skyrider

Like all things twi.....more hoops were continually added to the "training" process. Take pfal....then intermediate....and later, the advanced class to be "fully instructed." THEN.....you really need to take other "advanced studies" classes ie The Renewed Mind, Witnessing and Undershepherding, The Way Tree, Keys to Biblical Research, Dealing with the Adversary, etc. Go WOW.....grow 10 years in 1 year. You've got to go, to know. Go WOW again....this time, do it better. Do it right. Go Corps....spiritual training for God's best twig coordinators. Upon graduation, go forth to serve. BUT......many 3rd, 4th and 5th corps were "invited" back for another inresidence block. Wierwille wanted these selected corps grads to take part in all inresidence activities....to be zealous for all things twi. Yet, on several occasions, wierwille expressed disgust and contempt towards certain individual corps grads......who, according to him, were slothful and unappreciative of this "invite." Years later.....martindale expected ALL CORPS GRADS to sit thru weekly corps meetings, submit reports and attend all branch/limb meetings, etc. If one didn't jump thru all the hoops......the corps grad status was withdrawn and one was labeled "corps alumni." Even as early as 1978, wierwille had to strong-arm some corps grads to "stay committed to his directives." He was clearly not happy with some corps/clergy that were "spreading their wings and flying away." IMO.....it had everything to do with REALITIES OF LIFE......marriage, kids, career, home mortgage, career advancements, neighbors, community, etc......and wierwille could no longer CONTROL their decisions.

Yeah.......wierwille tapped the jesus movement to jumpstart his pfal presentations. The ohio german crowd didn't seem to have much interest in wierwille's work. I've said this repeatedly. Twi was a revolving door....people were coming and GOING constantly. Even when corps grads got into their mid-30s, with kids and career and obligations,.....many were starting to ask hard questions. Years before the Geer power-grab in 1986, many of the 4th, 5th and 6th corps were distancing themselves from twi....and there were reasons why wierwille kept "inviting" corps grads back for an inresidence block. Was the indoctrination wearing off? Yessirree.

Skyrider Christ Afterlife Ministries (SCAM) Passing thru the heavens after his resurrection, Christ ascended on high. He is now seated at the right hand of God....for you. Will you be skyriding the heavens? Sign the blue card now! Heaven awaits. :)

I sometimes think.....the pfal class had little snippets that disarmed our critical thinking skills and stopped us from voicing (murmuring) discontent, negatives, etc. Snippets like....."The critics have to attack the man of God because they can't touch the Word." .................."...some people don't like my shirt, my tie...pretty soon we get down to the bare facts" .................."I'd want to read it word for word, line by line before I'd think of calling the Apostle Paul a sex pervert. With red flags flying, we refused to SEE THE OBVIOUS.

Ain't that the truth....!!! :) According to scripture, even the devil would have DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY had he had foresight..

As I step back and look at the poorly executed corps program.... Wasn't wierwille the FIRST CORPS DIRECTOR and not George Jess..?? I mean, really, wierwille was the one who was initially involved with corps training and cancelling the "zero corps?" Yeah, sure.....George probably helped direct the corps to dig holes, plant trees, paint the fence, clear the woods....but wierwille taught the corps, set the guidelines and goals, etc. IMO.....wierwille was quick to set someone else "in charge" so he could get back to "more important work" [ie 'working the word' and all]. If it was so "of God"......then WHY was it *trial and error* and slip-shod from the get-go? I mean, heck.....when men of God walked with God in the Old Testament there were PRECISE DETAILS in conquering the Philistines, or building the Temple. Yet wierwille was flying by the seat of his pants...!!!!! Wierwille was a con-man. Wierwille was a false teacher. Could it be any more clear???????

