Jettison Joy & Get Rid of Gailon

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Confusion from the Start

As GW, Attorney Harold Lance's go-between, contacted Linda on November 12 through 14, 2006, there was plenty of opportunities for a bit of misunderstanding. Three problems are fairly clear in hindsight, problems not necessarily due to GW:

• The ASI tribunal was primarily supposed to hear Gailon's concerns, not Linda's, and yet it was Linda that GW contacted.
• Sometimes GW referred to Danny and Linda, and sometimes she referred to "all parties." Thus it was unclear whether or not the 3ABN board had limited the investigation.
• Sometimes GW referred to the ASI tribunal considering all the facts and issues, and sometimes she referred to them hearing just about Danny and Linda. What exactly had the 3ABN board agreed to?

Harold Lance appears to be the only source of GW's information as far as what ASI was going to do or not do.

"All the Facts" and "All the Parties"

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  Restoration Date:  Sun, November 12, 2006 10:48:33 -0800 (PST) Dear Linda, ... The 3ABN board voted to ask ASI to be a liaison between you and Danny and 3ABN to hear all the facts and expectations and prayerfully make a recommendation. ... It can be none other than a directive from God himself. An ASI committee was selected to come up with a plan, headed by Harold Lance. It is to be submitted to all parties by someone other than the committee. If all parties are agreeable, they will go forward. If not, they will drop it. ... God bless you and please contact me soon - by email or phone as Harold Lance has to report to the ASI Executive Board next week. With God as our Guide, GW

Would the ASI tribunal be hearing "all the facts," or just the facts dealing with Danny's divorce and remarriage? Would they be hearing facts from "all parties," or just from Danny and Linda?

"Anyone You Want"

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  Take the Higher Road Date:  Sun, November 12, 2006 15:28:40 -0800 (PST) Linda, Well, I finished lunch, had another discussion with Harold Lance .... ... As I talked to Harold, he asked me to be sure that when I talk to you that I explain how integrally involved he wants you and the others to be a part in the planning of the meeting for restoration. ... let me tell you that the ASI Committee will select a group of 5 people that are fair-minded and have strong spiritual integrity. Although these five will be selected by the ASI Committee, you, 3ABN and Danny can submit a pool of names to choose from. They also want you to submit your side of the story and what you feel a reasonable outcome would be. You will also be invited to have anyone you want present information. ... ... With love, GW

While the above sounds like "anyone" could come and "present information," yet as we shall soon see, prohibiting Gailon's involvement was a condition for ASI's involvement.

"I Don't Mind Talking to Mr. Joy"

Appropriately, since the ASI tribunal was being set up for him, Gailon contacted GW on November 13, 2006, by phone. The first email below is a pleasant report from GW about her conversation with Gailon.

This email from GW also mentions Harold's insistence that he talk to Linda directly. Yet when Gailon later offered to do a conference call with Harold and Linda, dropping out of the conversation at some point, Harold said he would think about it and never took him up on his offer. Why not?

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  phone quit Date:  Mon, November 13, 2006 16:25:05 -0800 (PST) Dear Linda, Please tell Mr. Joy that I don't know what happened while I was talking to him. My phone here at work just quit and started making a funny high/low repetition sound. It is cordless, but it shouldn't have been a low battery. But then, why should I be surprised? Satan is alive and well and will fight any resolution. I don't mind talking to Mr. Joy, but in order for the ASI plans to go any further, I need to talk with you personally, or I can give you Harold Lance's phone numbers or email, and you can talk with him directly. I don't have them with me here at work, however. I am praying earnestly for God to make His will known as efforts are being made to go forward for resolution - or whatever. I believe that the steps that have been taken so far is a direct response from the working of the Holy Spirit - whether with 3ABN or ASI or Mr. Joy or all three. ... With His love and mine, GW

"I Choose Gailon"

In the following email Linda informs GW that she has chosen Gailon to be her "go between."

