skyrider

Don Wierwille dead at age 60 ----- (1940-2000)

VP Wierwille died......age 68 Ermal Owens died.......age 69 Harry Wierwille died....age 70 Gee, what the heck was wrong with "their believing"...??? Three of my four grandparents LIVED INTO THEIR 90s. <_< .

The condescending teachings in twi treated us, for decades, like children. Some say.....its still that way. Maybe, condescension and repetition are staples in twi's arsenal of control.....but, for me, it sure was annoying. I understand that some approach teaching as an endeavor to reach "the slowest person in the room." Sure, foundational stuff to new students.....keep it simple. I get that. But.....singing children's songs in the corps program? Sheeesh. I cringed every time John Lynn or some other corps coordinator led these childish songs after the noon meal. For me, the worst song was "Father Abraham." And, years later, on staff at hq......Walter Cvmmins liked to lead the song "My hat it has three corners" with hand motions, of course. Uuuuuuugh. Is this condescension an aspect of biblical instruction? Milk or meat? Be as children? Etc.. Or, does twi pervert the truths of scripture via elitism, arrogance, and parsing of words and context? And with the former schoolteacher, Rosalie, in charge of twi......is there a double dose of condescension? Are 55 year-old adults on staff still treated like children and scolded for misbehavior? Is talking-down or dumbing-down the people a systematic process of control? .

Yeah......Bud Morgan was given the assignment. He utilized the Str@uhal family to contrast the story of how members in this family "changed" by twi and its pfal class. Michael was the centerpiece of Bud's script.....with twig participation, singing, life changes, "pressed down hits" and a more abundant life. As I remember it......a few years later, the Str@uhal family was no where to be seen in twi.

Yeah.......that's why some refer to politics as a 'contact sport.' But.....if the loud and push elements get their way, doesn't that political bullying only intensify? What then? Where does the discussion (and legislature, and laws) go when there is a one-sided bully pulpit? From what I've studied......it gravitates toward mob rule, government unions, censorship of speech, confiscation of private property, state-run tv networks, website blackouts, etc. Places like Venzuela are a good study of 'tyranny served with a smile.' If intimidation and verbal attacks are used to stop the discussion/opposition, then one is left with a choice.....Either, 1)Refrain from all discussions and let the political bullies run rampant, or 2)Try to smooth things over with 'friendliness', but still stay away from the political fray, or 3)Take the initiative to get educated, to learn the cornerstones of US governing principles, learn some history, read and stay abreast of issues, and engage in political discourse. Some say that freedom has to be maintained and fought for in each generation and passed down to the next generation. Some believe that America is at a 'tipping point' in history. Alarming statistics bear out the fact that America cannot sustain the fiscal pathway that its on: a)48 million on food stamps, b)1 in 7 Americans live in poverty status, c)borrowing 10 Billion every 53 hours, d)medicare, medicaid and social security approaching insolvency, e)$16 Trillion debt, f)coal plant closures vs growing electrical needs, etc. etc. etc. All of this and much, much more is why, I believe, that only a small percentage of people engage in political discourse. It is so overwhelming.....and contantly swirling. Often times, articles refer to a systematic onslaught as a political machine.....or, 'Chicago politics.' There is strength in numbers and political organizations and affiliations are the order of the day. Heck, I read where Muslim/political groups started in the U.S. in 1962 and have been growing rapidly for the past 50 years. It seems one could easily associate the close-cousin relationship of politics and religion. In numbers, many find a voice to addess their concerns and grievances or to assert upward clout and mobility. For some, government is like a god. In politics, there seems to be no such thing as a lone wolf. Politics is all about interconnecting factions of people and society for a distinct cause. If you want to be effective, then it only makes sense that you join with like-minded devotees....the ole 'birds of a feather, flock together.' Flying alone is an easy way to be picked off by 'a bird of prey.' The harsh reality of life? Yep.

