Your Right to Know
A fundamental shift has occurred in our church that directly affects your right to know what’s happening within our denomination. This fall, the General Conference adopted item #6 — a GC working policy addition that makes it a disciplinary offense for any church employee, including pastors and communication staff, to share information with independent Adventist journalists. In simple terms, if a church worker speaks to publications like AT about important developments in our church, they could lose their job.
This unprecedented restriction on transparency comes at a time when open dialogue about our shared faith journey has never been more crucial. Think about it: the very people who witness the day-to-day workings of our church — your pastors, teachers, and denominational employees — are now effectively silenced under threat of losing their livelihoods.
At AT, we believe you deserve to know the full story of what’s happening in your church. For years, we’ve served as a trusted source of independent journalism, providing the complete picture that official channels often cannot or will not share. Now, this mission has become more vital than ever.
Through your support, we’ve consistently:
• Investigated crucial developments affecting our church’s future
• Given voice to those who dare to speak truth to power
• Created safe spaces for authentic dialogue about faith
• Maintained unwavering journalistic integrity
As we kick off our year-end fundraiser today, our goal of raising $120,000 will significantly enhance our ability to strengthen our programs and initiatives as we approach 2025. Through your generosity we will be able to:
• Expand our investigative reporting capabilities
• Protect our editorial independence
• Provide platforms for voices that might otherwise be silenced
• Support those who risk everything to share important truths
Your partnership in this mission is crucial. Together, we can ensure that truth and transparency prevail in our beloved church. To join us in this vital work, visit our atoday.org/donate or call us at 800.236.3641 (503.826.8600 outside USA).
With renewed determination,
Loren Seibold, Executive Editor
Bjorn Karlman, Executive Director
P.S. Your support reaches further than you might imagine. Our beloved Aunt Sevvy advice column now receives about half its questions from readers in the Global South, demonstrating how AT has become a trusted voice for Adventists worldwide. Your gift helps ensure this global conversation continues to flourish.
