Splinter group of the Worldwide Church of God (WCoG). Okay. And Im not sure I can completely answer your question about stepping out of line and facing consequences. 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. 6 Albert Cliffe, Let Go and Let God (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1951), 157. In addition, the account includes several insights into The Way. Splinter Cults are WORSE..not better. What practices are still common? 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 think others have covered the most common manipulation tactics the group used. There were some other elite leadership groups in the faith (like Way Disciple that you mention) but the three I listed are the ones that most people in fellowships are expected to take. 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. Meanwhile, he promotes his book, The Rise and Expansion of the Church, through weekend seminars. I dont know if any of this is helpful to you. 14 Letter by Steve Sann, Pacific West Fellowship, 2 March 1988. This led to Martindales promise that all new Way Corps grads would obtain paid positions, which hadnt been done for over 20 years. 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. 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. 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. Somehow I always imagined theyd be better than the original TWI. I think some of the main differences between the 80's and now is the infrastructure. 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. Oh! in English, I was well traveled as an Army wife, and never dreamed I would be embarking on events that would change my life forever. Until then I was personally fighting acceptance because I wasnt able to understand and someone else had not articulated a realistic and plausible answer. The Ways decisions to terminate the WOWs and PFAL classes are partly due to the damaging influence of Way splinter groups. We are all at a complete loss and clueless in some ways. The Way is considered a cult by many former members, by most mainstream churches, and by certain secular groups. . Also former TWI here, my parents are still in it, and its causing incredible family pain, now between my older sister. 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 Corp program was insane and I could write a huge thread just about that experience. We can love rock music. I think youre absolutely right in that educating others will help with the grieving process. I think another thing to think about with the Way is that it is in many ways a pyramid scheme. 1 See The Way Tree Is Splintering, Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988. 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. Wierwilles ideas on sense knowledge, confession, and healing (among others) he found in E.W. 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. What is The Way, anyway? The Mandalorian's religion and - gamesradar 60, Bien Hoa Street, Minh Khai Ward, Phu Ly City, Ha Nam Province,, Minh Khai, Phu Ly (Ha Nam), Vietnam, 400000 - See map. It is apparent that almost all Wierwille taught he acquired from other men, not from original study of Gods word. Press J to jump to the feed. About The Way International 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. Have others committed suicide? Our dear and sweet beloved friend. The immediate cause was metastatic melanoma of the liver, which means that the cancer spread from the eye to the liver. This group was formerly known as American Fellowship Services. Many remember current leaders as friends, but at the same time despise them for wrongs they believe they have done or allowed. The Way International (TWI) has been on cult watchers' radar screens for decades. https://www.reddit.com/r/BGSU/comments/mlu753/the_way_international_twi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf. Mostly shame, guilt, separation from anyone but the group, brainwashing. But they are open to friendships and the Bible, and are reevaluating many teachings and practices. The Way, International Profile How about a little more candor, Vince? 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 am glad I am not the only one who dealt with growing up in TWI. Third, help them to relearn. Wierwille as father, friend, and teacher, but both the Scriptures and the empirical evidence demand it. 2 The Way Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 1994, 26. An iconic five-star international hotel Our hotel is located in the heart of the city and provides 180 rooms and suites. The Way International introduced sweeping changes at the annual Rock of Ages gathering last year. 5 Christopher C. Geer, The Passing of a Patriarch (Attrincham, Cheshire, U.K.: European Christian Press, n.d.), 34. 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 just wanted to paint a picture here of the laid back approach to Christian faith that makes the Way appealing to people. By word, character, and example, show them that there is more-than-abundant life outside The Way International.Dr. 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. Homey reported that it liquidated $29 million of debt by mid 1995. Update on The Way International and Its Offspring - MarketFaith Ministries In my research since leaving in 2013 I have found a number of people who reported that their loved ones died in the way dating back to the 70s. John P. Juedes is the pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Highland, California, and has written extensively on The Way International. Can you imagine? For instance, trustee Donald Wierwille (Victor Pauls son) confessed, I apologize for not having followed my man of God.6. This is hard to accept for those who knew V.P. 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. It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. 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. 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. Wierwille admits going to Alberta, Canada, twice in the early 1950s to hear Leonard teach on the manifestations and get a copy of his syllabus for his use.8 Leonard still teaches in Brownsville, Texas. The past two years have been a very unsettling time for Wayers. My eating habits were monitored and I would get made fun of by leadership for things i liked or how much I ate. I think it may be important for you to identify whether she was in TWI proper or a splinter group. 