S11E02 | Holding the Line in Christian Broadcasting: Jim Schneider
August 19, 2025
Podcast listeners may recognize the voice of this episode’s guest—Jim Schneider, executive director of VCY America and host of Crosstalk, a nationwide live call-in program examining issues of concern for Christians. After a brief glimpse at the global scope of his organization, he and host Dr. Matt Davis share common experiences and the challenges of call-in programs.
They examine how VCY’s mission statement guides program choices, and Jim quotes a principle he once heard: What we won them with, we have won them to. Thus, the desired goal directs decisions. He candidly states that VCY is not entertainment, though it has elements of it, which naturally leads them to discuss VCY’s music standards. Jim explains their parameters: music that is theologically correct with “no contradiction between words and rhythm; “music that moves the heart;” traditional, sacred music. Nonetheless, both men acknowledge that change is inevitable, that there must be a balance with change, and that it helps ministries “hold the line” when others do the same.
About our guest
Jim Schneider is executive director of VCY America, a network of 66 owned and operated Christian radio stations with 81 affiliate stations nationwide, a Milwaukee-based television station, a bookstore, and the Trail Ridge Camp. He is also the host of Crosstalk, a live call-in program focusing a biblical perspective on issues of world and national impact. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife Faith, who cohosted a children’s program with him for 36 years before their son and daughter-in-law assumed the roles.
