skyrider

At one time, with FIVE CAMPUSES.....twi needed a corps director. The corps director set the agenda/pace for all corps coordinators. Now....all the inrez corps could meet in a small kitchen. And.....how many of those corps coordinators have abandoned twi? 1) Craig Martindale (ousted) 2) Ger@ald Wrenn 3) W@yne Cl@pp 4) R@lph D. 5) John Ly-nn 6) Rich@rd Th0mas 7) Lind@ McD 8) D@ve Bed@rd (asst) 9) P@ul Mosqued@ 10) Fr@nklin Sm!th (?) 11) D@ve St@ndage 12) St#ve Str#zpek 13) George Hen-ley 14) Tom Jenk!nson 15) ....and others Many other assistant corps coordinator have abandoned ship, as well. Not sure about the H0rneys.....but the only ones who seem to cling on are the Moneyhands and F0rts [who wanted secular careers]. So, give Ch@ndler G. another 12 years and see what develops......the title of "a big fish in a small pond" has a short tenure of opportunity. .

With each passing year in twi, it became apparent that twi ALWAYS moved in herds, in groups. Did they not understand that this was MY LIFE? Did they not care that I was squandering opportunities to ADVANCE? Did they not see that that they were TRIVIALIZING MY FUTURE? When you step back and see that the answer to those three questions is YES.....then you begin to understand that manipulation and exploitation were the underpinnings of twi's organization. As a corps grad, and taking assignments.....especially those that involve moving 600-1500 miles away.... is a HUGE undertaking. And, if you're married then it's two individuals, two families, affected. Add children to the mix....and EACH YEAR the complexities mount up. Traveling back and forth to corps week and roa.....finances, health, school, jobs, future, etc. The dirty little secret......wierwille and co. was trivializing our futures. We were just little insignificant cogs on their big wheel. Well................screw that. Go ahead, twi.......and enjoy your empty auditorium this sunday.

Yeah, and if you go there in the dead of winter.... I get the sense that being there would have the same vibes as the vacant Colorado hotel in The Shining Those two little girls represent Rosie and Don-na. .

Two questions, two answers..... 1) No, I do not still consider myself ordained......although, I've got the ordination certificate from Universal Life Church Monastery to perform the duties of clergy. It's not the thrust of my total self. 2) What it meant to me back then [and now].....is living and abiding by the truths/precepts of the epistles to Timothy and Titus Plenty of truths and principles can be mined from these two epistles.....and even to offer a small window of this will fall short of what it all encompassed to me. But for the sake of clarity and brevity....I would cite II Timothy 2:1ff. 1) ....be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus 2) ....commit to faithful men who teach others also 3) ....not entangled with affairs of this life 4) ....strive to uphold true/godly doctrine 5) ....a vessel honored, sanctified and meet for master's use 6) ....follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with pure heart 7) ....a servant of the Lord, gentle and patient Obviously, twi was/is MANY things to MANY people.....and the clergy issue is bantered about as well. Those who took this solemn oath with a pure heart to serve, guard and protect the "flock of God" at all costs are to be commended. On two occasions, I stayed up until 3:30am or so helping to the utmost of my ability: one individual was desperately tormented and wanted to commit suicide and another was anguished with internal conflict about major marital problems. I stayed with them to do whatever I believed was necessary to resolve the detrimental issues. Yes, so many situations of serving and counseling thru the years.....and if need be, I would recommend profession help if one was warranted. For those who sought ordination for its title and/or empowerment to lord over others..... well, you may have gotten temporal "reward" but that's about it. Even those who see it as a means for weddings, funerals, hospital visits.....to me, it was SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. Even my clergy acceptance letter [below] noted the Timothy/Titus standard. .

Yeah.....the concept of *biblical research* intrigued me. After all, I was in college at the time and another class.......okay, sign me up. BUT......wierwille's twi was NOT a biblical research ministry. Rather, it was a static, authoritarian pseudo-patriarchal organization wherein a tight-circle guarded the plagiarized pyramid scheme. The ruling elders lived by one set of rules while feigning to live the biblical standards that they taught to the rest of us. The hypocrisy was blatantly absurd. The "man of God" doctrine was contrived from wierwille's wish world. He fantasized himself to be some great one.....and built a world of fabrications and half-truths to preside over. While the youth relished in camaraderie and commune living their "freedom in Christ".....vpee was plotting an agenda that leveraged his spiritual legacy to fawning followers. The theatrics of "Living Victoriously" and Wierwille's 40-years of ministry in 1982 had the makings of a small-town revival. The music, the fanfare, the buzz, the special seating, the passing of the mantle to craig, and wierwille riding off in his fire-engine-red twighopper. And, less than three years later..........wierwille was dead.

Rather than stating, "He's still there"......I see it differently. The Lord God is still here and always has been.

