skyrider

Yeah......that Georgio Jessio thread is an interesting read. At that time (2007).......13 years ago.......according to this account, Brian Moneyhands was contemplating a twi-coup to oust Rosalie Rivenbark from president. He was trying to rally support from a bunch of young bucks to bring excitement and cash flow back to twi. And now, looking thru the lens of time.......it is amazing to see how it all went down. Where dull-denominations RULE WITH HEAVY HAND.......[the co-opted corps poem]. Way-religion snuffed the life out of "deeply-springing powers within believers" and corps were conditioned to blindly follow orders. The corps program demanded obedience.......and in the end, obedience led them over the cliff. Even 13 years ago.......some of us could see Donna Martindale's ascent to the big chair. Today............the "big chair" is NOT twi-president, but the CEO. .

T-Bone.......maybe more 2nd generation way-believers will come forward to post inside-baseball information to answer your questions. But like most everything in a cult, it had "wheels within wheels" of challenges, authoritarian control, deception, abuse, etc. We've seen threads where these kids (now 30-45 yrs old) have shared aspects of their life experiences growing up in a cult. From some, the pain and depression and ostracizing from their way-parents has been heart-wrenching to read. Whereas, some see it as opportunity. Seems like most make their escape from twi at age 18 and head off to college. Yet, there are a small few who head off to college and could attain good careers with their degrees, but desire the offices of cult-leadership. To me......it baffles the mind with internet and social media access that 2nd generation wayfers would make that choice, but it's there. Young men like Brian Moneyhands and Chand--ler Greene. A thread from 2007...........

Reading these names from years gone by.....Joel Burke, Doug Emerson, Connie Panarello, David Turk and others.....brings to mind HOW MANY "TOP-TIER" LEADERS HAVE EXITED TWI THRU THE YEARS. The years go swiftly by. I went to my 1985 Clergy List to see if David Turk was still on the active clergy roster in 1985......and he was. Amazing again, to go back into my files and see the names of these 340 clergy who were once such an active part of region, state and branch activity. Of course, that year (1985) was the year wierwille died.......and The Way International was trying desperately to restore unity and commitment under martindale's leadership. That clergy listing was sent out in November 1985........and four months later, Geer read his poop paper on corps night and all hell broke loose. I know, I know.......35 years ago is a long time. Looking at all these names of clergy from years ago......it looks like about 10 of those are still with twi. So, it does make me wonder that when 2nd generation (or 3rd generation) wayfers come here to GSC........how many of them ever even heard of some of these men and women? Much less ask themselves the thought-provoking questions like....1) If twi was so good, then why did all these clergy abandon this ministry? 2) So shortly after wierwille's death.....why did it collapse so quickly? 3) If the principles of integrity and commitment were solid, then it should have stood for decades like a rock, no? 4) Why didn't wierwille address all these schisms that were developing in twi before his death? 5) Is Vern Edwards just the latest next-man-up? 6) With all of this history of upheaval, deception and turmoil......what else are they hiding? You have every right to ask questions !! You have every right to inspect the fruit of their actions !!

"Example: Staff Bi-Monthly paycheck was $275.......or $6,600 yearly income." I would venture to say that some people got more back then.......but lots of people got less than that. Then.......for several years, many of us were coerced to sign a waiver on social security payments to the government from our paychecks. Therefore, my Social Security Annual Statement shows ZEROES for those years 1981-1984 that I was on staff at headquarters. Thanks a lot you weasels.....for manipulating and exploiting us for every hour and dime that you could squeeze out of our youthful commitment. Karma, baby. Choke on those millions that you've hoarded away.......and confused why people keep abandoning your sleazy ways. Read it here.........

