skyrider

Thanks, Sunesis......yeah, the Jesus Movement. From one of the Jesus Movement sites.....here is some info listed below: Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel - Frustrated by church growth contests and recruitment techniques, in 1965 Smith took over as pastor of a tiny congregation in Costa Mesa, California. While watching hippies gather at Huntington Beach he and his wife were moved to find some way to reach these lost youth with the gospel. In 1968 Smith recruited Lonnie Frisbee and John Higgins to start a drug rehabilitation and commune called The House of Miracles. Smith's openness to the hippie culture sparked thousands of hippies to come to the church where he functioned as their father figure. Heavily influenced by premillennial interpretation of the Bible, Smith has become one of the leading figures of prophecy books and end-times publications selling thousands of copies of his various texts. Under his leadership, Calvary Chapel has spawned hundreds of similar churches and is cited as one of this half century's church growth phenomenons. Ted Wise and the House of Acts community - Converted in 1966 Wise is remembered as the first street Christian converts of the ensuing Jesus People Movement. In 1967 he and his wife Liz (and three other couples) opened The Living Room mission in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. Although in operation for only 18 months, the staffers suggested they talked with several thousand people. Wise and his group also came to live in community, taking the Acts' account of the early Christians as a literal guide. The resultant House of Acts community, the first Jesus commune of the movement, stood as a model for other similar communities that sprung up all across the continent. After this, Wise was recruited by Ray Stedman of Peninsula Bible Church (PBC) to work with drug addicts and open rehabilitation clinics. He remains affiliated to PBC to the present. (Read a recent interview with Ted) Jim Durkin and Lighthouse Ranch - In the summer of 1970 while Jim Durkin was experiencing dissatisfaction with his ministry, he was approached by several Jesus People looking to begin an evangelistic ministry to the hippies. Though initially hesitant, Durkin allowed the young group access to one of his apartment complexes helping them establish a coffeehouse outreach program. As the ministry blossomed they looked to him for leadership. He acquired an abandoned coast guard station eleven miles outside of Eureka, California allowing the young Christians to use this as their new home. Gospel Outreach Lighthouse Ranch, Table Bluff Road in Loleta, CA They dubbed it the Lighthouse Ranch. By 1972 the group had grown to between 250 - 300 active members. Under Durkin's oversight the group began to send out church planting teams all over the world eventually calling their growing organization Gospel Outreach. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Gospel Outreach (GO) continued to send out missionary teams including successful campaigns in Mendocino (California), Germany, Nicaragua, and Hawaii. With 100 affiliated churches worldwide the Gospel Outreach network is one of three denominational legacies of the Jesus People Movement. Victor Paul Wierwille - A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and ordained in the United Church of Christ. Believing that much of the Christian was in error, in 1955 Wierwille founded The Way to educate young men and women in the "correct way of biblical education." In 1968 Wierwille contacted and recruited two members of the first street Christian community in the Haight Ashbury, asking them to head up Way International training centers in California and New York. The Way International raised the ire of other Christian groups, labelled a "cult" because of their antitrinitarian views. One of the largest of all the extremist groups of the Jesus People movement, by the mid-1970s the organization boasted over 20,000 active members. Wierwille died in 1986 leaving The Way International in a state of disarray having to deal with financial mismanagement, accusations that he had plagiarized some of his writings, and sexual immorality.

Thanks, WW. In similar words............."The concept of the corps program is to impart vpw's commitment and dedicated agendas in his ministy to corps students who will, in turn, recruit others for the same purpose." No mention of God, Jesus, holy spirit, bible...none of that...........just the Doctor. That 1971 synopsis......was on point.

George.......very well said. Thanks.

So............. According to my above categories, I'd have to lean towards..........E and G. E........always about wierwille...........from the spiritual perspective. G........trained to run pfal classes.....from the physical perspective.

