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. Leonards book and course syllabus called The Gifts of the Spirit are still in print. Homosexuals Purged, Wow Ambassadors Terminated, Martindale also hopes the new classes will hinder homosexuals from joining The Way, because he condemns homosexuality. I was told by a leader that having an understanding of the Word as it is supposed to be understood helps you form opinions. OVERVIEW OF THE WAY'S SPLINTER GROUPS. Its not interested in interrogating deep questions of being and it doesnt hold up well to fact based challenges. The Way used to mail cassette tapes of the Sunday service to those "in good standing". 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. You were expected to advance through them, and you typically developed bonds with your cohort in the Foundational, Intermediate and Advanced classes. The Advanced Class was first presented in the fall of 1995. The Way International introduced sweeping changes at the annual Rock of Ages gathering last year. I grew up in the Way Ministry in the 80s and left in my last year of high school in 96. TL;DR: the Way seems chill and relaxed on the outside but its pretty intense on a personal level. After I had a fight in elementary school, TWI advised him to beat me into submission. I am also former TWI. I was very moved by that story as a young person, and I remember talking to my mom and my fellowship coordinator about it. Sometimes area twigs would get together for a branch meeting, and less frequently a limb meeting. When The Way International splintered in the years following the death of founder V. P. Wierwille, many splinter groups formed. As Wayers recognize false teachings, they further see the inaccurate scholarship Wierwille used to defend his teachings.11 Therefore, they also criticize Wierwilles skill as a Bible researcher and teacher and call into question everything they learned from him. And to answer your question, yes, people do commit suicide after being in the cult. Ex-Wayers also charge that The Way teaches falsely on the topics of believing, abundant sharing, tithing, interpretation of tongues, and athletes of the spirit (the belief that every warfare metaphor in the Epistles should be understood as an athletic metaphor instead). Conveniently situated in the Minh Khai part of Phu Ly (Ha Nam), this property puts you close . I mention this because in the athletes analogy, theres always an adversary. The figure other Christians might call the Devil the Way often calls the Adversary (lol it looks weird to write it out). Wierwilles death certificate lists ocular melanoma, or malignant tumor of the eye, as the underlying cause of death. Way trustees fired Schoenheit for writing the paper and sternly warned Wayers not to read it, ask about its contents, or have contact with those who read it. Except they pretty much worship the bible. Lots of people in the world are critical of the ways churches spend money on a building that sits empty six days a week: home fellowships remove that and focus on whats important to them. For the most part this conceptualizing of the world as being on Gods side or influenced but the Adversary makes me roll my eyes. This led to Martindales promise that all new Way Corps grads would obtain paid positions, which hadnt been done for over 20 years. Spirit and Truth Fellowship International. (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1972), 209, 174, for Wierwilles claim that his book is the most original coverage of the subject, and p. 178 for his claim that God audibly promised to teach him directly and personally. Although Wayers project a curt and indifferent attitude toward the many who have left the group, they have undoubtedly been hurt deeply in recent years. He also was a spiritist and claimed, Many of the subjects I have given in my Bible class have been dictated to me by the loved ones long since passed on.6 It would appear that Wierwilles gnostic leanings, healing emphasis, camp/advance (retreat) formats, divine laws, stress on physical exercise, desire to be the best, and even the term The Way itself were derived from New Thought speakers Glenn Clark, Starr Daily, and Rufus Moseley. But thats the thing: the adversary throws you curve balls, and its our job as athletes of the spirit to make smart moves. If youve seen the documentaries about Scientology or even that Nxivm sex cult this is practically a template for revenue income for these religious organizations. (Ex-)Wayers would also benefit from Robert A. Moreys Death and the Afterlife (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1984), Stuart Olyotts The Three Are One (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Co., 1979), and Cal Beisners God in Three Persons (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1985). Also former TWI here, my parents are still in it, and its causing incredible family pain, now between my older sister. 6 Albert Cliffe, Let Go and Let God (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1951), 157. Because of the work of splinter groups, in recent years The Way has been marked by heightened paranoia, attention to security, and bitterness. I'm still dealing with a lot of the trauma. An Open Letter to You Who Are Disillusioned with The Way Ministry, J. Juedes PFO Journal. Splintering of the group since 1985 has greatly reduced its active membership, from a peak of about . Based at . 