Here at GSC.......posters come forward to give us updates. From what Ghosted recently posted......the corps in-residence program has been abysmal. It had two (2) people in 2011. TWO PEOPLE. .....and yet, the cult keeps doing the same things over and over and expecting different results? Insanity on display. No wonder.......six years later, in 2017.......finally another exodus en masse. Imagine the corps training program with two people. Roll call? Johnnie......here. Suzie.......here. Today, you are going to learn about jet-style packing. No, you'll never be out there jetting across the country......but back in 1978 they taught jet-style packing, so that's why we teach it today. Tomorrow......Knowles Breathing. The End of the RFR Era

That interim year at hq.......I shared a 12' X 14" bedroom with 5 other guys in Trailer 6. One bathroom. We had to walk over to the EOB to shower. Six girls were on the other side of Trailer 6. One bathroom. Same deal. No kitchenette. No refrigerator. We ate all our meals in twi's cafeteria. Generally, with weekend projects and Sunday service duties......I would venture to say that we worked 55-hours per week (easily) So, in working some 220 hours each month and getting paid $75 (plus room and cafeteria meals)......my wages was like 35 cents an hour. Twi sits on a pile of money...........and wonders why their corps-servitude promos are rejected?

How did twi amass some $68 Million? Well, back in its heyday 1977-1982...... Wierwille established precedent that all staffers were paid "according to their need".... Back in the late 70s........the whole subculture of twi was a carefree, youth commune Living on-grounds and eating 3 meals-a-day at twi's cafeteria.......and many staffers didn't have a car Haircuts at twi, plurality palace (like Goodwill), Sewing Dept and dental care at Rome City Campus Example: Staff Bi-Monthly paycheck was $275.......or $6,600 yearly income Interim Corps at hq were paid $75 a month......or $900 for their interim year Extra hours of work required......yet, no overtime pay. Rock or Ages prep began in May. Attendance at Sunday service required. Duties assigned.....ushering, bookstore, refreshments, burgers. Not only ABS weekly....but those attending STS spent money at bookstore and bought burgers to go. Staffers, too......paid for those hamburgers or popcorn. Cha..ching, cha..ching. No supplementing one's income on the side. No mechanical work. No carpentry. No selling eggs. On the field.........often, pfal classes were run in someone's home. No room rental fee. On the field.........refreshments, paper goods, extras, gas money were expenses paid by those "moving the word." The Way International set its doctrine that TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD was its one and only duty Thus, by the subtle power of spiritual abuse...........twi has amassed some $68 Million in 2020. And, now.........$65,000 goes to pay Craig Martindale's pension each year. Does Rosalie.......get $65,000 per year also? How can this possibly be right? Wierwille stole the foundational class..........AND..........TWI steals your giving and abundant sharing.

T-Bone..........I guess more clarification is needed from my post. In my opinion......there were TOO MANY reverends at headquarters involved in the activities and fanfare of the "Capital City." Why did wierwille (and other twi-presidents) assign all these "spiritual mainstays or heavyweights" at hq rather than send them forth on the field? Wasn't the central theme of corps training to "GO FORTH IN AREAS OF CONCERN, INTEREST AND NEED?" How great is the need on the field for leadership who walk the walk? Not just out there barking orders, but DOING the work......setting the example. Clergy should have been taking their assignments from I Timothy 3........not from twi's caste-system hierarchy like the Pharisees. Not figureheads. Not snobbish elitists. But those who give themselves to the ministering of others. Burden-bearers. Shepherds who fight off the wolves. The slave-labor was NOT from the clergy. The majority of slave-labor came from "the coal mines" and "farm work" on the field...... not headquarters. I'm sure staffers would dispute that point vigorously......but for committed followers on the field, who worked an 8 hour a day job and THEN, went out witnessing or attended twig coordinator meetings on Monday night, twig fellowships on Tuesday and Friday and classes on many weekends.....it was a lot of work. Many clergy at headquarters were managers or supervisors over others. Lots of them had desk jobs. Others oversaw departments. Head of security was clergy. Was his corps training necessary to carry a 9mm.......or was his corps training and ordination needed to give the aura of spiritual perception?

