skyrider

So true, so true.....the dependency lifestyle is sad, really. Back in the early '90s, an elderly man and long-standing follower asked me, "Why are all the good people leaving twi?" Knowing this man's business background, I knew what he meant......the solid, independent, prosperous believers were leaving twi.

You know.....we were manipulated. Why didn't wierwille/twi openly sanction the "no question is a stupid question" atmosphere? Having plagairized whole swaths of information, wierwille was NOT equipped to teach by experience the things of the advanced class. Therefore, he projected the myth of mogness......a sleight of hand and cunning craftiness wherein he was lying in wait to deceive. I believe that few advanced class grads have ever stopped to realize the indoctrination process involved. Heck, even the prerequisite classes.....The Way Tree, The Renewed Mind, Biblical Keys to Research, Christian Family and Sex.....were laying groundwork for manipulation and indoctrination. Even today's twi has phased out whole segments of this prerequisite process and if that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what else would?

My expectations going in were very high. For me, having been out WOW Ambassador for two years and seeing some "God-works-wonders" situations, some healings, some spiritual-darkness questions......I was looking forward to wierwille teaching with specific clarity. Studying some of the Old Testament records were very thought-provoking and insightful, but I was expecting much more from wierwille. Where were the specifics? Why just old "black-heart, red-heart revelation" from the 1960's? How about TODAY??? Along with these nagging questions and lacking specifics.......the advanced class seemed to move into a tangent of 1) The Myth of the Six Million? 2) The Thirteeth Tribe? 3) The Hoax of the Holocaust? Why was wierwille spending all this time on discrediting Jews, and Jewish history? I thought the advanced class was going to specifically teach me how to walk with God?.....not indoctrinate my thinking with doctrine or prejudices? Then.....those "release groups" were simply times of regurgitating the same information back to one another. Not a time for discussion or questioning.....nope. These after-lunch release groups were closely scripted to monitor the group....to give an impression of connectiveness while wierwille and other bigwigs took a nap.

jb.....absolutely! I've shared this story before, so I'll keep it short. While door-to-door witnessing as a wow ambassador in Syracuse, NY the two of us were invited into an elderly woman's home. Of course, I shared about the truths of the scriptures and that our ministry was trying to help others understand the Bible. Her husband joined to listen as well. After about eight minutes of sharing, I proceeded down the tangent of healing....and the woman admitted that she couldn't see clearly to read her Bible. She had cataracts and saw opaque blurs. And, I simply said...."Would you like me to pray for you?" To this, she responded, "yes." So, as I stood next to her, I simply motioned for all four of us to join together and hold hands while I prayed. A simple heart-filled prayer by claiming the truths of God's healing power thru Jesus Christ that probably lasted about 90 seconds.....and the elderly woman opened her eyes. Immediately, she began crying and saying that she could see clearly! She exclaimed that her cataracts were gone!! She looked at the Bible on the coffee table, picked it up and cried even more. Her husband started crying and then, I started crying. We hugged and thanked God.......and after about five more minutes, we left and shared this testimony with others. What a day!

The wierwille doctrine........"the word takes the place of the ABSENT christ." In a late-night corps setting, wierwille lamented that his corps were not seeing the power of God. Also, in this rare glimpse of honesty and openness.....he further stated that many corps had actually digressed from their wow ambassador days. BUT.....he wasn't able to connect the dots and see that his teachings were shackling and stifling those who were to be free in Christ and demonstrating God's power. Oppressive, authoritarian rule was the order of the day.....and wierwille was twi's general. He never did figure it out.....and later died wondering why "his believing" didn't bring him healing.

Interesting topic......thanks. Why Organic Church is Not Exactly a Movement Today the phrase organic church is in vogue, but it has been converted to clay. Some mold it as a method of church to win souls and change the world for Christ, a sentiment that harkens back to D. L. Moody and J. R. Mott. These advocates see the church as a soul-winning station. Its chief mission is the evangelization of the world. Others mold it as a synonym for house church. A house church is simply a group of Christians that meets in a home for their corporate worship. That can take countless forms and expressions. House churches can range from institutional services in a living room with pews firmly bolted to the floor, to glorified Bible studies, supper-fests, "bless-me" clubs, healthy Christian communities, or first-rate cults. As I've often said, meeting in a home doesn't make you a church any more than sitting in a donut shop makes you a police officer (no offense to police officers; the better part of my family is in law enforcement!). There's nothing magical about meeting in a home. And the living room, while a great place to gather, should never be the Christian's passion.

