Defectors also accused Way leadership of practicing and approving adultery as a godly practice. The Way International introduced sweeping changes at the annual Rock of Ages gathering last year. Youre not going to have to perform penance. Dont get me wrong, we should all have some financial literacy, but the extent to which Believers internalized their shortcomings was heart-breaking. He cultivated an image of being an original Bible researcher and his followers have seen him as such. The Way, International, page 2 This video covers some of the deaths and suicides of former members. The share and contributions of another Reddit member way help you with perspective and provide some form of comfort or solace as you and your family are ensuring the struggle currently. (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1987), 50 pp. An iconic five-star international hotel Our hotel is located in the heart of the city and provides 180 rooms and suites. Also there are no mental health issues, only devil spirits influencing or possessing your mind. The reason I created that thread was initial to gain some more insight. Boop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. Again - really helpful and it has expanded my perspective as well as empathy much more. My mom was a single mother and had registered for an upcoming class. The group itself says it is a Christian ministry. Un apologista cristiano responde a la actuacin satnica de Sam Smith y Kim Petras en los Grammy, Connect with the Christian Research Institute. In addition, anyone who is well-acquainted with Wierwilles writings and reads Kenyons and Bullingers books is struck by the close parallels, even though one cannot always trace exact word-for-word plagiarism. And to answer your question, yes, people do commit suicide after being in the cult. My father also advised the members of our fellowship to beat their children. In short, the Way (though it started much earlier) at its highest participation rates was essentially home fellowships with hippies talking about Jesus. The manipulation tactics come from many angles. Wierwille admits going to Alberta, Canada, twice in the early 1950s to hear Leonard teach on the manifestations and get a copy of his syllabus for his use.8 Leonard still teaches in Brownsville, Texas. Cules son las creencias bsicas del budismo? I was very moved by that story as a young person, and I remember talking to my mom and my fellowship coordinator about it. Most ex-Wayers are confused, not knowing where to turn, whom to trust, or what to believe. endstream endobj 3 0 obj <> endobj 2 0 obj <> endobj 61 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 21 0 obj <> endobj 25 0 obj <> endobj 29 0 obj <> endobj 30 0 obj <>stream Bill Green, who handles some public relations for The Ways New Knoxville, Ohio headquarters, declined to be interviewed about the classes and related developments. Some people were asked to leave the ministry for some big transgression (maybe they were gay, maybe they bucked chain of command in some big way), and they were considered marked and avoided (I think stemming from the Cain and Abel story in Genesis). Except they pretty much worship the bible. Followers are now tasting the matured fruit of The Way Tree fruit of promiscuity, adultery, plagiarism (a form of lying), authoritarianism, false teaching, unfaithfulness, and lack of self-control. OVERVIEW OF THE WAY'S SPLINTER GROUPS. 14 Letter by Steve Sann, Pacific West Fellowship, 2 March 1988. Gotta run! For example we had fellowship in our home 3 days per week and if I were to miss one I might be interrogated about where I was, or told that I'm unequally yoked with "worldly" people, which is how they describe anyone outside the cult. When Wierwille wrote, he commonly used these mens writings and copied them, idea by idea and often word by word. The Passing of a Patriarch greatly damaged The Way because it summarizes the accusations Wierwille made against the three trustees who alone are technically members of The Way and who control all assets and policy. Each link takes you to a menu of articles on that topic, most by Dr. John P. Juedes, who has researched TWI for 30 years. I can't speak much on what the formal organization is doing now but the splinter groups just don't have the financial or organizational power as they did before they split off. Geer believes Wierwille actually caused his body to die: There were two points when I felt that he might change his mind and decide to go on living.I am fully convinced that he believed to stop the functions of his body.8 He seems to believe that Wierwille chose to commit suicide, using his spiritual weapon of believing, rather than to continue fighting the spiritual decline of the trustees. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. Wierwilles ideas on sense knowledge, confession, and healing (among others) he found in E.W. 1 See The Way Tree Is Splintering, Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988. New classes were also needed because the existing video version, filmed by Wierwille in 1967, was obviously dated in its style, production, and dress. This is a part of growing up for anyone, but I think its especially hard for people who grow empathy and conscience and recognize the way they grew up was manipulative and mean-spirited. 