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0 replies; 812 views; Fredchopin . His appendices offered reasons Way leaders gave to justify adultery, along with his own rebuttals. The Way stressed that these gatherings were for committed, faithful followers, unlike the Rock, which was open to anyone. As a result, many Wayers view Geer as being the true spiritual heir to Wierwille. 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. John Schonheits paper on adultery was a thinly veiled accusation that Wierwille and other leaders falsely taught that adultery is a biblically acceptable practice. 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. The appeal was in its casual nature, balanced with an accessible way to become disciplined in Biblical scholarship. 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. 4v$gi Meanwhile, Way leaders apparently have tried biblically to defend adultery. The Rock had been held annually for 25 years, and had been used to teach, recruit participants for Way ministries, and send out Way Ambassadors. Update on The Way International and Its Offspring - MarketFaith Ministries No one is going to beat you. Sometimes these classes had add-ons like Advanced Class Specials that were held in a hotel conference center in another city and had associated registration and travel fees. %PDF-1.7 % 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. Someone previous mentioned and shared something that we really needed to hear and hit home profoundly, she expressed that (paraphrasing) she was struggling to reconcile with her faith and being a person in the world. Here's a copy of. Youre not going to have to perform penance. Like when life doesnt go like you expect, whether its a health problem or an issue at work. The car parking and the Wi-Fi are always free, so you can stay in touch and come and go as you please. 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. 2013-08-09T12:10:58-05:00 Most still feel hurt from being betrayed by The Way, are suspicious of any new organizations, and hesitate to connect themselves with any Christian church. 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. Each fellowship was just one small twig connected to a branch, then a limb, then a trunk and so on. Geers book also claims that Geer alone is spiritually able to reform The Way Ministry. One of the many difficult things about digesting this for us is that her personality and character did not reflect this at all. The level to which people beat themselves up for falling short, though, is intense. 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. 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. 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. I went to a couple fellowship meetings shortly after they took the "foundational class" and wouldn't shut up about it. 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). 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. . 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. Experiences, questions, observations about offshoots who trace their roots to The Way International. Way followers say the first commandment is the most important: no false Idols before God. The logic has more dangerous consequences when people literally think God will cure their Cancer, Lupus, diabetes. Martindale openly and vulgarly expressed his contempt for the splinter groups during his Rock of Ages 95 sermons. I grew up in the Way and drifted from it the year I went to college (though I went a few times reluctantly to a new fellowship in the town where my college was). I'm a robot. Box 18503, Anaheim, CA 92817. All of the various groups claim to hold the true legacy of Wierwille's teachings. Accordingly, several groups have arisen to try to meet these needs. I once broke a bone and had to secretly crawl to my car to go to the hospital. "Christian Educational Services"-- The nature, strengths and weaknesses of the largest of the Way split-off groups, led by John Lynn. In the meantime, I want to share about her thread with you. She didnt take the class. 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. The Way, International Profile What is The Way, anyway? The Mandalorian's religion and - gamesradar At one point I got sick with an infectious disease that typically kills you within 48 hours. 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 . I was very moved by that story as a young person, and I remember talking to my mom and my fellowship coordinator about it. 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. 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. Cules son las creencias bsicas del budismo? 3 Highlights of The Way Corps Graduation (June 1995), cassette tape. 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). I dont know if any of this is helpful to you. Para ms informacin o para Join now to access this Journal subscriber only content. Splinter Cults are WORSE..not better - Out of the Way: The Maybe it will help to read what I experienced. Can you imagine? So I dont think youre going to find any one person in her fellowship circle to point a finger at, but I can imagine your friend, as a young, thinking, caring person was having a lot of internal turmoil reconciling her faith with just being a person in the world. Wierwille as father, friend, and teacher, but both the Scriptures and the empirical evidence demand it. 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. She was born into it and her home was a Twig if my verbiage is correct. Wait, it's "The Word of God" and then some other follower will utter "The Word of God is the Will of God" like some sheep bleating "four legs good". Yeah Um would you look at the time? The Way International also claims trademark rights in the following: . The Way International is a small, fundamentalist, Bible-based organization headquartered in New Knoxville, Ohio, on property that was once the family farm of the founder, Victor Paul Wierwille. Like Wierwille, Bergs teachings became the ultimate authority, and when he committed adultery, he reinterpreted the Bible in order to defend his sinful practice. 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 . 