Top Ten Amazing Facts About The Proposed Amazing Facts-3abn Merger, From: Spectrum and the Association of Adventist Forums Options

[Artiste]

ADVENTIST NEWS Round up
Schneider/Paulsen Favor Continuation of Amazing Facts/3ABN Merger Talks
By Edwin A. Schwisow, AToday.com (19 July 2007)

In an hour-long interview with Adventist Today magazine, conducted yesterday (July 18), Schneider disclaimed any day-to-day involvement in the merger discussions themselves, but acknowledged that he and Jan Paulsen, General Conference president, jointly signed “a positive letter” that responded to questions directed to them by Doug Batchelor, president of Amazing Facts, and Adventist lay persons involved in the merger discussions.

Adventist lay persons...Adventist lay person...Garwin McNeilus??? [ASI=Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries]

Do you think this might be one of the keys to this "Amazing Facts" development?

Also, just wondering, have we heard of the early Christian church after Jesus' ascension referring to themselves as "first highest-ranked executive", "second highest-ranked executive" and so on?


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This post has been edited by Artiste: Jul 19 2007, 09:18 PM

[PeacefulBe]

Adventist lay persons...Adventist lay person...Garwin McNeilus??? [ASI=Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries]

Do you think this might be one of the keys to this "Amazing Facts" development?

Also, just wondering, have we heard of the early Christian church after Jesus' ascension referring to themselves as "first highest-ranked executive", "second highest-ranked executive" and so on? ******************************************

Artiste,
There was indeed some posturing for such positions among those early executives, but it was some time before Jesus' ascension when those 12 executives still didn't quite get the whole "Kingdom of God" thing.

[Ozzie]

This just arrived in my Inbox. It speaks directly to #9 on the list from the Spectrum article.

ADVENTIST NEWS Round up
Schneider/Paulsen Favor Continuation of Amazing Facts/3ABN Merger Talks
By Edwin A. Schwisow, AToday.com (19 July 2007)

Leaders of the North American Division and General Conference favor continuing exploration of a proposed merger by Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) of West Frankfort, Ill., and Amazing Facts of Sacramento, Calif., according to Don Schneider, president of the North American Division in Silver Spring, Md.

In an hour-long interview with Adventist Today magazine, conducted yesterday (July 18), Schneider disclaimed any day-to-day involvement in the merger discussions themselves, but acknowledged that he and Jan Paulsen, General Conference president, jointly signed “a positive letter” that responded to questions directed to them by Doug Batchelor, president of Amazing Facts, and Adventist lay persons involved in the merger discussions. The letter, dated May 16, 2007, has fueled speculation that its content puts a damper on prospects for the merger.

I note that the letter was allegedly written over 2 months ago - May 16, 2007 and also prior to the Statement that was released by the SP Division, banning Church employees from being involved in 3ABN production etc, on 6 June 2007.

I wonder if there is any significance in the fact that nothing regarding the merger has really progressed from that point?

[SoulEspresso]

I note that the letter was allegedly written over 2 months ago - May 16, 2007 and also prior to the Statement that was released by the SP Division, banning Church employees from being involved in 3ABN production etc, on 6 June 2007.

I wonder if there is any significance in the fact that nothing regarding the merger has really progressed from that point?

See!? Yeah!

A couple of things to keep in mind. The GC has tried to bring 3ABN in under the wing of the actual church organization for years, but Danny kept turning them down. Wanted to remain "an independent prophetic voice" for the denomination.

How could the merger be positive for the church? Easy. I'm betting they stipulated that if Amazing Facts and 3ABN merge, it has to bring 3ABN under the denominational umbrella. Which means employment standards, working policy, checks-and-balances, and (*ding* "We have a winner, Johnny!") financial transparency.

If the merger goes through under these conditions, I think it'd be good for the current crisis; the denomination could then tell them to clean up their act. I'm not a fan of the church bureaucracy, but it has its upsides. But then, since nothing has progressed, something about the deal is unacceptable to someone somewhere in the works ... I notice they didn't send a copy of the letter to Danny.

This post has been edited by SoulEspresso: Jul 20 2007, 09:45 AM

[LaurenceD]

A couple of things to keep in mind. The GC has tried to bring 3ABN in under the wing of the actual church organization for years, but Danny kept turning them down. Wanted to remain "an independent prophetic voice" for the denomination.

How could the merger be positive for the church? Easy. I'm betting they stipulated that if Amazing Facts and 3ABN merge, it has to bring 3ABN under the denominational umbrella. Which means employment standards, working policy, checks-and-balances, and (*ding* "We have a winner, Johnny!") financial transparency.

If the merger goes through under these conditions, I think it'd be good for the current crisis; the denomination could then tell them to clean up their act. I'm not a fan of the church bureaucracy, but it has its upsides. But then, since nothing has progressed, something about the deal is unacceptable to someone somewhere in the works ... I notice they didn't send a copy of the letter to Danny.

