the way international splinter groups
I dont know if any of this is helpful to you. (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1987), 50 pp. 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. 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. 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. I think some of the main differences between the 80's and now is the infrastructure. The main groups vying for control of rural settlements - including the National Liberal Army (ELN), two rival splinter or "dissident" groups composed of reconstituted FARC remnants, the Gulf Clan and smaller illicit bands - are now the focus of government efforts to pen deals aimed at halting the hostilities. The complexity and overarching theme of shame as well as guilt is much bigger than I ever imagined. And to answer your question, yes, people do commit suicide after being in the cult. Incidentally, only Geers group has published a book by Wierwille since his 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). Growing up, I remember hearing stories about people who had drifted from the Way, and they were always spoken of as dangerous people. He is a former follower of The Way International, the same group from which I escaped in 1987. 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 . Household Prayer would be around 6am or earlier sometimes, which you couldn't miss or again you would be reprimanded. Ive started this process in some form and would like to invite you to take a peek at another thread. And because we were Family Corp, children were added into the mix as well. The termination of the WOW Ambassador program led to the start of the Disciples of The Way Outreach program. There hasn't been a good gathering place for survivors since the Greasespot Cafe and I think there is a need for one. There were people who were sexually assaulted while hitchhiking and injured due to accidents. It helps me after hearing some of your stories. First, it is helpful to present facts of doctrinal, organizational, and personal error in Way leaders. 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". Unless you have endless funds to fight in Court for an extended period of time, I fear that battle would only add to the pain you have already experienced. 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. 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. This group was formerly known as American Fellowship Services. 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. No. One CES leader, with a touch of irony, attempted to distance CES from The Way by explaining that CES would do Christian study, not biblical research (A Way term). 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. We can love rock music. You were expected to advance through them, and you typically developed bonds with your cohort in the Foundational, Intermediate and Advanced classes. 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. 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. I think the biggest thing I would emphasize is that the biggest way faith organizations control you is by fear. 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). 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. The class aside (because who cares), can you imagine being made to feel like youre a bad person because of things beyond your control? If you weren't in good standing, you didn't get tapes of the way singers or of "reverend" Martindale. Wierwille exercised very little discernment in learning from others, readily accepting teachings from itinerant mystics, Christian Scientists, and spiritists. Started in the early 1950s by the late Victor Paul Wierwille (1916-1985), the original organization was called the Way Incorporated. However, we are still driven by their nefarious existence. Its not interested in interrogating deep questions of being and it doesnt hold up well to fact based challenges. Mostly shame, guilt, separation from anyone but the group, brainwashing. The Way International, The Way, La Voie, El Camino, PFAL, The Way of Abundance and Power, The Way Magazine, The Way Corps are trademarks registered by The Way International in the United States and/or other countries. I was forced to eat food I'm allergic to in order to prove God healed me. Current Way affiliates are more than welcome to utilize . We are near 70 years of age now, but the "Way" still affects us. What practices are different from the 80s? Somehow I always imagined theyd be better than the original TWI. 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. (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. 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. "Christian Educational Services"-- The nature, strengths and weaknesses of the largest of the Way split-off groups, led by John Lynn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. Answer. Sann also circulates periodic newsletters and regularly publishes teaching tapes. 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. 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. 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.. And we have to consider the times: inspired by peace movements and anti-war efforts. People were eager to engage, but I dont think answers were ever very satisfying. uuid:a0e7d6d5-45d0-8c4c-9602-8d6d3c43e9ff See also Elena Whiteside, The Way Living with Love, 2d ed. Myself and others are looking to cope and find closure or understanding from a recent loss/death due to suicide. 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. (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). Could John Lynn be the undisputed king of Offshoot ministries? It has shrunk in size and, as often is the case in cults when the original leader dies, splintered into various rival movements. The car parking and the Wi-Fi are always free, so you can stay in touch and come and go as you please. Meli Vinpearl Phu Ly. Nonetheless, many ex-Wayers desire publications, traveling teachers, regional meetings, and a network of fellowships similar to those they had in The Way. While Believers with a history of Way International affiliation, esp. The Ways decisions to terminate the WOWs and PFAL classes are partly due to the damaging influence of Way splinter groups. nase ahora para acceder a este contenido exclusivo para suscriptores de 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'm a robot. They perpetuation of mental health that manifested in suicide with no accountability. For Feb 24, 2023 | Christian Articles, en Espanol. Her recent suicide however was as a member in leadership. My mom thought God helped her get a good parking space once (Im not kidding). The 27-storey building hotel is the tallest building in Phu Ly and has been carefully designed for contemporary travellers looking for sleek comforts, simplified luxury and bleisure. 