Why are there so many "reverends" at hq.......and not on the field? Even during the wierwille era, there were all kinds of reverends at hq: Reverends on security and carry guns Reverends who worked on way magazine Reverends who worked in kitchen detail Reverends who oversaw grounds crews Reverends who worked in purchasing Reverends who worked in photography Reverends who worked in Divine Design Reverends who worked in Way Builders Etc. At headquarters......no one went witnessing. No one attended Tues night twig or Friday night twig. You did your job and went home. Sure, some worked extra hours or even a few Saturday mornings........but no weekend classes like on the field. Some of those R&R guys were at hq or on payroll for 30-35 years Why do I get this mind picture of that movie "Hunger Games" and its Capital City? All the fanfare and activity a-buzzing at the Capital (wierwille's headquarters).......while those out in District 5 are working in the coal mines and District 6 are working on the farms. The slave-labor feeds the Capital.

The way corps on the field, with strong support from advanced class grads..........is the driving force of outreach. They should be treated with respect and admiration for their commitment and perseverance to fight thru the onslaught of challenges in reaching others. All the hours of witnessing......and follow-up......and setting up rooms to run classes. After working all day, corps and advanced class grads attend nightly twigs, or classes.......week after week, year after year. Is it any wonder why the field corps grow weary and quit? Not only do they receive very little thanks..........they are constantly confronted to do MORE WITNESSING. The central driving message from hq is 1) Give Money and 2) Witness, Witness, Witness. Yet, The Way International doesn't want to spend ministry dollars for room rentals, field events or limb meetings. Do they have any idea how challenging this is in today's world? Maybe, in the late 70s.....there was more community/library/legion hall rooms for free. But those days are over. It costs TIME and MONEY to reach others.....and run classes. The Way International is still operating like its 1978........and it ain't. Life has moved on. Those 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th corps are NO LONGER YOUNG, ZEALOUS, CORPS. Many are struggling with expenses and very concerned about retirement issues and health concerns. For those who've built very little equity....... what are they going to do? What if they live to be 92? Who is going to be there to take care of them? No pension. No savings? Jumping from hourly-waged jobs year after year doesn't amount to much, does it? Someday......a small social security check in the mail.....maybe. What a legacy twi is leaving.........

Imagine.........sending in weekly abundant sharing from your hard-earned money and it goes to help fund craig martindale's retirement? Ummm...........might want to think that one through some more. Why was he ousted? What lawsuits did he settle out-of-court?

As a limb coordinator back in 1992-1998.......I had to fill out monthly reports of 1) Number of new people witnessed to, 2) Number of new people who attended twi that month, and 3) Number of pfal signups. Even back then, people did NOT want to go witnessing and the number of new people attending twig or signing up for pfal was dismal. Yeah, some 25 years ago......it became grueling to promote twi's condescending classes. With Waydale and its successor, GreaseSpot grabbing clicks and eyeballs for all to see what lies hidden in this cornfield cult.......I have long suspected that twi was hemorrhaging badly. This "death by a thousand cuts" has been taking place for a long, long time........but these internet sites have added the long spears to document the details. When Martindale was ousted.......6 or 7 region coordinators hit the exit doors in 2000, 2001. Rosalie's micro-management came to the fore........and bristled more corps leaders. Panarellos left. For years, there was a parade of vice-presidents passing thru the halls of the OSC. More and more corps saw the writings on the wall. Many states did NOT have limb coordinators. The annual advanced class was not filling up. Corps signups per year hit the single digits. Reportedly, 150 way corps exited between 2007-2017. Then, the R&R movement and purge. Corps Coordinators Dissent......Magnellis, Moynihans, Horneys, and Forts. The gloves are off!!! So yeah.........when you treat people as disposable, they leave and take their money with them. Things in the USA have changed dramatically since these corps graduated from the training program back in 1974-1986. Marriage. Kids. Grandkids. Homeownership or rental rates rising. Need to buy healthcare insurance. Retirement savings? Health issues? How did twi treat others with health issues in the latter stages of life? And then...... seeing that Craig Martindale got a $65,000 pension per year from twi. Does Rosalie get a $65,000 pension per year? Will Donna get this same pension plan? Some corps have served in 4, 5 or 6 different states thru the years. Moving each time at their expense. Running classes night after night. Witnessing in malls, coffee shops, laundry mats and parks. If staffers at hq get access to pension plans, then why do field corps get left out? Who was faithful to serve? Who decides? Why are the field corps, the ones who do the outreach, treated substandard? Does God look more favorably on those who serve at headquarters? Don't you see Rosalie and Donna.......the corps SEE the double-standards, the hypocrisy of your ways. The corps are NOT kids anymore. Isn't a workman worthy of his hire? Well......you assigned them a task to accomplish. You sent them forth. There are many, many reasons why corps grads have been exiting twi for the past 40 years!!!!! Those corps, ages 60-70 years old........most likely, wanted to be counted among the faithful AND retire in dignity. But Rosalie would NOT let them. She kept giving them assignments. She kept pushing. She kept demanding that they do more. The place was like a powder keg of grievances and tensions. Rosalie kept pounding with her hammer.......not realizing what was about to befall twi. And then, it happened. Dozens and dozens of "big-name" corps finally exited. I do not think that Rosalie and Donna really realize what they've done. The perception of twi as this "Household of God" is totally debunked. Every empty seat in the auditorium screams out twi's hypocrisy and deception. With every passing year...... I am SO THANKFUL that I left twi 22 years ago.

