ALPB Denied Booth at Coming LCMS Convention

[Russ Saltzman]

The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau made a routine application for booth space at the coming summer convention of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Well, hardly a booth; more like a card table, really.

Application was made through the director of General Services for the LCMS, David Fiedler <David.Fiedler@lcms.org.>

Our application was denied because, the story went initially, our products might be in competition with Concordia Publishing House. Our president, Missouri Synod Pastor John Hannah made reply something to the effect that the ALPB presently has some 35 products compared to the gigazillion or so items that Pastor Paul McCain, CEO of Concordia Publishing, generates annually, forever and henceforth. Besides, as Hannah pointed out, Concordia Publishing House generously advertises many of its products through the pages of Lutheran Forum. So, like, what competition?

In reply Fiedler said, "It is the belief of the application review committee that we have the right balance and mix of exhibitors for the convention at this time."

The ALPB does not, by this judgment, represent the "right balance" within the "mix of exhibitors."

So the ALPB at the moment has no table space for the LCMS convention. (We don't even bother applying for the ELCA churchwide assembly and this year, we're beginning to pick up static from several ELCA synods that have previously permitted ALPB displays.)

I have placed some back-channel inquiries to a couple LCMS officials (Paul McCain is not one of them) for whatever help they might be able to offer.

Lacking any resolution, I suggest that maybe, perhaps, Concordia Publishing House clear away a little space at the end of one of their tables for an ALPB display. As I said, a card table would be about right.

Meanwhile, for our LCMS readers so inclined, a mild missive to <David.Fiedler@lcms.org> would not be altogether out of order.

Russell E Saltzman, editor
Forum Letter

[scott3]

Done.

I'll be getting a tip, right?

  

[Revbert]

FWIW, I have asked for ALPB space at Metro DC, but haven't heard yea or nay yet.

[Brian Stoffregen]

So the ALPB at the moment has no table space for the LCMS convention. (We don't even bother applying for the ELCA churchwide assembly and this year, we're beginning to pick up static from several ELCA synods that have previously permitted ALPB displays.)

I believe that the ELCA Churchwide Assemblies have only had booths of ELCA ministries -- no outside venders. I know when I was visiting at the Denver Assembly with an Episcopal Priest he was surprised, because their national gatherings have booths from all kinds of outside venders.

[Charles_Austin]

I think Brian is right, though a quick query to the ELCA assembly office would provide an authoritative answer. Personally, I don't find anything wrong with not allowing outside exhibitors at denominational conventions. I have been to church conventions where the "bazaar" (and sometimes "bizarre") atmosphere in the selling area is quite strange. It also means that no group with big bucks can "use" the assembly for their agenda.

But... Nothing prohibits anyone from renting space in the hotel, if available, or nearby, if possible and hiring 76 trombones to play their marches. I've seen that done, too.

But I'll be at the ELCA Assembly and will be glad to carry ALPB stuff in my bag, until it is confiscated by ... well, who knows?

[Brian Stoffregen]

But I'll be at the ELCA Assembly and will be glad to carry ALPB stuff in my bag, until it is confiscated by ... well, who knows?

I believe that Dick Johnson was at Orlando as an official reporter for ALPB. At least he sat in the reporters' section -- where us plain, ordinary visitors were not allowed to go. So the ELCA is not keeping ALPB away from the assembly. Perhaps if Dick wore a flashy ALPB t-shirt rather than a black clerical, he could have done some more advertising -- or maybe a big button on his clerical. (In Orlando, I saw WordAlone t-shirts and large Solid Rock buttons, as well as the rainbow sashes.)

[Dave_Poedel]

Done.

[Steven Tibbetts]

Uh, Paul McCain hasn't been (interim) CEO at CPH since last autumn, when Bruce Kintz was installed as President and CEO.  Pr. McCain is Executive Director of the Editorial Division and Publisher.

FWIW, we've thus far always been able to get an ALPB table at the Central/Southern Illinois Synod Assembly.  We don't do any direct sales, though we do have samples and order forms.

The folks at oldlutheran.com had a large display at the last ELCA Churchwide Assembly, though all sales were handled through the Augsburg Fortress store there.  Since ALPB publications are available from at both Augsburg Fortress and CPH stores and catalogs, perhaps ALPB could find a way to work with them. 

Pax, Steven+

[djbaer]

I think it would be great to have an ALPB table at our Synod Assembly.

We could put it next to the Word Alone one or share space with them.

What do we need to do?

Maybe Erma could help me with it! 

[Erma_S._Wolf]

I think it would be great to have an ALPB table at our Synod Assembly.

We could put it next to the Word Alone one or share space with them.

What do we need to do?

Maybe Erma could help me with it! 

You can count on me talking with you about this!  (Just as soon as I get back from the WAN convention and Lutheran CORE meeting this week.)

[revjagow]

Well, that's not good.  I've been away too long!

For what its worth, I also added my name to the agitated LCMS brethren. 

Any news???

Does this mean we will not get reports from the convention floor?

You can actually view "gavel to gavel" coverage for the first time on the LC-MS website.   

Very cool.

[peter_speckhard]

Well, that's not good.  I've been away too long!

For what its worth, I also added my name to the agitated LCMS brethren. 

Any news???

Does this mean we will not get reports from the convention floor?

You can actually view "gavel to gavel" coverage for the first time on the LC-MS website.   

Very cool.

Hey, welcome back! Yes, you'll be able to see gavel-to-gavel coverage online, but who cares about that when the truth and meaning behind all the action will be coming at you fast and furious (more furious than fast if I know me) from yours truly straight to this here webby-forum thingy? Can't quit your job to watch? Don't worry, you won't miss a thing! With our dedicated team working around the clock* you'll never be more than a click away from enlightenment. It will be the greatest thing since spilt milk, or something. ALPB Online-- your one-stop theological pick-me-up!

*"around" in the sense of "near"-- see Brian S. for an explanation how words can do this sort of thing. 

[legaleagle]

As an LC-MS layman for well over 77 years now, I have sent a protest Email to Fiedler. I doubt however that it will do any good. If I get any other kind of "reason" for the exclusion, I will let you know.