How about a little more candor, Vince? The Way International also claims trademark rights in the following: . They perpetuation of mental health that manifested in suicide with no accountability. 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. 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 . 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). .~?mq3\n7C. Many Wayers have accepted these allegations in part because they explain and confirm previous experiences. My eating habits were monitored and I would get made fun of by leadership for things i liked or how much I ate. "rev" gerry wrenn raises wierwille from the dead! 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. But if you fall out of line, you risk being shunned by the people most important to you. Word I think others have covered the most common manipulation tactics the group used. The Way is marketed as a biblical research, teaching, and fellowship ministry. 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. Many of us were had gotten the impression that she was back. Geer is damaging to The Way because of his previous close ties to Wierwille. The Way used to mail cassette tapes of the Sunday service to those "in good standing". This led to Martindales promise that all new Way Corps grads would obtain paid positions, which hadnt been done for over 20 years. that you have to purchase to participate. In addition, the account includes several insights into The Way. Just after Wierwilles death, Geer published The Passing of a Patriarch, which is a rambling account of Geers final conversations with Wierwille shortly before his death. Many remember current leaders as friends, but at the same time despise them for wrongs they believe they have done or allowed. Like when life doesnt go like you expect, whether its a health problem or an issue at work. 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. There was a Corp program called LEAD where participants had to hitchhike from Indiana/Ohio to New Mexico in a short period of time with very little money (less than $20 if I remember correctly) to go mountain climbing. Again, thank you for taking the time to provide concise details. 8 Whiteside, 197-200. As a kid, I was always 1.) We were taught that debt was inherently evil and that it made you a slave to the lender. As a result, many Wayers view Geer as being the true spiritual heir to Wierwille. Im terribly sorry to hear that feel free to message me privately if it helps. If you have done your reading about cults, then you are probably familiar with Dr. Steve Hassan's BITE model. Homosexuals Purged, Wow Ambassadors Terminated, Martindale also hopes the new classes will hinder homosexuals from joining The Way, because he condemns homosexuality. He added, We have flushed homosexuals and homo fantasizers and sympathizers out of our Way Corps and Staff.2 The Corps coordinator, a Rev. Some say that the Way International is a cult. 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. 5 Lamsa considered himself an apostle and believed in clairvoyance and universalism. Based at . They run off anyone who is not currently active in a Way-controlled twig and who doesnt have a Way escort. Each fellowship was just one small twig connected to a branch, then a limb, then a trunk and so on. This thread is like a walk down memory lane - Sunday Service tapes, the Rock of Ages, Athletes of the Spirit, all the lingo others have quoted, and Martindale's violent tirades against homosexuality in the mid 90s bring me right back. Please keep in touch. 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. Splintering of the group since 1985 has greatly reduced its active membership, from a peak of about 35,000 to less than 10,000.1. So obviously if you're feeling depressed or suicidal you CANNOT tell ANYONE or you will likely be told you're possessed and have to have it cast out of you, at which point you have to pretend to be healed or else it means you're a bad believer and it's your fault you harbor spirits. 7:15). 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. Fourth, help them through the reconstruction of their Christian lives by introducing them to sincere, Bible-believing Christians, small group fellowships, and churches. 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". 14 Letter by Steve Sann, Pacific West Fellowship, 2 March 1988. Like Wierwille, Bergs teachings became the ultimate authority, and when he committed adultery, he reinterpreted the Bible in order to defend his sinful practice. After all, it is their friends who have left and made accusations of severe error against The Way leadership. In opposition, John Schoenheit produced a paper that confronted this error and biblically explained that adultery is a sin. 8 Ibid., 67, 68. SPIRIT AND TRUTH FELLOWSHIP / CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES / JOHN LYNN. I was a Girl Scout as a kid and all through high school, and I devoted myself to community projects my whole life. 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. The Way, International Profile Splintering and Subjugating.as night follows day, Remembering a woman of courage, who stood up to a monster. 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). terrified of seeing/interacting with a marked and avoided person because I thought their adversarial ways would rub off on me. 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. 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. 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. 15 H. A. Ironside, Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1938) addresses the relation of the gospel to the church, the Bride and body of Christ, baptism, and related topics. The Way To Happiness International. He would beat me for nearly any infraction. 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. Think of the creed is their unwritten Bible. It has now become apparent to many of them that Wierwille was instead an eclectic plagiarist. 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 most important change involves the new The Way of Abundance and Power classes by Way president, L. Craig Martindale. Splinter Cults are WORSE..not better. European Christian Press (which Geer controls) then published it a few years after Wierwilles death. 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. I can remember being a teenager and being intellectually curious and asking a lot of questions. I thought of myself as a good person, but Id grown up to believe that you couldnt be both good and a homosexual. 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 That is to say, other people are nice and fine, but its only the true Believers that are truly living Godly lives. Good call. Youre not going to have to perform penance. 