Broken Arrow....with regards to "my very interesting insights" I've tried to consistently outline many of them in my posts. A Timeline of My Twi-Observations 1) PFAL '77 Class was to replace and update '67 Class --- didn't happen 2) Adv Class '78 -- wierwille was p!ssed at three 8th corps guys for their research project 3) In 1978 -- My Limb Coordinator, 4th corps, at the end of August was exiting twi 4) At corps meetings, vpw was calling out some 4th and 6th corps as "cop-outs" 5) To me, being way corps was NEVER PROMOTED as a lifetime of twi-servitude 6) My upbringing and rural background kept me grounded and fiercely independent 7) Interim year at HQ --- What an eye-opening of twi's "spiritual epicenter" 8) 1980-1982.....I've documented 3 encounters of wierwille's blatant hypocrisy 9) 1981 ...after my deprogramming experience, vpw told me my parents would be dead in 5 years [NOT!] 10) By 1982, some corps and clergy were moving on to higher education and careers 11) Marriages, babies, young kids......and trustees/uppers didn't have a clue to manage this transition 12) Twi was a one-trick pony....Run classes [move the word]. Repeat. 13) Individualism was stifled at every turn. Twi moved in herds, in groups. 14) Treated as sheep, yet no TRUE shepherd. Wierwille/Martindale were self-centered...and worse. 15) For the longest time, I really thought that twi would move beyond wierwille. 16) Twi was NOT a biblical research entity. It was/is a cult of persona and wierwille mystique. 17) Guess I never discarded my critical thinking skills --- before, during or after twi. 18) I could smell the Chris Geer deception within 10 minutes at 1986 Corps Week. 19) Like many others, I stayed longer than I wanted to keep marriage/family intact. 20) I treasure upright principles. My integrity I hold fast and will not let it go. In hindsight, I tend to think that I romanticized the ideal of biblical research in twi and spiritual liberty. The pfal class opened a door that I thought, for a time, would welcome all into a grand living room of love. But within a few short years, the more I was around wierwille and his leaders....I could sense that there were other agendas at work. I believe that lots of others saw it too.....and exited. In my youth, it was fun and exciting to live the commune lifestyle. Lots of spontaneity, fellowship and variety every day, every week. Going to the roa and sleeping in tents and staying up all hours of the night. The beauty of youth, eh? But as one grows older....marriage, family, education, advancement, careers, community/church involvement, etc become the vocal points and that youthful zeal is restrained to more important issues. And, especially when one sees the manipulation and exploitation of twi....it's quite simple to refute such youthful meandering.

Here is what I remember as wierwille's definition of "righteousness." Righteousness: The ability to stand in the presence of God without any sense of guilt, sin or shortcoming. Couldn't one make the case that such a self-gratifying definition would equate to one having their conscience seared with a hot iron....having departed from the faith of Jesus Christ? Just because someone thinks that he can sin over and over and over again, and God will cleanse him EVERYTIME doesn't make it so. Wierwille sold his followers seductive definitions that skewed the truth into a lie.

And.....that's why books are written. And.....that's why some GS's post.

Time and time again, I find it amazingly thought-provoking to pin-point that once-held attraction to wierwille and twi. Clearly, it was NOT the *demonstration of God's power*......because, as many of us have opined, we didn't SEE any of that from twi hierarchy. Even though, the scriptures make bold warnings that you shall know them BY THEIR FRUIT.....what was the "fruit" of wierwille's last 15 years of his life? Let's see.....hmmmm. He preached from the podium and shared some of life's lessons in meetings, nightowls, and corps get-togethers. YET, all that buzzspeak about "doing the word, living the word, etc" was talk, talk, talk, sell, sell, sell. Take the class. Take the next class. And, get others to take twi's classes. BUT.....what about the fruit? What about the power? In some ways, it seems that wierwille's bold, brash, bravado of "no guilt or sin-conscience"....just "do the word and do as you fool please".....was enough to stir attention. The churches weren't doing that. Church ministers, in the 60s and 70s, were NOT knocking sin-consciousness back on its heels. And, even if you accepted Jesus......you'd better not backslide. You'd better be working for this salvation. See you next Sunday. But wierwille's message was different. He slayed spiritual guilt on the crown of thorns at Calvary....and sent forth young men and women to live together on the wow field. From 1968-1982, wierwille amassed a following of zealots, rebels, outcasts, transients, etc. that were attracted to free-wheeling along. Many, if not most, were drawn to this "movement" of word-over-the-world where spirit and liberty converged to make social/sexual barriers disappear. Those who went to their first Twig and greeted by several girls with a holy kiss on the lips could not have marked a more stark difference than church-Christianity......ACCEPTANCE AT TWI'S DOORSTEP, NO SPIRITUAL GUILT. Then, wow's sent forth and living together....and corps campuses with hormones a-buzzing.....and way homes, too. Looking back, it just seems like there was this sexual subliminal messaging going on that was parallel with twi's pseudo-Christianity. No, it wasn't to the degree of the church in Corinth's "license to sin".....but it was getting there. And, for twi's sexual predation coming from the top levels.....it was worse. But hey,.....we were "free" from sin and guilt. And, if we did break "fellowship with the Father"....then, all we had to do was to confess this sin and poof, cleansed again. Over and over and over again. What a doctrine! Free from spiritual guilt and a license to sin!!! Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end.