2013-08-01T19:56:36Z This article only sketches the most prominent and publishable charges. Meanwhile, he promotes his book, The Rise and Expansion of the Church, through weekend seminars. I don't talk to my family that's "in" much anymore though I do see them every so often. 1 John P. Juedes and Douglas V. Morton, The Integrity and Accuracy of The Ways Word (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1980), 43-48. The Way International fits the criteria outlined to a T. One thing I didn't see mentioned much in the thread is how incredibly patriarchal and misogynistic the Ministry was, and I am sure that has not changed. Second, give ex-Wayers space to vent their emotions and hurts, and pray for them and their healing. The most important change involves the new The Way of Abundance and Power classes by Way president, L. Craig Martindale. He rightly exhorted them to reactivate critical thought rather than just change from being a Wierwille disciple to a Bullinger disciple. Second, the doctrine of the splinter groups is nearly a carbon copy of Way . To address your questions about suicides directly - yes there have been suicides in the past as well as other deaths. The kind of stuff people go to therapy for years to get over. The Cults podcast on Stitcher has a 2-part special on The Way and River Road Fellowship, which was one of the splinter groups. The book asserts that the president and trustees were untrustworthy and spiritually corrupt, did not listen to God or Wierwille, killed Way ministries by neglect, avoided responsibility, were hypocrites, led selfish lifestyles, and so forth. I am sorry for your loss. Im going to say something rude here: my experience of adults in the Way is that they arent exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. (The PFAL classes had been open to anyone who paid the $50 fee.) They believed that God heals and if you believe enough he can heal anything. I dealt with it as a kid by pretending not to notice the issues in my family and in the cult. It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. Youre a survivor. Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is the university she attended as a non-traditional student and place of employment. For example, Lionel Recio and Steve Lefevers claim that one woman was gang-raped by several Way clergy and that the Corps residence training was sometimes like a bordello with promiscuity, adultery, orgies, and wife-swapping. Way followers say the first commandment is the most important: no false Idols before God. x*"fhR*_l*I&mLRQnG.O@o(UU7Wn?\6t]~mak-tX}zn[z,.o,o.*?Y~,vYj8P]w1$'ZfL1sr&E7pc'R7_\veb_ After all, it is their friends who have left and made accusations of severe error against The Way leadership. Un apologista cristiano responde a la actuacin satnica de Sam Smith y Kim Petras en los Grammy, Connect with the Christian Research Institute. Experiences, questions, observations about offshoots who trace their roots to The Way International, Off-shoot of The Way (formerly Christian Educational Services), Accused sex predator Victor Barnard a victim's story. That is to say, other people are nice and fine, but its only the true Believers that are truly living Godly lives. The Way began to grow significantly only when Wierwille traveled to California and recruited followers from the Jesus movement.16 Like Eve and the Corinthians, these young believers (and many since the 1960s) were virgins with simple devotion to Christ, but were not grounded in Scripture and thus were easily led astray. A number of people died. I was berated, told I did this to myself because I didn't have my head in the word enough and allowed devil spirits in. Answer. Accusations have disturbed many people and strained or broken numerous friendships. Beep. Few know that many able scholars have effectively refuted some of Bullingers ideas. Some still in The Way are ignorant of the controversy, while others refuse to listen to the charges, deny them, or rationalize how Wierwille could have done such things without guilt. Martindale hopes that the Disciples will have more strict and disciplined lives than WOWs did, which itself is an implicit indictment against the lifestyles of many WOWs. Almost every long-time member has had at least one question such as: Why did Dr. Wierwille never speak against adultery in his Christian Family and Sex class? Why does my Limb leader often spend the night with certain twig leaders of the opposite sex? Why did our womens meeting leave the impression that a woman should satisfy any physical desire of visiting Way leaders? Why do Way leaders give contradictory answers when I ask about the biblical stance on sex outside of marriage? Why did the twig leader make sexual advances toward me the first time I attended?10, Ex-Wayers are increasingly charging The Way with false teaching and scholarship. Im so sorry for your loss. I am also former TWI. I figured out I was gay in college, and having grown up in a household that called people faggots, fudge-packers, rump-riders and played count the queers when we went to amusement parks, I knew this wasnt going to fly. TWI splinter group leader John Lynn wrote a letter in 2008 defending and praising "the old" Way International, proof that the old Way Arrogance lives on as well. First, the assumptions and structure of the new groups are like The Way International. 