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[Bob Pickle]

You are more than capable of using your head and the facts you have as far as documents go to easily see that his salary is now about 1/2 of what it was.. ----> because DS's monthly income is listed for 2010 in those divorce documents, and if you multiply that by 12, and then compare it to his yearly income listed on previous 990's when he was President of 3ABN.. it's very obvious, and easy to see.

The 2006 Form 990 reported Danny's salary as $72,802 for the year.

The 2007 Form 990 reported Danny's salary as $78,404 for the year. Danny allegedly stepped down form being president in September 2007.

The 2008 Form 990 filed with OR and IL reported Danny's salary as $70,309 for the year, plus $160 bonus, plus $96,000 in land.

The divorce papers reported Danny's 2009 salary as $6,445.50 per month ($77,346 for the year), plus $52,407.41 as part of an alleged non-compete agreement.

The divorce papers reported Danny's 2010 salary as $6,250 per month ($75,000 for the year).

You are clearly mistaken, and it has nothing to do with quibbling about words.

Stop the spin and distortion. The point is that there are at least three different versions of 3ABN's 2008 Form 990 floating around out there, and the one filed with the IRS omits the fact admitted on the other versions, that 3ABN gave $96,000 to Danny Shelton.

Spin and distortion? Bob Pickle, what you just posted [bold text] is either a gross mistake on your part or an outright lie!

It is neither. It was a typo. I accidentally left out the words "of land." I think most folks reading this thread would recognize that my issue was with Part III of Schedule J of the version filed with the IRS omitting the fact that the $96,000 in "compensation" consisted of 48 acres of land.

I wouldn't have even written that sentence if you had not refused to acknowledge the obvious and indisputable: That 3ABN has produced three different versions of their 2008 Form 990, and the one filed with the IRS, unlike the other two, does not acknowledge that the $96,000 of other "compensation" was in the form of 48 acres of land given to Danny Shelton.

It is also obvious that rather than giving away its assets to Danny Shelton when he allegedly stepped down, 3ABN should have summarily fired him for covering up the child molestation allegations against Tommy Shelton, when he knew that Tommy had done things for which the statute of limitations applied.

If 3ABN in essence terminated Linda Shelton for talking too long on the telephone, and wiped her off of 3ABN's website and programming, then 3ABN should have done the same to Danny Shelton, who committed a much worse atrocity than talking too long on the telephone.

Can you not agree with these points?

[Cindy]

You are more than capable of using your head and the facts you have as far as documents go to easily see that his salary is now about 1/2 of what it was.. ----> because DS's monthly income is listed for 2010 in those divorce documents, and if you multiply that by 12, and then compare it to his yearly income listed on previous 990's when he was President of 3ABN.. it's very obvious, and easy to see.

The 2006 Form 990 reported Danny's salary as $72,802 for the year.

The 2007 Form 990 reported Danny's salary as $78,404 for the year. Danny allegedly stepped down form being president in September 2007.

The 2008 Form 990 filed with OR and IL reported Danny's salary as $70,309 for the year, plus $160 bonus, plus $96,000 in land.

The divorce papers reported Danny's 2009 salary as $6,445.50 per month ($77,346 for the year), plus $52,407.41 as part of an alleged non-compete agreement.

The divorce papers reported Danny's 2010 salary as $6,250 per month ($75,000 for the year).

You are clearly mistaken, and it has nothing to do with quibbling about words.

I am willing to admit that, it appears his salary has been dropping but not by 50% as I claimed, and as such I apologize. I was referring to the following for what it's worth:

[Cindy]

Stop the spin and distortion. The point is that there are at least three different versions of 3ABN's 2008 Form 990 floating around out there, and the one filed with the IRS omits the fact admitted on the other versions, that 3ABN gave $96,000 to Danny Shelton.

Spin and distortion? Bob Pickle, what you just posted [bold text] is either a gross mistake on your part or an outright lie!

It is neither. It was a typo. I accidentally left out the words "of land." I think most folks reading this thread would recognize that my issue was with Part III of Schedule J of the version filed with the IRS omitting the fact that the $96,000 in "compensation" consisted of 48 acres of land.

