Ocean Shores radio board drops plan to air local church services after members raise separation concerns
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Summary
Board members debated selling Sunday airtime to local churches as a revenue source. After concerns about church-state separation, divisive content and fairness, members agreed to remove the item from the agenda and revisit funding at the quarterly budget review instead.
The Ocean Shores Radio Advisory Board discussed a proposal to air recorded local church services on Sunday mornings in exchange for payment but decided to remove the item from the agenda after members raised legal, ethical and community-division concerns.
Why it matters: The radio station is city-owned and volunteers have looked for ways to increase revenue. Board members, the city liaison and several volunteers said airing religious services on a municipal station risks perceived endorsement and could inflame local divisions.
Discussion highlights Patrick Wendland, chair, opened discussion of a plan to let local churches record sermons for Sunday airtime as an income source. Richard Rose, city council liaison, prefaced his remarks by saying, “Understand that I'm not representing the council. This would be my personal opinion.” Rose warned the board that a legal separation between public entities and religious activity can create conflicts.
Several board members said the current political climate makes religious programming on a city-owned station “a third rail.” Daryl Prowse and others said the station should avoid creating a platform where “extreme or radical content” could air on city property. Butch and other volunteers noted the nonprofit North Beach Independent Media can run fundraisers and community events (such as the recent food-bank benefit) without raising the same legal concerns.
Outcome and next steps There was no formal vote. The board reached informal consensus to remove the proposal from the agenda and instead look at other fundraising options and the station’s quarterly budget (including events like a New Year’s Eve fundraiser and the food-bank benefit already discussed). Members asked that any future proposals be reviewed for legal risk and fairness to smaller congregations.
The board also noted that North Beach Independent Media, the station’s nonprofit affiliate, can pursue fundraising and community partnerships without the same constraints that apply to the city-owned station.