Who needs it............the twi STAFFERS. A major portion of the 50-something/60-something crowd KNOW that it's legalism & leachery have contributed to twi's "desert existence." Sure, there's a bit of existence there in the extremes of heat and cold.....IF you're a snake, scorpion or vulture.

rhino........yeah, what do we think about it NOW? You know.....it a sorta subtle way, I too have considered the avoiding factor. Thanks, rhino. :)

Time and time again, questions about the way corps surface.....so, in advance, please forgive me if this seems rather redundant. Guess I just have time to ramble on this Sunday afternoon. Within months of being in-rez....I was dissatisfied with the corps "training" and yet, stayed because I thought it was simply the rebel in me fighting it. I expected the heavy-handedness to lighten up. And, I never expected the wierwille-idolizing in such heaping portions. On another thread, I posted the following: Imo, wierwille's embryonic idea of the corps program was to train pfal class coordinators.......i.e. johnnie townsxnd clones to run classes for "the teacher" and give full allegiance to docvic. Wierwille didn't want any mavericks or renegades to shanghi his class.......like he did with B.G. Leonard's class. In order to safeguard his class, wierwille needed loyal followers and a chain of command setup. The "training of twig coordinators" was NOT about spiritually-trained individuals ministering to their twigs....but rather, RUNNING CLASSES and "the class" will minister to them and tie their allegiance to their "beloved teacher" and hq. Therefore, in hindsight......I conclude that Wierwille envisioned the corps program as the most effective means to safeguard his class and his legacy. What do you CORPS GRADS think about it now? What was the core concept of the corps training? Was it: ...A) A spiritual calling to serve the One True God ...B) A lifetime of Christian service....where the spirit of God led you ...C) A commitment to serve in twi's hierarchy.....jumping whenever asked ...D) An avenue to be trained as a twig coordinator.....simply, helping & teaching others ...E) Always about wierwille.....following the orders of the Mog ...F) A four-year commitment to be trained.....and then, whatever ...G) Trained to run pfal and other classes.....little else mattered ...H) None of the above Thanks. :)

Webster defines "salvage" as......the voluntary rescue of a ship or its cargo at sea from peril such as fire, shipwreck, capture, etc. If some youth have a "fresh outlook and love for God"......why would they want to waste time on a "salvage mission?" Bigger than any old-wineskins trip........this is an old-wineSHIP trip. A much better idea would be to purchase a fast speed boat.........and take their "fresh outlook" to new horizons and distant shores.

By 1974/75.........to train twig coordinators. By 1980/81.........the way corps were the slave labor force of twi. Imo, wierwille's embryonic idea of the corps program was to train pfal class coordinators.......i.e. johnnie townsxnd clones to run classes for "the teacher" and give full allegiance to docvic. Wierwille didn't want any mavericks or renegades to shanghi his class.......like he did with B.G. Leonard's class. In order to safeguard his class, wierwille needed loyal followers and a chain of command setup. The "training of twig coordinators" was NOT about spiritually-trained individuals ministering to their twigs....but rather, RUNNING CLASSES and "the class" will minister to them and tie their allegiance to their "beloved teacher" and hq. Therefore, in hindsight......I conclude that Wierwille envisioned the corps program as the most effective means to safeguard his class and his legacy.