I wouldn't have even written that sentence if you had not refused to acknowledge the obvious and indisputable: That 3ABN has produced three different versions of their 2008 Form 990, and the one filed with the IRS, unlike the other two, does not acknowledge that the $96,000 of other "compensation" was in the form of 48 acres of land given to Danny Shelton.

May I again suggest it doesn't have to say the word "land" as the compensation is reported. And may I further suggest that not all the documents filed are available publicly, and so you don't and never will have all?

It is also obvious that rather than giving away its assets to Danny Shelton when he allegedly stepped down, 3ABN should have summarily fired him for covering up the child molestation allegations against Tommy Shelton, when he knew that Tommy had done things for which the statute of limitations applied.

If 3ABN in essence terminated Linda Shelton for talking too long on the telephone, and wiped her off of 3ABN's website and programming, then 3ABN should have done the same to Danny Shelton, who committed a much worse atrocity than talking too long on the telephone.

Can you not agree with these points?

NO. I definately don't agree that either it's obvious or that these things are even true. Nor do I want to argue with you about them. I do think you need to learn to say what is your mere opinion and stop speaking as a despot and as if your opinions are indisputable facts and obviously so. They aren't.

[Bob Pickle]

May I again suggest it doesn't have to say the word "land" as the compensation is reported. And may I further suggest that not all the documents filed are available publicly, and so you don't and never will have all?

Your two suggestions are made as an attempt to evade the facts, and your suggestions are simply wrong.

1) The 990's given to a member of the public and filed with the states of Florida and Illinois all acknowledge that $96,000 in land was given to Danny by 3ABN. The 990 filed with the IRS does not so acknowledge.

2) The IRS provided Part III of Schedule J to me, so it is available to the public. But the acknowledgment of the land gift is missing on Part III of that Schedule.

3) Since the wording demonstrates that Danny lied yet again on his post-nuptial agreement, it would be advantageous to hide the truth by removing those words from the form filed with the IRS.

It is also obvious that rather than giving away its assets to Danny Shelton when he allegedly stepped down, 3ABN should have summarily fired him for covering up the child molestation allegations against Tommy Shelton, when he knew that Tommy had done things for which the statute of limitations applied.

If 3ABN in essence terminated Linda Shelton for talking too long on the telephone, and wiped her off of 3ABN's website and programming, then 3ABN should have done the same to Danny Shelton, who committed a much worse atrocity than talking too long on the telephone.

Can you not agree with these points?

NO. I definately don't agree that either it's obvious or that these things are even true.

Then you really ought to prayerfully consider the reasons why you do not agree, and why you somehow think that talking too long on the telephone is far, far worse than covering up allegations against someone believed to be a child molester.

[Cindy]

May I again suggest it doesn't have to say the word "land" as the compensation is reported. And may I further suggest that not all the documents filed are available publicly, and so you don't and never will have all?

Your two suggestions are made as an attempt to evade the facts, and your suggestions are simply wrong.

1) The 990's given to a member of the public and filed with the states of Florida and Illinois all acknowledge that $96,000 in land was given to Danny by 3ABN. The 990 filed with the IRS does not so acknowledge.

2) The IRS provided Part III of Schedule J to me, so it is available to the public. But the acknowledgment of the land gift is missing on Part III of that Schedule.

3) Since the wording demonstrates that Danny lied yet again on his post-nuptial agreement, it would be advantageous to hide the truth by removing those words from the form filed with the IRS.

1.)

2.)

3.)

It is also obvious that rather than giving away its assets to Danny Shelton when he allegedly stepped down, 3ABN should have summarily fired him for covering up the child molestation allegations against Tommy Shelton, when he knew that Tommy had done things for which the statute of limitations applied.

If 3ABN in essence terminated Linda Shelton for talking too long on the telephone, and wiped her off of 3ABN's website and programming, then 3ABN should have done the same to Danny Shelton, who committed a much worse atrocity than talking too long on the telephone.

Can you not agree with these points?

NO. I definately don't agree that either it's obvious or that these things are even true.

Then you really ought to prayerfully consider the reasons why you do not agree, and why you somehow think that talking too long on the telephone is far, far worse than covering up allegations against someone believed to be a child molester.