13 Address: Pacific West Fellowship, P.O. application/pdf Good call. At the time, Schoenheit was on The Ways research team. I did look your friend up on facebook and we have friends in common from the cult (I should probably just start a new FB to rid myself of them), which would lead me to believe it's a splinter group since the two don't typically mix. 17 Rick Lessing, An Analysis and Critique of the Theology of The Way International: An Evangelical Christian Response to Victor Paul Wierwilles Concept of the Trinity (unpublished paper, 1986), makes a case that Wierwille misunderstood Trinitarianism as (alternately) Sabellianism and polytheism, and that when Trinitarianism is properly explained, it is clearly biblically valid and coherent. Some say that the Way International is a cult. This is to say, you can be you with all your quirks and eccentricities because we are all unique people and can come to have unique relationships with God through his Word. 2 John P. Juedes and Jay Valusek, Will the Real Author Please Stand Up? 4v$gi They believed that God heals and if you believe enough he can heal anything. This group was formerly known as American Fellowship Services. 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?. Again, thank you for taking the time to provide concise details. CES includes Wayers who were respected or well known, such as Lynn who had three books published by The Way, more than any author except Wierwille. As a minister in the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now part of the United Church of Christ), Wierwille developed . She was born into it and her home was a Twig if my verbiage is correct. There were some other elite leadership groups in the faith (like Way Disciple that you mention) but the three I listed are the ones that most people in fellowships are expected to take. In that same breathe, her sister/siblings believed she was waking up and coming to her own conclusion about her situation and the life she had created with the expectation that she would removing herself as they did during that similar age period of their lives. After all, it is their friends who have left and made accusations of severe error against The Way leadership. My mom thought God helped her get a good parking space once (Im not kidding). 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. Offshoots - Splinter Groups : How Many Are There? John P. Juedes is the pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Highland, California, and has written extensively on The Way International. During WOW training at the 1994 Rock of Ages conference, however, Way leaders decided not to send WOWs, because nearly 10 percent of their Ambassadors were homosexual. People were eager to engage, but I dont think answers were ever very satisfying. We could go into particulars like the Holocaust denying, the speaking in tongues, how women are supposed to be subservient to men, the homophobia but I just wanted to provide you with some context. Strangely, that means that TWI is responsible for my birth. It is fundamentalist due to many non-negotiable beliefs, most notably the inerrancy of the Scriptures, and it is a cult, a high-control group, due to its social . Heart-to-heart sharing with those who have . 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. They did not understand that Wierwille preached another Jesus (who was only a man) and another spirit (not the Holy Spirit personally indwelling them). Reportedly, a few people have even considered suicide or entered mental institutions. Michael Rood is a self-proclaimed Messianic preacher who was ordained as a Christian minister in The Way International (TWI).. Rood has continued many of the themes and practices which made TWI theologically a cult of Christianity. The Way International fellowships are located throughout the United States, as well as over 30 countries. Box 18503, Anaheim, CA 92817. There was a Corp program called LEAD where participants had to hitchhike from Indiana/Ohio to New Mexico in a short period of time with very little money (less than $20 if I remember correctly) to go mountain climbing. 35 0 obj <> endobj 60 0 obj <>stream While Believers with a history of Way International affiliation, esp. But apparently, he doesn't want people to know what he did in the 1970s and 1980s. Oral Robertss The Red Thread in his Lifestyle of Gods Word. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. In 2000, the president of The Way, Craig Martindale, resigned following . At first I was told how loved and adored I was but quickly that facade died and it was clear I was not loved. 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. While ex-Wayers want the groups to be much different than The Way, there are many similarities in teaching and goals. Point out that Wierwilles adultery and lying (plagiarism) mark him a false teacher, not just a teacher with failings (Matt. Could John Lynn be the undisputed king of Offshoot ministries? The Way published three books by Lynn, more than any author other than Wierwille. Ultimate question, do you think The Way or anyone that endorses the way is worth pursuing as - culpable? 2013-08-01T19:56:36Z It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. Scientology front group. 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. Her recent suicide however was as a member in leadership. But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Moving on: I know a lot of people who grew up in strict religious contexts, but the thing that I always found kind of culty about the Way was how we were always supposed to prioritize people in the ministry to the exclusion of others. Yeah Um would you look at the time? 