Wierwille's corps program was not a leadership program......it was a followship program. Wierwille had no interest in raising up leaders to walk in the steps of Jesus Christ......he devised a "marine-style-follow-orders" program to graduate followers who were trained to be his pfal-class instructors. True to his ideals, wierwille cried his eyes out over the likes of J0hnnie Towns3nd for his "follow-ship and heart to serve" the idolized pfal class. Later, J0hnnie was recognized as honorary corps.....because of his leadership? No.....because of his follow-ship. What was wrong with wierwille's corps program? ... 1) The foundation was twi-dependency....not the author/finisher of faith, Jesus Christ. ... 2) Too vague in promotion of "serving God"......iron-clad obedience upon graduation to twi??? ... 3) Corps "training" was too much rehash of pfal......far too much indoctrination. ... 4) No scope of true ministering....counseling.....relationships.....boundaries....adultery/sin. ... 5) Campus coordinators had to kowtow to wierwille's machinery of regimented control. ... 6) No individuality.....groupthink was standard operation. ... 7) Arrogant leadership monopolize lunchtime announcements during meals. ... 8) Childish songs were sung repeatedly...........subliminal dependency?? ... 9) After graduation, and years later......wierwille still labeled some corps as "cop-outs" ... 10) And, besides the manipulation, intimidation, exploitation...........the SEX PREDATION. When I take a long, hard look at the corps program..........it was a disgrace and disservice to God Almighty from the get-go. Not only was wierwille academically unqualified to oversee the training of future disciples, he was a wolf in sheep's clothing and intent on preying and lusting over the females. The corps program provided the isolation and secrecy for wierwille's sex predation that he voiced in 1969 when he went to those orgies in Haight-Ashbury. As the money poured into twi......the purchase of vp's motorcoach and far-away campuses and soldout bodyguards gave wierwille access to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and wierwille's pride of life: POWER.

Tzaia....no, you didn't create the categories. Just saying, there seems to be this labeling, comparing and slandering amongst many christians. How about this verse for "right" doctrine: II Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Why is it that many christians feel the need to sub-categorize and label each other? Are members in particular to be compared to one another? Is my elbow better than my knee?

No matter how often wierwille-apologists heap praise upon wierwille and "his" pfal class.....I can't help but think, "Yeah, but every subsequent class and program led to dependence on twi and control from a multi-leveled bureacracy of its own making." The corps program was wierwille's endgame.........wierwille's brainchild for an army of followers who would serve twi as instructors of pfal classes. Even the ideal "twig fellowship" was a side-show that would be supported and sustained by pfal promotion and involvement. Wierwille was a narcissist....thru and thru. He never could see beyond his own self agendas. When many of the long-standing faithful deserted twi in the 60s.....wierwille failed to recognize his despotism. And, when corps leaders begain exiting in the latter 70s.....wierwille resorted to desperation and name-calling them 'cop-outs' [not even a biblical reference, but a label of disdain]. That labeling should have sent red-flag alerts throughout twi. As ego, elitism and bullying mounted in the late-70s and early 80s......did wierwille ever address this gangrene that was moving in his ministry? Not really.....at least nothing consistent or anywhere near the ballpark of one entitled "the man of God." Quite the contrary......wierwille didn't exhibit anything more than a 'townhall organizer and/or cornfield preacher.' By this time, the major players of wierwille's making were coming to the forefront and the deception had decended upon twi like a dense fog. What came to pass by 1986 was of little surprise when one steps back and looks objectively. Even to this day........'exiled' corps come to GS find THE TRUTH BEHIND WIERWILLE appalling and despicable. It's a tough pill to swallow for any of us who signed on the corps line and wanted to serve God. But perhaps, in learning this deceptive ploy in our 20s......our bullsheet meter is finely tuned today? :B)

The original twi property was 147 acres.....and the wooded acreage was approximately 5 or 6 acres. Looking back......for me, walking in the woods had more to do with being ALONE than the "beauty" of the woods. People, people everywhere......brc basement, class, meetings, trailer park, etc.....it was good to just get away and breath the fresh air and have some quiet time.