Yeah.....the rhetoric and name-calling can certainly squelch a respectable, adult discussion of diverging viewpoints. But for those who deal with substance and facts......hopefully, mutual civility will gain the upperhand. For decades, I refused to enter a political discussion. Unless one becomes somewhat knowledgeable of a swath of issues, I found that anyone with a strong opinion could 'slice-n-dice' my concerns with overwhelming ideology or talking points. So, for me, the choice was clear.....1)Read, study and become knowledgeable of where I stood in my core beliefs, or 2)Stay clear of politics so that I wasn't tossed to-and-fro by opposing forces. Yet, when one really thinks deeply about it......'politics' cannot be avoided. Citizens and non-citizens are affected by a framework of laws, rights, ethics and constitutional privileges afforded to each, respectively. In March, I was in New York City and visited Ellis Island, the gateway for millions of immigrants that came flooding into the USA. The museum documents the stories and struggles of immigrants escaping tyranny, monarchies, and oppressive systems the world over. Nor is 'politics' a constant.....it is ever-changing society and the behavior of people. The executive and legislative and judicial branches of government (local, state and federal) are consistently evolving and expanding. Policies implement laws and directives....which modify and/or change human behavior. If all the billionaire and millionaire money in the U.S. was confiscated, NOT just taxed at a higher rate.......it would only run the federal government for 9 days. And, there is a reason why some Americans are getting very, very nervous......Click Here

Yeah.......I was there. For nearly seven months, we'd been hearing all the promos for PFAL '77 and my expectations were really high. But.....for me, what came across was this overwhelming "control atmosphere" of a/v crews and videotaping procedures and quieting any noise from students before and during class sessions. By this time, I'd probably heard the original pfal class 9 or 10 times......so I thought wierwille would be better than he was. There were moments of anxiousness and frustration when videotaping didn't go as smoothly as they wanted. And, all the fanfare and playing to the audience seemed kinda silly. I remember a major banquet where everyone of us were dressed in suits/dresses and all. Good food, but it seemed like it took forever to get seated, served, and the announcements from the head table afterwards. We had break-out groups led by corps.......same old, same old. I must admit, classroom settings and large conventions aren't the thing that "knocks my socks off." The hoopla and fanfare just didn't rise to the expectations that I'd built all those months prior. I guess that I was one of those guys who just wanted to be taught how to walk with God and SEE IT IN ACTION. For years, I really thought that twi would MOVE BEYOND WIERWILLE AND "HIS GREATNESS." I was waiting for ANOTHER leader......I never thought wierwille was the end-all in spiritual leadership. I believed that more and more truths would be mined from twi's research department....not just more rehash. If there really were to be apostles and prophets, wouldn't they rise up in twi's midst? You know, men who were fearless and heralded detailed truth.....not just flaky, micromanaged classes. And now, looking back......I see how off-target twi was in the mediator/lordship/loveGod categories that it's NOT surprising to see that twi gravitated to another traditions-of-men organization. Being young and full of zeal, I wanted to skyrocket the glory of God in all His majesty and praise His Holy Name. The greatest thing about twi was the wonderful and awesome people from all walks of life.....until the constant droning of repetition and indoctrination stole their enthusiasm and dreams.

I have family and friends on both sides of the aisle. One side emphasizes their views and priorities; the other side has equal and justifiable concerns. Both sides are becoming more polarized. Pick a topic, any topic......and those who are paying close attention to national and world affairs are engaged. Whether its fiscal responsibility, nuclear threats, medicare insolvency, $16 Trillion USdebt, government land-grabs, environmental issues, gun rights, energy independence, etc......how does it affect you and your livelihood? When politics affects one's life and livelihood more and more on a daily basis, people respond accordingly. Abortion issues, crime rates, tax rates, voter fraud, etc.....affect cities, budget meetings, council boards, neighborhoods. Whoever controls the purse strings of government, controls and dictates aspects of life. Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Muslims, etc.....all have issues of importance to them. Same with legalism in religion (twi)......when it became too oppressive, people spoke out and many left. In politics, only the uber-rich can leave the USA for another country. The dissenters speak out. As the USA becomes more polarized, it becomes harder to remain neutral. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