QT, No doubt, the link provided above showed you several different perceptions of the way corps program, its brochure(s) and intent. Through the years, vpw and lcm promoted the corps training via slogans and vague generalities......"Christian Leadership Training"....."Training Twig Coordinators"...."Spiritual Leadership: Word in Culture"....and of course, "A Lifetime of Christian Service." The "First" corps training failed.........later, named "The Zero Corps." The following year, nine individuals started the training......together with wierwille in small teaching sessions, running, prayer time, hang-out together, etc. and the beginnings of wierwille's corps began to take root. Sources you could read.....perhaps, The Way: Living in Love written by El@na Wh1tes1de....the in-house version of wierwille's thinking and words. Lots of information is posted on these threads....thanks to WordWolf. Although vague......one of the corps brochures states, "Graduates of the Way Corps go forth to serve in areas of concern, interest and need. Where they serve depends upon their interest, ability and the needs of the ministry." By 1979/80......graduates of the corps program were vastly diversified. A lifetime of Christian service........no problem.......undergraduate and graduate degrees, advanced theological studies in Chicago, military service, authors and cartoonists, orchestra, dance & music, etc. Going forth to serve others via Twig, Branch, Area, and Limb coordinators.....depending on the corps grad's interest and ability to serve. QT....you ask when did the thrust or focus begin to change. Technically, imo.....it was always changing. But in what I observed, big changes occurred when the larger corps numbers came onboard....i.e. the 6th-12th corps. By 1977 or 78.....the corps director, lcm, was promoting the corps program as "Be the Best Twig Coordinator: Go Corps." With the numbers swelling, twi simply needed twig coordinators on the field teaching and helping in outreach areas. The Way College of Emporia was not accredited.....it was shot down. Twi had to give "back door accreditation" via the Rome City, Indiana location. Even though Don Wierwille was brought on board to help with this area...as the "Dean"....it never made much headway. Don't know much about "wanting to be recognized outside twi".........during those 1977-82 years, the public label of CULT hit twi in the face. Thereafter, vpw seemed to wear the cult badge with an "us versus them" kinda pride. Twi was ever-changing its terminology, concepts, book editions, programs, etc......and when martindale took the helm in 1982 (and wierwille died in 1985), many give reference to twi II (another whole set of changes). Happy searching, skyrider

bowl patrol.................... and, "bless patrol"......... should be renamed control patrol

catcup.....yes, vpw said that several times. In public view.....open teachings, roa, sts, etc.....vpw taught broad strokes of abundant living, healing, love, joy, peace, etc. But, in closed-meetings.....i.e. corps, staff meetings.....vpw ran a tight LEGALISTIC ship. He scoffed at opinions that differed from his own, every meeting set-up had to be done HIS way, etc. etc. On three occassions, I personally witnessed vpw's lashing, foaming, confrontation on individuals that were over-the-top character assassinations. Vpw had a deep, subtle legalistic streak in him..........hidden from public view, for sure. Martindale never learned such subtleties. :blink:

Thanks T-Bone.......yeah, that sums up alot of what I'm seeing, too. All of my life's experiences....."good, bad and undefined"..... have made significant impressions on my thought processes, emotions, intellect, etc. And, as I articulate this information and "re-interpret" my findings......I can more effectively move forward without playing the same broken records [experiences] in my head over and over. And, again......this is not just a "me versus twi" capsule. No way! I'm looking at my life........and twi was a subset of those experiences. On the chessboard of life......it's MY move. :)

Galen..........did I strike a nerve, or what..??? I presented 15 aspects of black/white mentality in twi. I presented 7 aspects of individuality. Are you okay.....??? :)

So......by addressing a "black/white concept" in twi....and trying to find a balance and color my life with a spectrum of viewpoints, experiences and relationships.....it's "bashing the specific part of the ministry that I wish to bash." What...??? Lifted Up.....check out dmiller's post following Galen's.

Galen.....for those who follow these Greasespot threads regularly, your comments above are typical black/white mentality. You despise the corps....yet, elevate wierwille and the classes that taught them. Please refrain from turning this thread into ANOTHER corps bashing session. Thanks.

((Belle))...........EXACTLY. :)