Bob please allow me to be blunt. I am NOT going to prayerfully weigh which is the worse of two imaginary scenarios of yours.  I do not even believe Linda was fired for talking on the phone too long, nor do I believe that Danny Shelton or 3ABN covered up allegations of child molestation. I do not think your claims about either of those things can hold water.

In closing please consider how arrogant and self righteous it is to suggest that there is something morally wrong with me and that I pray to God about it, simply because I disagree with you.

Talk to you later- about something else. Enjoy your weekend.  

[Bob Pickle]

I do not even believe Linda was fired for talking on the phone too long, nor do I believe that Danny Shelton or 3ABN covered up allegations of child molestation.

Then are you saying that you believe that Linda committed adultery, and that that was why she was terminated?

And are you saying that Danny fessed up to Walt by telling him that there were recent allegations in Virginia, but that Walt lied when he said that Danny had told him that the allegations were all 30 years old?

Come to think of it, at the time of Dryden's 2003 letter, the allegations that got Tommy booted out of 3ABN around 1991 would have only been about 12 years old.

In closing please consider how arrogant and self righteous it is to suggest that there is something morally wrong with me and that I pray to God about it, simply because I disagree with you.

I personally think that anyone who defends Tommy and Danny despite all the lies, corruption, immorality, bullying, and private inurement needs an good adjustment of their moral compass.

[Pat Williams]

I do not even believe Linda was fired for talking on the phone too long

Then are you saying that you believe that Linda committed adultery, and that that was why she was terminated?

This has gone on long enough.


The issue of adultery was one which arose between Danny and Linda in their marriage. It was one their church later considered. Adultery was not an issue which entered into the decision of the 3ABN board to remove her from the board or to terminate her employment.


3ABN did not even bring it up and had no plans to until they were forced into that position by Linda herself standing up and saying on her web page and through her defenders in an article in Adventist Today and in various forums. "I did not have sex with that man!" And claiming she was fired for that, which is false. It was first mentioned by 3ABN in July both in a response to that article, and in a follow up statement put on www.3abn.org the same day.


Even Bill Clinton was not stupid enough to answer that question in public until it was asked.


Yes we know Darrell Mundall is the source of the rumor claiming that the rumors were all over the churches about Linda when he traveled for 3ABN and that he claims that whenever he asked people where they heard these things they always pointed to Danny. We also know the whole 3ABN crew traveled for 3ABN during that same time period and none of them shared Darrell's experience. It is quite clear to us where the rumors and talk originated. [It is clear to me in watching all this unfold that Linda had to be established as a victim and martyr in order to gather support and orchestrate and launch the attacks and accusations against the "evil" 3ABN. She was, and remains in my opinion, "crazy like a fox".]



[If anyone would like to see the brief 3abn announcements about Linda's leave of absence, and then the follow up one informing viewers and supporters that she was no longer with 3abn, to compare them with Linda's letters and the article her defenders were interviewed for, ask. I am sure one of us can come up with the links here for you. That will allow you to see the dates for yourselves and see how this false story that Linda was fired for adultery started and caused all the negative talk which continues to this very day.]

[Cindy]

I do not even believe Linda was fired for talking on the phone too long

Then are you saying that you believe that Linda committed adultery, and that that was why she was terminated?

This has gone on long enough.


The issue of adultery was one which arose between Danny and Linda in their marriage. It was one their church later considered. Adultery was not an issue which entered into the decision of the 3ABN board to remove her from the board or to terminate her employment.


3ABN did not even bring it up and had no plans to...

3abn statement on 3abn.org:

Linda Shelton is on a leave of absence from Three Angels Broadcasting Network. Due to employee confidentiality, we cannot provide details on Mrs. Shelton's leave of absence. Danny Shelton continues in his role as president to oversee and manage 3ABN operations.

With the professional assistance of members of our board, our president, and the rest of the 3ABN leadership team, 3ABN will continue to deliver its message of faith and hope to its many viewers throughout the world.

Posted May 20, 2004.

3abn statement on 3abn.org:

Because of decisions Linda Shelton has made that have taken her in a different direction than that of the ministry, the Board of Directors of Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) regrets to say that she is no longer an employee of 3ABN.

Posted June 17, 2004.

Available online here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040609224123/http://www.3abn.org/
and here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040618074511/www.3abn.org/

Click on the links where it says:

Statement Regarding Linda Shelton
Click here for information.