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. His complaint, however, implies that he realized there were significant errors in PFAL. 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. Nonetheless, hundreds of Way refugees are resisting the new groups' pleas to "join up.". He is a former follower of The Way International, the same group from which I escaped in 1987. They include the Foundational Class (Receive with Meekness), the Intermediate Class (Retain with Conviction), and the Advanced Class (Release with Boldness). 2013-08-01T19:56:36Z 5 Christopher C. Geer, The Passing of a Patriarch (Attrincham, Cheshire, U.K.: European Christian Press, n.d.), 34. The Corp program was insane and I could write a huge thread just about that experience. . There are certain rules Mandalorians must adhere to . Accordingly, several groups have arisen to try to meet these needs. The car parking and the Wi-Fi are always free, so you can stay in touch and come and go as you please. At that time I had recently come out as bisexual to my mom, which went as well as you'd expect. uuid:a0e7d6d5-45d0-8c4c-9602-8d6d3c43e9ff 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. I think youre absolutely right in that educating others will help with the grieving process. Disciples serve only four months, and The Way plans to send out two waves a year. Followers 0. 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). Geer and trustee Howard Allen apparently believed that the behavior of the trustees, not strokes and cancer, caused Wierwilles death. The Way is predominantly financed via its course fees and tithing. Boy howdy that was an ear-full. 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. And we have to consider the times: inspired by peace movements and anti-war efforts. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. Wierwilles ideas on sense knowledge, confession, and healing (among others) he found in E.W. I'm way-adjacent. Oh my goodness. I just wanted to paint a picture here of the laid back approach to Christian faith that makes the Way appealing to people. Could John Lynn be the undisputed king of Offshoot ministries? 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). Meanwhile, Way leaders apparently have tried biblically to defend adultery. Sann, on the other hand, considers people like Lynn to have gone too far in rejecting valid teachings. (The PFAL classes had been open to anyone who paid the $50 fee.) Reportedly, a few people have even considered suicide or entered mental institutions. I was isolated from my family physically because they didn't live close, and during private conversations about leadership I was told that my family didn't love me and that they could understand why because I was so horrible, but at least I had them. Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is the university she attended as a non-traditional student and place of employment. There were people who were sexually assaulted while hitchhiking and injured due to accidents. To be honest, it sounds nice on paper in many ways. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The past two years have been a very unsettling time for Wayers. Boop. The complexity and overarching theme of shame as well as guilt is much bigger than I ever imagined. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Nevertheless, The Ways situation has improved. 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. An Open Letter to You Who Are Disillusioned with The Way Ministry, J. Juedes PFO Journal. In 2000, the president of The Way, Craig Martindale, resigned following . And you mentioned twig earlier. 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. Again - really helpful and it has expanded my perspective as well as empathy much more. The stories which former (and current) Way insiders hear include many more specific charges about shocking events. My home life was very turbulent because of TWI. 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. I dealt with it as a kid by pretending not to notice the issues in my family and in the cult. (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1972), x. Este artculo es una exclusiva en lnea de Christian Research Journal. My parents met in the Way in the late 80s through the WOW program. These were known as splinter groups and were always talked about as deceptive as if they were scheming their followers. Except they pretty much worship the bible. 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. 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. Incidentally, only Geers group has published a book by Wierwille since his death. At first I was told how loved and adored I was but quickly that facade died and it was clear I was not loved. Like Wierwille, Berg drew young people from the Jesus movement to form his own group, the Children of God (now called the Family of Love), which uses sexual promiscuity to win new followers. All of these classes are weeks long, have an enrollment fee, and have their own expensive materials (books, binders, etc.) At one point I got sick with an infectious disease that typically kills you within 48 hours. Dont get me wrong, we should all have some financial literacy, but the extent to which Believers internalized their shortcomings was heart-breaking. We are spiritual beings in a material world, my mom would sometimes say. A few, but not tons. Offshoots - Splinter Groups : How Many Are There? Way trustees fired Schoenheit for writing the paper and sternly warned Wayers not to read it, ask about its contents, or have contact with those who read it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. I mention this because in the athletes analogy, theres always an adversary. The figure other Christians might call the Devil the Way often calls the Adversary (lol it looks weird to write it out). I don't talk to my family that's "in" much anymore though I do see them every so often. 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. I was told by a leader that having an understanding of the Word as it is supposed to be understood helps you form opinions. TWI's splinter groups, formed at TWI's implosion in the late 1980's, are bigger than . It's another thing entirely when the leader of a "Biblical Research and Fellowship Ministry" delivers a fire and brimstone sermon threatening to chain gays to the back bumper of an RV and go for a little drive. I was lucky enough to leave in high school when I was about 16. But at this point my goal has transitioned to educating the young and vulnerable population of college students by presenting an unknown and challenging thought. Mostly shame, guilt, separation from anyone but the group, brainwashing. A Profile of The Way, International And because we were Family Corp, children were added into the mix as well. Not something I wanted to read, but something I needed to read. Although the Way brags that 5,027 people have attended these seminars, that figure actually indicates an average of only about 100 per state. Maybe it will help to read what I experienced. If you weren't in good standing, you didn't get tapes of the way singers or of "reverend" Martindale. 