the way international splinter groupsrok aoe commanders
4 Lionel Recio and Steve Lefevers, The Way of Life or the Way of Death (self-published, 1987), 106. People were eager to engage, but I dont think answers were ever very satisfying. Juedes is a Lutheran paster who has written extensively on the Way. There is also an intermediate and advanced classes. They have been active and effective at exposing problems in The Way through personal influence and meetings of Wayers around the nation. 0 replies; 812 views; Fredchopin . The termination of the WOW Ambassador program led to the start of the Disciples of The Way Outreach program. Omg this info about splinter groups is shocking. Splinter group of the Worldwide Church of God (WCoG). 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. How about a little more candor, Vince? Nevertheless, The Ways situation has improved. 1 See The Way Tree Is Splintering, Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988. The Way is predominantly financed via its course fees and tithing. 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. Jun 10, 2009. 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. That ego had gone to their heads; that the Adversary had gotten to them. An Open Letter to You Who Are Disillusioned with The Way Ministry, J. Juedes PFO Journal. Because of the work of splinter groups, in recent years The Way has been marked by heightened paranoia, attention to security, and bitterness. Myself and others are looking to cope and find closure or understanding from a recent loss/death due to suicide. Im so sorry for your loss. What Are Long-Time Wayers Thinking About? I'm pretty sure that "The Word" has quite a bit to say about murder. Leonards book and course syllabus called The Gifts of the Spirit are still in print. You were expected to advance through them, and you typically developed bonds with your cohort in the Foundational, Intermediate and Advanced classes. 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. It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. 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. 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. For example, Vince Finnegan formed a new splinter group primarily from the block of Wayers he led in New . 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. The crowd of 11,000 applauded the changes, hoping that this would help remedy the severe decline and turbulence of the past 10 years. These people were rarely spoken of again, and if they were it was in hushed tones. Few know that many able scholars have effectively refuted some of Bullingers ideas. At the time, Schoenheit was on The Ways research team. 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. My story might be pretty different compared to those of you who grew up in the 80's/90's. 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. 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. They justify ANY abuse by saying it was reproof and you needed it. My father also advised the members of our fellowship to beat their children. However, BGSU is a Way Campus where members are sent for their education as well as recruiting practice; all things already mentioned. That made it harder for me to get a centered view on my life. I remember he looked at her with sympathy but didnt say anything. This article only sketches the most prominent and publishable charges. 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. 11 Morton and Juedes, Integrity and Accuracy, reveals many of Wierwilles errors in scholarship and Bible interpretation. 9 In an April 30, 1996 press release The Way announced it would not hold a Rock of Ages festival in 1996. 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. I can remember being a teenager and being intellectually curious and asking a lot of questions. Accordingly, several groups have arisen to try to meet these needs. The Way is marketed as a biblical research, teaching, and fellowship ministry. 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. 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. To address your questions about suicides directly - yes there have been suicides in the past as well as other deaths. It is not known if Martindales strong stand against homosexuality is in some way related to widespread reports of rampant adultery and promiscuous sex in The Way, including the highest levels of leadership. 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. Many Wayers have accepted these allegations in part because they explain and confirm previous experiences. terrified of seeing/interacting with a marked and avoided person because I thought their adversarial ways would rub off on me. At first I was told how loved and adored I was but quickly that facade died and it was clear I was not loved. Show love and patience throughout this trying time of change. This is hard to accept for those who knew V.P. 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. In response, he defends such Way teachings as that on interpretation of tongues.14 Ralph Dubofsky told the May 1988 CES meeting that the reason they like so much of E.W. Lynn summarized this when he assured listeners that many stories would curl your hair.12. Wierwilles ideas on sense knowledge, confession, and healing (among others) he found in E.W. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I think it may be important for you to identify whether she was in TWI proper or a splinter group. Could you elaborate on the manipulation? Yeah Um would you look at the time? In 2000, the president of The Way, Craig Martindale, resigned following . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. As a result, Martindale told everyone to eliminate this and other spirit-driven malignancies from Way circles. Thank you thank you for replying and contributing to the thread. 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. 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. I think some of the main differences between the 80's and now is the infrastructure. Mostly shame, guilt, separation from anyone but the group, brainwashing. A place for discussion about cults and other new age religious movements. 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. 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. And you mentioned twig earlier. Geer and trustee Howard Allen apparently believed that the behavior of the trustees, not strokes and cancer, caused Wierwilles death. I don't talk to my family that's "in" much anymore though I do see them every so often. I just wanted to paint a picture here of the laid back approach to Christian faith that makes the Way appealing to people. 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. 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. Splinter Cults are WORSE..not better. Second, the doctrine of the splinter groups is nearly a carbon copy of Way . 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. I wouldnt say my experience is at all recent since that was 2001, but I can absolutely say their tactics are manipulative. Take The Diary of Anne Frank for example. See also pp.38 and 52. Meanwhile, Way leaders apparently have tried biblically to defend adultery. I tried explaining to the family member that "reverend" Martindale just advocated for mass murder. 2 The Way Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 1994, 26. My splinter group was one of them. 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).