Rejoice

Sometimes it is hard to follow men when you know them too well. I was always bothered that the majority of VPW's family was not more front and center in their involvement with TWI. Yes, his brother was the funding source and equally guilty, but his oldest 3 were not highly involved. Later, Don was coerced to leave a successful career in education simply because his abusive father needed his PhD status for accreditation of The Way College of Emporia. It didn't help afterall. But VP and the Mrs had many other siblings who steered far away from the org. You can imagine them knowing what a scumbag he was [even if in part] and shaking their head that God would call him to lead His people. Someone once said that God called Paul who was a "murderer," yet Paul's motive and intent was never like VPW's motive and intent.

I went on to read her story Affinity for Windows... http://www.greasespotcafe.com/main2/editorial/editorial-items/affinity.html Many of us went through those same doubts and realizations, but Charlene's writing style is spot on!

I could have written this word for word! We've heard it before on this forum that often it is "christian believers" who have treated us the worst.

Let's face it...teachings and articles become boring when those teachers do not live in the real world. The best teachings happen when the individual has everyday experiences to draw from. My goodness, that's exactly how Jesus taught and lived! He didn't live sequestered on some guarded compound---he was out amongst the people everyday. He worked a real job until his short ministry that lasted approximately 3 years and could see their hurts, frustrations, joys and gratitude. And often he taught by example, not by standing in a pulpit preaching, or passing out scripted scrolls! TWI and others who think magazines and teachings are the primary way to let people see God at work have completely ignored the Master's example.

Interesting...plus it looks like an ad for CFF ministry.

JAL was fired in January, but the 14 long-time financial supporters only heard about it in the summer?? I think this is the issue many of us have with STF/CES---so many decisions made among themselves with nothing more than an announcement afterwards. People who give money continually through the years are just supposed to trust their decision and have no input. They say we are a Christian family, but they operate like a business---everything is a business decision. If they were set up more like a family structure where everyone could have a voice prior to decision making, at least people wouldn't feel so blind-sided all the time. I will say that I'm not necessarily a JAL supporter; I just take this to a higher level of principle. Which is why I join "groups" no more. I'm tired of being told, "We've made this decision in the "best interest of the people." What they are really saying is, "You have no voice!"

WOW---with that directive from VPW, maybe that is part of the inspiration for John to write his own New Testament version. Quote from their website: [emphasis added] This New Testament, the Revised English Version® (REV®), is the version that we are developing. We call it the REV because we are presenting a revised version of earlier English versions, primarily the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), which we have used as the base text for our work, modifying it when WE feel it is appropriate. Our goal is to eventually have an "essentially literal" translation of the Bible that more closely represents biblical truth than any other translation currently on the market, and also one that is written in today's English. We think we can do that because we believe a person has to understand the meaning of the text correctly to be able to translate it correctly. Furthermore, one's theology always affects the way that person will translate the text. It is our assertion that there are theological issues that we understand more correctly than most translators, and thus our translation will reflect that theology. This sounds like it was written in a bubble...and a very self-serving one at that. This is scary to me---they only have themselves as reviewers.

Billy D said... "Well, I hope you're proud of yourself, but she does not know the dirty little secrets hiding in the STF closet -" They aren't even open and honest with their own family members at home? :unsure:

That's bad...

Does he have any biblical schooling other than TWI??? Answering letters sent to VPW is not exactly a place where one is challenged to consider his theology. I just wonder if he's ever sat at the feet of scholars to debate or to learn?

Tzaia has had first hand dealings with all the STF guys including Jeff B---and can elaborate on his background.

Yet another upheaval at the top?? I think this is the third time, and publically too. I have heard that STF has lost it's pastoral roots and feels more like a corporation with a bottom line mentality. In reading this it looks like---"you add value; you don't add value...!" And, if you don't [subjectively] add value, your out. It is a bit arrogant for the Board of Directors to make decisions like this without any voting power of their Financial Partners. It seems they made this "executive" decision almost one year ago, and this is the first anyone has heard about it. Seems VPW lived this way too!

What a compassionate heart! Video about a clerk in Indiana shown on ABC News http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=16228041

" don't really care how many women he screwed or didn't or what he plagerized." Well, what about all the abortions that ensued under his teaching that it's not really "murder" anyway. In other words, it's not *really* killing. I'm not going to debate the issue on abortion here. That's another topic. But VP massaged the real issue by avoiding the subject that you were destroying a viable and healthy living being. And because he did, he masterminded the destrcution of many of his own offspring. But hey---he was teaching the Word, and that covers a multitude of sins....yeah right!

This is reminiscent of when CES shut down their questions and answers on their old website; no more two way discussions.

Just goes to show that we can't please any of the people any time in particular! ;-)

:o YIKES!!!

"...they want to do this for a living JS and DG have large families to support..." What families to support??? I thought their kids are all grown; DG says he has a number of grandchildren.

Really....? Did they state their reasons for firing him? It must have been pretty darned serious to fire a founding member. Does that make John S the last original founder still involved? Have you talked to JAL for his side of the story?

In another thread, someone said this about TWI---"We had some serious boundary issues in TWI. . . . they translated into many areas of our lives. . and instead of seeking the proper help like a counselor, doctor, or trained pastor we went to each other and sought our help" in house". . . . many times to our extreme detriment." It seems that this is what continues with CES/STFI. There are no checks and balances from an independent source with neutral affiliation or stake in the group. Therefore, their perspective on truth is bound up and sealed.

JT asked, " Holes up on Maine and sends out a newsletter?" I heard that his wife has a serious ailment[Multiple Sclerosis I think]and this could be why no one sees him. He may be her full time caregiver and he can no longer travel around.

DG is not a doctor. That is the other board member who is an anesthesiologist.

On that Ebay Seller site [selling Cummings Greek Research] they state the following: ---the organization has been in steady decline since its founder died. Shortly afterward it fell apart in a flurry of lawsuits charging sexual harassment, rape, homosexuality and homosexual purges and a slew financial shenanigans. In 1982 it has 3,100 world recruiters. By 1997 it had 43. Membership that once numbered six figures is down to less than 4,000. Must be someone from the inside, or very close to it. http://cgi.ebay.com/Fundamentals-of-Greek-Research-WJ-Cummins-The-Way-RARE_W0QQitemZ360184873557QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiquarian_Collectible?hash=item53dcb10255&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

"Fired" and "Retired" only rhyme---they don't mean the same thing.

Actually, I heard the exact same thing.