-------- Original Message -------- From:  Linda Shelton To:  GW Subject:  RE: phone quit Date:  Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:39:49 -0700 Hi GW, Thanks so much for your emails. Your caring spirit is so refreshing. I appreciate so much your desire to help. This situation has many facets, spiritual, mental, and yes, legal applications. Because of the legal applications I have asked Mr. Joy to be the go between as he is so educated in legal matters. Perhaps with his help we can come to an agreeable outcome. Thanks again for your love and prayers, Linda Shelton

"Mr. Joy Sounded Angry and Attacked People"

The next email is a second email from GW to Linda, written not four hours after the first, and which is anything but a pleasant description of her conversation with Gailon. Why the difference? Had she talked with Harold in between sending those two emails?

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  Are you interested? Date:  Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:14:02 -0800 (PST) Hello Linda, ... But I'm thinking now it might have been wiser for them to find someone who knows you personally and could talk to you face to face. And yet, if it was God's will, how could it be better to be someone else??? I would even be willing to meet with you face to face, but I have no way to contact you but by email. If you are willing to meet with me, please let me know and we can make definite arrangements. If you don't wish to respond to me, Harold said they will go ahead and find someone else as a contact person before giving up. ... I have no doubt that God's plan is through ASI - not through any tribunal hearing. Mr. Joy contacted me today. Did he do this on his own, or was this your direction? If you are not interested in pursuing reconciliation through ASI, then no action is needed on your part. They will not deal with anyone except the individual parties and then a representative of their choice who has no stake in the outcome and who meets other criteria (which Mr. Joy does not). I talked with Mr. Joy for about 20 minutes .... When I first started talking to him, he sounded pretty angry and seemed to feel that I should know who he was. Until he mentioned your name, I did not know why he was calling me or what he was talking about. ... He tried to convince me that it was because of his pressure on people that things are happening. ... And he told me that he attacked people at the General Conference. ... In short, Mr. Joy does not have the spirit of Jesus in his heart. Instead, he has venom, hatefulness and revenge. ... You know, Linda, I thought my phone disconnection while I was talking to him was because of malfunction, tho the phone worked just fine afterwards. But now as I'm thinking about what I was saying when the disconnection happened, I believe he hung up on me (which is fine with me). ... ... Please call me on my cell phone tomorrow (***) ***-****. ... ... Lovingly, GW

"Please Reconsider" and "All Your Concerns"

So which concerns would be addressed by ASI? All of them, or just a few? And why would GW ask Linda to reconsider letting ASI get involved when all Linda had done was to choose Gailon as her representative?

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  RE: phone quit Date:  Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:31:59 -0800 (PST) Linda, Thanks for responding. I hope you will reconsider and let God work for you through ASI. They can make recommendations regarding the legal aspects also. They want unbiased people to be on the panel. They want to know ALL your concerns, what you feel would be a fair resolution, etc. They will ultimately be making recommendations, as they have no desire to make any orders or awards, and have no authority to do so anyway. ... In His Service, GW

Danny Says ...

Is it not odd that in hindsight these initial communications of ASI's Harold Lance's go-between suggest the very two things that Danny had already explicitly stated, namely, that Gailon was not involved, and that the only issue needing to be considered was his divorce and remarriage?

-------- Original Message -------- From:  Danny Shelton To:  G. Arthur Joy Subject:    Date:  Sun, 15 Oct 2006 00:06:37 -0500 You are not in the mix. Your childish name calling has not set well with a number of church leaders.You are obviously driven by pride and trying to get your 15 minutes of fame. Every email you send only makes you look more foolish for those of us who know the truth. The final vote is now in the hands of church leaders to decide. It will be fair. And notice will be given to those involved, which does not include you. Danny Shelton

According to the January 5 and January 24 statements ASI has released, they did not ask Harold Lance to become involved until October 25. How then is Danny able to be so specific as to what is going on ten days prior to ASI's decision?

The following email, besides saying that Gailon is not involved, seems to indicate that the divorce and remarriage is the only issue on the table, and that there are but two parties in the matter, leaving many of those wronged by Danny Shelton out in the cold.