From a marketing strategy....I understand why wierwille utilized the "way tree" setup. Yet, he holds up the Bible as THE SOURCE OF TRUTH.....and then, circumvents his "nothing but the Word" bravado by inserting twigs, branches, limbs, trunks, and elephants. Seems like the elephants are there to eat the twigs. Seriously though, if wierwille were to stand on biblical truths....he would have held to the ONE BODY truths and Christ is the Head. That truth, that analogy is straight from the scriptures and teaches complement truths to the 'christ-in-you' the hope of glory. The individual is unique and special......NOT the twig. The individual has a direct impact in the One Body.....NOT the twig. The individual was formed, made, and created with a specific purpose .....NOT the twig. The individual is irreplaceable and valued......NOT like a twig that replenishes next year. 1Cor 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. Isn't the human body known to be one of the greatest marvels of His creation? And to think that, in spiritual superlatives, God has set a new ONE BODY, the mystery of the ages, in motion with Christ as the Head. The human mind can hardly grasp the magnificent truths and the scripture build-up to assimilate His creation. Really?.......a "way tree" class to prepare one for an advanced class? Why not?......THE ONE BODY class to prepare students for an advanced class? In my opinion, one of the great deceptions of twi was at this juncture. Whether wierwille deceitfully led us into these corrals (twigs) to herd us into groups as opposed to teaching and uplifting individuals to turn to Christ, our Lord, our Mediator, our Head.....we may never know. But the end result, we DO KNOW.....and it failed miserably. It only took about 12 years, after way-tree terminology took hold, for twi to wither (backwards).

Whether wierwille was imitating Lawrence Welk's spotlighting of selected singers, dancers, and musicians.....I don't know. But wierwille was never shy in hiding his favorite......and Stevie K@y L0uie was front-n-center for several years before CR.

Many of these offshoot leaders, Vince included......HIDE their roots to twi. In books, websites, or newsletters they utilize vague "theological studies" references and such. Perhaps, in-house.....they might credit VPW. And, just like wierwille's 1st edition of RHST where, in the preface, he states that he searched for 7 years before he found a man who could teach him the great truths of the holy spirit field.... then, later editions delete this information. By the time the 7th edition surfaces, Almighty God taught wierwille in daily face-to-face sessions in the way woods.

This was NOT taught in pfal.....nor in the Way Tree class. Most remember how the book of Acts was considered 'the blueprint for delegation and moving the word.' Interestingly, wierwille pawns off his 'way tree' setup for his ministry that is UNBIBLICAL. Of course, he couldn't utilize the scriptures and teach the One Body with CHRIST AS THE HEAD with members in particular, on relatively equal basis of importance and subservient to the Head. Nope, wierwille does the regular cherry-picking of scriptures, and in this case he uses out-an-out deception to indoctrinate and coerce his followers. Yeah, wierwille uses lip service to grandstand his 'mastery of the word' and then subverts its meaning. He did give lip-service to the One Body......but the driving imagery and subsequent class was The Way Tree setup. Yeah, that's the kool-aide mentality on the road to the advanced class. Twi uses an oak tree for its logo. A tree. In scripture, a tree could illustrate good OR evil. In scripture, a tree could represent growth OR barren. The fig tree dried up from the roots. The tree of knowledge of good and evil. Etc. .

johniam......oh, I've kept LOTS OF SCRIPTURE that twi taught. Scriptures on idolatry, seducers, covetousness, pride, evil, vain worship, traditions of men, adultery, drunkenness, striker, brawler, twofold the child of hell, etc. etc.......EXCEPT, I more fully understand that these scriptures APPLY TO THE HIERARCHY OF TWI. On the other hand.....scriptures about the blood-sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Lord, Prince of Peace, Son of God, The Promised Seed, King of kings, and Lord of lords, etc.... yeah.....I can hold on to those truths.

So.....the Old Testament is the defining symbolism of wierwille's "new, dynamic church?" That's rich..!!

Yeah......and the smell of hypocrisy and pride was undeniable. Even while inresidence corps, I made a vow to God that I never wanted to be like wierwille. Although not wanting to fully admit it, I knew deep down that vpw was simply a smooth-operator, to charm and entice. Like a chameleon, he was always changing with the situation around him. He loved to bask in the spotlight and soak in the praise. Everything at hq showed me that twi was just another religion.

And, speaking of work.... When wierwille addressed our corps and said NONE of you ever learned how to work......he was WRONG! There was not one thing in the corps training that I hadn't learned regarding work, not one! My brothers and I were up at 5:30am and headed to the field to move irrigation pipe before school. In the summer, I started driving tractors at 10 years old and the combine one year later. With wheat, corn, milo, alfalfa, beans, cattle, and sheep......farm life was quite a childhood. The corps work program was a joke!

What twi pawned off as "leadership" was...........GROOMING. Twi groomed the inner-circle for years, decades for some......elite privileges, insider info, 'spiritually-mature classified knowledge,' bribes, babes, booze, free-passes, ego-stroking, etc. Titillating temptations are dangled in front of them, and few resist. Birds of a feather flock together.....and narcissists groom other narcissists, bullies groom bullies, and round and round it goes. That's why evil waxes worse and worse. Once one gives in on standards and principles, especially the biblical/moral values.....it spirals downward from there. And....from what we've learned about wierwille, he didn't start on very high ground to begin with.