[Cindy]

By request.

Re: Linda... Mar 27, 2010 1:08 pm UTC

The issue of adultery was one which arose between Danny and Linda in their marriage. It was one their church later considered. Adultery was not an issue which entered into the decision of the 3ABN board to remove her from the board or to terminate her employment.


3ABN did not even bring it up and had no plans to until they were forced into that position by Linda herself standing up and saying on her web page and through her defenders in an article in Adventist Today and in various forums. "I did not have sex with that man!" And claiming she was fired for that, which is false....

    Mundall registers LindaShelton.org

    Domain ID:D104524742-LROR
    Domain Name:LINDASHELTON.ORG
    Created On:12-Jun-2004 18:34:26 UTC
    Last Updated On:02-Dec-2009 11:33:13 UTC
    Expiration Date:12-Jun-2011 18:34:26 UTC
    Sponsoring Registrar:Wild West Domains, Inc. (R120-LROR)
    Registrant ID:CR30887988
    Registrant Name:Derrell Mundall
    Registrant City:Thompsonville
    Registrant State/Province:Illinois



May [June] 2004   Vol.12, No.3
http://www.atoday.com/magazine/archive

    "Troubled 3ABN Fires Linda Shelton
    May 1, 2004 - 12:00pm - Edwin A. Schwisow"

   " In a move that consolidates Danny Shelton, president, ever more firmly at the helm of the troubled Three Angels Broadcasting (3ABN) satellite network, the 3ABN board in June voted to dismiss Shelton's now-ex-wife, Linda, from her position as vice president and on-air hostess.

    The dismissal came just days before the couple's divorce became final in late June; an uncontested divorce filed in Guam by Danny Shelton, naming Linda as respondent, according to divorce papers obtained by Adventist Today, Linda's dismissal in June was followed immediately by an official release by 3ABN's board chairman, Walter Thompson, to the effect that Linda Shelton had chosen to go a 'different direction' from her husband and 3ABN."


   " Meanwhile, sources close to Linda Shelton characterize her removal as a coup-in-the-works for several months leading up to the June announcement. They acknowledge that in months leading up to her dismissal, she had been heavily involved in the rehabilitation of her adult son, Nathan (by a previous marriage), who reportedly had developed serious drug- and alcohol-dependency problems.

    The therapy routine, administered by a Norwegian Seventh-day Adventist physician and financial supporter of 3ABN, reportedly achieved outstanding early results. According to Linda Shelton, in a release posted on her Web site, rumors that she had engaged in inappropriately intimate activities with her son's therapist began to circulate at 3ABN, leading in large part to her ouster. She vigorously and consistently denies any improper behavior or relationship with the doctor.

    At approximately the same time, Johann Thorvaldson, director of 3ABN development in Europe, was removed from his post and has become an advocate for Linda Shelton. Citing provisions of her agreement with 3ABN, Shelton herself so far has refused to speak with reporters regarding her dismissal or future plans. However, at least two releases written in her name (one on e-mail, the other on her Web site) specifically deny that she committed adultery and attribute her fall to the proliferation of false information about her.[/u]

   Sources close to Linda Shelton cite the 3ABN allegation of 'spiritual adultery' as a factor in her dismissal, a phrase invoked among conservative Christians but not readily definable elsewhere. It appears to mean that the person so accused became overly friendly with, or bonded to, a person other than a spouse. Meanwhile, Danny Shelton's daughter by a previous marriage, Melody, has begun to appear regularly on the air as a co-host with her father.

    Linda Shelton's dismissal took viewers across the nation by complete surprise, though careful observers had begun to pick up on-the-air cues more than a year ago that all was not well between Danny and Linda."


   " At least one affiliate manager [Darell Mundall]interviewed by Adventist Today off the record believes that Linda Shelton's removal could benefit 3ABN ministry long-term. This source indicates that 3ABN has been undergoing troubled times, including a historic loss of revenue income in 2003, and that a shake-up at this time could be a new beginning for the maturing ministry."