Bingo, SE. I could add to that list too (I think everyone could), like no high lifestyle (jets), no self-serving, no self-promotion of boardmember's popularity and careers, no inside (unaccountable) deals, no one man/woman decision making, etc.

[Artiste]

I note that the letter was allegedly written over 2 months ago - May 16, 2007 and also prior to the Statement that was released by the SP Division, banning Church employees from being involved in 3ABN production etc, on 6 June 2007.

I wonder if there is any significance in the fact that nothing regarding the merger has really progressed from that point?

The letter was dated 2 months ago but the interview quoting Don Schneider as joining Jan Paulsen in being positive toward the merger was done on July 18, 2007--that was 2 days ago.

So what is the significance of the ban of GC officials from 3abn on June 7, 2007 (see Observer's post on page 9 in the topic "General Conference Suspends 3abn's Status...") followed by the GC endorsement of the 3abn/Amazing Facts merger on July 18, 2007?

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This post has been edited by Artiste: Jul 20 2007, 01:57 PM

[PeacefulBe]

The letter was dated 2 months ago but the interview quoting Don Schneider as joining Jan Paulsen in being positive toward the merger was done on July 18, 2007--that was 2 days ago.

So what is the significance of the ban of GC officials from 3abn on June 7, 2007 (see Observer's post on page 9 in the topic "General Conference Suspends 3abn's Status...") followed by the GC endorsement of the 3abn/Amazing Facts merger on July 18, 2007?

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Good point, Artiste! Has something changed during that 5 weeks?

[Artiste]

Good point, Artiste! Has something changed during that 5 weeks?

Perhaps a powerful and well-connected person precipitated the change.




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[Johann]

Perhaps a powerful and well-connected person precipitated the change.
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God demands of each of us that we stand firmly on what is right, not what a well-connected person advocates. Let's just stand up and be counted!

[sister]

Were you referring to Doug Batchelor's mother-in-law giving out various bits of interesting information on the phone?

I do know of one interesting bit of information that Doug Batchelor's mother-in-law gave out over the phone, she said she knows the identity of "Sister". She said that I am Linda... Strange statement, I didn't realize the subject of the identities of the BSDA membership was such a hot topic in the extended Batchelor family circle. It is just a shame that Doug's mother-in-law is giving out false information instead of Amazing Facts.

[Artiste]

I do know of one interesting bit of information that Doug Batchelor's mother-in-law gave out over the phone, she said she knows the identity of "Sister". She said that I am Linda... Strange statement, I didn't realize the subject of the identities of the BSDA membership was such a hot topic in the extended Batchelor family circle. It is just a shame that Doug's mother-in-law is giving out false information instead of Amazing Facts.

Most Amazing!

And I thought that they were too busy with important endeavors at Amazing Facts to notice the internet gossip!


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This post has been edited by Artiste: Aug 3 2007, 12:30 AM

[PeacefulBe]

I do know of one interesting bit of information that Doug Batchelor's mother-in-law gave out over the phone, she said she knows the identity of "Sister". She said that I am Linda... Strange statement, I didn't realize the subject of the identities of the BSDA membership was such a hot topic in the extended Batchelor family circle. It is just a shame that Doug's mother-in-law is giving out false information instead of Amazing Facts.

Well, sister, it would be an amazing surprise to your husband if you were Linda! Imagine all the back work it would take updating the picture albums.

[Johann]

I do know of one interesting bit of information that Doug Batchelor's mother-in-law gave out over the phone, she said she knows the identity of "Sister". She said that I am Linda... Strange statement, I didn't realize the subject of the identities of the BSDA membership was such a hot topic in the extended Batchelor family circle. It is just a shame that Doug's mother-in-law is giving out false information instead of Amazing Facts.

Both of you should appear in court at the same time! Perhaps you will sooner than some people wish!

[SoulEspresso]

I do know of one interesting bit of information that Doug Batchelor's mother-in-law gave out over the phone, she said she knows the identity of "Sister". She said that I am Linda... Strange statement, I didn't realize the subject of the identities of the BSDA membership was such a hot topic in the extended Batchelor family circle. It is just a shame that Doug's mother-in-law is giving out false information instead of Amazing Facts.

So what does it do to these people's credibility when they say they don't read and don't care?

Don't get me wrong, I think they should read and should care. It's the denial that bothers me ... and I ain't talking about the river in Egypt.

This post has been edited by SoulEspresso: Aug 3 2007, 07:11 PM

[runner4him]

So what does it do to these people's credibility when they say they don't read and don't care?

Don't get me wrong, I think they should read and should care. It's the denial that bothers me ... and I ain't talking about the river in Egypt.

Love that about the Amazing Facts comment....Sister! It is a little crazy to hear them say "we do not have time to read that stuff"...."we know who Sister is"..."you have to know someone in the know (said with a chuckle)" Wonder who their "someone in the know is" and are they getting paid for their services?