skyrider

In April of 1995, when Craig Martindale proclaimed that God gave him revelation for all active corps to be full-time employees of twi......it signaled the beginning of twi's micro-management of field personnel. In the months that followed all corps were to make preparations for their assignments and full-time service. With trust and expectation, no one really knew what laid ahead......except that martindale stated it was "revelation" from God. Supposedly, it was time to cross over the bridge into "The Promised Land of the Prevailing Word." As is always the case, the field corps were dramatically impacted.....selling businesses, giving notice to their employers, moving to new locations, changing schools for children, etc. At Corps Week, all corps were to meet with twi's Personnel Director and sign the paperwork, go over salary parameters and requests, broad job descriptions, any special situations, etc. The root locale corps were virtually unaffected by staying at their hq jobs. By September, the Trunk Office tripled their personnel to keep up with the demands, inter-departmental communication to field corps, new structuring and reports, faxes to report back, etc. In one massive sweep, martindale's decision had totally transformed twi overnight and a paper blizzard of reporting. Suffice it to say, the trustees had NO CLUE what they set in motion. With every decision made, the field corps were responsible for following thru with martindale's directives......every field event, MORE MONEY SPENT. After several months, then came the legalism...... NO SMOKING NO PETS NO PREGNANCIES (w/o trustee approval) NO......etc. etc. Everything costs money.........A COLD SPLASH OF REALITY JUST HIT TWI. Martindale's "revelation"......was dashed against the OCEAN OF RED INK. ********************** With healthcare reform signed into law......look at this. Bethlehem Hospital: Smokers Need Not Apply

Yeah.....there's plenty of scripture that deals with NUMBERS of people, ie...moses, lot, abraham, elijah (confronting the 450 prophets of baal), etc But......for geer to stand on mainstage at corps week and proclaim, "...90% of the corps are possessed" Oh, really?.......never believed it for one new york minute! Oh, really?.......then, maybe YOU geer should cast out the spirits! Why when wierwille or geer labeled someone possessed......WHY DIDN'T THEY CAST OUT THE SPIRIT(S)? Yeah, that's what I thought......divisive and manipulative.

This probably sounds crazy........but can anyone name ONE REFERENCE IN SCRIPTURE where a man of God confronted a multitude identifying a SPECIFIC PERCENTAGE? This 90% possessed was the most specific point he made all night. Not 92%......not 91%........but 90%..........WOW, what specific "revelation?"

sunesis........that is rich! I keep forgetting that Geer said that -- 90% of the way corps were possessed. In twi, at that time......labeling someone POSSESSED was akin to the political atmosphere of today in labeling someone RACIST. Really? 90%? C'mon geer......just because wierwille dropped the p-bomb (possessed) to bully others, doesn't mean that you had the spiritual cahones to use it.

Yeah......geer was all *smoke and mirrors* -- no fire. Besides, even when wierwille was contemplating the office of twi-presidency........christopher c. geer was never mentioned with any serious consideration. Neither was Towns3nd considered. The men who seemed to be the front-runners were martindale, cumm1ns, lynn, finn3gan, clarke, and burton (?).....I don't remember any others. Maybe someone here can remember another contender in this race. Regarding Mrs. W......she stayed supportive, but silent thru 1987 & 1988 as craig, don and howard struggled to follow the geer directives. The podcast featuring RD's account of things like the YAK twig and all show forth the swirling of mixed messages, suspicions, rumors, lies, and backstabbing that was going on during this time. But.......I vividly recall JP Wierwille declaring March 8, 1989 as "Liberation Day of The Way." The trustees had made the decision to cut off communication with geer and move on. Mrs. Wierwille fully supported this decision and was eager to be welcoming all at every sunday meeting.

Yeah......I see what you're saying, but the question remains -- "Did Geer want to overthrow the trustees and become the next twi president?" Sure, he and Barb could have moved into the Corps Chalet and he could have got the trains to run on time and all....but was that what he wanted? I don't know, but I tend to think not. The last 20 years seems to point to the fact that Geer was little more than a businessman. Where was all that "revival" of getting the fire of the Word inside again? Where was the great depth of truth and application that resided in Geer? Why have so many US corps leaders abandoned the geerite movement? Imo......geer wasn't the spiritual man that he thought he was. Sure, he could have reinstigated the wierwille mantra of classes, classses, etc.......like rosalie. But, so what? Any administrator could do that. Even Geer's approach was a business model to Christianity.......franchise his classes. After all those years of serving alongside wierwille, THIS was the best he could do? THIS was his "spiritual" wisdom? His pathetic response shouldn't surprise any one....it was simply the wierwille class mode on overdrive. Yet, geer was taking it beyond the wierwille pail. Extremely impersonal and disconnected. Cut out the overhead. Cut out the root local. Cut off the major payroll expense. Franchise it....and count the money rolling in.

