the way international splinter groups the way international splinter groups

Yeah Um would you look at the time? Then there are all the other classes about specific topics. This is where I experienced most of the abuse. 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. The group's misogyny was deeply ingrained while also being subtle at times. And you mentioned twig earlier. Boop. Stiles, a leader in the early charismatic movement. The Way stressed that these gatherings were for committed, faithful followers, unlike the Rock, which was open to anyone. His complaint, however, implies that he realized there were significant errors in PFAL. And I am glad you are with us. My mom thought God helped her get a good parking space once (Im not kidding). 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 . My Mom got heavily involved in the ministry straight out the gates - going WOW (their outreach program) shortly after taking the PFAL class in the early 80s and then we went Family Corp right after that. Dont get me wrong, we should all have some financial literacy, but the extent to which Believers internalized their shortcomings was heart-breaking. Prominent ex-Way leaders took with them networks of ex-followers of TWI. Meli Vinpearl Phu Ly. The most important change involves the new The Way of Abundance and Power classes by Way president, L. Craig Martindale. 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?. 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. 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. Some find it hard to reevaluate the Trinity, perhaps because they heard Way leaders ridicule Trinitarianism so often, and because they themselves also berated the teaching. We are near 70 years of age now, but the "Way" still affects us. Gross, right? 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. 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 pretty sure that "The Word" has quite a bit to say about murder. It was heavy-duty indoctrination using known "brainwashing" techniques like sleep deprivation and intense manual labor mixed with a hippy commune mentality and a healthy dose of college hijinks thrown in. 11 Morton and Juedes, Integrity and Accuracy, reveals many of Wierwilles errors in scholarship and Bible interpretation. We were required to eat every dinner together or we would be reprimanded in front of the whole house (about 10 people). I think others have covered the most common manipulation tactics the group used. If the person refuses to read or hear material which exposes such errors, then take the time to obtain the primary sources which demonstrate them and ask his or her opinion of them. 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. Rev. I just wanted to paint a picture here of the laid back approach to Christian faith that makes the Way appealing to people. Lynn retains all the critical Way doctrines of concern to Christians, such as anti-Trinitarianism, ultradispensationalism, soul sleep, and the belief that speaking in tongues is infallible and essential proof that one is saved. 9 John Lynn, Overview of Events, two-cassette series, 1987. She didnt take the class. Sometime after reading that I came across Religion Trauma Syndrome (RTS) and learned about repressive cognitive dissonance. 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. 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. 4-5 maybe? The complexity and overarching theme of shame as well as guilt is much bigger than I ever imagined. SPIRIT AND TRUTH FELLOWSHIP / CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES / JOHN LYNN. However, we are still driven by their nefarious existence. 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. After Dr. Weirwill died and leadership was given to Craig Martindale, TWI essentially split into those who followed Craig and stayed in TWI's proper organization, and those who moved into splinter groups. The Way International introduced sweeping changes at the annual Rock of Ages gathering last year. In the meantime, I want to share about her thread with you. (The PFAL classes had been open to anyone who paid the $50 fee.) Jun 10, 2009. The Way International fellowships are located throughout the United States, as well as over 30 countries. https://www.reddit.com/r/BGSU/comments/mlu753/the_way_international_twi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf. There are people who spend 7 nights a week at fellowship or taking classes or teaching. 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. We are talking about a lot of people who fall for get-rich-quick schemes and fad diets. I think youre absolutely right in that educating others will help with the grieving process. 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. What practices are still common? It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. The crowd of 11,000 applauded the changes, hoping that this would help remedy the severe decline and turbulence of the past 10 years. It was founded by Victor Paul Wierwille in 1942 as a radio program, subsequently becoming The Chimes Hour Youth Caravan in 1947, and The Way, Inc., in 1955. No. Although Guideposts helped popularize Cliffes writings and he claimed to be Anglican, Cliffe held New Thought beliefs, seeing God as impersonal principle. As well as the original post questions. Cules son las creencias bsicas del budismo? All of the various groups claim to hold the true legacy of Wierwille's teachings. The Way not only teaches that Jesus Christ is not God, but also has instruction on tithing, the law of believing (whatever one believes will happen to one, whether bad or good), and the accuracy of the Bible (as translated by Way leaders). 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. 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. But they are open to friendships and the Bible, and are reevaluating many teachings and practices. Christian can also help (ex-) Wayers through four basic steps of reorientation: 1) expose, 2) emotional reaction, 3) relearning, and 4) reconstruction. The Way is predominantly financed via its course fees and tithing. The Way To Happiness International. Mostly shame, guilt, separation from anyone but the group, brainwashing. 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. The Corp is their leadership training program where you live on campus and attend their unaccredited "college." 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 . Ironside, which addresses aspects of ultradispensationalism.15 It is often perplexing to Wayers, though, that teachers Wierwille respected such as Bullinger, Kenyon, and Stiles staunchly held primary orthodox beliefs which Wierwille rejected, including Trinitarianism. 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 . Ultimate question, do you think The Way or anyone that endorses the way is worth pursuing as - culpable? New classes were also needed because the existing video version, filmed by Wierwille in 1967, was obviously dated in its style, production, and dress. 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. However, it sucked to consider our loved as anything less than brilliant, observant, and aware. What practices are different from the 80s? Another splinter group By Fredchopin, September 3, 2021. The largest group seems to be Christian Educational Services, Inc. (CES), which incorporated this fall in Indianapolis. The stories which former (and current) Way insiders hear include many more specific charges about shocking events. It has now become apparent to many of them that Wierwille was instead an eclectic plagiarist. 