An Unauthorized History Of 3abn, Continues Options

[princessdi]

You know you can put off this agony a bit by nominating every two years....that is in the manual. I know I am going to need two years to recover from this one.. LOL!!!

I'm not saying it's wrong Johann. It's just that I've never heard of that before. I guess I've just always thought that positions are up for election each year and no one can lay claim to a particular Church position. How could I ever forget that, as Nominating Committees are formed each year and we go through the tedious process of selecting, asking, being rejected, asking the next one etc EVERY YEAR? LOL!

But... I've been known to be wrong before and I realise that one can learn something new every day.

[sister]

"Nobody owns the Church... Part 3" will soon be posted both here and on AdventTalk.com

Sister

[gardener]

"Nobody owns the Church... Part 3" will soon be posted both here and on AdventTalk.com

Sister

Can't find AdventTalk.com. Is address correct?

[runner4him]

Can't find AdventTalk.com. Is address correct?

I just tried to check it out and found it. The web site can be found at

http://www.adventtalk.com

[sister]

Can't find AdventTalk.com. Is address correct?

Sorry, I don't know how to make links. The web address is:

www.adventtalk.com

[lurker]

http://www.adventtalk.com/forums/index.php

[gardener]

Sorry, I don't know how to make links. The web address is:

www.adventtalk.com

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Thanks, found it!

[sister]

Nobody owns the Church... Part 3

In Part 2 Jean Fiscalini addressed the Thompsonville SDA Church Nominating Committee with his concerns regarding the re-election of Danny Shelton as a church elder. In neither his previous term as local elder, nor in respect to the election in question, was the title of elder bestowed upon Danny Shelton as an honorary position. At that time all church officers in the Thompsonville Church held functioning positions which they agreed to fulfill upon accepting the nomination for a particular office.

The pastor held up a paper in his right hand and referred the congregation to the copy they had received in the church bulletin, “Each of you has the Nominating Committee Report in front of you. If there is no discussion, we will now vote to accept the report as written.” As his eyes scanned through the pews they came to rest upon Jean Fiscalini. Dumbfounded, he realized that Jean had raised his hand and stood waiting to be recognized. The pastor acknowledged Jean and invited him to speak. “For reasons that I have already expressed to the Nominating Committee, I would like to recommend a change be made before the vote is taken.”

As Jean sat down his wife moved closer to him, placing her hand in his, she whispered into his ear, “You realize that you are committing career suicide.” Squeezing her hand, he said, “I have to follow my conscience.” “I know”, she replied, “I just wanted to make sure you realize where the consequences of you actions are leading us.” “Honey, I know what I have to do...” Looking into his wife’s eyes he understood that she was not questioning the necessity of his actions, but merely voicing her skepticism of Danny’s assurance that “...whatever happens in the Thompsonville church does not effect someone’s job at 3ABN. Even if Jean and I were to disagree about something at church, it would not effect his job.”

Assuming the congregation was unaware of the nature of the objection being raised, the pastor asked the Nominating committee to immediately adjourn, accompanied by Jean Fiscalini, to another room for private discussion. Passing Danny Shelton, Jean leaned over to him and requested that he join them since the discussion was in regard to him, “Danny, can you join us, it is about you and I want you to hear the information first hand.”

For fifteen minutes, like the buzz of a swarming hive of bees, whispered voices fulled the sanctuary of the Thompsonville Church. Sitting silently, Kristina Fiscalini was aware of different individuals attempting to catch her eye. She looked down at her open Bible and tried to imagine what was happening behind the closed door where her husband was now facing Danny Shelton and the Nominating Committee. For her it was as if time stood still. She became aware of the soft sound of a woman’s dressing sliding along the pew toward her. “Kristina, what is going on in there?” She looked up into the eyes of her trusted friend, but her only answer was to shake her head and return her eyes to the same passages she had read repeatedly for what seemed like eternity, as everyone waited...

Without warning a rush of silence engulfed the Sanctuary as Jean Fiscalini and Danny Shelton walked in together, followed by the Nominating Committee. His back turned to the Congregation and speaking in a hushed voice, what Danny had to say was intended for Jean alone, “That was ridiculous”, he hissed. An expression of controlled rage welled up upon his face he continued, “All you did was waste fifteen minutes of everybody’s time! You kept everybody waiting fifteen minutes for a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y nothing!” As Jean turned toward the front of the church to rejoin his wife, Danny took his accustomed seat in the pew that was situated against the back wall of the Sanctuary.