Thanks rubina. When their only tool is a hammer.....every solution looks like a nail.

Donna Lombardi Martindale and Rosalie F. Shumate [link] are two sides of the same coin. The coin is counterfeit. Notice the pattern......arrive at twi's headquarters, a "secretary" on staff, a loyalist, an opportunist, go corps, stay on payroll, minimal time on field and yearning to be at the cult compound, marry, divorce, stay at hq. Connections, baby! The inner-sanctum club. A former trunk leader posted his knowledge of Rosie's and Donna's sexual activities with other corps men and even wierwille. Read the link. Sticking with VPW's legacy is nothing more that riding his coattails.....i.e. the gravy train. Thru decades of exploitation, twi has amassed some $68 Million and guards their investments, and its accruements, with beady-eyes. Think Mr. Scrooge and the Christmas Carol. Decades and decades of staffers were paid "according to their need"......and since they lived on grounds in floppy trailers or founders hall and ate in twi's cafeteria, they needed very little. Corps and staff bought into the martyrdom complex of twi's subtle power of spiritual abuse. They count themselves in the Halls of the Faithful. Ugh. Donna and Rosalie ride the train.......and wave. Why should they leave........................EVER? Add Marcia Faulk Greene into the mix. When Rosalie summoned Bill and Marcia back to headquarters, she accomplished two things: 1) With Bill Greene on the Board of Directors to guard her flank, Rosalie was given more time to adjust the pieces of the chessboard, and 2) Marcia Greene is a longtime friend and "buds" with the girls. How many times will Donna, Rosalie and Marcia slip away for fine dining and shopping sprees? How many times will Donna be able to phone in her marching orders.......while out and about with Rosalie? How many hours will Donna need to work each week for all those perks, pay and privileges of ceo.........10 hours? 20 hours? The CEO gig AND time with the girls......whoohoo. P.S. Just adding to Penwork's post. She knows all this stuff well and I'm not suggesting for her to read the link. Penworks wrote a book on the cult's fundamentalist views and how they abused and exploited their followers.

T-Bone..........wheels, within wheels. I like that. I, too, like exploring how twi institutionalized social controls. When I finally took off the rose-colored glasses and focused on wierwille's life and twi......it became clear that it was "wheels and wheels" of deception. The 1942 bogus beginning of twi. The Van Wert Church Board unanimously striking wierwille's name from their clergy registry. The undeniable fact that wierwille stole Leonard's class! And then......10 years of pathetic results even though wierwille was traveling up and down the highway. I cannot name one thing wierwille did where I'd call it the power of God. Not one! Wierwille died at 68. Ermal died at 69. Harry died at 70.