   " Meanwhile, the emergence of a brand new 'Hope' satellite network, {Mundall's new employment] sponsored by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, is attracting a great deal of interest across the nation, leading at least one influential Northwestern broadcaster, Blue Mountain Television, to sever ties with 3ABN as of Sept. 30. Other non-3ABN-owned stations may follow that lead in months to come, with unwelcome implications for 3ABN's bottom line.

    All told, it appears likely that the internal disruption caused by the couple's breakup and the loss of 3ABN's monopoly as the sole source of satellite-driven programming for Adventist-oriented stations will combine to produce a less-than-banner year for 3ABN in 2004.

    Oddly enough, Shelton herself sees a beneficial outcome, personally, from her termination. Noting on her new Web site that she had become institutionally sheltered by her many years of work at 3ABN, she says she welcomes the opportunity to get out on her own once again, mixing it up in the real world. She continues to portray herself as supportive of 3ABN's grand vision but conveys a sense of relief at severing ties.

    Sources close to Linda Shelton indicate that she is now living near 3ABN headquarters in Illinois, in a modest dwelling, and that income sources include royalties from the sale of music she has written and performed and monthly termination payments. They also say that she has agreed not to comment publicly in ways that could be construed as attacks on her former husband and ministry.

    She has also reportedly asked her friends to foreswear any such attacks or attempts to vindicate her, though some are now speaking out."

[Cindy]

I do not even believe Linda was fired for talking on the phone too long

Then are you saying that you believe that Linda committed adultery, and that that was why she was terminated?

This has gone on long enough.


The issue of adultery was one which arose between Danny and Linda in their marriage. It was one their church later considered. Adultery was not an issue which entered into the decision of the 3ABN board to remove her from the board or to terminate her employment.


3ABN did not even bring it up and had no plans to until they were forced into that position by Linda herself standing up and saying on her web page and through her defenders in an article in Adventist Today and in various forums. "I did not have sex with that man!" And claiming she was fired for that, which is false. It was first mentioned by 3ABN in July both in a response to that article, and in a follow up statement put on www.3abn.org the same day.

http://www.atoday.net/magazine/2004/07/ ... s-schwisow

    "Three Angels Broadcasting Responds to Schwisow
    July 1, 2004 - 12:00pm - Walter Thompson

    The story by Edwin Schwisow regarding Linda Shelton's recent termination from Three Angels Broadcasting contains a number of basic factual inaccuracies. Even more troubling, given that Adventist Today holds itself out as a Christian, Adventist publication, is the highly misleading slant the article gives to the events by its reliance on "reports" and "sources" from only one side of the matter. It seems that no one currently from Three Angels was spoken to regarding the claims of this story prior to its being sent to the printer.



    As chairman of the board, I was involved with this matter early on, and led the independent fact-finding committee that investigated it. We sought intensely for reconciliation, but ultimately we were forced to recommend the termination of Mrs. Shelton from Three Angels. I list below the most troubling aspects of Mr. Schwisow's story.

    1

    The story of Danny and Linda's separation and divorce is a deeply personal, very sad event that has caused deep pain to all involved. To characterize the event as a "move that consolidates Danny Shelton at Three Angels helm" and as a sort of "coup", as the article claims, is untrue and even offensive to those of us involved in the decision. For the president of a religious ministry to engineer or pursue a divorce to enhance his standing or position at the ministry would be very foolish. Such an extraordinary claim would require extraordinary evidence to support it. Your author has not even ordinary evidence to support it, but is merely engaged in a cynical kind of speculation.

    Danny is still the president of Three Angels, and has the full confidence of the board. But these events have caused Three Angels leadership to recognize that Danny needs greater assistance and support in carrying out that role, and the board chairman and others have become more involved in oversight activities. One example is a recently appointed manager of operations to assist Danny in his responsibilities.

    2

    Mr. Schwisow's attempts to support his "theory" of the meaning of the events at Three Angels by a number of references to claims made by "sources close to Linda Shelton". While he would no doubt deny that he is according these claims the status of "facts", he uses them as though they were. To print and repeat allegations from one side of the story, without acknowledging the views and claims presented by the other side, is to accord the former an unchallenged and privileged status usually accorded only to verified facts.

