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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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