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. It has shrunk in size and, as often is the case in cults when the original leader dies, splintered into various rival movements. An iconic five-star international hotel Our hotel is located in the heart of the city and provides 180 rooms and suites. Based at . 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.. 7:15). Household Prayer would be around 6am or earlier sometimes, which you couldn't miss or again you would be reprimanded. In 2000, the president of The Way, Craig Martindale, resigned following . 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 other classes were filmed from February through April of 1995 and are currently being used. Second, the doctrine of the splinter groups is nearly a carbon copy of Way . About The Way International has the most comprehensive collection of articles on The Way International found anywhere-- over 110. The Cults podcast on Stitcher has a 2-part special on The Way and River Road Fellowship, which was one of the splinter groups. The Corp program was insane and I could write a huge thread just about that experience. 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. Unlike the WOWs, the Disciples program is open only to Advanced Class graduates, and therefore probably consists mainly of members of the Way Corps. Leonard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. 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. John P. Juedes is the pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Highland, California, and has written extensively on The Way International. I was very moved by that story as a young person, and I remember talking to my mom and my fellowship coordinator about it. 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. I was born in Sidney, Ohio in 2001 and lived at the Way Headquarters in New Knoxville. Not only is it about reading the Bible and having a personal relationship with God, but there are various levels of classes that you take to be better scholars. 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. 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. Maybe it will help to read what I experienced. I was a Girl Scout as a kid and all through high school, and I devoted myself to community projects my whole life. The kind of stuff people go to therapy for years to get over. uuid:d7ca4186-7029-344b-a237-3b86f585aa59 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. 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. Kenyon. I tried explaining to the family member that "reverend" Martindale just advocated for mass murder. 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. Your reply was a lot to unpack, digest, snd accept. 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. 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. The leader was arrested recently as he had convinced the fellowship members to give him their eldest daughters which he physically and sexually abused for 9+ years until one girl escaped. Started in the early 1950s by the late Victor Paul Wierwille (1916-1985), the original organization was called the Way Incorporated. Okay. And Im not sure I can completely answer your question about stepping out of line and facing consequences. At one point I got sick with an infectious disease that typically kills you within 48 hours. The Way International introduced sweeping changes at the annual Rock of Ages gathering last year. A number of people died. This conflict has increased as ex-Wayers have persuaded many of their friends to leave Martindales group. The CES meeting in May 1988 sponsored two and one-half days of biblical teachings and allowed sales of books by those attending, including Lynn, Lionel Recio, and myself. Atheism. Ive started this process in some form and would like to invite you to take a peek at another thread. He also hopes to produce more printed materials, provide a network of fellowships, and serve as a traveling teacher. 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. Except they pretty much worship the bible. Martindale seems determined to remake The Way and close ranks, which may result in an increasingly cultic mindset. Oh my goodness. The Advanced Class was first presented in the fall of 1995. 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. For Feb 24, 2023 | Christian Articles, en Espanol. European Christian Press (which Geer controls) then published it a few years after Wierwilles death. Youve saved me an extensive amount of grieving. Pretty sure "in good standing" meant you "tithed" over a certain amount each month. 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. It's one thing to simply not condone homosexuality because it's a sin against God. Geers book also claims that Geer alone is spiritually able to reform The Way Ministry. Incidentally, only Geers group has published a book by Wierwille since his death. Martindales classes include material from PFAL as well as new topics. If you have done your reading about cults, then you are probably familiar with Dr. Steve Hassan's BITE model. Leonards book and course syllabus called The Gifts of the Spirit are still in print. They have rejected some Christian teachings (such as the Trinity17) primarily because they have accepted Way caricatures and have not fully understood them. 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. As a minister in the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now part of the United Church of Christ), Wierwille developed . In the 90s as home internet was starting to become a thing, and ex-Way followers were posting their experiences on message boards, I remember fellowship leaders told us to limit our time online and to not Google search (or in those days Yahoo?) Homosexuals Purged, Wow Ambassadors Terminated, Martindale also hopes the new classes will hinder homosexuals from joining The Way, because he condemns homosexuality. 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. 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. Heart-to-heart sharing with those who have . The termination of the WOW Ambassador program led to the start of the Disciples of The Way Outreach program. The Way is marketed as a biblical research, teaching, and fellowship ministry. Followers are now tasting the matured fruit of The Way Tree fruit of promiscuity, adultery, plagiarism (a form of lying), authoritarianism, false teaching, unfaithfulness, and lack of self-control. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. Also there are no mental health issues, only devil spirits influencing or possessing your mind. I went to a couple fellowship meetings shortly after they took the "foundational class" and wouldn't shut up about it. He cultivated an image of being an original Bible researcher and his followers have seen him as such. 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 class aside (because who cares), can you imagine being made to feel like youre a bad person because of things beyond your control? Can any recent survivors provide their reflections if its not to much: What are the manipulation tactics used? 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. Our dear and sweet beloved friend. First, the assumptions and structure of the new groups are like The Way International. Again, thank you for taking the time to provide concise details. Off-shoot of The Way (formerly Christian Educational Services) 6.3k posts. Its not interested in interrogating deep questions of being and it doesnt hold up well to fact based challenges. I dont know if any of this is helpful to you. Un apologista cristiano responde a la actuacin satnica de Sam Smith y Kim Petras en los Grammy, Connect with the Christian Research Institute. 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). The most prominent of these groups are John Lynns Christian Educational Services (CES) and Chris Geers The Way of Great Britain.