Sorry to disappoint any expectations...............but TWI is NOT going to dissolve. When wierwille was president.....if he would have been exposed, then it could have been dissolved (maybe). I tend to think.......if the cult leader went down in flames, then the cult died. But NOW, the system is the cult. Much like Scientology that gives unbridled adulation to L. Ron Hubbard......the cult feeds off the 1) attaining spiritual enlightenment, 2) the mystique of the founder and 3)mysticism. No one is going to be idolizing Vern Edwards or Donna Martindale......they are merely figureheads that help the system keep the "railroad" running. Vern will be micro-managed. Rupp will be critiqued. But Donna......she is the one in authority and no blame will come to her door. When there are failures and mistakes...... Donna will step in and confront it. Easy-peasy. She is beyond reproach. She is the "shadow governance" over the cult. The evolution is complete.

Twi has evolved. When wierwille was president......he was the CEO, the Chairman of the Board, the Founder, the Teacher, the Preacher, the Researcher, the Plagiarist (oops), the Book Author, the Music and Talent Screener, the Way Corps Director and the P.T. Barnum of the Traveling Circus. No one could fire him. No one could confront him. His enablers and inner circle were loyalists to keep his secrets to his deathbed. Martindale assumed the same power.......but he did not have the same leverage over the youth as wierwille. The presidency held the power over the cult followers. And, martindale was determined to follow that template. Martindale had to lead his peers......many of whom, were "spiritual equals" in their eyes. Many of these men were now 35-40 years old with families and responsibilities and expenses. They were no longer content to follow this meager chain of command, but saw the opportunity to create their own group of followers. Others went on to higher education and/or further their careers. Rosalie was no leader, or teacher. Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. She knew that the only leverage she held was that of a lead-from-behind administrator. After a few transition years, she discarded martindale's class and assembled a new class featuring three teachers. She kept wierwille's material front and center......while she worked in the shadows, behind the scenes. She was shrewd and cunning and manipulative. After 17 years of managing the declined expectations and rumblings in the camp, she was ready to step down. Her replacement choice of JYDL was a mistake, but she was looking for a loyalist who could be the front man president AND keep the corps in line. Now, Vern is the president.......who has been assigned a lane to run in. His job is to "teach the Word" and present twi in the best possible light. He is the veneer over the rotten wood of the cult underneath. The twi-president is easily disposable.....i.e. Jean-Yves (in Montana). Sure, if he does a good job for 5-7 years......he might get an extra splash of money in his mundane retirement years. But the CEO, Donna Lombardi Martindale........she will be there for DECADES. The ceo is where ALL THE POWER resides. Amazingly.....20 years ago, and Donna's husband was ousted from twi as a sexual predator. Craig Martindale was king of the cult.....and "could have sex with any woman in the kingdom" according to wierwille's doctrine in pfal. From documented reports, LCM's sexual abuse/predation had come to the fore by 1985 during those "Spirits in the Athletes" production. Hitting on the lead woman.....and others. Fast forward.......to the 1998 July Advanced Class and a corps woman and the Colorado court case. Then, in 1999.....Paul All-en confronts martindale about having sex with Allen's wife, F. Twi has to get their lawyers involved as martindale was charged in TWO sexual harassment cases!! 1) Allens 2) Barnes Craig Martindale was ousted......and slithered away to Toledo in the middle of the night. No formal announcements. No good-byes. No thanks. Gone! Donna Martindale, as corps wife.....according to twi/corps policy SHOULD be ousted too. That is what has ALWAYS HAPPENED to other corps. Rosalie covers for Donna in this new two-tier "corps policy." Rosalie gives Donna job titles to help her incrementally raise her stature. Year after year, Rosalie makes sure that no one is able to confront the double standard that gave Donna a free-pass. Now, 20 years later............DONNA IS THE CEO OF THE WAY INTERNATIONAL.

Well............Rosalie DID install a little "trip-wire" before leaving the scene. Donna Martindale has been installed as CEO. So, Vern........any big decisions by you are neutered. You don't get Rosalie's gift ministry of "Administrator of Stealth" without a long-suit in deception.