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. "rev" gerry wrenn raises wierwille from the dead! Gross, right? We were required to eat every dinner together or we would be reprimanded in front of the whole house (about 10 people). He is a former follower of The Way International, the same group from which I escaped in 1987. About The Way International CES now wants to be seen as an independent ministry, not just as a Way splinter group, even though its glaring similarity to The Way is obvious to outsiders. I want to be clear that if you think something nefarious has happened here, go with your gut. Thank you thank you for replying and contributing to the thread. 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. 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. There is a great diversity of emotions and viewpoints among those who have left The Way International. 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. Another splinter group By Fredchopin, September 3, 2021. Wierwilles death certificate lists ocular melanoma, or malignant tumor of the eye, as the underlying cause of death. 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). What practices are different from the 80s? Im terribly sorry to hear that feel free to message me privately if it helps. 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. 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. At the time Martindale saw the suspension of WOW as the response to an attack by evil devil spirits, but by the summer of 1995 he recast the suspension as a Way victory. 1 See The Way Tree Is Splintering, Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988. 2013-08-09T12:10:58-05:00 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. 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. This is just awful, horrible and egregious in every way possible. The Advanced Class was first presented in the fall of 1995. That ego had gone to their heads; that the Adversary had gotten to them. While accusing the Christian church at large of being divisive, the new groups (like The Way International) practice division much more stringently than most Christian denominations or churches. Offshoots - Splinter Groups : How Many Are There? Few know that many able scholars have effectively refuted some of Bullingers ideas. There hasn't been a good gathering place for survivors since the Greasespot Cafe and I think there is a need for one. My home life was very turbulent because of TWI. Needless to say, growing up in a large communal living situation for 2 years of my childhood had unique benefits and DEFINITE drawbacks. Brainwashing is in part convincing you that the world is evil and filled with devil spirits that are everywhere and you must be vigilant, and part CONSTANT information about the bible. Word Dont get me wrong, we should all have some financial literacy, but the extent to which Believers internalized their shortcomings was heart-breaking. To be honest, it sounds nice on paper in many ways. Last year, The Way Magazine lauded the organizations success at quickly beginning new PFAL classes through street witnessing; but now fewer classes are likely to be held since many recruits drop out of the twigs before attending a full year. I grew up in the Way Ministry in the 80s and left in my last year of high school in 96. Your reply was a lot to unpack, digest, snd accept. But they are open to friendships and the Bible, and are reevaluating many teachings and practices. 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. The new policy may reduce The Ways recruitment. 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. 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. 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. Leonard. Sometimes area twigs would get together for a branch meeting, and less frequently a limb meeting. Her recent suicide however was as a member in leadership. RECOVERY FROM THE WAY INTERNATIONAL - empirenet.com Boop. People were eager to engage, but I dont think answers were ever very satisfying. The teachings are framed such as we are athletes of the Spirit and we are always honing our research skills to better know God. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I think another thing to think about with the Way is that it is in many ways a pyramid scheme. Bill Green, who handles some public relations for The Ways New Knoxville, Ohio headquarters, declined to be interviewed about the classes and related developments. 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. Gotta run! For Feb 24, 2023 | Christian Articles, en Espanol. I saw your post a few days ago when it was first posted and having been thinking about it ever since. Meli Vinpearl Phu Ly. This means that we live in the world, but that doesnt have to impact our relationship with God. 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. Mac OS X 10.7.5 Quartz PDFContext 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. Children who grew into adults in the Way are another matter because it is hard to go out into the world and maybe get your own place or go to college and have your worldview challenged by people you were taught were lazy, selfish, or had an agenda. Meanwhile, he promotes his book, The Rise and Expansion of the Church, through weekend seminars. I dealt with it as a kid by pretending not to notice the issues in my family and in the cult. nase ahora para acceder a este contenido exclusivo para suscriptores de Journal, http://www.equip.org/christian-research-journal/, To the Cancel Culture: We Respectfully Decline When Believers are Told What We May or May Not Say, Polite Refusal is Called For, Christ or Lucretius: Nature and Natures God in the poems of Mary Oliver. I think some of the main differences between the 80's and now is the infrastructure. This video covers some of the deaths and suicides of former members. And I am glad you are with us. He added, We have flushed homosexuals and homo fantasizers and sympathizers out of our Way Corps and Staff.2 The Corps coordinator, a Rev. But apparently, he doesn't want people to know what he did in the 1970s and 1980s. Although the Way brags that 5,027 people have attended these seminars, that figure actually indicates an average of only about 100 per state. The Way International - Wikipedia Instead of it being an isolated incident that sucks from time to time in life, its framed as The Adversary (the devil) is making your life difficult, and as athletes of the spirit we can outmaneuver him. TL;DR: the Way seems chill and relaxed on the outside but its pretty intense on a personal level. 