Leaderboard

Twi has evolved. When wierwille was president......he was the CEO, the Chairman of the Board, the Founder, the Teacher, the Preacher, the Researcher, the Plagiarist (oops), the Book Author, the Music and Talent Screener, the Way Corps Director and the P.T. Barnum of the Traveling Circus. No one could fire him. No one could confront him. His enablers and inner circle were loyalists to keep his secrets to his deathbed. Martindale assumed the same power.......but he did not have the same leverage over the youth as wierwille. The presidency held the power over the cult followers. And, martindale was determined to follow that template. Martindale had to lead his peers......many of whom, were "spiritual equals" in their eyes. Many of these men were now 35-40 years old with families and responsibilities and expenses. They were no longer content to follow this meager chain of command, but saw the opportunity to create their own group of followers. Others went on to higher education and/or further their careers. Rosalie was no leader, or teacher. Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. She knew that the only leverage she held was that of a lead-from-behind administrator. After a few transition years, she discarded martindale's class and assembled a new class featuring three teachers. She kept wierwille's material front and center......while she worked in the shadows, behind the scenes. She was shrewd and cunning and manipulative. After 17 years of managing the declined expectations and rumblings in the camp, she was ready to step down. Her replacement choice of JYDL was a mistake, but she was looking for a loyalist who could be the front man president AND keep the corps in line. Now, Vern is the president.......who has been assigned a lane to run in. His job is to "teach the Word" and present twi in the best possible light. He is the veneer over the rotten wood of the cult underneath. The twi-president is easily disposable.....i.e. Jean-Yves (in Montana). Sure, if he does a good job for 5-7 years......he might get an extra splash of money in his mundane retirement years. But the CEO, Donna Lombardi Martindale........she will be there for DECADES. The ceo is where ALL THE POWER resides. Amazingly.....20 years ago, and Donna's husband was ousted from twi as a sexual predator. Craig Martindale was king of the cult.....and "could have sex with any woman in the kingdom" according to wierwille's doctrine in pfal. From documented reports, LCM's sexual abuse/predation had come to the fore by 1985 during those "Spirits in the Athletes" production. Hitting on the lead woman.....and others. Fast forward.......to the 1998 July Advanced Class and a corps woman and the Colorado court case. Then, in 1999.....Paul All-en confronts martindale about having sex with Allen's wife, F. Twi has to get their lawyers involved as martindale was charged in TWO sexual harassment cases!! 1) Allens 2) Barnes Craig Martindale was ousted......and slithered away to Toledo in the middle of the night. No formal announcements. No good-byes. No thanks. Gone! Donna Martindale, as corps wife.....according to twi/corps policy SHOULD be ousted too. That is what has ALWAYS HAPPENED to other corps. Rosalie covers for Donna in this new two-tier "corps policy." Rosalie gives Donna job titles to help her incrementally raise her stature. Year after year, Rosalie makes sure that no one is able to confront the double standard that gave Donna a free-pass. Now, 20 years later............DONNA IS THE CEO OF THE WAY INTERNATIONAL.

As a grad of the 2nd Way Corps, I thought I'd pipe up and say a few words. It's no secret that I've rejected associating with The Way and have left its teachings in my rearview mirror. Nevertheless here's my opinion about what Vern should consider doing as the new Way president (although I'm not convinced he'll ever read this). Consider this, Vern: Many former Way Corps besides me have realized from personal experience that there is no "accuracy of The Word" that exists for anyone to "return to." In light of that, I ask: What is the purpose of The Way? This is just my opinion, but since The Way's "bedrock of biblical research" has been found to be full of holes, plagiarism, and Scriptural abuse, doesn't that sinking ship make the organization of The Way without a purpose? If I were Vern, as far as the organization goes, I'd disband it.