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In Reply to: Lone Wolf repost (part 3) posted by Another Fan on May 05, 2002 at 15:41:46:
In another message the Lord gave the team before going to the Chicago Book Fair, He included the following word of caution:
(Jesus speaking:) Beware of being discouraged through seeing the mighty industry of man--his mighty productions, his fanciful inventions, his ways of doing things. For if you compare, you shall be discouraged and say, "There are many giants in the land, how can we ever accomplish what this company or that company has done? For we are as nothing!" (End of message from Jesus.)
While the team learned a great deal from the book fair, they couldn't help but compare how the System did things with the way the Family had done them for years. They saw success stories in the publishing field and, in later meetings with experts, came to the conclusion that we should have done things much differently. They basically did what the above prophecy cautioned them not to.--They compared with the System. Throughout the next month they spent considerable time discussing many things they felt were wrong with the Family and the way we have operated for years. The discussions turned to criticism of how Mama and Peter were leading the Family, and eventually problems and bitternesses from the past came to the fore.
It was at this time that Peter and Gary visited the team, holding two meetings per day for about a week, during which they listened to their suggestions, comments and criticisms. At the end of this week Peter and Gary explained that we would prayerfully consider all of these matters, that some would probably be implemented and others wouldn't. In any case, if they were going to work in the GPU, we were all going to have to work in unity together. Although there might naturally be some differences of opinion, which was fine, we had to have the same general vision and desire to work as one, following the Lord's leadings.
Scotty and Meek decided at that time that they no longer wished to be Charter Members and chose to be Fellow Members, and eventually left the Family completely. Although Ike and Julia committed themselves to remain with the GPU, a few months later they too left the GPU and eventually left the Family. Paul's decision was to remain and help fulfil the GPU vision. (See Grapevine #9 for his lessons.)
At this time Mama and Peter asked Gary if he would be willing to remain at the GPU for at least six months to help get it off the ground, as this spiritually turbulent time had basically put a halt to any forward progress. Shortly thereafter Mama and Peter held a meeting with Gary and other WS leadership in order to reorganize the Family's publications departments and to free some WS personnel for the GPU in the process. Soon Heather, Apollos and others joined the new GPU team.
What the Consultants Had to Say
Just prior to the above-mentioned WS meeting, Gary, Paul and Ike made a trip to California, to team up with Tim LA for a week, in order to follow up on people met at the Chicago Book Fair. We also met with a number of other experts, from whom we hoped to get advice and counsel. We were very much still in the learning stage, and hoped to gain some more insight into how the field of publishing, marketing and business worked.
We explained to a number of consultants about the Family's background, and our desire to reach today's markets with our books, tapes and videos. We then told them we were new at this commercial approach, and asked their advice.
At first the idea of meeting many highly successful and high-powered professionals was a bit intimidating. However, with each new encounter we became more excited. It was thrilling to watch these seasoned consultants rave about how we were just what the world needed today, how the time was perfect for us, and how we had it all! Nearly everyone we approached was very impressed with the content of our products: our 'family values' emphasis, our loving and comprehensive programs for teaching children and training young adults, our social welfare projects (CTP ministries), our 'self-help' publications, our outstanding music and videos, and even some of our more far-out doctrines such as hearing from beyond, etc. They repeatedly told us that all of these are currently 'hot items' in today's market! It's these people's jobs to study trends, and according to them we have it--even for the worldly markets!
They also said we have a running start with an already established, well-trained distribution base (you, our worldwide Family) that insures a basic success for any publication. PTL! Of course they also offered constructive criticism, which was, after all, why we had gone to them.