What purpose was "the law of believing" serving? Well.....in all its bravado, it provided an end-run around the scriptures thereby side-stepping accountability by the uppity-ups. Wierwille flaunted his spiritual perception via his stories and elusive past. Name me ONE THING that wierwille/martindale/geer did that amounted to UNDENIABLY RECEIVING FROM GOD via this "law of believing?" This house of cards was built on those fire-engine RED DRAPES in some living room of an elusive, fabricated story?

Thanks WordWolf.......yeah, wierwille could embellish a story and, as you noted, it speaks VOLUMES that it wasn't transcribed wholesale. Wierwille was a showman and a con artist. Notice how CONTRIVED this story is with such stuff like "of where I am gainfully employed" and the like? Reminds me of his CONTRIVED snow-on-the-gas-pumps audible voice from God story. :rolleyes:/>/>/> According to this made-up story, she needed an apartment AND easy access to get to her work. So....why limit the parameters of where the apartment was located? What she NEEDED was a car. And, if a car fulfills the need, why should it be just any old car when she WANTED specifics? Besides, if it didn't make any difference to God.....because her "needs and wants were parallel" then the car might as well be a Mercedes Benz. .

If I recall correctly, the red drapes "story" was also inserted into wierwille's *needs and wants must be parallel* shtick, as well. She NEEDED drapes for her living room and she WANTED red drapes.....and with prayer and believing, she got 'em. Besides, [as vpw claimed] it didn't make any difference to God whether the drapes were green or red ......but SHE WANTED RED DRAPES. So......to receive anything [spiritual or material] from God you've got to know these five (5) keys: 1) What is available? 2) How to receive it? 3) What to do with it after you've got it 4) Needs and Wants Parallel and 5) God's ability equals His willingness. YET.....when and/or where do we ever see wierwille receive from God BY BELIEVING? 1) When vpw and family headed to India for extended itinerary......several church folk gave them money and also, vpw sold the family car and household items. 2) When the wierwille home needed renovating and remodeling.....brother harry, the businessman, shelled out around $45,000 to get it done. 3) When the Emporia campus was bought......they took out a bank loan and headquarter grounds was used as collateral to back the loan. 4) When vpw had health issues and eye/cancer problems.....did his believing help to stem the tide and usher in healing? Heck....if a person WANTS red drapes, isn't there another way to get them? Thank God for a healthy body and ability to work.....then, get out of bed, get to work, or work extra hours, or overtime.....and PAY the store clerk for those red drapes. Thank God for this blessing you received. Or....is there only ONE WAY to get red drapes? Follow the yellow-brick road formula?

.....with Jean Yves DeLisle's signature. Rosalie....you are so clever to stay out of sight.

Of course, *believing* is a biblical concept. BUT....."the law of believing" is something different. I no longer have my Blue Book, The Bible Tells Me So......yet, I distinctly remember that chapter where a camera analogy is utilized to augment "believing." What were those little steps? 1) Aim the camera and affix the subject of interest. 2) Adjust the focus (get clear and concerned....ie mentally). 3) Allow enough light exposure to elapse (scripture) 4) At right time, snap picture Someone who still has the book can correct this vague description. So, what was the beauty of this little chapter? You can HAVE whatever you focus on mentally. You want Red Drapes? Fine.

No one in your area wants pfal. Your fault. If a class runs, and people drop out. Your fault. Witness, witness, "do the word"....and then, financial difficulties. Your fault. Meetings, meetings, no time for family and then, family problems. Your fault. YET....the twice-divorced mogette [rosalie] and divorced special assistant [donna] go on shopping sprees and get-aways together.....LIFE IS ABUNDANT FOR THEM. Their *believing* must be the difference.

All the dots connect back to wierwille.