Having grown up in the rural midwest, nature and hunting and farmland was a major part of my upbringing. So, no... I didn't see it as all that special. Sure, I liked walking in the way woods.......but geez, it was only a clump of trees in western ohio. Once again, wierwille hyped its "special-ness"......because it was obviously special to him. Wasn't it one of his childhood hiding places when he didn't want to work? Back in 1977-1979, there used to be a hodge-podge of "meager, cheap, sleep A-frames" and such.....a 5th corps grad, Ken Str0th3r stayed in one year-round. Kinda like a hippie-craze or nomad, Ken somehow got permission to stay in the woods years before the corps chalet was built. I did like the concept of "House of His Healing Presence" during roa when the candles were light, the straw bales were fresh, and the pathways were cleared..........but having worked on hq's staff, the area was neglected for much of the year and had no appeal whatsoever. Certainly no 'spiritual' appeal.

The most visible face of twi is the way corps. Twi was and is a top-down organization where directives and policies are mandated without representation. As founder and first president, wierwille set this structure in place for all the obvious reasons: POWER AND CONTROL. The corps program was the prime mover of wierwille's agendas and elitism. Even today's twi-staffers are predominately lorded by the corps. In the late 60s - mid-70s, many of these good-hearted staff members saw "the writing on the wall" and left as wierwille's corps took over departments and cabinet positions. The ushering in of "corps recognition" reached all the way to the trustee level ... even Don and Howard, in a public ceremony, were given honorary corps status for their faithful service. Wierwille was the founder of this "takeover of one's will." Wierwille scrapped the "zero corps" and ratcheted up the intimidation, manipulation and exploitation that was to follow with subsequent corps. Wierwille had the power and authority to change course at any time. He didn't. Yes......corps should have taken the high road of the scriptures and lived accordingly. Many did. Others chose to abide by their corps training......ie martindale, geer, lynn, finnegan, etc. etc. Most twi followers only saw/see "the public face" of twi......region/limb/branch CORPS. A top-down organization.........and the top man is down about six-feet under. <_<

Could it be that the "witnessing surge" is a precussor of an UNSUSTAINABLE CULT....??? Of course...!!! The numbers are dismal......the "commitment level" is pathetic.......the aging twi-cult populace is tired of jumping thru the hoops......the camp gunnison family camps are of little interest.......the corps program is in the tank......the coffers are drying up........etc. etc.

In my area, during the 80s, 90s.......corps went witnessing, brought new people in and signed them up for the class. As corps, I understand that many here on GS had bad experiences with heavy-handed leadership.....but that's not the approach that some of us embraced. Some of my greatest "God moments" were catalyzed by being out and about with people.

Rosalie......rather than cranking up another class on Witnessing and Undershepherding with the same ole techniques, etc. etc. Why not......schedule staffers on a 3-day work week AND THEN, HAVE STAFFERS GO WITNESSING those other two days in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, etc. After all, surely staffers are "hot believers" since they've been working at headquarters, within the walls of zion, which is the spiritual epicenter of the known world. Then.........these "staff witnessing days" will be a present-day testimony of HOW TO DO IT RIGHT. And, better yet.....maybe you and donna should LEAD THE WAY and knock on some doors yourselves. Leading by example, what a concept???? Then.........David Chavisty can incorporate these testimonies into twi's new class. Otherwise....why should twi-followers take, again, another "witnessing" class when the hypocrisy is so glaring to all? Oh, silly me.....you guys are "waiting on tables" [Acts 6 or wherever?]. And you wonder why the way religion is so DEAD...????????? <_<

Yeah....break-your-neck slaving for twi, alright. Go witnessing.....renew your mind.....abs 15% to twi - - - same agenda, different delivery.

Anyone ever notice how wierwille spent his time with the WOMEN......??? WOMEN were invited to travel on his motorcoach. WOMEN were requested to meet wierwille on his motorcoach. WOMEN sat with wierwille on his cushman. Even cute WOW GIRLS got invites to be with "the mog." MEN????? Hardly ever.

Uh.......for me, Ruth Madoff comes to mind.