14:21-23); stringent laws are done away with when one is born again (Col. 2:20-21); God punished David for killing Uriah, not for having sex with Bathsheba; and the Bibles word for adultery has a spiritual, not a physical meaning. There were people who were sexually assaulted while hitchhiking and injured due to accidents. 6 Albert Cliffe, Let Go and Let God (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1951), 157. He told Corps grads that the Ambassadors had accomplished their mission of getting Gods Word over the world. He called it WOW redefined, but he never explained how reaching only a fraction of a percent of residents of the United States (much less of the world) constitutes completing the mission. This practice is intended to weed out any opponents. Although the group emphasizes that it does not have members, it keeps very detailed records of its class graduates and donors, which are used as criteria to determine peoples status with the group and their access to some of its functions. 9 In an April 30, 1996 press release The Way announced it would not hold a Rock of Ages festival in 1996. Way security personnel try to intimidate outsiders by dressing as police officers complete with utility belt, holster, CB-style microphone clipped to a shoulder, metal badge with the word patrolman prominently stamped on it, and white vehicles with a seal painted on the door and emergency lights on top. "rev" gerry wrenn raises wierwille from the dead! Anyways, one summer afternoon on a car ride to grandma's with a Way following family member: the tape deck had one of these Sunday service tapes start playing when they started the car. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I went to a couple fellowship meetings shortly after they took the "foundational class" and wouldn't shut up about it. John Schonheits paper on adultery was a thinly veiled accusation that Wierwille and other leaders falsely taught that adultery is a biblically acceptable practice. He taught that Jesus Christ was not resurrected bodily and will not return visibly, and that the Holy Spirit is an influence, not a personal being. 4v$gi Also former TWI here, my parents are still in it, and its causing incredible family pain, now between my older sister. The car parking and the Wi-Fi are always free, so you can stay in touch and come and go as you please. The splinter groups made a lot of sense because fellowships (church) was held in people's homes anyway, so they continued to hold them and they all have their own little names like "Harbor Light Fellowship" or "Living Word Fellowship" however they still are Weirwill purists and teach his ideas. First, it is helpful to present facts of doctrinal, organizational, and personal error in Way leaders. The group says that it will hold classes and smaller conferences instead, including a weeklong gathering of 2,000 at The Ways auditorium in New Knoxville, July 20-27. This present controversy is serving to alert pure believers that Wierwille and his successors are false apostles after all. The Advanced Class was first presented in the fall of 1995. They perpetuation of mental health that manifested in suicide with no accountability. The Way International is a nondenominational Christian ministry based in New Knoxville, Ohio.The followers congregate primarily in home fellowships located throughout the United States, two US territories and in over 30 countries. 2 The Way Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 1994, 26. I think it may be important for you to identify whether she was in TWI proper or a splinter group. The foundational class is 36 hours I believe and I can't tell you how many times I took it. Wierwille exercised very little discernment in learning from others, readily accepting teachings from itinerant mystics, Christian Scientists, and spiritists. The current turmoil surrounding The Way presents an excellent opportunity for Christians to befriend ex-Wayers and help them discover biblical truths they have forgotten or never known. . The Way International also claims trademark rights in the following: . Each fellowship was just one small twig connected to a branch, then a limb, then a trunk and so on. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This book condemned not only the trustees but all Way leadership, including the clergy, headquarters staff, regional leaders, and Corps around the world. An alarming statement from her the week prior to committing suicide and a recent appearance/presence on social media a few months prior is also what has really shaken everyone. This article first appeared in the in the Ask Hank column of the Christian Research Journal, Feb 20, 2023 | Christian Articles, en Espanol, Feb 13, 2023 | Christian Articles, en Espanol. Good call. Many former Way members are flocking to break-off organizations some of which are led by well-known and respected ex-leaders. 8 Whiteside, 197-200. Lynn retains all the critical Way doctrines of concern to Christians, such as anti-Trinitarianism, ultradispensationalism, soul sleep, and the belief that speaking in tongues is infallible and essential proof that one is saved. He never credited his sources, in effect lying to his readers by leading them to believe that he originated his teachings under Gods direct tutelage. Groups like the Way Ministry where you are expected to have instant familiarity with and trust for other members (who are practically strangers) by virtue of you all being "like-minded" is an environment absolutely rife for abuse. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber They have forsaken the right way and gone astray" (2 Peter 2:1-3, 15). His appendices offered reasons Way leaders gave to justify adultery, along with his own rebuttals. Personally I was depressed and suicidal most of the 5 years I lived there and for years after until I was able to seek help. Can any recent survivors provide their reflections if its not to much: What are the manipulation tactics used? "Michael John Rood is an ordained nondenominational Christian minister and Messianic rabbi," according to a brochure Rood produced to promote his seminars which . The complexity and overarching theme of shame as well as guilt is much bigger than I ever imagined. Cules son las creencias bsicas del budismo? I was lucky enough to leave in high school when I was about 16. These people are capable of anything. Disciples serve only four months, and The Way plans to send out two waves a year. The logic has more dangerous consequences when people literally think God will cure their Cancer, Lupus, diabetes. This is hard to accept for those who knew V.P. There hasn't been a good gathering place for survivors since the Greasespot Cafe and I think there is a need for one. But if you fall out of line, you risk being shunned by the people most important to you. They are both prevalent in Ohio. This is certainly helpful and appreciated. They now favor home fellowships which are self-governing, self-financing and self-propagating. This is a reaction against The Way, which governed home groups, received and dispensed their income, and directed all the propagating efforts (which focused on promoting Wierwilles videotaped Power for Abundant Living class). There is a great diversity of emotions and viewpoints among those who have left The Way International. The Way, International Profile Eventually someone outside the house stepped in because they knew what was wrong and got me to the hospital. They also feel the need for teaching and fellowship with other believers. There is also an intermediate and advanced classes. 11 Morton and Juedes, Integrity and Accuracy, reveals many of Wierwilles errors in scholarship and Bible interpretation. She didnt take the class. Because they had women on the Board of Directors and allowed women to lead fellowships, they could espouse their views as progressive. Nonetheless, hundreds of Way refugees are resisting the new groups' pleas to "join up.". I was told by a leader that having an understanding of the Word as it is supposed to be understood helps you form opinions. Many have realized that they have also been falsely taught on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and have turned to evangelical beliefs instead. Im not educated or enlightened by any metric, but reading that after your personal experience as well as observation grounded and solidified what you were sharing. The last fatal attack on a police officer in Northern Ireland was the April 2011 killing of Constable . To me this is the core of the Way: the planting of the idea that its us against them. Over time that can be very isolating considering that there arent that many people in the ministry. graduates of the PFAL Series (Power For Abundant Living) may find links to fellowship, study, friends, and loved ones, believers and seekers of all congregations or none at all may find wonderful links at this page. My parents are still standing, as they say. Think of the creed is their unwritten Bible. The Cults podcast on Stitcher has a 2-part special on The Way and River Road Fellowship, which was one of the splinter groups. He is a former follower of The Way International, the same group from which I escaped in 1987. Oh, so when I say curveballs I mean it in the figurative sense. How come she was allowed non-Christian activities such as going to dances/concerts, have a boyfriend or a job prior to college and Way Disciples Training? We are all at a complete loss and clueless in some ways. See the CultFAQ page Types of Cults for information about cults of Christianity or see CARM's The Way International page for more about the group. Although Wierwille has written against spiritism, he welcomed this spiritist with open arms. Homey, reported that 163 sodomiteshad been purged, marked and avoided by January l995.3. Tired from excessive bible study, didnt share and/or complain about any of her home life and doodled a lot which always made me ponder what she was thinking about?. Pretty sure "in good standing" meant you "tithed" over a certain amount each month. Not even post TWI as a survivor. Somewhere in the 90s someone in charge of such decisions recognized that it was probably a good idea to stop calling it twig because it sounds weird to newcomers. Each year The Way had sent out hundreds of WOW (Word Over the World) Ambassadors as volunteer missionaries to cities around the world, which was its primary outreach for 25 years. They all have been visible in speaking, writing, and leadership positions such as Region and Limb Coordinators and headquarters staff (Region Coordinator is the highest Way position other than Trustee). Its not interested in interrogating deep questions of being and it doesnt hold up well to fact based challenges. Some people started their own non-Way affiliated Bible fellowships.
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