DogLover.....yeah, probably the same place. I, too, liked being outdoors, but mostly it stands juxtaposed to TWI'S CLASSROOM INDOCTRINATION. For me, having grown up in rural America......hunting pheasants, riding motorcycles, farm work, sports and games, being outside was a given, not a treat! Just seemed like twi used "work days" like this, to score a 'likeable moment in corps training.' I will forever view the corps program as INDOCTRINATION WHOLESALE. The corps coordinators incrementally lulled us into accepting the wierwille-worship. I'm quite sure this post sounds quite harsh.......but I can't sugarcoat twi's evil. Gee, they "let us out of class so we could work for 3 hours!"....how wonderful. Isn't that a technique used by captors?

waysider......that clip reminds me of the time when all the inresidence corps in Emporia were instructed to 'hoof-it' about 4 miles to that gun-safety course in the outskirts of town. I don't think that we whistled that song, though.

With trial and error, wierwille eventually managed to patch together an organization via "The Way Tree." Although Johnnie T. stepped forward to teach this tree-concept in a class that was a prerequisite of the advanced class......'way tree' terminology was being phased out by 1983/84. With a lifespan of 9 or 10 years, how solid was this 'biblical research ministry?' Remember......A Leaf on a Mighty Tree? Chapter and verse, please. Remember......Twigs, Branches, Limbs? Chapter and verse, please. The Way Tree was....An illusion of leadership. The Way Corps was...An illusion of leadership. The Way International is Structured Followship.....do this, do that, sing here, sit there. Everything from signing the registration card is conditioning one to follow their instructions. Every class, every twig, every event.....is a series of repetitive motions. By design. They pawn their services as 'spiritual leadership'......and yet, its cookie-cutter conformity!! The leader above them parrots instructions that the leader above him parrots, etc. etc. Obeying leadership is the Rubicon of twi lore.....the alpha and the omega. Everything depends on it. Everything falls apart without it. You can't question it. You can't analyze it. You must simply accept it.....because it is. Classes, meetings, events.....and the organization marches on. No time for worship services, just the quick manies (manifestations) to 'hear from God' and get to the repetitive teaching, the main event. Activity has replaced accomplishment and few ever seem to notice the rut. Many have marched along this path for so long that they're mesmerized by the sound of the marching.....thinking they've marched across the continent. But hey.....even wierwille was an illusion unto himself. He "wished" he were the man he just knew he could be if he lived up to the scriptures.

On another level.....I equated 'research' to the application of different variables, like a 'research laboratory' where tests and substances and applications are performed to measure results. To me, applying these biblical truths to real life situations and witnessing the outcomes was invaluable learning. Whether written in the scriptures, written on tablets or written on the tables of one's heart, the spirit within bears witness of the testimony of His grace and mercy. In twi, wierwille pushed his 'study the word' mantra exclusively at the detriment of the spirit within. Head knowledge.....heart knowledge.....application knowledge. Phl 2:12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phl 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. Without leadership and open books around constantly .......working out my "own wholeness" is a lifetime research project. And, good riddance to wierwille's limited approach to 'rightly dividing the truth and standing approved before God.' .

Yeah.....just as toxic as religious cults, or more!

Delusions of Grandeur..... Whether its a small town cop, a cult leader, a professor, a scientist, a hollywood actor, a sport icon, a federal judge, a dictator, etc. ......the nature of man tends to gravitate towards pride and vanity. When left unchecked, delusions of grandeur tend to seep in, and once in, are inhabited a lifetime. Without check and balances and accountability, the mind of man can easily fabricate delusions. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Hey, Rocky......what's with the political jab? If politics were to enter this discussion, I'm sure there are others who would counter that by saying "So.....in 2008, did God call Obama to the office of US President?" Religion and Politics......Beware of the leaven of the hierarchy!!!

waysider......perhaps I should have added a 'sarc tag' to my post. I have no idea if wierwille shot any hoops at all. And, really......give a kid a ball and lots of time.....and all kinds of kicks, hooks, jams, and throws are 'discovered.' When I was a kid, we'd play basketball in the wintertime at the local park. It would sometimes get so cold, that we could spit on the pole and it'd freeze in 30 seconds. hahaha

But, but...... Young wierwille, hiding in the way woods from his father to avoid work, had erected a make-shift backboard and barrel hoop for practice. Within weeks, he'd perfected the long shot and then, while stumbling over a stump, he "hooked" it in the air and it went in. Just like that!.....wierwille did it, first, at age 15 (1932). Nobody saw it.....but he told the corps years later. Then the snowstorm came.....

Thomas......perhaps, St. Peter's Church consented to the "wierwille sabbatical" to give them time to have church board meetings and consider their options? IMO....it seems obvious that wierwille was NOT invested to furthering St. Peter's work and was his goals were self-serving. More than likely, the church welcomed this interim period. Is there any wonder why the church struck wierwille's name from their clergy registry? All of wierwille's boastings to re-write his past may have fooled the 1970's youth.....but church boards, and elders and India Missionary Boards SAW THRU the veiled chest-pumping.