Exactly!.......when roa was channeled to twi-hq grounds in '78, and every year to follow, the control and wayspeak escaled with each year. By circling the wagons, wierwille drew 'his people' closer to him, closer to his agendas. The WOW program was his sales campaign....and the corps program were his instructed sales force. Remember those slogans and song lyrics, "It's good to be Home Again, been away too long"........like twi's hqtrs was OUR HOME. Yeah, riiiiight. Sure.....and twi was our family, just like Charles Manson's buzz with his followers were "The Family." Same draw.....same pitch.....same with Jim Jones. Then......one finds out about wierwille's sex predation, alcoholism, abuse, plagairism, lies, snow-pump calling, liberty lobby connections, paranoia, butt-smacking on corps girls, sex-mentoring to martindale, etc......and the gripping realization that we were in the clutches of a sociopathic con-man. Could it be any clearer...?????????

So.....wierwille and co. fabricated FLAT-OUT LIES on the Jim Jones' cult driven to mass suicide. So.....wierwille and his cronies KNEW that they were changing the label of the peach jar to govt pickles. So.....wierwille and his cult-agenda BLATANTLY LIED TO ALL ADV CLASS ATTENDEES. And....some relish "the good ole days" when grandpa wierwille ruled...???

I seem to remember the explanation as......Jonestown was a government/military experiment gone awry. And further, the planes flying back to the U.S. were empty...??? Could be wrong on this....as I got sick during AC79 and missed two days of it.

Looking back at wierwille's twi of 1974-1978.......it mirrored many aspects of the Peoples Temple movement in the same time frame. And, wasn't it at those 1976/1977 roa in sydney, ohio that opposition/protests/banners were outspoken that twi was a cult? And, further.......for those who attended the Advanced Class '79 what was spoken regarding the Jonestown mass suicide?

George/waysider......yes, the Peoples Temple movement had strikingly similar aspects to that of The Way International. Some bible verses, a charismatic leader, an authoritarian figure, youth involvement, rebellious roots, communal living, isolationists, us-versus-them, etc. etc.....and the propaganda of their own making is fueling the movement. "Nobody joins a cult".........yet, the dynamics of social, physical, emotional, and psychological interaction leads one, sometimes, on a journey unintended. At a given time and place, some saw warning signs and defected......but the movement was little stifled. Thanks waysider for the links. WOW......even to revisit this stuff again......WOW. :blink:

This weekend marks the 40-year anniversary of the Manson murders. For me, it is a chilling reminder to see the shocking outcome when blind allegiance to a cult leader runs its course. When I attended wierwille's advanced class, I was surprised to see all the conspiracy theories... ie the illuminati, the myth of the six million, the marxist minstrels, every denomination is headed by seed men etc. etc. Far removed from reading bible verses, this "advanced class" was ushering in ideologies, unsubstantiated theories, us-versus-them agendas. In this isolated class-setting, one needed to severely ante-up to be counted as a faithful advanced class grad. Then, the corps indoctrination included aspects of MAL-pack (more abundant life in survival settings) where each corps twig was required to map out a secret destination in the event of government collapse/takeover. More so in the corps indoctrination program, the mantra "the suggestion of a general is tantamount to a command" was well-known and voiced by the corps coordinators. So, the "general" (wierwille) might suggest something in private...and the "soldier" was to follow orders. Wierwille manipulated an "army" to jump at his command. Don't ask questions, don't ask how high to jump.........just jump. Thaaaaaat's riiiiiight. IMO, it's chilling to see the parallels of Manson's followers and the extreme subtle suggestions to the corps. Manson directed his followers' actions from behind the scenes. He didn't bloody his own hands. Thankfully, wierwille didn't project violent "prophecies" to his followers.....at least, not to my knowledge. BUT...........how close to the edge did we go???? When so many blame martindale for twi's downfall, they fail to recognize wierwille's ultra-smooth conning of one's conscience. Chilling reminders.......... :blink: