shortfuse

This is for a class on American religious history, so I would put this study more in the cultural Anthropology, history of religion vein. I'm interested in resources that may have looked at The Way from this vantage point.

Not exactly comparing it to orthodoxy, this is more of a historical study, and I'm looking to place TWI within the broader context of religious movements in America.

Thanks, Steve. I'm specifically looking for those peer-reviewed journal type sources. Haven't put much effort into it yet - will buddy up with the librarian.

Cheers, everyone. I know that some of you have pursued advanced degrees following your experiences in The Way International, delving into subjects that help sort it all. I've started wading into these waters myself recently, and wonder if any of you with a head start can offer me some pointers. Specifically, I'm looking for any scholarly works that examine TWI, as well as any related movements. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

Was just registering over the weekend more of the linger baggage I have from the way. The compulsion to make the stupidest jokes.

This sums up very well how I felt on the field and why I ultimately left too.

Only if I can persuade my current wife into going Fundamentalist Mormon. Besides, I'm way worse than Jesus when I get cranky.

Ah, you're fine. Marriage is hard and they often don't workout. Doesn't mean you're screwed up. Don't marry Jesus. I hear he can be a real a-hole sometimes.

Yeah, I agree with this. When I was in the Way Corps, we were all encouraged to seek a mate from the Way Corps, because it was unlikely we would "stand" on our own. We had been discouraged from relationships with the opposite sex up to a certain point and then right before graduation everyone started rushing into relationships from encouragement from Craig and the Corps leadership. I think it was definitely thought more noble to wed based on shared "spiritual goals" rather than mutual attraction or other types of compatibility.

I've been reading a few different examples lately of ministers who are serving in their churches in spite of the fact that they no longer have faith in their original beliefs. I went through a lot of mental anguish in deciding to leave the Way Corps, and realistically had left in heart years before I actually left. It felt like a pretty lonely struggle, but it turns out it is fairly common and not limited to more obscure religious groups like The Way. The link below is a support site for people navigating through this. I thought it was interesting and perhaps relevant here. http://clergyproject.org/

Oh SNAP! That is poetic justice.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/07/survey-minority-of-evangelical-leaders-say-bible-requires-tithing/?hpt=C2

I didn't have regrets until about 4 or 5 years after graduation. I was gung-ho in-residence and felt good about surviving all the attrition. It was hard and I thought about quitting but I always attributed that to my own weakness and not the program itself. I felt I was some sort of Marine having made it through the training. It was later on that I felt self confident enough to be critical of the ministry. Craig Martindale helped me with this by removing himself from the pedestal I had him on. After 5 more years I had a whole list of deficiencies in the program and I felt compelled to fix it. I tried that for a couple more years until I realized it was impossible. The Way Corps training is not at all about preparing people for ministry. If it was they would teach way more about the duties of a minister. I didn't learn until after the training how to comfort the bereaved, conduct a funeral, visit the sick, offer counsel and so on. The Way Corps are for the most part bi-vocational, and as such support themselves with secular work and volunteer their service to the ministry. The never taught the time management this requires, how to balance work, ministry, and family; how to serve and not burn out. They just heap it on and keep you going by goading you with guilt and obligation. The Way Corps has one purpose and one purpose only - to produce men and women absolutely loyal to the Way International. Self motivation, critical thinking, ingenuity, creativity, compassion - things that will never be rewarded in the Way Corps. They want people willing to "change anything and everything about themselves for the privilege to serve." People who always choose the will of the ministry over their own will, even to their detriment. This is the Way Corps and this is one reason why the best people make the worst Way Corps and will eventually find their way out.

This was ironic indeed. It was clearly a face saving response aimed at "innie" Wayfers, yet it was never once mentioned in any other context because no one would openly admit they were out here with the "cop-outs". I agree with Paw that this must have factored into Harve losing his spot on the B.O.D. Interesting side note, I found GSC and gave the forums my first serious look at the unwitting prompt of my Limb Coordinator. Mrs. Wierwille had just died and we needed to inform people with a phone call. It had just happened, and I was told I needed to get the word out quickly because, "the cop outs already have it all over the internet." I was surprised at this description and did a bit of googling. Far from "all over the internet", it was being discussed in a thread on the GreaseSpot Cafe forums. Shortly after that, I found my brother out here and learned why he really left The Way. I started to face things I had not given an honest hearing previously. Over the next couple years my TWI relationship completely unraveled. Funny how it was my Limb Coordinator who accidentally lead me here. Thanks, man.

Damn, dude. Your dad accused of the Leviathan over smoking? That's hardcore in Wayfer devil spirit accusations. Still, I thought Leviathan was supposed to be the alcoholism spirit.

Is this a topic about reincarnation or re-wayferization?

Um, I must've missed this one. Wierwille claimed ot have sexually abused his own daughter? Please refresh me.

Did you know this was me wrote this or were you just being warm to some random poster? It seemed a little uncanny at the time that you would catch it so quickly.

Wow. Talk about crossing the line. I shouldn't be surprised, but that's striking.

No specific monetary quotas, but V&D did specifically talk about growing ABS by 15% each year. It was a pipe dream of course because of attrition, but that was the "goal". Almost no one hit these goals, and they were not used as any kind of measuring stick anyways. At least not as of a couple years ago.

It used to say "of my Christian faith and abiding love for you". I think "Christian faith" came out of the liturgy around the time LCM was all anti-Christian - "we're not 'Christians' , we're 'Disciples'!" that and of course "Faith" is a bad word in Way speak. "Heart of believing" is way more present truth if you know what I mean. If the thought of going makes you throw up in your mouth just a little, stay home - you've got no obligation.

Anybody know how the Way CU makes money? They don't give loans to members (at least not openly).

I can see why you would say that, but it wasn't consciously deceitful. More like trying to "stay positive". So rather than writing about how discouraged I am after being singled out and humiliated in front of my peers, I write about how I am learning humility and godly obedience. I used to write in code in my journal sometimes so only I would understand it. So I could be honest. There's an intense loneliness in engaging in such inner conflict. The feeling is that there is no one you can truly be open and honest with. Then you can't even be honest with your own journal. It was so intensely discouraging and depressing at times. I find that I still censor myself to a great degree, that is, withholding the raw honesty of what I really think for fear of offending others or thinking they wouldn't hear anyways. It has been a couple year since leaving the way. This is something I try to break myself of when I see it. But it's a deeply ingrained behavior.

Yup and yup