3ABN is a radio and television network sanctioned by the 7th Day Adventist Church. During recent filing windows for LPFMs, the church has been aggressive in getting local denominations to apply so they can become an affiliate of the network. Some congregations that are very small have taken the step, putting up a station. Typically local programming is simply the legal ID on the hour. The typical operator knows little about radio and when an issue comes up likely relies on a member of the church or a friend to try to fix what is wrong. They might not even have an engineer to call other than back at the network. And they likely don't have the money. Local 3ABN affiliates are funded by the licensee, the local congregation. They do no local donation pleas or underwriting but monies come from the collection plate. The stations have proven fairly unsuccessful according to quite a few congregations. It seems they felt the radio station would increase visitation at services and result in new people joining the church. This last statement told to me from a fellow radio guy I know that works with many LPFM stations and is frequently visiting new LPFM stations. Something I remind LPFMs that I have been in touch with that have Christian formats is that their usual outreach is secular based involving the church such as an event for neighborhood kids. The radio stations are generally 'sitting in the pew' types of programming that do not attract new people but only serve a few in a congregation that like the programming. I tell churches to think more secular in programming with short 60 second features a time or two an hour that promote the congregation, denomination, etc. That is how you reach the unchurched and get them in. There are music based Catholic stations that do this with secular formats quite effectively.
There's a 3ABN affiliate in Indiana operated by a congregation that averages 6 in attendance weekly. The membership role for the congregation is 15. Luckily one of the members can handle the engineering duties and he somewhat babysits the station.
Given the size of many 7th Day Adventist congregations, it could very well be nobody in the congregation listens to the station regularly. After all, a member or not, chances are you'll listen to the station you always did for the information you want, such as driving to work. You would have listened to the 3ABN station a couple of times and think it's cool your church has a station but you aren't tuning in because you're on the way to work and that morning show that has you smiling and the local news will air just before you reach work and you have been listening almost 15 years to the same station on the way to work.