sunesis.....one more point. Imo....geer favored the "administrator approach" similar to rosalie. Had Geer demanded at this 1986 Corps Week an overthrow of power, Geer would have been confronted with a tsunami outcry of rebellion. Perhaps, the corps would have stormed a mass exodus overnight? How many leaders would have broken ranks? What if Geer could not contain the anger? What about the rock of ages in a few days? Geer took the path of least resistance. He came prepared to read his paper.....and split. A little leaven of suspicion, leaveneth the whole lump. Besides.....did Geer plan in advance to acquire the copyright of pfal materials? Back at Gartmore, Geer already had free labor with the European inrez corps. Did he also have the idea of setting up a franchise ministry? Would this be the power grab that he savored? <_<

oakspear.....I've gotten smacked around for it, as well. Martindale didn't have much of a choice. After about 18 months of keeping those Limb guys on twi's payroll, their ALLEGIANCE to geer was stiffening. At the time, I was in Indiana.....and the Limb Coordinator had that big limb home with another couple on part-time twi staff staying in the little house on the property. All the ppfal material was boxed and stored in the secondary garage. The limb guy's boat was in the main garage.....where volunteer staff helped in its restoration. The Indiana limb guy had Geer newsletters near the photocopy machine. All promotional material was for Geer material. And yet, THE INDIANA LIMB COORDINATOR DID NOT WANT TO GET OFF TWI PAYROLL. Martindale's letter stopped the hypocrisy.

leafty.......in 1996, martindale's wap class [The Way of Abundance and Power] had the stage set for his athletic background i.e. baseball, football. His father was his little league coach and drilled the kids to give their utmost effort. One of the statements that lcm's father would say often, "Go till you hear glass." Apparently, this was in reference to a long-hit baseball either breaking a glass paned window/door OR the baseball player running, looking over his shoulder for the flyball, and not seeing the obstacle directly in front of him.....ie BREAKING GLASS. Anyhow, that's how I remember it......and I think it's fairly accurate.

Sunesis........in the essence of the patriarch paper, geer DID DEMAND that the trustees be voted out. With convincing evidence, geer HELD "the last will and testament of the man of God" and no one was able to dispute it. He built his case........he held the stage........the trustees had SIGNED and AGREED to its validity......and it upstaged the trustees fate SEALING THEIR DEMISE. Conniving and calculating........geer assigned Johnnie T. and Ricardo C. to the trustee level. They reported back to geer......daily (??) Every trustee meeting was to include Johnnie and Ricardo. In every sense, these guys were like "spies in the white house." Geer wouldn't return Craig's phone calls. Geer talked privately with Donna....adding schism. The trustees were on their heels and Geer relished in the spotlight. The trustees took priority steps to have Trailer #5 as a way builders project.....designated for Chris Geer. This was to be his trailer whenever he came to hq. With new carpet, new furnishings, european a/v fittings.....all for the expressed purpose for geer's comfort. CHRIS GEER NEVER STAYED IN THAT TRAILER ONE NIGHT. Geer gave the trustees the cold shoulder on every turn. Rumors swirled. Division worsened. Limb coordinators were flying to see Geer. Martindale was snubbed by corps leadership at major meetings. Limb ccordinators were staying on twi's payroll.......with ALLEGIANCE to geer. Some were withholding abs, some were sending donations to geer, some were pocketing because the ship was going down. Many scoff at martindale's "loyalty letter"........but he really didn't have a choice. Twi was badly hemmorhaging money and people. Imo......geer had read enough books to know stealth and mutiny, etc. Once set in motion, he knew that it was only a matter of time. Lots of things here........but geer and martindale couldn't co-exist on the same continent. Was this geer's dagger to martindale's ministry? Was this the ultimate gotcha? I think so. <_<

leafty......smart move. As I've posted many times.......there was a growing number exiting twi around 1979-1982. Corps leadership, 4th, 5th and 6th corps and followers alike were moving away from twi's lockstep march to conformity. Some were going back to college, or business ventures........I remember talking with Mike Sm!th, 1st Corps, before he left in 1982 after Living Victoriously and he'd seen enough too. Connecting all the dots.........AMAZING.