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. It endured so long largely because members of The Way (Wayers) viewed Wierwille as their Father in the Word, who heard Gods audible voice and taught Gods Word as it had not been known since the first century.. I can remember being a teenager and being intellectually curious and asking a lot of questions. Bullinger is that they had already heard Wierwille teach Bullingers material as his own. 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. Household Prayer would be around 6am or earlier sometimes, which you couldn't miss or again you would be reprimanded. The Corp program was insane and I could write a huge thread just about that experience. About The Way International has the most comprehensive collection of articles on The Way International found anywhere-- over 110. 1 John P. Juedes and Douglas V. Morton, The Integrity and Accuracy of The Ways Word (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1980), 43-48. I went to a couple fellowship meetings shortly after they took the "foundational class" and wouldn't shut up about it. The Ways security force has become increasingly aggressive, quickly and thoroughly investigating anyone who appears at functions like the Rock of Ages conferences9 or is on their campus without a Way nametag. How about a little more candor, Vince? I know this is a bit long, but I hope it gives you some insight into what it's like to be inside this group. 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. The Way not only teaches that Jesus Christ is not God, but also has instruction on tithing, the law of believing (whatever one believes will happen to one, whether bad or good), and the accuracy of the Bible (as translated by Way leaders). It has shrunk in size and, as often is the case in cults when the original leader dies, splintered into various rival movements. The Way International was founded in 1942 by Victor Paul Wierwille as a radio program, then was renamed the Chimes Hour Youth Caravan in 1947. I mention these because these are classic isolating manipulation tactics. Despite a pattern of members losing their lives to the insanity of this group, proving negligence/culpability in Court regarding a suicide is very, very difficult. To be honest, it sounds nice on paper in many ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. See also Elena Whiteside, The Way Living with Love, 2d ed. In the weeks leading up to it, she got sick and missed a few shifts at work and ran up a few hundred dollars of credit card debt to cover bills. SPIRIT AND TRUTH FELLOWSHIP / CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES / JOHN LYNN. They use Wierwilles teachings, jargon, and writings, and have drawn off many of The Ways followers by accusing International of authoritarianism, misuse of power, adultery, misuse of funds, spiritual corruption, departure from the Word of God, and denominationalism. Oh! The Way International is a shell of what it was during the lifetime of Victor Paul Wierwille. Martindales classes include material from PFAL as well as new topics. Sann distributes a free tape, A Ministry in Crisis: An Editorial on The Way International, in which he asserts that The Way became hierarchical in the 1970s, causing a deterioration of the Ministry in many areas. There is a great diversity of emotions and viewpoints among those who have left The Way International. Allen wrote, I read it and all is true.So I will change to do my best for the man I helped kill.7 They apparently could not reconcile the death of the man of God with their teaching of the law of believing. Since they considered Wierwille the epitome of believing, he should easily have been able to will himself to health simply by believing he was well and free of cancer. Lynnes new teachings include the assertions that interpretation of tongues must always be praise to God (never a message to believers), and that believing does not work for saint and sinner alike, but is receiving Gods promises. The Way is predominantly financed via its course fees and tithing. Hahahaha. 2013-08-09T12:10:58-05:00 The Way is considered a cult by many former members, by most mainstream churches, and by certain secular groups. Any time I needed to see a doctor (I've had chronic health issues) I had to do it in secret and lie about where I was going, and have the bills sent to fake addresses so no one would find out. Lynn summarized this when he assured listeners that many stories would curl your hair.12. The Way, International Profile Edited to add: Would anyone be interested in an ex-Way subreddit? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. John Lynn described in detail how Way leaders practiced and tried to justify adultery in the audiotape, Overview of Events-1.. Not even post TWI as a survivor. I'm way-adjacent. In the meantime, I want to share about her thread with you. Can you imagine? Sann, on the other hand, considers people like Lynn to have gone too far in rejecting valid teachings. And unjustified bullshit. 