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. At first I was told how loved and adored I was but quickly that facade died and it was clear I was not loved. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The Way of Life or The Way of Death (self-published, 1987), 106. Hahahaha. 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. Geer is damaging to The Way because of his previous close ties to Wierwille. 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. They also feel the need for teaching and fellowship with other believers. 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. Youve saved me an extensive amount of grieving. This is hard to accept for those who knew V.P. Este artculo es una exclusiva en lnea de Christian Research Journal. 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. I did not take your explanation about The Way members as rude. 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. We are spiritual beings in a material world, my mom would sometimes say. Juedes is a Lutheran paster who has written extensively on the Way. Conveniently situated in the Minh Khai part of Phu Ly (Ha Nam), this property puts you close . 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. That is to say, other people are nice and fine, but its only the true Believers that are truly living Godly lives. These people were rarely spoken of again, and if they were it was in hushed tones. Your reply was a lot to unpack, digest, snd accept. Second, give ex-Wayers space to vent their emotions and hurts, and pray for them and their healing. A few, but not tons. Still involved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. The Way International is a shell of what it was during the lifetime of Victor Paul Wierwille. Like the new classes and the Disciples, this is a sign that The Way is striving to further restrict access to its activities, purge anyone who questions current Way leadership, increase control, and consolidate. Many remember current leaders as friends, but at the same time despise them for wrongs they believe they have done or allowed. But small IRA splinter groups have continued to launch sporadic attacks on security forces. Subforums. The Way, International Profile Geers book also claims that Geer alone is spiritually able to reform The Way Ministry. To be honest, it sounds nice on paper in many ways. He rightly exhorted them to reactivate critical thought rather than just change from being a Wierwille disciple to a Bullinger disciple. (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1972), x. It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. Word I want to be clear that if you think something nefarious has happened here, go with your gut. Their arguments included: women who traveled with Jesus and Paul supplied them with sex because it satisfied their legitimate needs; men have needs for sex with a variety of women and God provides for this; all things are lawful when done in faith (Rom. The other classes were filmed from February through April of 1995 and are currently being used. 8 Ibid., 67, 68. With the more aggressive and cultic mindset of current Way leadership, followers can expect more years of turbulence and change. I was raised "in the word" as they say, meaning I was a born into the cult. 2013-08-09T12:10:58-05:00 The creed and The Way are very much one and the same; The Way is just the religion they follow. They justify ANY abuse by saying it was reproof and you needed it. This is his first book, and the first book produced by this Biblical Research and Teaching ministry in over 10 years. To address your questions about suicides directly - yes there have been suicides in the past as well as other deaths. That made it harder for me to get a centered view on my life. The Way Worship Centre. It has now become apparent to many of them that Wierwille was instead an eclectic plagiarist. Heads up on Another Splinter off the Way International Tree. 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. And they were pretty insistent on saying that the Holocaust did happen but not nearly to the extent that Jewish people say it did, and that their agenda is to make us feel sorry for them and legitimize Judaism over Christianity. . The Way To Happiness International. Sale of assets, reduction of overhead, smaller Corps classes, large numbers of defections (which left more staff openings), staff purges, and the sale of the The Way College of Emporia, Kansas, campus helped make this possible. It is apparent that almost all Wierwille taught he acquired from other men, not from original study of Gods word. One CES leader, with a touch of irony, attempted to distance CES from The Way by explaining that CES would do "Christian study," not "biblical research" (A Way term). 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. as I got older I was terrified of doing something that would have me cast out because my whole life THESE were the people I knew and had history with, and it made me deeply sad to imagine suddenly being cut off from that. What do they make members do? These people are capable of anything. Nevertheless, The Ways situation has improved. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. In the meantime, I want to share about her thread with you. 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. We were taught that the Adversary is always looking for ways to break down our spiritual fortitude and that can come in the form of media, indoctrination in schools and even our own families. 