    Anyone who considers the recent events at Three Angels as a "coup" or a "coup-in-the-works" is sadly misinformed and ignorant of the multiple efforts made over several months by Christian leaders to bring reconciliation to both Danny and Linda and to Linda and Three Angels. The list includes Danny and Linda's local pastor; meetings with professional Christian counselors; meetings with myself as board chairman; a review of the facts and further meetings and attempts at reconciliation by an investigative committee made up of Bill Hulsey, an Adventist layman and mayor of Collegedale; Dr. Kay Kuzma, Adventist family expert and author; Nicholas Miller, an Adventist attorney from a national law firm; and myself. Only after multiple efforts by these persons to achieve reconciliation failed was the matter reluctantly taken to the board for final resolution. This sequence of events is no secret. Three Angels described these efforts to its supporters in a letter sent out earlier last summer. Since then, Pastor Mark Finley has made further attempts at reconciliation, all to no avail.

    3

    Likewise, the printing of claims regarding Linda's relationship with the Norwegian physician to be solely about her son's treatment is to promote a story which the facts do not support. Without going into detail, we have solid evidence that, prior to her divorce and termination, Linda spent considerable time with this physician, both on the telephone and in person, in a manner inappropriate for a leader of a Christian ministry, or for any married woman for that matter. These contacts, inappropriate in their length, subject matter, and subterfuge, continued despite requests by both Danny and other Three Angels leadership that they cease. It is also clear, even by Linda's own admission, that the vast majority of these interactions had nothing to do with medical treatments for her son. In the short time since her divorce, Linda has traveled to Europe twice for nearly five weeks to spend time with this physician. These recent trips, which were taken without her son, have caused many of Linda's formerly die-hard supporters to recognize the truth of the matter of Linda's inappropriate relationship, and to cease their efforts in defending her.

    4

    The claim that Melody Shelton has begun to regularly appear as co-host is untrue. Melody sings from time to time on Three Angels, but has never co-hosted a program, and tries to avoid public speaking. The truth is that a variety of people have been assisting Danny with hosting responsibilities, and even hosting programs on their own. Of necessity, others are playing roles that Linda has played at Three Angels, but no one has "replaced" Linda. It is doubtful in my opinion that anyone ever will or can replace her unique combination of gifts.

    5

    Mr. Schwisow cannot seem to decide if the Shelton's unfortunate split is an effort calculated to revive a flagging ministry, as he suggests in paragraph 11, or a grave disruption that will harm Three Angels' prospects over the coming year, as in paragraph 12. Fortunately, neither theory or projection is true. These unfortunate events, which have been strongly resisted rather than cultivated, have caused both the leadership and supporters of Three Angels to draw together in prayer and support for the ministry. We have chosen to view these events with the eye of faith, looking for the opportunity the Lord always brings at a time of crisis. Due to this, Three Angels has significantly expanded, nearly doubled, its potential viewers, and financial support is well ahead of where it was last year at this time. Your author's prediction of a "less-than-banner-year", whether he meant number of viewers or financial support, is not supported by the facts.

    In my view, this article is far from being simple news story that recites the facts in a fair and balanced fashion. Rather, it is a story with an agenda. I am not opposed to a story with an agenda, when it is not presented as a news story, when there has been a careful review of both sides of the matter, and where the author is quite certain of his or her facts. Such is not the case here. Rather, a few facts have been mixed in with a number of allegations from one side of the story, and then it has been stirred together with an anti-Danny Shelton, anti-Three Angels slant.

    I am in favor of a church of greater openness. Events, good and bad, at times need to be aired and reported on. But it is an axiom of Christian charity that we should seek to put the most reasonably positive construction on events rather than the most negative. Mr. Schwisow's story fails on this most fundamental and elemental of tests. We hope that Adventist Today will hold future stories regarding Three Angels and other Christian ministries and leaders to a higher standard.

    Walter Thompson, M.D., Chairman of the Board

    Three Angels Broadcasting Network, Inc."

[Cindy]

I do not even believe Linda was fired for talking on the phone too long

Then are you saying that you believe that Linda committed adultery, and that that was why she was terminated?

This has gone on long enough.


The issue of adultery was one which arose between Danny and Linda in their marriage. It was one their church later considered. Adultery was not an issue which entered into the decision of the 3ABN board to remove her from the board or to terminate her employment.


