Participants were sensitive (having been wounded by The Way), were open to friendships and ideas, and were reevaluating their beliefs. Michael Rood - Apologetics Index TWI's splinter groups, formed at TWI's implosion in the late 1980's, are bigger than . The most debate arose when the topic of financing CES was raised, which prompted fears that their donations would be misused by yet another organization. Oh, so when I say curveballs I mean it in the figurative sense. Box 18503, Anaheim, CA 92817. Cules son las creencias bsicas del budismo? For example, Geer describes Wierwille as one who was very hard to live with, often lashing out at those closest to him and hurting them.5 It includes a reproduction of handwritten notes in which the three trustees admit that the accusations against them are true. Nonetheless, hundreds of Way refugees are resisting the new groups pleas to join up. Second, the doctrine of the splinter groups is nearly a carbon copy of Way doctrine. Please keep in touch. The Way stressed that these gatherings were for committed, faithful followers, unlike the Rock, which was open to anyone. 5 Lamsa considered himself an apostle and believed in clairvoyance and universalism. uuid:a0e7d6d5-45d0-8c4c-9602-8d6d3c43e9ff 7:15). The manipulation tactics come from many angles. Technically, the group has only three members the trustees who control all aspects of The Way International, Inc. 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. About The Way International has the most comprehensive collection of articles on The Way International found anywhere-- over 110. TWI's was (and still is in a smaller capacity) an actual institution with employees, an unaccredited college, and evangelist programs that relocate people and had actual methods for indoctrination. Ive started this process in some form and would like to invite you to take a peek at another thread. 1 See The Way Tree Is Splintering, Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988. Wierwille as father, friend, and teacher, but both the Scriptures and the empirical evidence demand it. Can any recent survivors provide their reflections if its not to much: What are the manipulation tactics used? 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. And because we were Family Corp, children were added into the mix as well. Mac OS X 10.7.5 Quartz PDFContext 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. It's one thing to simply not condone homosexuality because it's a sin against God. It's 2am and so I decided to reminisce in Google-land by doing a search on the The Way International; a group I was once affiliated with . 5 Christopher C. Geer, The Passing of a Patriarch (Attrincham, Cheshire, U.K.: European Christian Press, n.d.), 34. I can remember being a teenager and being intellectually curious and asking a lot of questions. I think the biggest thing I would emphasize is that the biggest way faith organizations control you is by fear. 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. She probably could have just gone and not told anyone because its not like anyone checked your bank account, but her guilt consumed her and a couple days before, she called our fellowship coordinator over and confessed to him that she had debt. CES holds two national meetings per year in Chicago (drawing about 150 people per meeting), publishes Dialogue magazine bi-monthly, circulates periodic newsletters, and distributes tapes. 4v$gi By word, character, and example, show them that there is more-than-abundant life outside The Way International.Dr. The crowd of 11,000 applauded the changes, hoping that this would help remedy the severe decline and turbulence of the past 10 years. I thought of myself as a good person, but Id grown up to believe that you couldnt be both good and a homosexual. 2.) Followers 0. Although Lamsas blemished translation of the Bible appears in Christian bookstores, he held New Thought (Christian Science-like), not evangelical, beliefs.5 Wierwille drew his laws of believing, of tithing, prosperity, mental imaging (imagining good things to bring them to pass), and the more abundant life from Albert Cliffe. Your reply was a lot to unpack, digest, snd accept. No one is going to beat you. 11:2-4, 13-15) gives insight into the nature of this controversy, Wierwilles work, and his followers: For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. Im terribly sorry to hear that feel free to message me privately if it helps. The Way International | Christian evangelical group | Britannica The foundational class is 36 hours I believe and I can't tell you how many times I took it. x*"fhR*_l*I&mLRQnG.O@o(UU7Wn?\6t]~mak-tX}zn[z,.o,o.*?Y~,vYj8P]w1$'ZfL1sr&E7pc'R7_\veb_ I tried explaining to the family member that "reverend" Martindale just advocated for mass murder. 