skyrider

And one more thing before I get back to work.... I strongly believe that MANY CORPS GRADS who no longer stand with twi are still struggling with the financial devastation and family-structured abandonment during those insane years. Thus, there are very few corps grads who come to Greasespot and post their stories. Perhaps, some are embarrassed by their involvement or still computer-illiterate........but, in my opinion, there are MANY whose lives and careers and family were left in shambles. And, for several of the corps couples I know....divorce has been a quick ticket to distance themselves from one another and the nightmare of following lcm's false prophecies. I'll leave it at that.

Microbe....thanks for posting. I don't know about writing a thesis...but appreciate your insight. Sounds like you were in the thick of things, too? skyrider

Mr. H.....during the full-time corps era, lcm DEMANDED the corps to "get some balls" and drive the devil spirits out! He bluntly told the corps to get tough or get out! From what I saw, the cancerous arrogance and meanness infected the region men who attended hq meetings....and this "rough-shod over people" infiltrated the limbs and branches accordingly. In the end, twi was indeed spiritually-cancerous and its breathing is stifling. It seems that rosalie has done NOTHING to combat this disease that is lording over twi's followers. Pathetic and sad, really.

To stop this MONSTER from eating twi out of house and home, lcm became the "financial head over every corps and corps household." He dictated how money was to be spent. He dictated who could and should get pregnant. He dictated the slashing of all extra-curricular activities of the children. ...no music lessons ...no dance lessons ...no voice lessons ...no tutoring ...no karate ...no pets ...no gift-giving to corps ...no traveling to other states ...no extended (5 day) vacations ...no college preparations ...no retirement funds (???) It was financial reckless abandonment for three years of my life!!!

Thanks, Jim....for the compliment. Appreciate it. igotout.....all the corps were inundated with reporting back to twi leadership. I tend to believe that the trunk office issued this paper blizzard to appease martinfail's screaming episodes and micromanaged leadership style. Quite obvious to me.....martinfail didn't trust the corps to do their ministerial duties. The paperwork was multi-faceted. Branch guys reported to the limb, the limb to region, the region to trunk, the trunk to bot. The following are some of the reports that I recall: --Time-Analysis Report....each week, this report was a projected schedule of the corps person's week detailing 6am - 11pm in 30-minute time slots. After about one year, lcm instructed region & limb guys to scrutinize these reports and strongly recommend changes (each week). --Witnessing Report....each week, this report was a detailed analysis of how many in your area went witnessing, the number of contacts, the number of follow-ups, the number who attended fellowships as a result, the number who signed up for WAP, etc. --Petty Cash Report....each branch, limb and region were allocated a level of petty cash. Branch corps, generally, consisted of two or three fellowships and didn't utilze petty cash reports except for times when lcm designated 8 consecutive public/formal branch meetings during the videotaping of WAP. All expenses over $100 had to be cleared by the region guy. The region guy could spend up to $300 before the trunk got involved. --Yearly Budget Reports....this report had to be cleared through twi's personnel department. With some 600+ corps/families on payroll, this was a monumental task to sort thru the "needs" of every corps family, every situation. Some parents had a child in a musical instrument class, or a karate class, or a voice lessons class, etc. Martindale blasted the corps on a corps meeting for spending "excess money" on their children. --[Note: Pet policies, gift-giving policies, pregnancy policies, traveling policies, cable tv policies, etc......these came into play as the mountain of corps expenses soared far beyond anything martindale had foreseen.] --Monthly Progress Report....(whatever it was called??) detailed each branch's progress on class sign-ups (fnd, int, ac, etc). Month after month, it seemed like there were always goose eggs (zeros) in the blanks. --Trunk Faxes.....reporting back on specific policies or corps meeting assignments was common. The corps were responsible to listen to lcm's sts tape on tuesday or early wednesday each week BEFORE the corps phone hookup. Trunk faxes were common and demanded a quick response. Sometimes, corps would be up until midnight to meet the fax deadline. --Greetings Faxed to Trunk....as the paper-insantiy escalated, the corps seemed to be competing as to who could send in the most heartfelt greeting for twi's anniversary, for thanksgiving, for twi's holiday party, for the new year's, etc. --Thank You Cards.....it became mandatory for each branch, each area to send a unique, handmade, personalized card to lcm after each WAP class. Every student was to sign the card and detail what blessed them specifically in the class. Those who had bigger branches, bigger limbs, bigger regions had MORE paperwork to do. It wasn't any secret why MANY region couples had no kids. No time. There were more reports, but I think you get the gist of it. I know lots of people criticize their corps leadership, but from one who was in the midst of this paper blizzard.....it was one he!! of a ride! :D--> :D-->