Having spent 24 years in twi, I have often re-assessed my reasons for leaving. Last night, in a long conversation with another ex-follower, I held to my conviction that I've "never felt guilty" for walking away. Why should I continue to allow twi leadership to control my life? * Clearly, the scriptures admonish me to discern evil and forsake it. * Clearly, twi had lauded their way as the pathway of righteousness. * Clearly, their legalism was fear-driven and vain traditions of man. * Clearly, their agendas were devised and structured to maximize control of others. * Clearly, bait-and-switch methods had hooked and netted me at my peril. When the scales fell from my eyes, I realized in crystal-clear clarity that LEAVING was my only true option. There was NO WAY that I could remain in twi and live in their hypocrisy. My rule of conduct, my code of honor would NOT let me, willingly, succomb to conscious deception and deceiving others. I took responsibility to assert myself to a higher path of living. Nor could I stomach the thought of twi using me as a "corps poster" of discipline. For the record, that strong inner-drive of passion and discipline came FROM MY FARM BACKGROUND. I had daily chores at the age of 10....to help with the livestock and farming. We had nearly 2,600 acres of wheat and corn and 40 acres of alfalfa. Every summer, one of the challenging tasks was moving irrigation pipe across the alfalfa fields to insure 3 cuttings, and in some exceptional years a 4th cutting. Then, came the bailing and stacking the bales for sale and livestock use. In twi, I was trying to justify and uphold the unjustifiable. The corps program rewarded obedience and followship, NOT LEADERSHIP. Wierwille's brand placated the bullies, the boisterous and pompous, in the name of spiritual maturity. The corps was made in wierwille's image. All of wierwille's bravado pales into obscurity when spiritual stalwarts like the Apostle Paul, Barnabus, Timothy, etc. are elucidated in following in the steps of Jesus Christ. The comparison to wierwille shouldn't even be in the same paragraph or chapter, let alone the same sentence. Yet, in conversing with my friend, I had to realize that I've dismantled this wierwille-idolatry structure a thousand times over thru the years. Whether the discussion turns to his pfal class, the convenient snowstorm revelations, the India itinerary, the plagairisms, the clumsy research, or Red-Thread ripoff from Oral Roberts....makes no difference. None of twi's salient points of wierwille's legacy holds water, for me, anymore. Therefore, I have very little emotion left for wierwille's portrayal and betrayal. Although twi's LAST, GRASPING EFFORT to a departing follower is "you'll be a greasespot by midnight".......for me, it never worked. I had reached the conclusion that if THIS is what staying IN twi is like, then I'll gladly take my chances away from this prison. And in defiant declaration, I'd say to myself that "I'd rather die trying to climb outta this hole than to rot in it." And, with each passing year.....I am vindicated. Twi has become the embodiment of vain repetition, the traditions of man, the emptyness of vain worship. Those who feed off (salaried) their vainglory are BECOMING more than those who put money into the horns-of-plenty. The hollow auditorium is a structure where hollow platitudes fall on deaf ears. The vast majority of empty seats is a declaration of dissent. Yet, the rigid ideology of twi refuses to turn from their evil ways. All of us have to live with our choices....and I'm so thankful I've made mine. Having left twi's "way"...... Never. Feel. Guilty. .

Yep.....I thought the same thing in 1977 shortly after wierwille's live pfal-class at Ball State in Muncie, IN.

An echo chamber.

Although twi has been prone to visions of grandeur since the days wierwille walked the earth, there is nothing quite like the COLD, HARSH REALITY OF EMPTY SEATS. Try as they may, to spin twi's "prevailing" message......there is NO DENYING its a hard sell to those staffers who see the pitiful turnout every Sunday, week after week. C'mon, when they can't fill half the lower, middle section of the auditorium, it doesn't sell well. You see, folks.....it's NOT the individual that matters to twi. The empty seat is WHAT MATTERS. It's empty. No one sitting there. And, that's a problem; a visual optics problem. It becomes much harder to keep the delusion......er, believing operating. And, another thing........empty seats beget more empty seats. You KNOW there's a problem when the ushers are herding people to their seats 25 minutes in advance and there are EMPTY SEATS EVERYWHERE. What's wrong with that picture? What's the motive? Oh yeah, it's the visual optics that matters. The camera angles. Besides, if visitors float around in the low-traffic lobby too long.....they might just decide to leave instead. Denial......denial......denial. Deny all you want. Reality speaks from an EMPTY seat. :B)

Yeah.....I didn't think granddaughter(?) seemed likely. Now, let's see if someone can verify Tonia's installment as CFF's president. On CFF's website, she is slated for an itinerary in September. Hmmmm. For me, knowing some of the men and clergy in CFF......I find it ironic that Tonia gets slotted for the big chair. And, if this was based on a presupposed "arrangement" by her father, John, years ago before his death.....it just seems so bargain-basement 'worldly' or something. Like, splinter-groups keeping the gravy train rolling for their family........ <_<

And, on another sidenote......from CFF, I heard that wayn_ cl@pp is stepping down as president and Tonia Shroyer, John Shroyer's granddaughter (?) will be sitting in the big chair. Supposedly, John had promised her this before his passing. Is that how "ministries" are kept in the family nowadays? Hopefully, someone can verify this information

Saying this stuff is really hard to admit.......uuugh. But when I really get honest and think about it, I saw the manipulation EVEN BACK THEN. 1) The "release" groups that were actually INDOCTRINATION groups. 2) Corps branch leaders monitored speech/actions of assigned group each day. 3) Various teaching tangents with agendas -- 'Myth of the Six Million' & 'The Thirteenth Tribe' 4) Advanced class completes the spiritually-mature student. Now, stand with twi. 5) Promos for WOW & Corps....now go do something with this knowledge. 6) A smugness that we were now adv class grads. 7) Groupthink, collectively united under wierwille's teachings, no other scholars were welcome. By 1978, nearly all adv class teachings were in-house. All those revelations/healings/casting out devil spirits by others.....gone. Twi had constructed their tower of babbling.....er, wierwille for all to come idolize.