-------- Original Message -------- From:  Danny Shelton To:  Bob Subject:  RE: Clarification needed to put rumor to rest Date:  Sat, 4 Nov 2006 17:26:24 -0600 Bob, ... Gailon has access to a few people who worked there who have an ax to grind and have told him twisted stories which are lies. He's either not to bright or gullible, or is out to prove something himself. It could be other reasons, but I do know this, he does not want truth. There are two sides to every story and He has only gathered info from one side. He is upset because we will not give him the info he wants an believes that if he is accusing enough against us that we will take him into confidence with the truth that we have. This will not happen. Church leaders will soon be looking at both sides of this divorce and each side will have a fair chance to present truth to them. Both sides will have to live by their decision whether we like it or not. Gailon sees himself involved. He is delusional. He is not involved. We will trust church leaders with the truth not some self proclaimed reporter. God Bless! Danny ...

Gailon Responds

On the afternoon of November 14, Gailon responded to GW's earlier accusations about his phone call:

-------- Original Message -------- From:  G. Arthur Joy To:  Linda Shelton Cc:  GW Subject:  Re: [FWD: Are you interested? {in conciliation}] Date:  Tue, 14 Nov 2006 18:57:47 +0000 Let's begin by noting that I specifically identified myself, told GW that Linda had agreed to let me speak with GW, and I let GW explain her role and her special calling. I made it clear that I had come into this from a different perspective, specifically having assumed that 3ABN was telling the truth, that 3ABN was the better off without Linda in 2004. I further explained that I proceeded to follow leads in 2006 resulting from a fax, and that my discovery was uncovering serious concerns that caused me to reverse my position regarding 3ABN and to come to the conclusion that there was no proof of Linda's affair with Arild Abrahamsen. Therefore, if Linda was not guilty of adultery, then Danny had no basis for re-marriage and would be living in adultery. However, there was plenty of evidence that there were many other issues, including governance and accountability, that needed to be resolved at 3ABN for the institution to come into GAAP compliance, 501(c)3 compliance and compliance with NAD working policy relating to "supporting ministries." I also explained that the ASI intervention came from "talking" with GC people, not "attacking" GC people. I also made it clear that GC felt difinitively they had no jurisdiction and that I had pointed out that ASI clearly had jurisdiction to deal with the issues we had disclosed as 3ABN was an ASI member and 3ABN's participation in ASI asserts that they will comply with the constitution, bylaws and working policy of ASI and the church. It therefore would be an acceptable platform for resolution of the issues that had been raised, including the issue of the evidence purportedly held by 3ABN against Linda Shelton. It must also be made clear that the concern was that the issues being discovered as part of the inquiry into the Tommy Shelton problems, the allegations against Linda, the financial and governance issues had far reaching implications to the entire church and there was an informal agreement to hold back the release of any such information until we could come up with a satisfactory ecclesiastical process for addressing the concerns in a way that would not destroy the entity known as 3ABN and bring defamation upon the Seventh-day Adventist church. I found GW to be a warm hearted seriously committed christian woman who appeared to walk closely with the Lord every day. She had a positive view of the power of the intervention by the Spirit in any crisis and had a clear burden to find healing regarding the Danny Shelton, 3ABN and Linda Shelton conflict through-out the Seventh-day Adventist church family. ASI, Harold Lance and GW seem to be propogating a conciliation process and seem to be only interested in the issues between Danny and Linda, with no regard what-so-ever for other serious concerns. And clearly have the premise that this is about Danny and Linda finding an eternal friendship, but in a very closed conciliation meeting and a forgive and forget all process, that would definitely benefit 3ABN as there is no way to cause 3ABN and Danny Shelton to comply with any recommendation regarding the restoration of Linda's lost reputation and a clear public exoneration of Linda Shelton, requiring a heart-felt public confession of wrong-doing by Danny Shelton, et al. And how will such a conciliation process handle the remarriage of Danny, the libel and slander regarding Linda's purported inappropriate relationship, the allegation of Danny Shelton's extra-marital relationships and the restoration of Linda to public ministry, or more precisely as a lifetime member of 3ABN? That being the case, I would wish that ASI and GW had been able to conduct such a conciliation hearing as they seem to envision, but 2 years and 6 months ago: Before the divorce; before Brandy actually arrived in Thompsonville; before Linda had been publicaly labeled with a scarlet letter and removed from her "lifetime" membership as a co-founder of 3ABN; before Walt Thompson went to bat and defamed Linda Shelton to the entire world; before the 3ABN board took upon itself the blasphemy of new found ecclesiastical authority and sanctioned what is clearly an adulterous marriage; before Danny and Linda became litigants in a seperation of assets action in civil court; Before 3ABN chose to fire the staff in trust services in retaliation for complaining to Mollie, Danny and Walt Thompson about clear discrimination and other issues relating to Westphal; Before the public disclosure of the allegations against Tommy Shelton; Before the discovery that 3ABN actually takes tithes from SDA church members in violation of ASI rules; and on and on I could go. But alas, there is no way to turn back the clock of time and undo what is done and what will be done in the months ahead. If there is a burden for conciliation, then it would be appropriate to convene such a process after the civil litigation is complete and the division of assetts is resolved. Then, there may be a basis for a conciliation panel, if both the parties are still interested. Could it be that the sudden interest in a conciliation panel is prompted by the fear of what will the results of a civil process with everyone's due process rights properly preserved??? ...including Linda Shelton's for a change??? It is patently clear that a "tribunal" is patently scorned and out of the question, therefore, the other parties in interest are left to their own recourse as the only entity with authority to address these multiple issues has clearly closed the door on such a process...an opportunity lost to avoid a public discourse, but we cannot delay any further the process of public disclosure. I am clearly dis-appointed by the characterization by GW of our conversaton and it is clear that GW firmly believes that my God is not her God...that Linda has not been served well by my perspective on the issues, and by GW's determination that I have no stake in the outcome. In fact, she states emphatically that ASI would "pull out" if Linda Shelton were to include Mr Joy" in the presenters...which seems to conflict with a statement she made to me regarding her impression while in prayer just this morning after she wrote the e-mail below and declared that "you needed to be part of the process"...so, is God confused??? Or is it just me??? Or is it already clear bias??? Or is it just Danny pulling the strings??? But one must wonder what they fear from the mere Gailon Arthur Joy??? Have no conclusion on this but leave you to your own conclusions until we have evidence otherwise. I am also disappointed that she found a statement of the facts in the case to represent "...venom, hatefulness and revenge..." and I readily admit that I am outraged by the failure of due process and that ASI as well as church administrators refuse to address the issues of governance and accountability that will plaque 3ABN, and regretfully the "stock-holders in the pews" for years to come. C'est la vie!!! For the record, I would encourage continued dialogue with GW and would not close the door to reconciliation, in it's appropriate time. I do not believe that now is that time, but alas that is not my ultimate decision and would encourage all the parties to give it prayerful consideration in tandem with a study of the Bible and the counsels to the church, but keeping in mind the balance of accountability and the need to publicly correct public sins. Mercy is a wonderful thing, but accountability / justice is the other side of the equation of God-given Love. Respectfully Submitted, Gailon Arthur Joy AUReporter