And for the record.....for those of you who were long gone from twi, Howard Allen stepped aside (asked to retire??) as secretary/treasurer shortly thereafter. Sometimes, the timing of things makes one go....hmmmmmmm.

I like threads like this too....that's why I start them. For me, it helps to dismantle the twi-machinery and logically explain its component parts. In this manner, others can see how misjudgements, agendas, and adulterous leaders strayed further and further from scriptural basis and ended in a desolate wilderness. Wierwille died before his agendas were fully exposed. But martindale in trying to follow wierwille's mentoring, is a classic example of tarnished character, moral/spiritual depravity and self destruction by the age of 51. And since twi is a class-based organization, it isn't any small wonder why they still are scrambling to implement a new foundational class again.

How ironic.....to think that lcm was constantly condemning those who had investments in stocks and bonds. With great adamancy, he said that the best place to invest one's money was to ABUNDANTLY SHARE TO TWI. Money, money, money.......the trustees ALWAYS were focused on the dollars. And then, when one strips away all the "spiritual reasons" for this full-time corps experiment......lcm did not do his homework. He went into this "investment" on an arrogant whim. It's like....he threw the dice. And lost. Oooops.

Mr. H......yeah, imo it became exponentially worse in twi when the corps went full-time. Martinfail couldn't stomach the thought of his corps on payroll without micromanaged accountability. Week after week, the policies were coming out of the trunk office to put some structure to this new "revelation." One of the major thrusts at this time was reporting back. The faxes were flying back and forth all hours of the day. It was a crazy time.....and martinfail's corps meetings were simply a time of diversion and shifting blame. And, let's not forget.....when all graduated corps went full time, that meant that twi was SOLELY RESPONSIBLE to meet the financial needs of these employees. If they traveled to Word in Business, then twi was responsible for this expense. Thus, only about 30 corps nationwide were "selected" to attend! I still believe that the MAJOR REASON why the roa was stopped was financial. Imagine having some 600 corps travel to Ohio with their families for two weeks....and all the expenses that would incur? Everything now that the corps did or implemented was a twi expense. And, this didn't even approach the subject of corps children. What about in a few years??When lcm cancelled the roa because of devil spirit infiltration, I believe that this was simply smoke & mirrors. It soon became apparent that EVERY OVERRIDING DECISION of twi became a financial decision. The monster was eating away all the incoming revenue........and the monster was GROWING. Yes, this "revelation" to put all graduated corps full-time changed ALL the dynamics of twi. It was unprecedented and it totally blew up in martinfail's face. :D-->

---when vpw drank his drambuie while corps sat on the floor ---when vpw railed vehemently on a corps guy who fell asleep during vp's teaching ---when vpw crashed the twig hopper in Canada in 1982 and it was totally silenced over ---when lcm was noted for "dances with spirits" ---when lcm's anger and viciousness towards geer didn't cease ---when donna told linder to wake lcm by 9am on Sunday at an ACS. Why a wake-up call for the spiritual mog? And, what was he DOING that saturday night?

