These were known as splinter groups and were always talked about as deceptive as if they were scheming their followers. The Way International fellowships are located throughout the United States, as well as over 30 countries. 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). A place for discussion about cults and other new age religious movements. 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. When The Way International splintered in the years following the death of founder V. P. Wierwille, many splinter groups formed. "Michael John Rood is an ordained nondenominational Christian minister and Messianic rabbi," according to a brochure Rood produced to promote his seminars which . What do they make members do? They now favor home fellowships which are self-governing, self-financing and self-propagating. This is a reaction against The Way, which governed home groups, received and dispensed their income, and directed all the propagating efforts (which focused on promoting Wierwilles videotaped Power for Abundant Living class). 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. J. Juedes, PFO Journal, 1990. The foundational class is 36 hours I believe and I can't tell you how many times I took it. An alarming statement from her the week prior to committing suicide and a recent appearance/presence on social media a few months prior is also what has really shaken everyone. This article only sketches the most prominent and publishable charges. It has shrunk in size and, as often is the case in cults when the original leader dies, splintered into various rival movements. Additionally, ex-members have on file letters and transcripts in which Way president L. Craig Martindale defends sex outside marriage in many situations. Geer and trustee Howard Allen apparently believed that the behavior of the trustees, not strokes and cancer, caused Wierwilles death. In the meantime, I want to share about her thread with you. Splintering and Subjugating.as night follows day, Remembering a woman of courage, who stood up to a monster. Eventually someone outside the house stepped in because they knew what was wrong and got me to the hospital. The Way of Life or The Way of Death (self-published, 1987), 106. This present controversy is serving to alert pure believers that Wierwille and his successors are false apostles after all. Household Prayer would be around 6am or earlier sometimes, which you couldn't miss or again you would be reprimanded. 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. Because they had women on the Board of Directors and allowed women to lead fellowships, they could espouse their views as progressive. Wierwilles writings on the topics of interpreting the Bible, soul sleep, the distinction of impersonal holy spirit from the Holy Spirit, ultradispensationalism, gospel harmony, and the mystery are all drawn from Bullinger. But they are open to friendships and the Bible, and are reevaluating many teachings and practices. I think the biggest thing I would emphasize is that the biggest way faith organizations control you is by fear. Wierwilles ideas on sense knowledge, confession, and healing (among others) he found in E.W. That made it harder for me to get a centered view on my life. Disciples serve only four months, and The Way plans to send out two waves a year. 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. The Way International fits the criteria outlined to a T. One thing I didn't see mentioned much in the thread is how incredibly patriarchal and misogynistic the Ministry was, and I am sure that has not changed. 35 0 obj <> endobj 60 0 obj <>stream 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. There are people who spend 7 nights a week at fellowship or taking classes or teaching. This is hard to accept for those who knew V.P. I told them never to bring up The Way in my presence again. My story might be pretty different compared to those of you who grew up in the 80's/90's. I mention these because these are classic isolating manipulation tactics. 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. Mac OS X 10.7.5 Quartz PDFContext Point out that Wierwilles adultery and lying (plagiarism) mark him a false teacher, not just a teacher with failings (Matt. 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. 3 Highlights of The Way Corps Graduation (June 1995), cassette tape. 1 John P. Juedes and Douglas V. Morton, The Integrity and Accuracy of The Ways Word (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1980), 43-48. 1 See The Way Tree Is Splintering, Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988. 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. The Way founders instruction on how to receive the Holy Spirit by inhaling and the belief that speaking in tongues cannot be counterfeited were derived from J.E. For the most part this conceptualizing of the world as being on Gods side or influenced but the Adversary makes me roll my eyes. However, BGSU is a Way Campus where members are sent for their education as well as recruiting practice; all things already mentioned. 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. He added, We have flushed homosexuals and homo fantasizers and sympathizers out of our Way Corps and Staff.2 The Corps coordinator, a Rev. 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 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. 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. My splinter group was one of them. The stories which former (and current) Way insiders hear include many more specific charges about shocking events. 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. 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. And I am glad you are with us. Technically, the group has only three members the trustees who control all aspects of The Way International, Inc. 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. 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. 