leafy......your questions are the ones that perplex many. In my opinion, the only way to grasp HOW THIS HAPPENED is to give it context. Brief Background: 1) Chris Geer (and wife) were 7th Corps .... and spent countless hours while inrez studying every intimate detail of vpw & mrs. wierwille's lives to zealously become vpw's bus driver and companion. 2) With calculating precision, geer became fiercely loyal to wierwille and perceived himself as the most dedicated and disciplined disciple of this "man of God." 3) On many occasions, geer expressed disdain for his "brothers and sisters in Christ" who had forsaken wierwille and/or disagreed with wierwille's policies and direction. 4) Geer and wierwille shared the same narcisstic views of self. Emboldened with each passing year, geer grafted wierwille's mannerisms, tastes, dog-training, book reading, paranoia, etc....geer was vp's right hand. 5) In 1981, wierwille settled on martindale as president-elect of twi. Geer, who was adept at languages, was moving towards European Corps and Gartmore CEO status. Geer was ordained in 1982 in a private ceremony. 6) Wierwille cried at this private ordination ceremony like he was parting with an old friend. Other than the death of brother, H.E. or Ermal......wierwille's affection for geer was startling. 7) After martindale gains the presidency, wierwille takes his place in "respected retirement." As wierwille became less and less relevant....imo, vpw WANTED THE SPOTLIGHT ONCE AGAIN. 8) As the trustees treated wierwille as emeritus retiree......some believe that wierwille stewed over this. With the cancer and eye removal, vpw NEEDED geer's assurrances and adoration more than ever!! 9) Geer's rise to prominence was EXCLUSIVELY ATTACHED TO WIERWILLE. It really was no surprise that geer rose to become "the keeper of the wierwille flame and guardian of the man of God legacy." 10) Clearly, geer had significant knowledge of craig's, don's and howard's sexual predation and mistresses....and knew this information would be a bombshell to their lives, reputations, and twi. Geer had less to lose. 11) Geer had calculated well.......and the trustees folded, giving him the stage in August 1986 to read the partriarch paper to the corps at Corps Week. 12) Once the trap was set..........geer made every effort for this long-awaited POWER GRAB. One should never underestimate the striking power of a snake.

That's another way to get your rocks off.

Maybe there were 33 levels to the Grandmason Grandpappy level of "secrets to the universe." I think I stopped a couple dozen short. <_<

One of the cult awareness groups said years ago.....twi was one of the more SUBTLE cults. Their methods did not have the blatant patterns of other cults, but had coercise and manipulative subtleties as in all cults. The "secret knowledge" ain't worth going into the DUNGEONS OF DARKNESS. Wierwille dies and the two-fold darkness continues under geer. In-Your-Face PAY-AS-YOU-GO.......Wierwille mentored geer, and geer franchised the MLM madness. Sell your "secret knowledge"......bait them with more knowledge. Bait them with an advanced class. Same sell, different charlatan. <_<

If I were to write my autobiography....one of my chapters would be PFAL: The Foundation of Spiritual Abuse. Why? Because this class changed the trajectory of my life in unimaginable ways. While in college, I was introduced to wierwille's class "Power for Abundant Living." The WOW Ambassadors who introduced me to "The Class" as it was promoted, were instructed to highlight the key points on the green registration card and allow the class material speak for itself. The bullet points.....ie separates truth from error, eliminates fear, how to pray effectually, more harmony in the home, etc. were talking points to kickstart any conversation by asking, "Which one of these BENEFITS appeal to you?" I signed the green card and sat thru the class. About midway through pfal, the class instructor started introducing the "building blocks of the pfal series"...... ie renewed mind, dealing with the adversary, witnessing and undershheparding, etc. And further, the INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED classes were interjected as the manifestations were coming to the forefront of the class. After all, you want to be FULLY INSTRUCTED, don't you? The hook...........pfal. The line...........twi wants to pull you in. PFAL: The Foundation of Spiritual Abuse.........because it laid the foundation for dependency on trusting man's private interpretation of the scriptures. The 33 hours of presentation, without dialogue and questioning, built an acceptance to wierwille as "the teacher." Questions that arose in my mind were squelched by the methodology of the class rules and overload of class material. Three hours a night........after a long day to boot. In hindsight, I easily see the trappings. I see the deception. I see the sales pitch. I see the abuse of power to override any questioning. I see the manipulation. I see the stripping of individuality. I see the cult mentality that has set totally altered the trajectory of my life. Another chapter of my book........Escaping Spiritual Abuse. In detailing my account, a major portion would include the BENEFITS of Greasespot Cafe participation. I love the coffee served here. Thanks.