Yeah.....the realization of having been duped is a biggie. Then, the next full-frontal realization is.......IF I LEAVE TWI WHAT THEN? 1) All social networks and "friends" in twi.....gone, poof. 2) All those years of wasted energy, loss of opportunity and education......uuuugh. 3) How utterly embarrassing to tell my parents and past friends that twi is a cult. 4) Gee, do I go find a wierwille splinter group or is everything wierwille taught a sham? 5) Maybe, just find a church.....or take a break for awhile. 6) Job? Career? Back to college? Move away? What now? I wonder how many people simply stay in because they don't want to deal with the tsunami of decisions? Could it be that staying in a deceptive snare is EASIER than all the effort to climb up and out to freedom?

The corps indoctrination camp had many tangents and sub-level diversions......the patton portrayal was one amongst many. From what I remember of my corps experience, the patton stuff came about mid-year when wierwille and his corps coordinators were searching for more material to "stoke the fires" of commitment and enthusiasm. I didn't sign up for the corps "training" to learn about general patton. From my corps experience, wierwille never detailed much more than his 16 "keys" to walking by the spirit and his advanced class material. The corps program was geared towards INDOCTRINATION and OBEDIENCE. Wierwille envisioned a marching throng of followers who would, obediently, carry forth the directive of PFAL CLASSES OVER THE WORLD......er, "word over the world." A class setting where wierwille lectures the student on his version of spiritual truths needed to live abundantly......where students are monitored throughout the class, no questions are to be asked, and a session 12 "seals the deal of knowing that you know." Yet, when the curtain of twi is pulled back.......one finds wierwille's sexual predation, exploitation, plagairism, drunkenness, orgy exploration, bullying, yell-fests, character assassinations, and visions of grandeur that fell flat. Today's twi is swirling around the drain-hole of relevancy. Staffers are scratching their heads wondering where did everyone go. Recruitment and outreach on the field is infinitely dismal. All corps graduates this year could easily fit into my living room. Probably, they could all fit into one of my bathrooms. <_<

Of course, she enjoys hiding behind the bureaucratic layering of Way Publications and Sunday Services where she can proofread material and critique the lowly schlubs. Isn't that what inspires a "prevailing word" organization? :biglaugh: Wierwille did it too! Oh, except......wierwille championed the "research dept" and sunday teachings. Ain't it great to sit in the big chair and pontificate? These actions speak louder than any words these "mogs/mogettes" bloviate week after week. Heck, wierwille would "lead" healing services by instructing all advanced class grads and corps to come forward at those roa events. With wierwille in charge, the term "corps leadership" became an oxymoron. Yeah, twi has been morphing into a dull, lifeless, micromanaged, denomination for a long, long time.

Why teaching ministries everywhere? Where are the Billy Graham evangelists? Where are the Oral Roberts healing ministries? Where are the apostles and prophets of old? The Old Testament highlights the prophets who walked before God. These men foretold of famines to come and prophecies to be unveiled. Countless lives were spared by adhering to a true prophet of God. Today......pastors and teachers, seemingly, "carry the torch" of God's light. Or, do they? Pastors have cornered the market of church denominations; teachers have cornered the business market of the prosperity gospel. Books, classes, CDs, seminars, advanced teachings, downloads, uploads, crossroads.......and everyone who is anyone is a teacher. How convenient is that? You can lead from behind a desk. Your spiritual credentials......er, academia credentials trump all else. Is the demonstrating of God's power even a consideration anymore? Apparently not....wierwille got away with it from 1967-1985. The deceptive bureaucracy of twi's projected a level of activity. Teaching ministries are NOT held accountable like, say, prophets. The teacher goes about his merry way and the student is "blamed" for not specifically applying the teaching, not having the believing to accomplish the task. See.....its an easy gig. "Teachers" are everywhere. And, with each passing year, the list of teaching avenues only grows. Splinter teachers pick up and take their ball to another court.....and simply tweak their teachings ever-so-slightly. In today's rapid technological advances, teaching preparation and delivery has never been easier. Like in the movie, Ratatouille......"Anyone Can Cook" So, it is with a "teaching ministry"......."Anyone Can Teach" <_< .