3ABN did not even bring it up and had no plans to until they were forced into that position by Linda herself standing up and saying on her web page and through her defenders in an article in Adventist Today and in various forums. "I did not have sex with that man!" And claiming she was fired for that, which is false. It was first mentioned by 3ABN in July both in a response to that article, and in a follow up statement put on www.3abn.org the same day.

http://web.archive.org/web/20040703001418/http://www.3abn.org/

click on link where it says:

Letter from 3ABN Board Chairman
Click here for information

Posted July 1, 2004


Dear 3ABN Family:

You may have heard by now of changes that have recently happened at Three Angels Broadcasting Network. We believe we owe you, as a loyal supporter of this ministry, an accounting of recent events regarding the former Vice President of 3ABN.

Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, we cannot reveal all details. But after prayer and reflection, we are convicted that we should share with you what we responsibly can.

You may have noticed that Linda Shelton has not appeared on 3ABN telecasts for the last few weeks. That is because as of June 1, 2004, the 3ABN Board of Directors removed Linda from her role as Vice President and as a board member. More recently, she has been discontinued as an employee of 3ABN as well.

We want to assure you that this decision was not made by one or two people, nor was it made in one or two weeks. Rather, the situation developed over nearly five months, and was dealt with by the full 3ABN leadership, including its Board of Directors.

The issue relates to a matter that arose in Danny and Linda Shelton's marriage. They were not able to resolve the matter, despite many attempts with their local pastor and other counselors. It was then brought to my attention as Chairman of the Board.

In order to make a thorough, fair and independent review of the matter, I convened a fact-finding committee of well-known Adventists who are not employees of 3ABN. The committee consisted of myself; William Hulsey, a businessman and mayor of Collegedale, Tennessee; and Kay Kuzma, author and family issues expert. We were counseled in our deliberations and review by Nicholas Miller, an Adventist attorney associated with a major national law firm.

The committee members spoke with all relevant witnesses. It invited Linda to meet with the full committee and to present any witnesses she might wish to have speak on her behalf.
Upon reviewing the situation, it was clear to the 3ABN leadership that the source of the conflict lay in certain choices that Linda was making. We asked her, both verbally and in writing, to make different choices. She refused.

Under the circumstances, the board had no real choice but to take the actions it did in regards to Linda’s position at 3ABN. Should Linda reconsider her course of conduct, we would also reconsider our decision regarding her role at 3ABN.

Please pray for Linda, for Danny, and for the 3ABN ministry during this time. We believe in a God of miracles, who can renew and restore. This ministry was started and built through a series of miracles. Those miracles continue to this day, and we believe that many more are yet to come.

We believe that this ministry will continue to move forward, taking its direction from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is His ministry, and not that of any man or woman. The Board of Directors, President Danny Shelton, and I as Chairman, are committed to doing His will with this organization.

Please join us in supporting 3ABN with your prayers and financial support. We know you have done so in the past, and we are deeply thankful for it. But right now the devil is doing his best to derail this work because we are pressing the front close to his strongholds.

This month we added a quarter of a billion potential viewers in India, as our signal is being placed on cable systems through much of this Hindu nation of 1.1 billion souls. This effectively doubles the viewership of 3ABN, virtually overnight. We are also being placed on the most-watched cable-network in the Washington D.C. area, giving us access to the political and thought leaders of our country.

Please don’t let the devil succeed in heading off the vital work of 3ABN at this crucial time. You have faithfully supported this ministry in the past. Show us your continued resolve and support by making a faith pledge or donation to support us during this tremendous expansion of our coverage.

Your efforts and support are the medium through which God allows 3ABN to carry its gospel message to the world. We thank God and you for that support.

In His Service,
Dr. Walter Thompson, Chairman
Three Angels Broadcasting Network, Inc.

P.S. I came across a quote recently that highlighted the importance of 3ABN’s resolve to “Go ye into all the world”: “The Duke of Wellington was once present where a party of Christian men were discussing the possibility of success in missionary effort among the heathen. They appealed to the Duke to say whether in his judgment such efforts were likely to prove a success commensurate to the cost. The old soldier replied: ‘Gentlemen, what are your marching orders? Success is not the question for you to discuss. If I read your orders aright, they run thus, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Gentlemen, obey your marching orders.’” Gospel Workers, p. 115.