Ten years ago, mr. martinfail began scheming another escalated attempt to rev-up the corps. With ongoing efforts to purge homos and home mortgages from twi's ranks, loy waybrained a plan that he said was revelation from God. In March of 1995, at the corps leadership meetings at hq, lcm presented this "revelation" and received endorsement from the board of trustees, the corps leadership, the region leaders, and emeritus trustees. Puffed with great pride, the full-time corps "revelation" was catapulted in August at corps week. Martinfail expected his plan to stoke the fires of his controlling power. His arrogance was cashing checks that God never wrote. In August, the lines of demarcation were quickly drawn in the sand. If corps had credit card debt, then they were not qualified to be on twi's payroll. If corps had a home mortgage, then the same applied. Twi's personnel director, Brad Thoxpe, was the front man to set a base salary under a needs-basis umbrella with a set of financial and spiritual guidelines. Within weeks, lcm's "revelation" was unraveling. The trunk office was totally scrambling to fill in all the holes. Frank Stalxy and wife were brought in to spearhead the financial avalanche of activities that were not detailed. Policies and job descriptions were in shambles. Behind closed doors, this whole "revelation" was a growing fiasco. Corps couples were quitting and returning back to their secular employment. When lcm launched this full-time corps "revelation" upon twi, it marked a new era in twi history. Now, twi's president and corps director had major control over his graduated-from-training corps. He set corps policies on salary cuts, traveling, communication, reporting, pets, pregnancy, vacations, and many other issues. It was unprecedented. Since lcm proclaimed that God had given this revelation, there was a growing anticipation of major rise and expansion. But when it DID NOT HAPPEN, lcm now said that the household needed to be cleaned out further.....before twi followers could cross the bridge into "the promised land of the prevailing word." More stress. More confrontation. More scrutiny over innie's finances and traveling and m/a relatives. More reporting back to leadership as demanded by the trunk office. No results. The ministry was going deeper in debt with such a swell of payroll expense. By March of 1997, the trunk office instructs the region men to sniff out "slothful corps" and get them OFF TWI'S PAYROLL. Fire their butts, but be sure to give a spiritual reason. The yes-men go into action to save face for lcm. More policies. More firings. By January of 1998, twi launches into an emergency cost-cutting mode!! Obviously, the twi accountants were whispering in martinfail's ear and FINALLY getting his attention. All kinds of reasons were given. Blame was shifted onto the "unbelieving" corps and other committed followers. And by June of 1998, "new revelation" was given to eliminate the full-time corps mode of operation. Martinfail kept boasting of God's prevailing word and all......but the damage was done. It was obvious that lcm was not tapped into God's divine revelations. He was exposed for all to see. Once again, pride goeth before the fall. :D--> skyrider

UncleHairy.....exactly!!! Manipulation-mongers! They waited a couple months and then, slam-dunk our commitment level when we are behind CLOSED DOORS and surrounded by PEER PRESSURE. What a bunch of low-life tactics! Was this tactic used in the zero corps? And, everyone left??? When the atrocities of the corps program are exposed......vpw was a major player in scamming people. He may have been on the stage alot, but some of us know that vpw could easily hide in the shadows.

When I put faces to this extreme spiritual abuse in vpw's corps.......excathedra is at the forefront of my mind. It really ....es me off that vp did this to my corps sister. (((((excathedra))))) Take care, my friend. :)-->

Maybe Mr. Horney's new class will put this ship back on course? With Horney, Platig, Rico and Rupp up there in the ranks, surely it can't get any worse? Can it?

Some good points, simon. From a child, I was always taught to finish what I started. It was not good to jump ship and quit, because you might miss some good learning just around the next bend. Well, each "bend in the voyage" had MORE TURBULENCE. And, even though I stuck it out.....it didn't get better. There was NO "acquire an in-depth spiritual perception and awareness" prize at graduation time. Sure, I made a few friends and learned a thing or two.....BUT I could have easily done that in a multiplicity of ways. The corps program was designed to build twi-dependent followers who would strictly endorse twi policies. To quit the program (and be slandered) or die were the two exit options available to those who were "salted" corps.

Yeah.....that's it, "survival" memories, ex10. :D--> To survive the monotony To survive the intimidation To survive the peer pressure To survive the sleep deprivation To survive the parade of mog adulation I just wanted to serve God and help others, that's all.