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 Most ex-Wayers are confused, not knowing where to turn, whom to trust, or what to believe. Martindales classes include material from PFAL as well as new topics. I told them never to bring up The Way in my presence again. 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. He would beat me for nearly any infraction. 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. No. Homosexuals Purged, Wow Ambassadors Terminated, Martindale also hopes the new classes will hinder homosexuals from joining The Way, because he condemns homosexuality. J. Juedes, PFO Journal, 1990. Explain teachings carefully, and give them time alone to read the Bible in a newer version (such as the New International Version or New American Standard) which has clearer wording and lacks Wierwilles marginal notes and deletions marked in their old King James Versions. Spirit and Truth Fellowship International, Out of the Way: The Offshoots Latest Topics. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. 1 John P. Juedes and Douglas V. Morton, The Integrity and Accuracy of The Ways Word (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1980), 43-48. Sometime after reading that I came across Religion Trauma Syndrome (RTS) and learned about repressive cognitive dissonance. There is also an intermediate and advanced classes. Point out that Wierwilles adultery and lying (plagiarism) mark him a false teacher, not just a teacher with failings (Matt. I was very moved by that story as a young person, and I remember talking to my mom and my fellowship coordinator about it. 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. Leonards book and course syllabus called The Gifts of the Spirit are still in print. 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. 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. All because of "homosexual devil spirit possession" will not be welcome at their festival. When he first presented it verbally to gatherings of Way leadership (at which, John Lynn reports, he carried a large-caliber pistol for self-protection), it caused tremendous turbulence, and its content was kept out of general circulation. How do they suffocate you as a person? 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. RECOVERY FROM THE WAY INTERNATIONAL - empirenet.com 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). We are near 70 years of age now, but the "Way" still affects us. 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. Carol's Story: About The Way Part One The Life and Times of Bruce However, it sucked to consider our loved as anything less than brilliant, observant, and aware. Many Wayers have accepted these allegations in part because they explain and confirm previous experiences. 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. 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). 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. 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). That ego had gone to their heads; that the Adversary had gotten to them. Growing up, I remember hearing stories about people who had drifted from the Way, and they were always spoken of as dangerous people. PDF The Way, International Profile - Watchman Fellowship Few know that many able scholars have effectively refuted some of Bullingers ideas. Boy howdy that was an ear-full. Youve saved me an extensive amount of grieving. The most prominent of these groups are John Lynns Christian Educational Services (CES) and Chris Geers The Way of Great Britain. However, BGSU is a Way Campus where members are sent for their education as well as recruiting practice; all things already mentioned. 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. Accordingly, several groups have arisen to try to meet these needs. At one point I got sick with an infectious disease that typically kills you within 48 hours. Except they pretty much worship the bible. The Cults podcast on Stitcher has a 2-part special on The Way and River Road Fellowship, which was one of the splinter groups. Defectors also accused Way leadership of practicing and approving adultery as a godly practice. 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. Sometimes area twigs would get together for a branch meeting, and less frequently a limb meeting. 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? 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. Meli Vinpearl Phu Ly, Phu Ly (Ha Nam) | 2023 Updated Prices, Deals They believed that God heals and if you believe enough he can heal anything. The manipulation tactics come from many angles. This is just awful, horrible and egregious in every way possible. 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. 14:21-23); stringent laws are done away with when one is born again (Col. 2:20-21); God punished David for killing Uriah, not for having sex with Bathsheba; and the Bibles word for adultery has a spiritual, not a physical meaning. 35 0 obj <> endobj 60 0 obj <>stream My mom thought God helped her get a good parking space once (Im not kidding). This is very hard. Because they had women on the Board of Directors and allowed women to lead fellowships, they could espouse their views as progressive. At the time Martindale saw the suspension of WOW as the response to an attack by evil devil spirits, but by the summer of 1995 he recast the suspension as a Way victory. 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. Box 18503, Anaheim, CA 92817. Youre not going to have to perform penance. The Way International fellowships are located throughout the United States, as well as over 30 countries. 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. But thats the thing: the adversary throws you curve balls, and its our job as athletes of the spirit to make smart moves. 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. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light; therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their deeds.