(see the end of this post for an update from KLOVE’s Mike Novak)
This weekend & again this morning on KLOVE (a national Christian radio station) it was announced that after 7 years their morning show hosts, Jon & Sherry Rivers would no longer be on the air.
This was an abrupt announcement and one without explanation other than, “Please pray for the Rivers family as they deal with family issues and please respect their privacy and pray for KLOVE during this time of transition.” And no public statement was made or posted to their website. But any and all reminisce of Jon & Sherry Rivers had been removed.
The vagueness of this news is leaving KLOVE listeners and supporters and not to mention, fans of Jon & Sherry Rivers very concerned, confused and upset. And the rumor mill (on online forums, etc.) is being fueled by accusations and assumptions about a situation no one really knows anything about.
I just wrote KLOVE a simple but honest message. It is likely my note will get lost amongst the rest but I thought I would share it with you. Because really, it is less about KLOVE and more about how all ministries should handle crisis and difficult situations.
“Dear KLOVE Staff,
First, my deepest concerns and prayers are with you during this difficult time of abrupt transition within your staff. But I feel compelled to write you all today even though it is likely my message is typical of many you’ve already received.
I am on staff at a high-profile church in Kansas City and when it came out that our senior pastor of 17 years had been having an on-going (5 year) affair with our church administrator, we were devastated. But instead of covering it up or brushing it under the rug, we came out with it. Straight out.
Sure we lost some people. Sure we lost some financial support. And we even lost some trust. But what we gained as a staff and as a congregation was praise for our authenticity and more importantly, greater trust in our Lord to get us through it. And in doing so are now thriving as a ministry, greater than we were before the whole ordeal happened.
There were many reasons for us coming out with it like we did, but ultimately it comes down to this: 1) it prevents rumors and protects everyone involved, including the rest of your staff 2) it prevents division and 3) it protects those involved from enduring gossip and speculation.
I don’t know what has caused Jon & Sherry’s abrupt removal from the air (I am not suggesting it is an affair or moral failing) but what I do know is, the longer secrets are kept, the more rumors, gossip and speculation occur and further damages the name of KLOVE and your ministry.
You cannot fear what could happen with the truth. God already knows the situation better than any of you and I pray that you will make a public explanation as to what has occurred in the Rivers’ family and staffing of KLOVE.
Your listeners and financial supporters have a right to know and it is Biblical that you are obedient and honest about the situation. I fear that you will lose more support keeping it all under-wraps, than if you just came out with what is going on.
I am praying for you.”
We may never know what happened, but it is my hope that some explanation is given at some point. Not to succumb to the curiosity of man but to protect Jon & Sherry Rivers from gossip, rumors and further pain and as well as protect the ministry KLOVE that impacts the lives of so many millions.
– – – – – –
.::President Mike Novak’s Morning Show Update::.
You’ve probably heard by now and noticed that Jon & Sherry aren’t on K-LOVE anymore. They are dealing with family issues and while we wish we could say more we simply can’t.
Many of you are wondering “Have Jon and Sherry been fired?”. No, that is simply not true. This life situation developed between Jon and Sherry apart from K-LOVE.
Again, Jon and Sherry are dealing with family issues and while we wish we could say more we simply can’t.
I know all of this sounds vague and I wish that it was clearer but right now it’s not. We are respecting the privacy of people who have been part of our radio family for years and that respect is paramount right now.
When we hear an update from Jon and Sherry we’ll pass it along to you and at that point we will both know more.
In the meantime, we will soon provide an opportunity at KLOVE.com to share your feelings, hopes and prayers with both Jon and Sherry.
I’ll keep you posted. Thank you.