Why do I think Rosalie and Donna cunningly set this in motion? LOL. Give Vern and John little perky titles and a micro-managed lane to run in......to stroke their egos. Yet, behind the CEO-curtain is where the power, control and money-management resides. Rosalie and Donna win the long game of power!!! 1. Vern Edwards is the president..........he oversees Sunday Service Teachings and outreach/class promotions 2. John Rupp is the chairman of the board.........he sets up board meetings and manages hqtrs staff concerns 3. Donna Martindale is the CEO.........as Chief Executive Officer, she sits in the corporate chair overseeing the power/money P.S. Didn't some of us tell you that Rosalie, before stepping down, would install Donna Martindale into power?

Here's another "kick in the head"...... Page 225 of Mrs. W's book......."In the month of September (1958) we made the following offer in our publications: For a donation of ten dollars to the ministry, a person would be sent a free copy of Kenyon's great book The Father and His Family, if requested; for a gift of twenty-five dollars one could request the book by E. W. Bullinger, How to Enjoy the Bible." So.....send twi a donation and they pocket the extra money and send Kenyon's or Bullinger's book to you. What is that? A Middle Man concept. They play the "middle man" to send to you another preacher's/teacher's book? Did I say that wierwille was a plagiarist? Here.....he's just using a marketing ploy to recruit others to his fold......

The glaring inconsistencies just keep on coming....... On one hand.......wierwille was this incredible "man of God" who walked by revelation and is to be honored in their "Spiritual Hall of Fame." Praise be his name. The myth of the man must live on.......to bring $$$$ to their coffers. On the other hand......wierwille set himself as the president and premiere decision-maker of the Board of Trustees. Despite the fact that many of his enablers knew of his plagiarism, sexual predation, and drunkenness.....wierwille bullied his way thru meetings and had his goons get rid of those who raised legitimate objections. Now. 35 years after his death......twi is "bringing their practices in line to that of other non-profit organizations." In other words....dismantle the power of how wierwille ran things and bring in more accountability. Wierwille was able to run roughshod over others and get his way. But now, with Vern as the president......it's better to rein in what wierwille instituted and follow what other non-profit organizations do. Ain't that a kick in the head. LOL. .