Looking up into her husband’s face as he sat down beside her, Kristina moved closer and squeezed his hand. A sad smile greeted her questioning glance as the pastor moved up to the microphone to address the congregation... “We will now continue the vote to accept the report of the Nominating Committee as written.”

From his position in the rear of the sanctuary, Danny surveyed his realm—everyone entering or leaving had to pass before him. This vantage point gave him the opportunity to observe the raised hand of Jean Fiscalini as he voted according to his conscience based upon Biblical principle, an action which Danny Shelton would interpret as Jean placing himself in direct opposition to his authority.

Raising her hand to vote in unity with her husband, Kristina looked over her shoulder and saw the look of disgust and contempt on Danny’s face. Later as her husband recounted what had taken place with Danny and the Committee, the image of Danny countenance as the vote was taken would surface in her mind. She realized her husband had made a very dangerous enemy that day, although he appeared unaware of the ramifications his simple act of conscience would cause him.

To be continued...

[Ian]

In every story or event, there are different viewpoints or recollections, not necessarily right or wrong, just different because of what that person may have seen or heard, or known at the time. I asked some questions regarding all this, and got answers slightly different from Sisters novelized account. Actually I did not hear anything like her version aka the Fiscalini version.
Granted I did not talk to every single person who was a member of the Thompsonville Church at that time.

I myself wasn't there, and can't necessarily vouch for any of this on a personal level, nor can I give the names here, but I do feel these quotes are enough to demonstrate to the members here and the readers, that the truth is not always found by listening to one side of the story no matter how much it tickles your ears. Ask questions of as many as you can, and try to see something from all sides before making up your mind about something, and really if it can't be verified and proven, discretion is the best course, simply reserve judgment.

There's no cliffhaning suspense or drama, or eloquent language, in wha follows. I don't pretend to be a story teller, but I do hope and pray that this is helpful to some.


Here's one account:
When the Fiscalini's were at 3ABN we were at the old church. 3ABN owned the church building and let the SDA church use the building for free. Rick Odle was the Pastor. He wanted, rather gently insisted that Danny remain an elder and be on the church board, over Danny's objections that because of his work at 3ABN and travel's around the world.he could hardly ever be there and would not attend very many meetings, .

What were the reasons for asking Danny to be Elder?

Out of respect for his position at 3ABN and the work he did in the ministry.

Danny took the responsibility of being an elder all through the week, not just on Sabbath's or once in a while as others do,

Their were people like the Fiscalinis who constantly voting to remodel, paint, etc without the church having the money to do so. Danny's presence on the board, even when not there, reminded people that they could not spend 3ABN money without 3ABN agreeing to it.

There were people like Henry and Sandra and the Fiscalini's who constantly wanted to remind people that the SDA church was not 3ABN's church, but that it was a Conf. church. That was fine with Danny. The problem is that they acted like the building was their to do with as they wanted, without any money to pay for any changes. Also, they would vote for the church to have evangelistic outreach for the community, but did not have any money to pay for it, so it would leave 3ABN holding the bag. They had to be reminded that they couldn't have it both ways.

They wanted to act independantly but didn't have the money to back it up!

Danny being on the board, in Rick's words, would nip that kind of thinking in the "bud". When someone was pushing some such agenda he would always remind them that they would have to get 3ABN's permission before spending 3ABN's money.


And another:
"The part about Danny went like this. He was nominated by the nominating committe to be an elder. He told the pastor that he could not be an active elder due to the obvious...... The pastor said it was important because 3abn owned the church building. Danny let the "church" use the building rent free but here was the problem. There were several couples including Linda's couple [Henry and Sandra Juarez] that would get ideas about painting or wall papering the church which was fine with Danny. Only trouble is, they thought 3abn should pay for any improvements. Danny said he didn't agree. They got to use the church for free and it was fine with him to do whatever as far as decorating but they would have to use their own money, not 3ABN's."

and another:
"The nominating committee via the Pastor told danny that he needed to be an elder since 3abn owned the building and decisions might need to be made accordingly..also (and more importantly) felt that Danny was an active elder everyday, not just Sabbaths because of the ministry work he was doing and should hold that office. Danny said he would be able to come to very few board meetings and whatnot. "


Personal note: 3 people were talked to about this couple and the mere mention of their names caused rolling of the eyes and sighs all around.

One said, "the year or so they were involved was a year of hell."

and more:
"When the church went to vote in the officers Mr. F. stood up and said he had some questions about one of the nominees. He insisted that the present elders, the pastor and Danny go to a private room to discuss it. By calling Danny back there, everyone immediately knew that Danny was the one in question. Pretty embarrasing huh?

He told Danny that he didn't think he should be an elder ...and Danny told him that he didn't ask to be and really didn't want to accept it but the pastor and other elders insisted. The pastor then talked to Mr. F. and said he was the only one objecting and no one else had a problem and that he felt, that Danny had the role of elder everyday. Danny was voted in. Mr & Mrs. F were furious."

"I think part of the time Fiscilinis were there the Samuel Thomas was pastor. No one that I knew of had any respect for Fiscalini as he was always wanting to be 'in charge' "

"I understood that he held the title of pastor before coming here and wanted badly to be appointed as such between Rick Odle and Samuel Thomas's pastorship's. That was a hope of his own that had nothing to do with reality."

"Fiscalini tried to start a coup so he could be pastor. You should ask "sister" how they felf about Rick as the pastor of the church. I could go on but it would be a waste of time."

"If he was fired from 3abn, ...that had nothing to do with the T'ville church, that's a conference church."

" Once again in her ["Sister"] evil ways she is taking some seeds and making lies out of them. Always confusing facts with fiction."

[calvin]

Thank you Ian for your account of the story. I suspect the truth is somewhere in between your's and Sister's account. Well as least I did not have to grab my handkerchief with your account in comparison to Sister's over-melodramatic rendition.

[JustTheFaxMan]

Thank you Ian for your account of the story. I suspect the truth is somewhere in between your's and Sister's account. Well as least I did not have to grab my handkerchief with your account in comparison to Sister's over-melodramatic rendition.

Thank you Calvin. Over-melodramatic? Sister?

I agree the truth is almost always going to be somewhere in the middle in the opinion of someone who has no axe to grind.

But more seriously, I too have been trying to find out more details about Sister's story from someone I know that would have been there. I would not have even taken the time to investigate this drama if I had not found it to be so self-serving and fatuous and but for the fact the all knowing Watchbird labeled it an "important historical account" so I of course assumed something of real significance was going to be discussed.

I was even told by my contact that some there thought Ms. Fiscalini might have needed treatment for a mental illness although my contact was not sure if Ms Fascalini had sought appropriate treatment. Sister since you are so close to this story to tell it so well and with such passion would you know if treatment was ever obtained?

[Richard Sherwin]

Should we be talking about someone maybe having a mental illness? This to me seems to going further than facts and into the realm of rumors and speculation.

Thank you Calvin. Over-melodramatic? Sister?

I agree the truth is almost always going to be somewhere in the middle in the opinion of someone who has no axe to grind.

But more seriously, I too have been trying to find out more details about Sister's story from someone I know that would have been there. I would not have even taken the time to investigate this drama if I had not found it to be so self-serving and fatuous and but for the fact the all knowing Watchbird labeled it an "important historical account" so I of course assumed something of real significance was going to be discussed.

I was even told by my contact that some there thought Ms. Fiscalini might have needed treatment for a mental illness although my contact was not sure if Ms Fascalini had sought appropriate treatment. Sister since you are so close to this story to tell it so well and with such passion would you know if treatment was ever obtained?

[Ozzie]

Thank you Calvin. Over-melodramatic? Sister?

I was even told by my contact that some there thought Ms. Fiscalini might have needed treatment for a mental illness although my contact was not sure if Ms Fascalini had sought appropriate treatment. Sister since you are so close to this story to tell it so well and with such passion would you know if treatment was ever obtained?

The suggestion of someone having a mental illness is one that is used by people who have run out of legitmate concerns, and then imply such a condition, in order to justify their attempts to make that person be seen as unreliable or of no account. you know, the gossip-mongers who have little to do, but want to make their story sound good?

It is a ploy to be-little people, but really strikes below the belt and is a tactic that I consider to be lower than a snake's belly.

[GRAT]

Wasn't that "mental illness" thing used about someone else? Got it in the back of my mind, just can't pull it forward.

[appletree]

Wasn't that "mental illness" thing used about someone else? Got it in the back of my mind, just can't pull it forward.

Let me try to help...was it Linda? Ask some of the employees that worked under her and you will have your answer.