Hmmmmmmm........ Catcup, I hear what you're saying.....but your missing my point. Perhaps, if you go and read the thread, Best of Times it might put this more in context. When expressing MY experiences......it doesn't have to be filtered through the eyes of THEM. Anyways, maybe some grey...........but not COLOR. Kinda like the movie "Pleasantville".... if you will. :) Black/White Standards 1) Must take the class.....no grey area. 2) Cannot ask questions....no exceptions. 3) Be on time for every session....or start over. 4) Gotta go to know......Go WOW (not college) 5) Go corps.....to be a spiritual leader. 6) Be tough, be an in-your face leader....other styles are wimpish. 7) Stand with craig (not geer) letter.....craig's way or the highway. 8) Don't need to read newspapers....lcm will tell you WHAT to think. 9) Sanctifying twi's household......get on board/ homo-purge 10) Word is over the world.........a black/white statement 11) Old blue song books.......old wineskins 12) Wierwille stuff................old wineskins 13) Full-time corps........no choice, either/or 14) WAP Class............the new foundational class in twi 15) The Present Truth.......martindale was fronting the present spewth Color Standards 1) My individuality 2) My background and experiences 3) My choices 4) My thoughts and feelings 5) My goals 6) My decision to exit twi 7) My future and family I refute the all black/white mentality..............give me COLOR.

I just posted on the Best of Times thread.....seems like there is this all black/white mentality that continues to be pervasive on some threads. Is this "all or nothing" viewpoint a residual effect of a high-demand religious group (i.e. a cult?)? Living one's life........is COLORED with all sorts of emotions, learning experiences, relationships, lifestyles, political & religious viewpoints, ancestorial backgrounds, etc. And, more detailed coloring is added for some who experienced extreme highs and/or lows in the multi-faceted categories in life. Why does there continue to be this....all black versus all white mentality when it comes to expressing one's experiences..?? I mean, heck....when I read a biography of one's life, I don't read an "all or nothing" approach..?? Doesn't everyone have good and bad "chapters" in life...?? I think so. When I'm talking about ME.....and MY experiences.....can't I have both? Of course, when the conversation on threads turns to wierwille, his plagerism, adultery, abusive lifestyle..or twi's hierarchy....or it's corrupt system.....THEN it has changed course and my overall viewpoint would be swayed, again, by MY experiences. Heck, so many in twi never found the proper balance between doctrine or practice.....let alone adding to the equation....emotions, relationships, changes throughout life, proper boundaries, financial security, etc. And, imo by continuing to blanket reality with a black/white approach is very unhealthy. Lots to unravel.........still.

At times....I tend to think of my life in terms of "chapters -- in a book." My childhood and teen years.....were chapters 1-10. Within those chapters, I have a truckload of memories .... school years, first love, sports, hunting, fishing, college, etc. Good wholesome years. My twi years........24 chapters, 24 years. Each chapter tells a story of exploits, challenges, learning experiences, etc. Keeps me from adopting an all black/white viewpoint......which, imo is unhealthy and very twi-like. Also, "chapters" keep the focus on MY life.......not someone else's. It's my life's story. When I exited twi.....chapter 35 started. :) Hopefully, I'll have lots more chapters before my life is over. Dunno, tho.

Yes........the goodhearted and upright folks in twi helped to GREASE THE TWI MACHINERY. The systematizing of err could not be sustained without it......hence, today's twi.

From day one.......in-rez corps training was all about OBEDIENCE. The corps program monitors several different categories of obedience.....the five corps objectives (later, called principles). Martindale was selected as the 2nd president...because he always DID what wierwille asked. Reporting back thru the chain of command was strictly taught in the 90s. And, there are some posters who suggest some way corps were violating the "marching orders" of wierwille and martindale.........and still retained their status in the ranks..????

And......since there NEVER was a policy on debt and home mortgages (cough, cough)....I found it very odd that a standing corps couple [in Florida] had worked out a backdoor arrangement of mortgage payments by having HER FATHER BUY THE HOUSE. The monthly mortgage payments were simply paid to the father instead of a mortgage company. Slick deal, eh? Therefore...........the corps couple didn't "technically" have this mortgage, this debt. :blink: So, it's okay to lie and deceive within the system. One just needs to know how to manever in the alligator-infested waters...........that's all.

I wonder if twi's mogs STILL confront their innies on *believing* to stop the August heat and thundering downpours at hq....?? Could it have possibly just been that time of year.....and not the devil..?

shell & dm, The article is at.... www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2006/07/27/443451.html Hopefully, someone can link to it......I'm still a-learnin'.