GW to Gregory: "ASI Will Pull Out If Gailon Is Involved"

Chaplain Gregory Matthews gave GW a call, and then reported on the content of that conversation. Two points stood out in his mind:

• ASI wanted to limit the tribunal's investigation to the relatively minor issues of Danny's divorce and remarriage.
• ASI would pull out if Gailon was involved in any way.

-------- Original Message -------- From:  Gregory Matthews To:  Gailon Joy, Linda Shelton CC:  GW Subject:  Re: [FWD: Are you interested? {in conciliation}] Date:  Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:03:33 -0700 ... Earlier today I had a telephone conversation with GW. I identified myself, at the beginning as an advisor to Linda Shelton, so GW would not be deceived as to who I was. My conversation with her was brief, and pleasant. I find her to be a dedicated woman .... I will make a couple of comments about my conversation with GW, and she can correct me if she believes I am wrong. 1) I began by asking her what she saw as the focus of the ASI offer to Linda. ... I shared my perspective with GW. That perspective is that the marital issues between Linda, Danny and Brandy are relatively minor compared to the other issues. Those issues involve other women, others, civil issues such as tax issues and more. ... ... I have come to the place where I believe that only the civil authorities can resolve some of the issues with fairness to all. ... The marital issues between Danny, Linda, Brandy are not the major focus, in my mind. ... I am at a place where I am willing to surrender the resolution of some current issues to the civil authorities. ... 3) ... GW told me that she had been informed that ASI would pull out of any attempt to reconcile if Linda either expected Mr. Joy to participate in the process, such as giving testimony, or to be present to advise Linda on the process, and testimony. Folks, it is on number 3 that I believe that we have reached an insurmountable roadblock. It is the wish of certain people that Mr. Joy not participate in any way. But, a fair process cannot limit, or proscribe the people that act as advisers to one of the parties. Doing so sets the process up to appear to be unfair to objective people. Therefore, on the basis of the above, I do not have any faith that the ASI proposal can is sufficient to bring any resolution to this mess. Gregory Matthews ...

