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Sidney
Daily News 04/27/00
Woman
named Way president
NEW KNOXVILLE - The Rev. L. Craig Martindale has resigned
as president of The Way International, the ministry announced today.
The Way Board of Trustees accepted Martindale's
resignation at a meeting last
week and appointed the Rev. Rosalie F. Rivenbank as his replacement. Rivenbank
has been vice president. The Rev. Harve Platig, a ministry regional
coordinator, will become vice president.
Martindale resigned as a
board member also. He had been The Way president since 1982, when he replaced
the founder, Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille.
"The Board of
Trustees deems these decisions as progressive for the overall Way International
Ministry as well as personally for those trustee members so affected," a
statement from The Way said. "Rev. L. Craig Martindale and his family will
continue to be a vital part of The Way Ministry household. Rev. and Mrs.
Martindale will serve in areas of responsibility as redefined by the Board of
Trustees."
Martindale agreed to a
leave of absence following a lawsuit filed by two former followers of The Way.
Mrs. Allen and Mr. Allen filed the complaint in Shelby County Common Pleas Court earlier
this month. They claimed they suffered humiliation, embarrassment, and alleged
that The Way officials attempted to "coerce" Mrs. Allen into engaging
in sexual activity with Martindale.
Along with other
officials of The Way, Martindale and Rivenbank were named defendants in the
lawsuit.
Responding to the
allegations, Martindale said he and Mrs. Allen were involved in an affair and
he apologized to his wife, Mr. Allen and The Way officials.
On an Internet site they
maintain, the Allens said they would not comment about the case on the advice
of attorneys. The Allens are seeking $2 million on a claim of breach of
contract and other damages on other claims. They also claim The Way officials
defrauded them of money, conspired against them and damaged their reputations.
They claimed damages of $5 million in addition to the claim for breach of
contract.
The Allens were employees of The Way for many
years before resigning in March 1999. They maintain a site on the Internet
called "WayDale," which they say offers "insider"
information about operations of The Way.
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Lawsuit Related 