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?. The Way International, Christian evangelical group founded in 1942 as Vesper Chimes, a radio ministry broadcast from Lima, Ohio, by Victor Paul Wierwille (1916-85). Im not saying that people in the Way avoid doctors entirely, but theres definitely a sense of what counts and doesnt or that people are putting waaay too much trust in men and not in God. The level to which people beat themselves up for falling short, though, is intense. Also there are no mental health issues, only devil spirits influencing or possessing your mind. The Cults podcast on Stitcher has a 2-part special on The Way and River Road Fellowship, which was one of the splinter groups. . I saw your post a few days ago when it was first posted and having been thinking about it ever since. CES includes many past Way celebrities and clergy such as John and Pat Lynn, Ralph Dubofsky, Robert Belt, Sue Pierce, Tom Reahard, and John Schonheit. European Christian Press (which Geer controls) then published it a few years after Wierwilles death. And we have to consider the times: inspired by peace movements and anti-war efforts. Three editorials which answer misconceptions common among followers and ex-followers of The Way such as distrust of Christians outside The Way and the forming of Way splinter groups. The reason it was called that was because we imagined the whole ministry all over the world as one big tree. Wierwille was not the only former minister to draw away young disciples David Berg was one of several others. The Way used to mail cassette tapes of the Sunday service to those "in good standing". Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. One response still in print is Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth by H.A. 12 Lynn, Overview of Events. 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. Meli Vinpearl Phu Ly, Phu Ly (Ha Nam) | 2023 Updated Prices, Deals About The Way International The Way Tree Is Splintering - Christian Research Institute 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. Meanwhile, Way leaders apparently have tried biblically to defend adultery. So obviously if you're feeling depressed or suicidal you CANNOT tell ANYONE or you will likely be told you're possessed and have to have it cast out of you, at which point you have to pretend to be healed or else it means you're a bad believer and it's your fault you harbor spirits. But thats the thing: the adversary throws you curve balls, and its our job as athletes of the spirit to make smart moves. At 29yrs old. 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. Eventually, all you have is them and all you know is that they love you and that's why they're abusing you, because they've convinced you you're terrible and you deserve the abuse because it's helping you get closer in your relationship with God. (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). 3 Victor Paul Wierwille, Power for Abundant Living (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1971), 119-20.4 Victor Paul Wierwille, Receiving the Holy Spirit Today, 6th ed. Off-shoot of The Way (formerly Christian Educational Services) 6.3k posts. Sometime after reading that I came across Religion Trauma Syndrome (RTS) and learned about repressive cognitive dissonance. For example, Vince Finnegan formed a new splinter group primarily from the block of Wayers he led in New . As well as the original post questions. I think youre absolutely right in that educating others will help with the grieving process. Some people started their own non-Way affiliated Bible fellowships. Not that a college degree is by any means the only metric of intelligence, but there arent a lot of college degrees in the faith. The group itself says it is a Christian ministry. Because they had women on the Board of Directors and allowed women to lead fellowships, they could espouse their views as progressive. terrified of seeing/interacting with a marked and avoided person because I thought their adversarial ways would rub off on me. The Advanced Class was first presented in the fall of 1995. 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. Several thousand followers have severed ties with The Way International as a result of the allegations and evidence they have seen, including the entire state (Limb) of South Carolina in April 1988 and about 80 percent of the Washington, D.C., Limb. Our dear and sweet beloved friend. Many people follow Wierwille in part because they were impressed by his claim that he took over 3,000 books on theology to the city dump3 and resolved to study the Bible alone without mens teachings.4 Although Wierwille sometimes said he learned from others, he often explicitly claimed originality. I've even attended a wedding at HQ. These people were rarely spoken of again, and if they were it was in hushed tones. My sister, mom and I put up with constant abuse from our dad, who was a fellowship coordinator after we moved to Arizona in about 2008. Bullinger is that they had already heard Wierwille teach Bullingers material as his own. He rightly exhorted them to reactivate critical thought rather than just change from being a Wierwille disciple to a Bullinger disciple. Answer. Although Guideposts helped popularize Cliffes writings and he claimed to be Anglican, Cliffe held New Thought beliefs, seeing God as impersonal principle. Wierwille always told them that they could only go as far as they had been taught, and the new groups demonstrate this principle by organizing themselves in the same ways, and on the same assumptions, which Wierwille used in building The Way Tree. Think of an abuser boyfriend who doesnt let you have friendships with other guys or other people, really, because it distracts your attention from him, the most important person in your life. That exes from his life are all crazy.. They justify ANY abuse by saying it was reproof and you needed it. My father also advised the members of our fellowship to beat their children. We can love rock music. 