----correspondence begins here ----

June 18, 2000

Rev. Rosalie Rivenbark

The Way International
Box 328
New Knoxville, OH 45871

Dear Rev. Rivenbark,

It has been on my heart to share with you some of my observations. I am a long-standing believer who has been on the field in the same area, Tampa, FL for 21 years. A graduate of the 7th Corps, I am happily married to a wonderful woman of God, a graduate of the 6th Corps, who got involved in the ministry when she was 16 and has stood faithfully since. We own a successful and thriving business in the Tampa Bay area and have a good reputation within and without the ministry.

The Way Ministry is failing as an organization. Most of these failures can be attributed to Rev. Martindale and other leaders in the ministry who did not take a stand and speak up to stop his bad decisions or to replace him sooner. The reasons for the failures in the ministry are too numerous to discuss here. These are some of my observations:

1.) Thousands of believers (along with their abundant sharing) have unnecessarily left or been forced out of the ministry and far fewer have joined in their places. After a while an organization needs to look to itself as to perhaps what they are doing wrong to get these kinds of results.

2.) The leadership style in the ministry has been too harsh due to Rev. Martindale's influences. The micro management of the followers of the Way has been unbearable for most.

3.) There are few new people who are drawn to the ministry. Most who do come do not stay involved very long because they quickly get the sense of hardness and its accompanying dullness. Most current believers are not even excited about bringing new people to this ministry, as they do not want the new people exposed to the same treatment they have been subjected to these past years.

4.) Our foundational class "The Way of Abundance and Power" is too advanced for new people. This class has not proven to be a success. That means it is failing to meet the needs of new people. Many believers on the field do not promote this product. Do we really need taped classes when there is such a wealth of qualified leadership that can teach the foundational principles and meet the particular needs of their congregations?

5.) Finances - The financial lives of the believers have been under too much scrutiny. The "debt stance" that the ministry has taken, in my view, has cost the ministry millions of dollars contrary to its desired outcome. Many believers silently disagree (because they are afraid to speak up) about the debt teaching Rev. Martindale has forced into the fabric of the ministry. This hard core financial stand is simply not working. Believers' want to buy homes and many cannot pay cash for such a large purchase. In a nutshell, each and every situation should be analyzed on its merit with a view of living within ones' means. What's right for one person may be wrong for someone else. Anyone with depth of the word and with worldly financial knowledge about finances, investing and real estate knows that to say "Owe no man anything....end of story" is unreasonable and in many cases counterproductive in our day and time. Not to mention that using Rom.13:8 to teach about personal finances takes it out of the context of verses 1 through 7 referring to the "higher powers" in the household.

6.) The Way International seems to have missed out on taking advantage of the vast network of technology that is prevalent in running a successful enterprise today. This can, in the long run, cost an organization dearly. This technology has gotten cheaper and is more efficient than ever before. Instead of embracing some of these technologies to their advantage, the ministry seems to be discouraging their use.

7.) We feel that Rev. Martindale should be on the field not at International Headquarters, and that he and his family should be assisted in finding housing and employment away from HQ. It disturbs us that he remains active Way Corps and clergy, that our abundant sharing is paying for legal fees resulting from his sexual improprieties, and that he would even remain employed by the Way International. His current status is a great departure from the way he has handled the offenses of many others in past years. An immediate termination would seem to be the most logical, biblical and sane handling of this situation. To do otherwise gives the appearance that it is just business as usual with our ABS paying the way.

I enjoy focusing on solutions rather than problems. I believe this situation is not hopeless but I believe that dramatic changes need to happen to produce fruit again as we have seen in past years in our ministry. I believe that if the above issues along with others are eventually resolved that genuine godly solutions will come into fruition. I would like to see the ministry succeed again and I would like to help.

Rev. Rivenbark, I could not have dared write this letter a few years ago for fear of being confronted if not marked and avoided. That climate already seems to be changing so that I can now share my heart without fear of retribution. I don't really care anymore about the consequences that could follow. I now realize that if I really care about helping to salvage what remains of this ministry I should speak up before it is too late. You have my permission to share this letter with others. You are also welcome to call me at any time regarding these matters.

Sincerely,

John R.

Tel # removed

----------------------------------------------------------