10 These are actual experiences which Wayers, ex-Wayers, and others have shared with me. While PFAL was used to introduce prospects to The Way, Martindales new classes are open only to people who have attended a twig (home fellowship) for a year and have been taught how to receive holy spirit and speak in tongues by the twig coordinator. Needless to say, growing up in a large communal living situation for 2 years of my childhood had unique benefits and DEFINITE drawbacks. When Wierwille wrote, he commonly used these mens writings and copied them, idea by idea and often word by word. I dealt with it as a kid by pretending not to notice the issues in my family and in the cult. 14 Letter by Steve Sann, Pacific West Fellowship, 2 March 1988. My splinter group was one of them. Explain teachings carefully, and give them time alone to read the Bible in a newer version (such as the New International Version or New American Standard) which has clearer wording and lacks Wierwilles marginal notes and deletions marked in their old King James Versions. Nonetheless, many ex-Wayers desire publications, traveling teachers, regional meetings, and a network of fellowships similar to those they had in The Way. Just as 100 different Mormon groups all revere the Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri, because of founder Joseph Smiths attachment to it, the many Way splinter groups also revere Wierwilles New Knoxville, Ohio family farm and books. Making you afraid of other people and afraid of having attention withheld are other classic manipulation tactics. Ive started this process in some form and would like to invite you to take a peek at another thread. I would lovingly suggest that your time might be more effectively spent honoring your friend's memory by educating others about the harm that cults cause and working with a counselor to process the grief of losing your friend twice - first to a cult and then to suicide. 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. An iconic five-star international hotel Our hotel is located in the heart of the city and provides 180 rooms and suites. 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. Ancient Aliens and the Bible: What the Popular Television Series Says about Extraterrestrials in Scripture, Famous for Jesus: A Review of Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church by Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022), Famosos por Jess: Resea de Celebridades por Jess: Cmo los personajes, las plataformas y los beneficios estn perjudicando a la Iglesia por Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022). Jun 10, 2009. When I arrived back home my entire bedroom and all my belongings had been searched for anything ungodly. But in reality, women in the Way were valued primarily for sex and as caretakers. Atheism. Defectors also accused Way leadership of practicing and approving adultery as a godly practice. Most ex-Wayers are confused, not knowing where to turn, whom to trust, or what to believe. Maybe it will help to read what I experienced. I'd recently read a secular book and they also blamed that. 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? .~?mq3\n7C. 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. - Nowadays, Finnegan runs another Way splinter group called Christian Biblical Counsel. Wierwilles stance that the whole Bible was authored in Aramaic, that parts of Scripture have been lost, that many Bible passages in popular translations were deviously inserted by pagans, and his Nestorian-like view of Jesus Christ (which drives a wedge between the human Jesus and the divine Christ) all trace to mystic George Lamsa. Soooo, I guess to answer your question about how she was allowed to do non-Christian activities, I think the thing to remember is that the Way picked up steam in the late 70s when a big wave of evangelicalism was sweeping through the US. Prominent splinter groups include Christian Educational Service (CES) led by John Lynn, Pacific West Fellowship, Great Lakes Fellowship, and The Way of Great Britain headed by Chris Geer. Gotta run! I was born in Sidney, Ohio in 2001 and lived at the Way Headquarters in New Knoxville. We ourselves have two articles in our website concerning that movement. The CES meeting in May 1988 sponsored two and one-half days of biblical teachings and allowed sales of books by those attending, including Lynn, Lionel Recio, and myself. 5 Christopher C. Geer, The Passing of a Patriarch (Attrincham, Cheshire, U.K.: European Christian Press, n.d.), 34. Way-Showers. In response, he defends such Way teachings as that on interpretation of tongues.14 Ralph Dubofsky told the May 1988 CES meeting that the reason they like so much of E.W. This video covers some of the deaths and suicides of former members. I was isolated from my family physically because they didn't live close, and during private conversations about leadership I was told that my family didn't love me and that they could understand why because I was so horrible, but at least I had them. Since many WOWs are in the second year of the Way Corps (leadership training) program, it is likely that many homosexuals were also in the Corps. All because of "homosexual devil spirit possession" will not be welcome at their festival. https://www.reddit.com/r/BGSU/comments/mlu753/the_way_international_twi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf. I cannot stress enough how much the control and fear is internal. New classes were also needed because the existing video version, filmed by Wierwille in 1967, was obviously dated in its style, production, and dress. Sometime after reading that I came across Religion Trauma Syndrome (RTS) and learned about repressive cognitive dissonance. Pretty sure "in good standing" meant you "tithed" over a certain amount each month.