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. John P. Juedes is the pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Highland, California, and has written extensively on The Way International. "rev" gerry wrenn raises wierwille from the dead! But small IRA splinter groups have continued to launch sporadic attacks on security forces. As a result, Martindale told everyone to eliminate this and other spirit-driven malignancies from Way circles. Like Wierwille, Berg drew young people from the Jesus movement to form his own group, the Children of God (now called the Family of Love), which uses sexual promiscuity to win new followers. (The PFAL classes had been open to anyone who paid the $50 fee.) The new policy may reduce The Ways recruitment. 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. He added, We have flushed homosexuals and homo fantasizers and sympathizers out of our Way Corps and Staff.2 The Corps coordinator, a Rev. And as much I would dislike the idea of looking into my own rear view mirror her close friends and myself would deeply appreciate your vulnerability and transparency. This group was formerly known as American Fellowship Services. We are near 70 years of age now, but the "Way" still affects us. I dealt with it as a kid by pretending not to notice the issues in my family and in the cult. The creed and The Way are very much one and the same; The Way is just the religion they follow. I did not take your explanation about The Way members as rude. 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. Prominent ex-Way leaders took with them networks of ex-followers of TWI. 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. The largest group seems to be Christian Educational Services, Inc. (CES), which incorporated this fall in Indianapolis. The Way president is accustomed to using crude speech and profanity, even in public settings. I went to a couple fellowship meetings shortly after they took the "foundational class" and wouldn't shut up about it. Geers book also claims that Geer alone is spiritually able to reform The Way Ministry. He also hopes to produce more printed materials, provide a network of fellowships, and serve as a traveling teacher. Reportedly, a few people have even considered suicide or entered mental institutions. 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. Mostly shame, guilt, separation from anyone but the group, brainwashing. New Zealand Cults, Sects, Religions, Christian Organisations, and other Current Way affiliates are more than welcome to utilize . First, the assumptions and structure of the new groups are like The Way International. Myself and others are looking to cope and find closure or understanding from a recent loss/death due to suicide. Accusations have disturbed many people and strained or broken numerous friendships. The Way is marketed as a biblical research, teaching, and fellowship ministry. 2013-08-09T12:10:58-05:00 By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Are other families struggling to watch their loved ones involved? Third, help them to relearn. Omg this info about splinter groups is shocking. Second, the doctrine of the splinter groups is nearly a carbon copy of Way . Many have realized that they have also been falsely taught on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and have turned to evangelical beliefs instead. Each fellowship was just one small twig connected to a branch, then a limb, then a trunk and so on. 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. 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. TWI now is less than a tenth of what it was in the early 1980s, but TWI was far less than a tenth of what its . 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. Hahahaha. Out of the Way: The Offshoots - GreaseSpot Cafe In addition, the account includes several insights into The Way. There are certain rules Mandalorians must adhere to . The kind of stuff people go to therapy for years to get over. The Way sent out 138 Disciples to 15 cities during the Rock of Ages 1995 conference, far below a peak of 3,100 WOW Ambassadors it claimed to have sent in 1982. Started in the early 1950s by the late Victor Paul Wierwille (1916-1985), the original organization was called the Way Incorporated. Its not interested in interrogating deep questions of being and it doesnt hold up well to fact based challenges. This is certainly helpful and appreciated. What Are Long-Time Wayers Thinking About? In short, the Way (though it started much earlier) at its highest participation rates was essentially home fellowships with hippies talking about Jesus. The immediate cause was metastatic melanoma of the liver, which means that the cancer spread from the eye to the liver. Martindale told his followers at the 1995 Rock of Ages conference that new classes were needed because The Ways opponents had attended PFAL classes and learned how to use this material against The Way. See John P. Juedes, Looking at Lamsa, Personal Freedom Outreach Newsletter (Jan.-Mar. In 2000, the president of The Way, Craig Martindale, resigned following . The Way International (TWI) has been on cult watchers' radar screens for decades. Bill Green, who handles some public relations for The Ways New Knoxville, Ohio headquarters, declined to be interviewed about the classes and related developments. I dont know if this is still true, but a weird criteria at the time was that you had to be debt free to participate. Stiles, a leader in the early charismatic movement. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light; therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their deeds. IRA splinter group claims responsibility for police shooting Lynn summarized this when he assured listeners that many stories would curl your hair.12. An Open Letter to You Who Are Disillusioned with The Way Ministry, J. Juedes PFO Journal.
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