What you experienced in twi is what I've often referred to as twi's caste system. Or, pecking order. So, were the chores/duties divided up evenly? Or did you guys have to due *more than your fair share of the grunt work*......extra cleaning, mowing and shoveling snow? Just seems to me that some were elbowing their way to positions of "lording over others." Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. The hard core [as you noted above] gave out orders with little compassion or empathy for the indentured servants. Suck it up and do what you're told. Renew your mind to what I tell you, schlub. Those who sit in seats of authority love to pontificate their spirituality.....but do they follow in the steps of Jesus Christ? Heck, ole wierwille spent so much time preaching out of them church epistles that he seemed to ignore the Lord Jesus Christ and ALL that he accomplished. Oh, I know....he gave lip-service in pfal and all, but by 1978, 79....as vpee was zoning in on the Book of Romans (corps teachings), each teaching was consumed by those 'literal translations according to usage'....and wierwille could spend an hour on one or two words. Yep, I ran thru twi's gauntlet.......and learned everything I needed to know about manipulation, intimidation and exploitation. And....I'm thanking the Lord for those lessons of what NOT to do or abide by.

Yeah......No more RENT, and no more MORTGAGE. Same with us. Once we got unshackled from twi's onerous doctrines, we were able to RUN again. Rather than seeing twi's hopeless and burdensome slogging thru life......we started THRIVING. Each year got better and better. Finances, education, peace of mind, family relationships mended, freedom.......DELIVERANCE. We enjoy our home, our neighbors.....extending invites to cookouts back-n-forth. It's just such a blessing to have wonderful neighbors. The whole package. And, as noted in my first post.....our two boys are well on their way to wholesome and prosperous living. Just like Psalms/Proverbs states----blessings generation after generation. Thanks for posting, Spec.

Spectrum.....what a heaping load of hypocrisy. Twi leadership [ie. corps-clones] are numb-brains. They follow orders and bask in their reflected glory of "leading others".....yet, they hardly have a pot to pi$$ in. Many don't understand the first thing about home ownership, equity or appreciating values. They pay the monthly rent and pat themselves on the back for not being "burdened by the things of this world"....all the while, they re-use Styrofoam cups at class breaks and utilize car washes and garage sales to make extra money. Yeah, they want to "be in charge of an event IN YOUR HOME".......while smugly putting you in your subordinate place of submission. Screw that. Good riddance to twi's smug-fest. Good move, Spec.......good for you. .

Well.....twi's believing was **TO ALWAYS OBEY MOG-MANDATES.** Even though we were taught that "believing connotes action".....you could NOT act on your believing UNLESS the mog sanctioned it. For example, if you believed that God was directing you to further your education [to advance your career, your livelihood, and help your family]....it had to be cleared by your local leadership. If you attended night school classes, then schedule your classes on nights when there wasn't twig. What? If I miss ONE fellowship here or there....am I going to be pegged as 'less committed?' I don't think most long-time followers understand how institutionalized they are to twi's regulations and rules UNTIL one exits. When one exits....THEN the doors open wide for all that YOU really believe.

Yeah...I knew one 6th corps grad that committed suicide. Sad. Many others, who died prematurely, were car accidents. I certainly don't want to paint these deaths with a broad brush, but how many were distracted or a result of sleep deprivation? And....I had contempt of twi leadership who expected corps to travel over Monarch Pass in wintery, hazard conditions. I ALWAYS thought Camp Gunnison was an ego trip by wierwille......to own property on the Gunnison River. To be near elk hunting? I thought the corps program was to train spiritual leaders??? Pppppffffftttt.

Yep...those "prophecies to not-leave-twi" were nothing more than chaff. And, to someone like me, raised on a wheat farm.....LOL. When a combine is harvesting the wheat, the header cuts the wheat and sends it up the feeder shaft. As the wheat goes across the beater bars, it is separated vigorously from the chaff. The augers carry the wheat to a storage bin.... ...and THE CHAFF IS BLOWN OUT THE BACK END of the combine and scattered. So, twi......your 'greasespot prophecies' BLOW THEM OUT YOUR BACK END.

What I want to know? Was he even a Reverend? The Van Wert Church where vp pastored struck his name from their church registry.

Yesterday, my wife and I attended a surprise 60th birthday party. About 12 in attendance were ex-twiers.....and I didn't see a greasespot amongst them or their grown children. Everyone was more healthy, more wealthy and more wise....since exiting twi. Nearly every one of us is living in mortgage-free homes. Businesses are growing and thriving.....we all have plenty of work and, actually, are trying to notch it back a bit. Grown children look GOOD.....and a few grandchildren running around. With less stress and pressure from running to class after class, or twig after twig, and branch meetings every month or so, or working every other weekend on class crews or what-have-you, or beating the streets knocking on doors and witnessing...... living life at OUR OWN PACE is downright a joy to behold. Where o where did that "greasespot prophesy" go? And, one more thing.....has anyone else ever pondered why SO MANY TWI-INNIES (or twi-offshoot folk) have died prematurely.... ie car accidents, health issues, work-related accidents, etc. while "safely behind twi-wall of protection?" I knew about 80-85 of these people......Click -- We Remember And, I didn't count the older folks (over 65 age bracket). Just seems abnormally high percentage of death. Sad....to see lives cut short. .