While I understand and agree with many of these March 2017 letter grievances.......there are underlying reasons why twi's board of directors will NOT relent on their stance and mandated policies. Thus, people like the Moynihans, Sheltons, and Horneys are unable to uncover this spiritual abuse and deceit until they realize that wierwille consolidated power and control decade after decade under the guise of "It Is Written." When he garnered power over others......he never relinquished control. For example: The first two points of contention and strife. 1. Twi's Board of Directors uses the "no debt" policy to keep corps leadership and advanced class grads in subservience. In twi's authoritarian role, they deem home mortgages a debt......a calculated method to keep way corps from home ownership. Corps grads who are homeowners (mortgage or no mortgage)......are not able to take on new corps placement assignments in another state. If they did get reassigned, then they'd have to go thru the process of getting the home ready for sale.....and what if it didn't sell? Thus, these corps grads are "off-limits" (generally speaking) when their names come up in twi's annual placement meetings each March. Of course, there is a double-standard policy when it comes to corps staff. Corps people like John Linder got a mortgage in 1981 or 1982 when The Way Credit Union made these home loans available.....and twi sanctioned those home/car loans. BUT.....that was short-lived when twi realized this gaping error of judgment. Many corps staff bought homes in New Knoxville, St. Marys, New Breman, and Wapakoneta and stayed on staff for 25-30+ years. ["All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." George Orwell]. The Way Credit Union allowed corps and advanced class grads borrow money and "go in debt." Until they didn't allow it. Twi is a cult.....not because of its beliefs, but because of its methods. In this instance, the "no debt" policy is the strong arm of authoritarian control reaching down into the personal life of their followers/disciples. When young people grow up......build equity, livelihoods, careers and families.....many become independent and break free from twi's grip of dependence. So, the "no debt" policy helps to nip that in the bud. Some long-standing corps have discovered that after 35-45 years in twi they have no equity or retirement funds. Sad reality. So......to Bob Moynihan and others who still want to restore the ministry back to "It Is Written"......might want to dig a little deeper to discover what parts were scripture-based and what parts of The Way International were levers for power and control over others. Just saying..... ~~~~~ 2. Eliminate the “absolute” power of the current self-appointed board. Replace it with a larger elected board with established term limits and input from the entire Way Corps household. Okay......let's delve into this one. In 1958, 1959 ...........wierwille utilized "a larger board of directors" [local branch coordinators from Troy, Piqua, Urbana, Columbus] to assist the trustees in decision-making on growth and outreach of The Way, Inc. One of the major topics of concern was the search for a permanent headquarters [p.232......Mrs. W's book, Born Again to Serve] .....when vpw called a special meeting of the Board of Directors on April 5, 1959. On p.241......."At the annual meeting on June 7, 1959, Dr. Wierwille read the constitution and bylaws of The Way, making copies available to everyone. The purpose of the Board of Trustees was also read: To be responsible for all management and business of The Way. The defined purpose of the Board of Directors was read, which said the board was (1) to serve in an advisory capacity, (2) to represent the various branches of The Way, and (3) to accept responsibility to help move the ministry of The Way." Mrs. Wierwille's book spends 11 pages (p.232-242) detailing the Trustees....Victor, Harry & Ermal....having correspondence, meetings and feedback with the field "board of directors" on the major decision of finding and allocating monies for a new, permanent headquarters. Contentions arise and wierwille sends out two letters back-to-back.....1) April 17, 1959 letter to "Dear Member of the Board of Directors" and 2) April 17, 1959 letter to "Dear Graduate of Power for Abundant Living Class." Clearly, there was MAJOR disagreements surfacing because one paragraph in the letter to the board members states, "On June the 7th will be the Yearly Meeting. We are not interested in the negatives and doubts, but interested in developing the positive and good, so as to be able to do a better work for the Lord in carrying out the ministry whereunto He has called us and wherein He has privileged us to serve." [TRANSLATION: Get on board with our decisions........or hit the road, Jack.] On p. 233........."When we rented our South Washington Street home in Van Wert, we didn't know how temporary this location would be, as we were very focused on getting the ministry up and running, self-supporting, and growing. Now it was becoming very apparent to us that a larger and more permanent headquarters for The Way needed to be established. So the representatives of the Board of Directors from the various branches looked around their areas for potential headquarters sites. Some of these people were eager to have the headquarters established in the localities where they lived, such as in Troy, Ohio, Fort Myers, Florida and Chicago, Illinois. In one case where a property was found, the Board of Trustees thought the site didn't have enough acreage so they decided not to pursue that location any further. But some of the members of the Board of Directors became so upset with this decision that they left the ministry. Dr. Wierwille stated that we must have lost thirty people because they thought he was totally wrong in his decision to reject that site. And the loss of thirty followers was a major blow to us in those transitional years." 30 people.......the first mini-exodus of The Way, Inc. happened in 1959 Some were members of the Board of Directors It seems rather convenient that Mrs. Wierwille's book ends in 1961......when they move from Van Wert to the ancestral wierwille homestead near New Knoxville. The contentions and turmoil manifest itself in the closing pages of her book. On Thursday, February 2, 1961.......moving day arrived and was a very blustery, frigid winter day. The temperature reached 10 degrees with blizzard conditions.....and Harry's furniture trucks were hauling the last loads of furniture at 10pm and 10:30pm. Whatever field "board of directors" meetings occurred in the years to follow......we don't know. There is no Volume II to detail wierwille's life between 1961-1985. I highly suspect that wierwille phased out that policy .......and the "absolute power" of decision-making was formidably instituted at the Trustee Level only. Thus, what the corps requested in that March 2017 letter had already been tried......and shut down decades earlier. That's The Way it was. .