So......this is his declaration of what was said, "....the most tremendous Christian event he [an official member of Parliament] had ever witnessed..." Then....here is Mrs. Wierwille's accounting: "When the train came to its first stop, a man from the next compartment came to our door, saying that his master would like to meet the man of God. So we extended an invitation to the master to come to our compartment. When we had introduced ourselves, he said, 'We would like to pay our respects. It is not often we get to travel with such a man of God who blesses all the people.' He told us he was a member of central government on his way home to Allahabad. He gave Dr. Wierwille the key to that city." p.155, Born Again to Serve There you have it, folks. Husband and wife heard TWO different things. 1) Docvic recalls --- "...the most tremendous Christian event he had ever witnessed." 2) Wife of docvic --- "...It is not often we get to travel with such a man of God who blesses all the people." And, even though mrs. w's notes sanitizes the wierwille legacy, I suspect that her recollection of events is closer to what actually happened. Whatever "the key to the city" signified.....the wierwilles did NOT stay in Allahabad or correspond to any other officials regarding this "key presentation." Obviously, Dr. Williams and his All-India Federation of National Churches did NOT have any christian inroads to the city of Allahabad or else it would have been a stopping point of their itinerary. Allahabad has a population of over twice that of Ujjain, yet 85% Hindu, and 13% Muslim.

Or......was its intent to be derisive and ridicule these "great" men? Wierwille went rogue and divisive in pitting his mogship against the church establishment and assorted denominations. These "nine great men" didn't know how to lead wierwille into speaking in tongues. They tried, but they didn't know. Yet, a few years later.....wierwille, supposedly, "tapped the resources for the more abundant life" and could lead others into manifesting via pfal. He deceptively labels them as "great men"......only to pull the rug out from underneath their greatness. And, one is left with the implication, that if "great men" could NOT do it......HOW GREAT IS WIERWILLE TO ACTUALLY DO IT??!!

Here's the takeaway in that tidbit.......wierwille interjected that distinction of "High" German in an attempt to cement his adeptness of languages. Why, lookey here.....the mog knows Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, High German, Low German, etc. etc. Heck, the guy is a dog-whisperer EVEN. <_<

Wierwille's recollection of events is derisive, vague and troubling. He uses loaded language by referring to these "nine great men" who [all?] started praying, then three or four [which is it?] laid hands on him and finally [really?] one of them said, "Speak another lanugage." Pppppppfffffssstttt. I don't buy wierwille's accounting of this for one New-York-second.

No "suddenly" about it. Young wierwille, age 27, attended the E. Stanley Jones Ashram at Salisbury, North Carolina in 1944. The spiritually towering "Billy Graham of India".....E. Stanley Jones, age 60, exemplified a leader that commanded great respect. His writings were widely-read: Books The Christ of the Indian Road (1925) Christ at the Round Table (1928) The Christ of Every Road – A study in Pentecost (1930) The Christ of the Mount – A Working Philosophy of Life (1931) Christ and Human Suffering (1933) Christ’s Alternative to Communism (1935) US title Christ and Communism (1935) UK title Victorious Living (1936) (devotional) The Choice Before Us (1937) Christ and Present World Issues (1937) Along the Indian Road (1939) Is the Kingdom of God Realism? (1940) Abundant Living (1942) (devotional) How to Pray (1943) The Christ of the American Road (1944) The Way (1946) (devotional) ......and many others. Also, it is my personal belief......that after 11 more years of church pastoring [1955] wierwille was ready to strike out on "his own path." Nearing 40 years old, vpw wanted to springboard his ministry with bold colors.....going to India, like E. Stanley Jones. Once again, wierwille was NOT original. He followed in the footsteps of other men and plagairized liberally from them. LOOK at all Jones provided for young wierwille to "build" his ministry. .

The Terapanth Jains is a sub-sect movement of the two major sects in Jainism, Svetambara and Digambara. When wierwille claimed to be "the first-ever christian to address the Jain Convention".....what that meant was Dr. Williams ushered vpw in as a guest speaker to address a splinter group of the Svetambara sect of Jainism in Ujjain, India. Not Bombay.....not Delhi.....not Calcutta.......not Jabalpur. Ujjain, India which today has a population of some 515,000 --- Click Here For those who might want to see the graphic outline of Jainism and its sects, [from Wikipedia] the following link is provided. Scroll down to #10 Denominations -- Click Here - Jainism