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. The false apostles disguises are being pulled from their faces, and the virgins who were led astray are returning to the one true Jesus, Spirit, and gospel, and the church of Jesus Christ. My family transitioned to a splinter group in the mid 90s, and later when I was a teenager I moved into a "Way Home" which is like a group home for the cult. Many have realized that they have also been falsely taught on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and have turned to evangelical beliefs instead. . The teachings are framed such as we are athletes of the Spirit and we are always honing our research skills to better know God. terrified of seeing/interacting with a marked and avoided person because I thought their adversarial ways would rub off on me. In addition, the account includes several insights into The Way. 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. 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. Yeah Um would you look at the time? 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. The foundational class is 36 hours I believe and I can't tell you how many times I took it. 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. 12 Lynn, Overview of Events. 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. Wierwille as father, friend, and teacher, but both the Scriptures and the empirical evidence demand it. Some say that the Way International is a cult. Second, the doctrine of the splinter groups is nearly a carbon copy of Way . I was born in Sidney, Ohio in 2001 and lived at the Way Headquarters in New Knoxville. Wierwille credits Stiles with showing him how to receive and manifest the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues when they met at a Tulsa rally in 1951.7 He took his teachings on evil spirits, definition of humans as body-soul-spirit (with his peculiar exegesis), laying on of hands, and his descriptions and methods of operating the manifestations (gifts of the Spirit) from B.G. 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). Have others committed suicide? 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. In spite of its name, however, The Way . Geer repeatedly promotes himself as the only man left in The Way Ministry who is fully informed, spiritually adept, and capable of leading the Ministry and stemming its speedy decline. This conflict has increased as ex-Wayers have persuaded many of their friends to leave Martindales group. 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. Point out that Wierwilles adultery and lying (plagiarism) mark him a false teacher, not just a teacher with failings (Matt. What practices are still common? 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. 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. Show love and patience throughout this trying time of change. Youre not going to have to perform penance. 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. This is where I experienced most of the abuse. Think of the creed is their unwritten Bible. 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. The reason I created that thread was initial to gain some more insight. 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). Please keep in touch. When I arrived back home my entire bedroom and all my belongings had been searched for anything ungodly. 9 John Lynn, Overview of Events, two-cassette series, 1987. Again, thank you for taking the time to provide concise details. We both are still active in the remnants of one of the many splinter groups and have become the inheritors of a fellowship in limbo. All because of "homosexual devil spirit possession" will not be welcome at their festival. Bullinger is that they had already heard Wierwille teach Bullingers material as his own. 35 0 obj <> endobj 60 0 obj <>stream Homosexuals Purged, Wow Ambassadors Terminated, Martindale also hopes the new classes will hinder homosexuals from joining The Way, because he condemns homosexuality. My eating habits were monitored and I would get made fun of by leadership for things i liked or how much I ate. They run off anyone who is not currently active in a Way-controlled twig and who doesnt have a Way escort. Can any recent survivors provide their reflections if its not to much: What are the manipulation tactics used? .~?mq3\n7C. 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. I once broke a bone and had to secretly crawl to my car to go to the hospital. Also there are no mental health issues, only devil spirits influencing or possessing your mind. A place for discussion about cults and other new age religious movements. Many former Way members are flocking to break-off organizations some of which are led by well-known and respected ex-leaders. 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. 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. 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). I am sorry for your loss. There are people who spend 7 nights a week at fellowship or taking classes or teaching. My mom was a single mother and had registered for an upcoming class. Available from: Capitol Saints/John A. Lynn, 5918 Chesterbrook Road, McLean, VA 22101. 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). But they are open to friendships and the Bible, and are reevaluating many teachings and practices. Pacific West Fellowship,13 headed by Steve Sann (who also was once a Limb and Region Coordinator), seems to be the second most aggressive splinter group. 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. 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. The crowd of 11,000 applauded the changes, hoping that this would help remedy the severe decline and turbulence of the past 10 years. Most ex-Wayers are confused, not knowing where to turn, whom to trust, or what to believe. This present controversy is serving to alert pure believers that Wierwille and his successors are false apostles after all. At the time, Schoenheit was on The Ways research team. Many ex-Wayers continue to read Bullinger, as they did while in The Way. Your experience brings so many new things into perspective and reflects the things we noted about her 10yrs when we were younger but never questioned because well how much can a teenager really articulate?
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