Sudden Reversal and "Harold Wants to Talk with You"

Without any explanation, Gailon was an alright choice of representative after all, and the ASI tribunal process negotiations were on ... sort of.

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  signing off Date:  Tue, November 14, 2006 11:59:35 -0800 (PST) Linda, ... I will pass on your wishes to Harold Lance that you want Mr. Joy to be your representative. With that, my job is done. ... Let me say this much: at first, ASI refused to be involved because they saw no possible benefit for anyone. The whole situation looked hopeless. But then they felt if everyone could be given the opportunity to say what ALL the issues were from their perspective and what their expectations were, that perhaps some recommendations could be ascertained that everyone could live with and maybe even be happy with and would adopt them. ASI has no jurisdiction over anyone, nor do they want it. ... GW

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  Read this first Date:  Tue, November 14, 2006 12:12:34 -0800 (PST) Linda, Well, I just spoke with Harold Lance. Too bad I didn't talk to him yesterday after receiving your message. I could have saved you some disappointment, as well as myself. I'm so sorry. He asked me to thank you for responding to me and stating who you would like for your representative. He would like to talk with you personally, if you will. He wants you to know that he is eager to work something out. His home home phone is (***) ***-**** cell (***) ***-**** email hlance@pacific.net GW

Final Emails Between Linda and GW

We include the final two communications between these two ladies, that you might catch a sense of the Christian experience of both of them.

-------- Original Message -------- From:  Linda Shelton To:  GW Subject:  RE: signing off Date:  Tue, November 14, 2006 17:40:30 -0700 Hi GW, Please do not feel discouraged. Please do not feel that Gregory and Gailon think that you are the enemy. I think the truth of the matter is that you just are not aware of the facts. I once lived in a world that was rosy and wonderful. I once lived in a world where I believed no real foul thing could emerge from Christian people (in name). I was wrong. No words can begin to describe the devastation that so-called Christians brought to my life the last almost 3 years. (And this is not an exaggeration.) Yet it is Biblical. One of the signs of the end is that "those closest to us will turn against us" and the "love of many will wax cold." In my desperate moments of prayer in the middle of the night I have pleaded to God for justice. God has answered my prayer in sending people to defend the humble ministry which God gave to me. And I believe He will continue to answer my prayer until this entire mess is cleared up and my name is cleared. ASI's desire to help is honorable, but considering the vastness of the issues, it is not possible for them to handle them all. That does not mean I will not work with them. Lastly, I firmly believe that there is no problem too large for God to solve. But sometimes He must use entities like the judicial system, which by the way He put in place in the Old Testament. It's not His Plan A, but it is His Plan B. I sincerely want to THANK YOU so much for your willingness to "bear one another's burdens." It's a big burden and your prayers have not gone unnoticed in the courts of heaven. Ultimately God will receive the glory when the fires of this trial have burned out...and oh, how I look forward to that day. Thanks again for letting Christ shine through your life to mine! Blessings to you and yours, Linda Shelton

-------- Original Message -------- From:  GW To:  Linda Shelton Subject:  RE: signing off Date:  Tue, November 14, 2006 18:07:17 -0800 (PST) Thank you, Linda, for your kind words. Yes, I believe God works through a variety of ways, too. I look forward to seeing you again. And I know that you have suffered greatly. I have hurt with you many times. Thank you for taking the time to write. May God continue to be your tower of strength. GW

If only every series of communications in this whole saga ended on such a positive note. But alas, that was not to be.

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