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? Un apologista cristiano responde a la actuacin satnica de Sam Smith y Kim Petras en los Grammy, Connect with the Christian Research Institute. 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. 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. 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. Sann also circulates periodic newsletters and regularly publishes teaching tapes. Heart-to-heart sharing with those who have . 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. TWI splinter group leader John Lynn wrote a letter in 2008 defending and praising "the old" Way International, proof that the old Way Arrogance lives on as well. Ive started this process in some form and would like to invite you to take a peek at another thread. No. 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 most prominent of these groups are John Lynns Christian Educational Services (CES) and Chris Geers The Way of Great Britain. 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. 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. Geers book also claims that Geer alone is spiritually able to reform The Way Ministry. But apparently, he doesn't want people to know what he did in the 1970s and 1980s. 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. 7 Whiteside, 205-9. I get the impression her experience was exactly as youve shared. What do they make members do? Just as 100 different Mormon groups all revere the Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri, because of founder Joseph Smiths attachment to it, the many Way splinter groups also revere Wierwilles New Knoxville, Ohio family farm and books. (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. Could you elaborate on the manipulation? 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. As well as the original post questions. They are both prevalent in Ohio. Eventually someone outside the house stepped in because they knew what was wrong and got me to the hospital. 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. About The Way International has the most comprehensive collection of articles on The Way International found anywhere-- over 110. It is apparent that almost all Wierwille taught he acquired from other men, not from original study of Gods word. I'd recently read a secular book and they also blamed that. Most ex-Wayers are confused, not knowing where to turn, whom to trust, or what to believe. A good example of this is John Lynns 12-session class Keys to Victorious Living. The Class is nearly an exact duplicate of Wierwilles Power for Abundant Living class, teaching over two dozen of the same specific doctrines and using the same proof texts Wierwille used (though Lynn corrects some of Wierwilles most glaring misinterpretations). 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 I am glad you are with us. A number of people died. Omg this info about splinter groups is shocking. I want to be clear that if you think something nefarious has happened here, go with your gut. Some people started their own non-Way affiliated Bible fellowships. 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. Gross, right? 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. Scientology front group. Stiles, a leader in the early charismatic movement. Unlike the WOWs, the Disciples program is open only to Advanced Class graduates, and therefore probably consists mainly of members of the Way Corps. 2 The Way Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 1994, 26. Her recent suicide however was as a member in leadership. There is also an intermediate and advanced classes. Each year The Way had sent out hundreds of WOW (Word Over the World) Ambassadors as volunteer missionaries to cities around the world, which was its primary outreach for 25 years. We are near 70 years of age now, but the "Way" still affects us. Some retain great respect for Wierwille, while a few joke about him. All of the various groups claim to hold the true legacy of Wierwille's teachings. (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). They justify ANY abuse by saying it was reproof and you needed it. Thank you thank you for replying and contributing to the thread. I dont know if this is still true, but a weird criteria at the time was that you had to be debt free to participate. Wierwille always told them that they could only go as far as they had been taught, and the new groups demonstrate this principle by organizing themselves in the same ways, and on the same assumptions, which Wierwille used in building The Way Tree. 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. Household Prayer would be around 6am or earlier sometimes, which you couldn't miss or again you would be reprimanded. The Cults podcast on Stitcher has a 2-part special on The Way and River Road Fellowship, which was one of the splinter groups. We were required to eat every dinner together or we would be reprimanded in front of the whole house (about 10 people). Although Guideposts helped popularize Cliffes writings and he claimed to be Anglican, Cliffe held New Thought beliefs, seeing God as impersonal principle. Heads up on Another Splinter off the Way International Tree. 0 replies; 812 views; Fredchopin . 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. But small IRA splinter groups have continued to launch sporadic attacks on security forces. TL;DR: the Way seems chill and relaxed on the outside but its pretty intense on a personal level. In short, the Way (though it started much earlier) at its highest participation rates was essentially home fellowships with hippies talking about Jesus. 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. 10 These are actual experiences which Wayers, ex-Wayers, and others have shared with me. 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. I think some of the main differences between the 80's and now is the infrastructure. Have others committed suicide? 17 Rick Lessing, An Analysis and Critique of the Theology of The Way International: An Evangelical Christian Response to Victor Paul Wierwilles Concept of the Trinity (unpublished paper, 1986), makes a case that Wierwille misunderstood Trinitarianism as (alternately) Sabellianism and polytheism, and that when Trinitarianism is properly explained, it is clearly biblically valid and coherent.

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