I reckon’ there has been an easier time to work in Christian radio. But there may have never been a more important time.

But, gosh, it’s tough sometimes.

How do we talk about it?

We know what our format is NOT. We’re not about dividing people. We’re not about stirring up controversy. We’re not about drawing attention with alarming BREAKING NEWS alerts. We know that we should be a unifier of people of faith.

But, gosh, it’s tough sometimes.

But you know what? I’ve heard some remarkable radio this past week. I’ve heard honesty. I’ve heard compassion. I’ve heard self-reflection of our own thoughts, behaviors, and prejudices.

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Memorial Day is often considered the official kick off of summer. But more importantly it is a time set aside to remember those who gave their lives for our country.

This time of remembrance is a good time for us to reflect on how we’d like our radio stations remembered.

We get a glimpse of this each year as we compile the Station of the Year entry for Christian Music Broadcasters. It forces us to stop our day-to-day busyness and ponder the most noteworthy things of the preceding twelve months. We discover some things stand out, other things are vapor in the wind.

When people talk about your radio station do they speak of the 25-minute music sweeps with fewer commercials, or do they talk about how you help people help people?

Do they talk about how Jack and Jill read “This day in history” from Twitter every morning at 7:20, or that your station cheers on moms and dads for the most important commitment they’ll ever make – raising good kids?

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This pandemic is so darn inconvenient.

We’ve designed our radio stations to do specific things at specific times. It’s so automatic that we hardly even think about doing something different.

But life is now different. Perhaps you’ve noticed.

What do your listeners need from you during morning drive and afternoon drive when they are no longer driving to and from work?

What do your listeners need from you during the day when life at the office is now stay at home and home schooling their kids?

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They say opinions are like noses; everyone has one.

The boss, the Facebook posts from listeners, the sales manager, or the weekend disc jockey, everyone has an opinion on what your station should be doing to be better. At least for them.

On this Mother’s Day, I wonder what advice we could get from Mom.

Be a good friend

Friends make others feel welcome. Friends don’t talk down to others. Friends don’t have conversations that exclude others. Friends encourage.

Don’t be selfish

The moment we think the station is all about us, we lose perspective. Your station’s values are reflected in what’s hanging in the hallways. Is it all about you? Your station ultimately exists to serve others. The word for being self-focused is “ego.”

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Our world has changed. Perhaps you’ve noticed.

People are anxious. Many are fearful. There is a new normal and we’re not quite sure what it is.

Our vocabulary is filled with concepts unfamiliar just a few months ago. Social distancing. COVID-19. N95 masks. Even the mention of places in the world like Wuhan.

During this pandemic I’m sure your radio station is doing some good stuff. Many stations are doing lots of good stuff. But the more important question is… are you fulfilling a promise?

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