Yeah.....I know THAT. But I thought the minions did the menu prep and shopping?

On Page 1 ........ of Geer's patriarch paper. Okay............I've got too much time on my hands this rainy afternoon. So, I thought to take a glimpse at this geer paper, but couldn't get past the first ten paragraphs. These two paragraphs SPEAK VOLUMES. Some thoughts just bubble to the surface........ 1) Why couldn't the "all-wise" geer find a decent cook? 2) Are cooks in short supply in Scotland? 3) Why didn't any decent cook hirees apply to work at Gartmore House? 4) Then.....after cook let go, only Geer could cook? 5) Only Geer could do the menu preparation? 6) Anyone ever heard of DELEGATING RESPONSIBILITIES? 7) Why the immense amount of geer-bloviating?

From my 24 years in twi...........in twigs, in classes, in excellor sessions, in branch meetings MOST HATED the "interpretation of tongues" MORE than speaking in tongues. Sure, there were those 10% who liked to "prove" their spiritual status and all, but for most it was like a trip to the dentist. After all, this was the "gist and substance" of that which Almighty God wanted to tell His people. Never mind that these interpretation of tongues was extremely repetitive.........YOU NEEDED TO HEAR IT AGAIN. I must admit, there were many branch meetings or outdoor settings that I skipped 'em. <_<

Still waiting..........and waiting............and waiting. And the fleecing never stops as so many anticipate the final result. Reminds me of the Crazy Horse Monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota. In 1972, I saw this *work in progress* and the tour guide pointed to all the drawings and miniature replica of what the final product would be. We looked through the telescopes, some had binoculars........... The monument is still NOT finished. My link <_<

Using one's authoritarian position to intimidate and "counsel" a vulnerable corps girl.... in the exculsive intimidating capsule of his motorcoach to SEDUCE/RAPE her is really low. It would be lower........if some corps girls were drugged. Oh, that's right. That happened too. <_<

Not a *mass exodus"..........but the MINI EXODUS of 1998. At the June/July advanced class of 1998, martindale was confronted with having sex with a married corps woman..... and tagged as "martindale's sex-capades" and led to the Colorado lawsuit. This mini exodus of 1998..........some 40-120 people exited before damage control took hold. Along with many others, as the phones were a-buzzing........my wife and I learned about martindale's seedy predation and EXITED. All of this is well-documented on the GS threads. <_<

Yeah..........Geer would NEVER come out and get specific. He got the trustees back on their heels and the power-grab began. Even years later, the fawning corps guys that flew across the pond to sit at the feet of this "guru".......... the pixie dust disappeared. If you can't dazzle them with brilliance.......baffle them with bull sh!t.

As I listened to Geer's paper.......after about an hour, I thought, HOW CONVENIENT. Geer was wierwille's bus driver, bodyguard, valet, accomplice, buddy, side-kick, must-love-dogs, keeper of the secrets, whitewasher, etc..............WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE HIM? The generic "off the word" didn't cut it for me. Most all was directed at Craig, Don and Howard......did Geer confront them personally, with two or three witnesses, before all this (Matthew 18)? NO? WHY NOT? Any repressed questions I had.......came gushing forward.

On the "exodus" thread.......Sunesis stated: This statement intrigues me. Now, from the vantage point of looking in the rear-view mirror AND over 20 years of adulthood......why did that paper and experience "rock our world?" Do any of the following apply? 1) The wierwille lock-box secrets were leaking out? 2) The trustees and geer, who claimed to know wierwille's "last will & testatment," were facing off? 3) Geer told all the U.S. corps that we were "off the word?" 4) If the corps were "off the word".......then what? 5) Major schisms were fracturing our little world of puppy-dogs and lolly pops? 6) The scales were falling off our eyes....and we could see twi leaders were infallible? 7) The tsunami of suspicion to "claim the higher ground" hit us with a crushing blow? 8) Decades of trust vanished overnight? 9) Why did wierwille not confront this stuff before his death? 10) Oh, my God.......twi is a cult !!?? 11) Geer is now "the man" with the mantle, not LCM? 12) Other.....................