Here's a chilling thought... Factor out the people who are only there because they are REQUIRED to be and what's left?
Well, what's left of the staff are the ones required to go. The local fellowships are certainly coerced. But none of that is enough. Several years ago Rosalie and the gang started scheduling bus trips from folks who weren't too terribly far away. At most you may get three coaches come in from Atlanta. It was NEVER enough to fill the lower portions of the PWA, never. And the following week it was an empty house again. You are so right about the camera angles. They herd as many people as they can into the the middle rows so the house looks full for when they do a local broadcast. The broadcast is several weeks old, so it's not like it's live.
But get this. In spite of how empty things are the director and trustee household still get reserved seats in the back of the auditorium.
Sometimes I entertain the idea of driving to HQ to attend a Sunday service. You know, just to see things again with my own eyes. I've not been involved with TWI since the 1970s and have no idea what my status is. Would they let me in? How do I find out in advance if I'm like Marked and Avoided, or on some Believer Blacklist or whatever?
Sometimes I entertain the idea of driving to HQ to attend a Sunday service. You know, just to see things again with my own eyes. I've not been involved with TWI since the 1970s and have no idea what my status is. Would they let me in? How do I find out in advance if I'm like Marked and Avoided, or on some Believer Blacklist or whatever?
I would just go. They have J0hn L1inder (or an equivalent) guarding the back door. Br00ks M@son used (and probably still does) function as plain clothes security and hangs outside of the actual auditorium. It used to be they were on the look out for certain active trouble makers. D0ug McMull1n used to be one, for example. Worst thing that could happen is they ask you to leave.
Or maybe they go all Rodney King and you can get that on video. That would go nicely on GSC.
And, yes they still have a church service with guards. Weird, no?
I mean, they always said there were no membership lists.
Unless someone is actively causing major problems for them, they wouldn't know who you are. Now on the other hand, there are so few people at the service you will stand out as an outsider. They may approach you to see who you are. I really don't know what they do anymore in this regard but nothing along these lines would surprise me.
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waysider
Here's a chilling thought... Factor out the people who are only there because they are REQUIRED to be and what's left?
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skyrider
An echo chamber.
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OldSkool
Well, what's left of the staff are the ones required to go. The local fellowships are certainly coerced. But none of that is enough. Several years ago Rosalie and the gang started scheduling bus trips from folks who weren't too terribly far away. At most you may get three coaches come in from Atlanta. It was NEVER enough to fill the lower portions of the PWA, never. And the following week it was an empty house again. You are so right about the camera angles. They herd as many people as they can into the the middle rows so the house looks full for when they do a local broadcast. The broadcast is several weeks old, so it's not like it's live.
But get this. In spite of how empty things are the director and trustee household still get reserved seats in the back of the auditorium.
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OperaBuff
Sometimes I entertain the idea of driving to HQ to attend a Sunday service. You know, just to see things again with my own eyes. I've not been involved with TWI since the 1970s and have no idea what my status is. Would they let me in? How do I find out in advance if I'm like Marked and Avoided, or on some Believer Blacklist or whatever?
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OldSkool
I would just go. They have J0hn L1inder (or an equivalent) guarding the back door. Br00ks M@son used (and probably still does) function as plain clothes security and hangs outside of the actual auditorium. It used to be they were on the look out for certain active trouble makers. D0ug McMull1n used to be one, for example. Worst thing that could happen is they ask you to leave.
Or maybe they go all Rodney King and you can get that on video. That would go nicely on GSC.
And, yes they still have a church service with guards. Weird, no?
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waysider
How would they know who you are?
I mean, they always said there were no membership lists.
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OldSkool
Unless someone is actively causing major problems for them, they wouldn't know who you are. Now on the other hand, there are so few people at the service you will stand out as an outsider. They may approach you to see who you are. I really don't know what they do anymore in this regard but nothing along these lines would surprise me.
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Steve Lortz
Sometimes I dream that I'm back at HQ, either standing on the stage debunking PFAL, or being chased by Martindale and security.
I'm certain there are more people in attendance in my dreams than there are in reality.
Maybe attendance will get so bad, they have to move Sunday morning service back into the BRC to get good crowd shots!
Love,
Steve
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