Thanks ex10 and LindaZ for your input and perspectives. And, for what it's worth....it is good to hear that some corps retain fond memories of those intense inresidence years. When I set aside all the intertwining corporate agendas, the mog arrogance and twi-induced idolatry........and focus on corps-to-corps friendships, I can find a smidgeon of good in all of it. Thanks again. :)--> :)--> (((((ex10))))) (((((LindaZ)))))

BINGO. :D-->

Why do I regret going into the corps? Why do I see vpw's corps training as extreme spiritual abuse? * The first two months inresidence were more pfal indoctrination. * The work/study approach was a joke. How much can one learn weeding a small plot for two weeks? And, the study part was simply indoctrination. * Meal times were mandatory....with after-meal announcements, indoctrination. * The whole agenda of the corps training was conformity. * Work twigs, corps twigs, study twigs, prayer twigs.....no time for self. * $20 a month to spend.....a way to teach discipline, or conformity to meager living? * Screaming, screaming, screaming......in a Christian program?? * Sitting on the floor for a two hour after-meeting. * Going to meetings to schedule meeting times, * Praying for 4 hours from 2 am to 6 am to keep the prayer vigil going. * Building a twi-dependent person, not a Christ-in-you individual? * VPW had self-serving agendas for "his" corps. I fully understand that every corps experience was different and every campus had a different flavor and different leadership. There are way too many variables to compare corps experiences. For me, the corps training wasn't all bad.....but when I step back and LOOK at the overall picture, it takes the shape of hardened leaders leading others. IMO, it accelerated a corporate-climbing mentality and caste system within twi......i.e. God's "best" would want to be in vp's corps, wouldn't they? To me, the dark agenda of cult-like conformity tainted the whole experience. Obviously, vpw had a controlling agenda for his corps, his ministry. But hey, I got to sit at "the master's feet." --> skyrider

LindaZ, Who said anything about "being accused of turning a blind eye to the bad?" If that's what you read between the lines of this thread.....then, I want to be upfront, THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION. I was very specific in stating that if 350 were to give their opinions on the corps training, then there would probably be 350 different responses. I don't know how to be any clearer. ????? skyrider

--> --> I thought Greasespot, and especially this About The Way forum, was to EXPOSE twi? Sure, I understand that every corps experience was different. I thought I already said that. Is it unfair or wrong to give the other side of the spectrum of corps training? Heck, I never even mentioned the commando episode in the mud late one Sunday night!! Nor did I talk about the dorm change assignments where we moved all of our belongings in January...IN A BLIZZARD. I thought I signed up for Christian leadership training.....not the marine corps? ;)--> skyrider

UncleHairy, I couldn't agree more.

And another thing.... Come on back........to what? The Indiana Campus is gone, Emporia is gone, LEAD is gone, Camp Gunnison is virtually empty....and hq is entangled with lawsuits? ROA has stopped, WIB has stopped....virtually all fellowship activities have been slashed. It's a totally different set of rules and policies......with waygb monitoring secrets. Just regurgitated classes and throw your money into twi's ever-consuming belly?? No thanks. This leopard cannot change its spots.

ex10, I like sitting at your table. :)-->

ex10, I have considered this for a number of years. No, it wasn't all bad...(is that "all" without exception or "all" with distinction?). Of course not, but then......is an abusive husband or relationship "all" bad? I mean....what about when the abusive husband is gone or what about the sweet, innocent children? The point that it wasn't "all bad" becomes insignificant, imo. Every corps person experienced a different corps experience. Some graduated from the corps and split two weeks later....never heard from again. Some corps girls were sexually assaulted. Some corps got out unscathed and melted back into a home fellowship somewhere. It still doesn't change the premise of this thread. The screaming sessions after lightbearers were horrendous! The namecalling in this supposedly Christian leadership training attacked my character and self-worth. The spewings after corps nights, the ridiculous singling out of certain corps to "teach" something.....was nothing short of full-scale intimidation, manipulation and a lording over the oppressed. Sure, I met some "wonderful people" in the corps, but I've met "wonderful people" in high school, college, traveling, co-workers, etc. etc. And yes, it is worth something. But to some.......the corps experience wreaked havoc and destruction. Some paid a very dear price for this "training"........mental turmoil, sexual assault, divorce, suicide. Of course, it didn't happen to "all" of us. But geeze louise......I just don't see any way to sugar-coat the corps training. VPW totally failed in his attempts to establish Christian training for aspiring and dedicated leaders. He abused his authority and power over the youth. Was it extreme spiritual abuse..........YES. I will never forget some of the lives who were damaged! Was it worth it? If you ask those some 350 people from the 10th corps, you'd probably get about 350 different opinions. Your opinion might be rosy.....their opinion might include shades of blood-red.