Vern Edwards, Bill Greene and John Rupp..........you just might want to give this March 2017 letter more consideration. A list of grievances Pointing out the contentions and strife Detailing the dismal state of The Way International ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yeah.....and it's going to get more dismal if they don't change course. Rosalie was 60 years old when she started marching everyone in circles. Now, 20 years later.......she's 80 and left the building in shambles. What could Vern possibly accomplish by following her mentorship?

The Way International has a new president and Chairman of the Board: Vern Edwards. Unless Rosalie Rivenbark has installed some little "trip-wire" in twi's decision-making process......Vern Edwards, the new president, presides over the decisions and direction of The Way International going forward. At his discretion, he can convene a board meeting with Bill Greene and John Rupp to discuss and implement direction, mandates, guidelines and/or yearly themes that could change their stagnant trajectory. Clearly, it is well-documented from sources and disgruntled, exiting corps members that twi's classes, programs and sunday service attendance are all dismal. Thanks, Rosalie......ppffffttt. So, it doesn't take rocket-science brains to know that you, Vern, have a decision to make. You are at the crossroads of.......1) Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results [known commonly as insanity] or 2) Have the fortitude to make the hard decisions that challenge the status quo and everything that you've been doing the past 30 years that twi claimed were "doing the Word." No one reaches higher plateaus by following in the steps of losers. Do you follow "the footprints in the sand" of your lord and savior, Jesus Christ.....the mediator between God and man? Or, do you follow "the paved blacktop walkway of twi" that Rosalie mandated for 20 years during her reign.......where dull denominations and cults rule with heavy hand and manipulate the followers to their will? Imagine the possibilities of living a spiritual life......in all of its fullness. Walking in newness of life.......not in the spirit of the law, but in the spirit of FREEDOM. A life that is pleasing the lord......undoing the burdens of guilt, fear and shame. Healing the broken-hearted. Engaging with fellow-disciples in their time of fear and trepidation.......walking on storm-tossed seas. Breaking the chains that bind the soul of man. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Teach the One Body of Christ......wherein, Jesus is the head of that Body! Members in particular. Everyone is needed. Everyone is valued. Eliminate the top-down caste structure that wierwille implemented. Eliminate the two-tier system wherein corps rule over non-corps. Pray that the "scales fall from your eyes"........that you might see. Humble yourself before the Lord.......to see His Majestic Will. Stop deceiving yourself, Vern. There is no way that The Way International is on the right path. No way. No how. Many have documented the numbers that some 150 way corps exited The Way Ministry BEFORE that August 16, 2016 confrontation letter. Then, Rico Magnelli demanded Rosalie step down.....and he was given the bums-rush outta there. Months later, a swath of way corps undersigned that March 17, 2017 letter to the Board of Directors......and that went nowhere. Clearly, long-standing way corps laid out their grievances and demands in that letter and now, three years later......you are at the helm. How many new attendees are coming into the corps program this August/September? Five? Ten? The Way International is hemorrhaging more long-standing corps than it is adding to the ranks. How can that possibly be God's will? If the way corps are "God's crack troops" like wierwille often said.......how can THAT possibly be right? Less way corps is good? Obviously, there needs to be a true cleansing of the camp. True sanctification. Not just pithy-themed mandate, but a true repentance of heart!! The decision is yours, Vern. You are at the crossroads. You are the man at the helm. You are in charge of steering this ship. Where it will go and where it ends up is your doing. Hopefully, you make wiser decisions that your predecessor, Rosalie. In her 20-year tenure, you guys marched in circles and never advanced. In fact, it seems clear that by all measures except one, the dollars hoarded away.......Rosalie failed miserably. Choose wisely, Vern. If you follow the twi-grooming, then you too will fail. Start with repentance and present yourself humbly before the Lord. And, you'll need to summon His strength and courage if you're ever going to break the chains of the traditions of man .....especially, the chains that wierwille brought to the corps program. Break those chains!!! .