[childoftheking]

There was gossip in my local church (which is far from Illinois) at that time that "Linda had an innappropriate relationship with a man over the telephone". This spread fast and that this relationship  was very innappropriate was accepted as an undeniable fact. My friends were thinking that meant, "phone sex" or a hot and steamy romantic involvement - you know the kind - with heavy breathing and lots of passionate sweet talk. 3ABN didn't have to claim that she committed adultry because folks were allowed to believe that she already had and they soon believed that she had left Danny for another guy because they could see that she wasn't on the air anymore. People were feeling sorry for Danny. No one indicated just how bad or not bad things were but they were allowing people to believe that they were protecting Linda's reputation by keeping silent because they the truth was so bad.

[Cindy]

Excerpt from a private letter written by the 3ABN chairman of the board explaining what Linda was fired for.

   It simply could not continue the way things were going. Though I and the board did not get involved in the marriage, we were very much concerned about the ministry. All the while, this was taking a real toll on the ministry. Work was not getting done. The employees were pulled in both directions... Linda said on her web site recently that I had told Johann a year before that I had never accused her of adultery. She was correctly quoting a portion of my statement to Johann, but what she did not bother to say is that I was defending 3ABN against an accusation that we had fired her for adultery. I was merely telling him that it was for defiance of her board that she was let go, not because of adultery, an accusation, it is true, I never stated. As you can see from the few things I have included here, we have had ample evidence to suggest adultery, but it is true, we have not seen the two of them in bed together.

    Our position on the board all through this process was to take the high road and not to tell things like this to the public, attempting to protect Linda from even more hurt that she was doing to herself. In all of our public statements, we have tried to be discrete. To protect the ministry from a public confrontation, we also gave Linda a good settlement with the agreement that she would not bad mouth 3ABN. And while she has partially fulfilled her obligation, her "friends" have kept the pot boiling - contrary to her agreement.

Those wanting to read the letter in full can do so here:
http://references4links.blogspot.com/2007/05/wt-answering-questions.html

[Cindy]

There was gossip in my local church (which is far from Illinois) at that time that "Linda had an innappropriate relationship with a man over the telephone". This spread fast and that this relationship  was very innappropriate was accepted as an undeniable fact. My friends were thinking that meant, "phone sex" or a hot and steamy romantic involvement - you know the kind - with heavy breathing and lots of passionate sweet talk. 3ABN didn't have to claim that she committed adultry because folks were allowed to believe that she already had and they soon believed that she had left Danny for another guy because they could see that she wasn't on the air anymore. People were feeling sorry for Danny. No one indicated just how bad or not bad things were but they were allowing people to believe that they were protecting Linda's reputation by keeping silent because they the truth was so bad.

I would not argue with you that gossip, rumors and surmising has gone on, it has, for years, all of it ugly and unchristian in my opinion. Where I might differ with many here is in how it all started. I don't think it will be resolved, but at least the published documents above along with the archives of Linda's website demonstrate how the published internet stuff came about. As far as the Doctor goes she recently claimed in court that he is practically the only friend she has left next to her grown children, after explaining how he loaned her 100,000 to buy her house and the money to pay her lawyers. That seems rather inconsiderate and ungrateful of the friends and supporters of hers here on this forum, but that's my opinion, and actually gossip too.. So I'm done.
Have a blessed day...

[childoftheking]

You and I might indeed differ about how it started. A preacher I know of was gossiped about. The rumor was out that he had been married before and I believe they said he had a divorce. He had never been married before and of course wasn't divorced. He said it was very hard to track the rumor down enough to find out where it started so he could understand why anyone would even think so and so he could attempt to straighten them out.

I once was gossiped about. People would deny it to my face but talk about me behind my back and it wasn't true. How can you defend against that?

The thing I found unsettling about the accusations against Linda is that everything that happened or is still happening was said to be her fault. She seemed to be the scapegoat for everything bad or questionable that happened at 3ABN. I can't believe that she is evil as you said, or that she positioned herself to be the victim and that she is clever like a fox. It is rarely the case that one sets themselves up to be publicly humiliated, scorned and blamed in Adventist circles as she has been. Unlikely that anyone would deliberately put themself in that position.

Edited to finish my chain of thought.