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. The Way International is a shell of what it was during the lifetime of Victor Paul Wierwille. The Passing of a Patriarch greatly damaged The Way because it summarizes the accusations Wierwille made against the three trustees who alone are technically members of The Way and who control all assets and policy. He never credited his sources, in effect lying to his readers by leading them to believe that he originated his teachings under Gods direct tutelage. Omg this info about splinter groups is shocking. 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. The Way stressed that these gatherings were for committed, faithful followers, unlike the Rock, which was open to anyone. 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. 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? Ultimate question, do you think The Way or anyone that endorses the way is worth pursuing as - culpable? Long story long. Since then, The Way has sought to purge (that is, totally shun) all who do not tithe or who question Martindale on any issue. Sann also circulates periodic newsletters and regularly publishes teaching tapes. For example, Vince Finnegan formed a new splinter group primarily from the block of Wayers he led in New . This led to Martindales promise that all new Way Corps grads would obtain paid positions, which hadnt been done for over 20 years. 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. 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. They assume that honest, objective biblical research and a fellowship of true believers cannot be found among Christians outside Wierwilles heritage of teaching, so they limit research and fellowship to their own narrow circles. Then there are all the other classes about specific topics. In 1983 I became involved with the cult the Way International or as it is commonly referred to by members, "the Way." I had a B.A. With the more aggressive and cultic mindset of current Way leadership, followers can expect more years of turbulence and change. That was deep, honest and almost liberating because it brought some of us closer to understanding as well as closure. haga clic aqu para obtener ms informacin. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. 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. For example we had fellowship in our home 3 days per week and if I were to miss one I might be interrogated about where I was, or told that I'm unequally yoked with "worldly" people, which is how they describe anyone outside the cult. Im so sorry for your loss. uuid:a0e7d6d5-45d0-8c4c-9602-8d6d3c43e9ff After all, it is their friends who have left and made accusations of severe error against The Way leadership. I was told by a leader that having an understanding of the Word as it is supposed to be understood helps you form opinions. New classes were also needed because the existing video version, filmed by Wierwille in 1967, was obviously dated in its style, production, and dress. Your last sentence though. dagger to the heart ..internal turmoil reconciling her faith with just being a person in the world. See also pp.38 and 52. We are talking about a lot of people who fall for get-rich-quick schemes and fad diets. 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. Because of the work of splinter groups, in recent years The Way has been marked by heightened paranoia, attention to security, and bitterness. Bill Green, who handles some public relations for The Ways New Knoxville, Ohio headquarters, declined to be interviewed about the classes and related developments. And you mentioned twig earlier. (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1987), 50 pp. Pretty sure "in good standing" meant you "tithed" over a certain amount each month. 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 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. Current Way affiliates are more than welcome to utilize . That is to say, other people are nice and fine, but its only the true Believers that are truly living Godly lives. The largest group seems to be Christian Educational Services, Inc. (CES), which incorporated this fall in Indianapolis. The Way also teaches its followers to receive an impersonal power (called holy spirit, power from on high, or Christ in you) by inhaling, and that speaking in tongues is the only proof that one is born again. I thought of myself as a good person, but Id grown up to believe that you couldnt be both good and a homosexual. 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. 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. 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. It's one thing to simply not condone homosexuality because it's a sin against God. 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. Personally I was depressed and suicidal most of the 5 years I lived there and for years after until I was able to seek help. The appeal was in its casual nature, balanced with an accessible way to become disciplined in Biblical scholarship. 12 Lynn, Overview of Events. She was loved by many because she was easy going, fit in with many and different groups - a legitimate interest in others, etc. 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. One Scripture passage (2 Cor. The reason I created that thread was initial to gain some more insight. The class aside (because who cares), can you imagine being made to feel like youre a bad person because of things beyond your control? 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. Este artculo es una exclusiva en lnea de Christian Research Journal. Another splinter group By Fredchopin, September 3, 2021. 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. Wierwille was always more effective at turning people away from the church of Jesus Christ than he was at turning people toward the Bible or The Way International. I was a Girl Scout as a kid and all through high school, and I devoted myself to community projects my whole life.