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. And we have to consider the times: inspired by peace movements and anti-war efforts. She was sobbing and apologized profusely that she hid this from them. The Way is predominantly financed via its course fees and tithing. Sann also circulates periodic newsletters and regularly publishes teaching tapes. The apostle Paul warned of deceivers when he told the Ephesians, I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:29-30). The Way International The stories which former (and current) Way insiders hear include many more specific charges about shocking events. They also feel the need for teaching and fellowship with other believers. 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. haga clic aqu para obtener ms informacin. Scientology front group. The Way International | Christian evangelical group | Britannica They have rejected some Christian teachings (such as the Trinity17) primarily because they have accepted Way caricatures and have not fully understood them. My mom thought God helped her get a good parking space once (Im not kidding). I think the biggest thing I would emphasize is that the biggest way faith organizations control you is by fear. Geer is damaging to The Way because of his previous close ties to Wierwille. John Lynn claims that Wierwille and at least four other trustees had sex with literally hundreds of women, many of whom Lynn and other ex-leaders have counseled personally.9 They also claim the Trustees fired long-time researcher John Schonheit for writing a brief paper summarizing the Bibles teaching against adultery. The Way president is accustomed to using crude speech and profanity, even in public settings. 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. The Way International is a shell of what it was during the lifetime of Victor Paul Wierwille. Okay. And Im not sure I can completely answer your question about stepping out of line and facing consequences. 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. 35 0 obj <> endobj 60 0 obj <>stream However, BGSU is a Way Campus where members are sent for their education as well as recruiting practice; all things already mentioned. Then there are all the other classes about specific topics. First, the assumptions and structure of the new groups are like The Way International. This is hard to accept for those who knew V.P. 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. 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 As well as the original post questions. 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. In short, the Way (though it started much earlier) at its highest participation rates was essentially home fellowships with hippies talking about Jesus. 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. 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. See also pp.38 and 52. 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. Way-Showers. About The Way International. Splintering and Subjugating.as night follows day, Remembering a woman of courage, who stood up to a monster. 9 In an April 30, 1996 press release The Way announced it would not hold a Rock of Ages festival in 1996. The Way International has a book value of all assets over $68 million, however believers often pay a facility fee to meet as a State or Branch, or they meet in only "budget" or "free" spaces. At the time, Schoenheit was on The Ways research team. What do they make members do? He also hopes to produce more printed materials, provide a network of fellowships, and serve as a traveling teacher. I thought of myself as a good person, but Id grown up to believe that you couldnt be both good and a homosexual. 1987). However, it sucked to consider our loved as anything less than brilliant, observant, and aware. 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. 16 Wierwille noted that acquiring young people from the Jesus movement caused the Ways growth (Whiteside, 230-35). It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. Ultimate question, do you think The Way or anyone that endorses the way is worth pursuing as - culpable? PDF The Way, International Profile - Watchman Fellowship Any recent The Way International (TWI) survivors? : r/cults - reddit Although Wierwille has written against spiritism, he welcomed this spiritist with open arms. Sometime after reading that I came across Religion Trauma Syndrome (RTS) and learned about repressive cognitive dissonance. This article only sketches the most prominent and publishable charges. These classes replace the Power for Abundant Living (PFAL) classes by Way founder, Victor Paul Wierwille, who died of cancer in 1985 after losing an eye to the disease and suffering strokes. 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. haga clic aqu para obtener ms informacin. 12 Lynn, Overview of Events. Para ms informacin o para Join now to access this Journal subscriber only content. 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. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. If you weren't in good standing, you didn't get tapes of the way singers or of "reverend" Martindale. 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. One Scripture passage (2 Cor. 9 John Lynn, Overview of Events, two-cassette series, 1987. But in reality, women in the Way were valued primarily for sex and as caretakers. Also former TWI here, my parents are still in it, and its causing incredible family pain, now between my older sister. 7:15). 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. He rightly exhorted them to reactivate critical thought rather than just change from being a Wierwille disciple to a Bullinger disciple. The Way To Happiness International. Christian can also help (ex-) Wayers through four basic steps of reorientation: 1) expose, 2) emotional reaction, 3) relearning, and 4) reconstruction.

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