beat or rhythm that is a bit "over the
edge" from typical Redeemer Broadcasting music standards. However for
the short time that the feature is on, we have decided for the sake of
programming integrity, not to edit the content of our fellow
broadcasters. If the sound of a broadcaster we carry, consistently
departs from the music expectations of Redeemer, we may decide to remove
that broadcaster from future air time on the network.
Q8:
Do you embrace Charismatic Christianity?
A8:
We see any group of Christians who confess the Triune God of the
Scriptures and hold to the sufficiency of the Word of God, as being our
fellow believers and we desire fellowship with them. However, the
teaching heard over the Redeemer network is non-charismatic.
Q9:
How is Redeemer Broadcasting funded ?
A9: We
are funded via three means: Listener support, Churches placing Redeemer Broadcasting in their budgets, and (in the future)
Not-for-profit Grants
Q10: Are there others
behind the scenes who are working with you?
A10:
Yes, there is a group of men and women who are praying daily for this ministry.
This group receives weekly emails from our President as to the current
progress of this ministry. The name of this mailing is the Tuesday Prayer Memo.
We also have a group of men and women who serve in an advisory role to the Redeemer Board. We strive to have one formal meeting with our Advisors each year, as well as compare notes with the Advisors on a regular basis. Some of our Advisors are pastors, some businessmen, some of broadcasters. Some of our Advisors worked in the past for Family Radio and help us to steer clear of the pitfalls that that ministry experienced with false doctrine, pride, and a total lack of accountability.
Q11: What
stations are you on?
A11: Redeemer Broadcasting owns and operates WFSO 88.3 FM in the Hudson Valley plus three other translator stations. The frequencies are 88.3 FM Olivebridge, 105.3 Rhinebeck/Kingston/Hyde Park/Poughkeepsie, 101.1 Catskill/Hudson/Athens, and 90.3 Newburgh/Beacon/Cornwall. We also own and operate WNEQ 90.3 FM in Northern NJ. Finally we own and operate WXMD 89.7 FM in St. Mary's county, Maryland.
Q12:
What about web streaming?
A12: Internet streaming was launched by Redeemer on August 1, 2006. The costs incurred with web streaming are somewhat high, due to the streaming provider costs which are proportional to the number of web listeners and bandwidth, as well as the royalties that must legitimately be paid. That said, we definitely need support from outlying areas, so that we can maintain the service.
Q13:
How may I help?
A13: Glad you asked! We always need to pay our bills on time. The cost of keeping WFSO it's translators, WNEQ and WXMD on the air, plus internet streaming, with all the associated expenses such as royalties, business internet, contractor help, repairing equipment failures, insurance, etc, is roughly $750 per day. That is assuming most of the labor is donated. We need to reach the point where this amount of money is coming in regularly. As you can see, it takes alot of giving to keep these stations on the air 24x7. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gifts to Redeemer Broadcasting are tax deductible under section 170 of the IRS code. Additionally, we are authorized to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the IRS code. Another area you may help is by keeping your ear to the ground. We really need one station in an area of larger population. Maybe you know of an older person who owns a station and is considering "off-loading" it! Please let us know, as perhaps there may be a match for the glory of God. We need some help on writing grant proposals. Do you have that knowledge and gifting? Your expertise could be a big blessing to those of us at Redeemer who are working everyday at this ministry. With a few larger grants, it would help us pay off some bills that we currently have in front of us.
Q14: I thought WFSO used to be a
Family Radio Station - are you still associated with them?
A14:
WFSO was a Family Radio affiliate station in its early years. However,
since Family Radio decided to no longer support any churches, deny
baptism, and deny the Lord's Supper, it was necessary to leave that
affiliation in order to remain faithful to the Scriptures. WFSO is no
longer associated in any way with Family Radio. Additionally, WFSO was
at one time owned by the wonderful little group known as Christian Media
Associates, of Rhinebeck. Christian Media always remained faithful to
the church and was grieved over what had happened to Family Radio. In
2005, WFSO changed hands and is now owned by Redeemer Broadcasting. On
December 8, 2005 it was our joy to offer our listeners 24x7 Redeemer
Broadcasting programming full time via WFSO.