Leaderboard

I liked this quote from the blurb: And therein is the challenge.

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.

Why do I think Rosalie and Donna cunningly set this in motion? LOL. Give Vern and John little perky titles and a micro-managed lane to run in......to stroke their egos. Yet, behind the CEO-curtain is where the power, control and money-management resides. Rosalie and Donna win the long game of power!!! 1. Vern Edwards is the president..........he oversees Sunday Service Teachings and outreach/class promotions 2. John Rupp is the chairman of the board.........he sets up board meetings and manages hqtrs staff concerns 3. Donna Martindale is the CEO.........as Chief Executive Officer, she sits in the corporate chair overseeing the power/money P.S. Didn't some of us tell you that Rosalie, before stepping down, would install Donna Martindale into power?

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.

and now as we leave Fantasyland, we hear the echoes of Roy Rogers singing"Happy Trails to You Until We Meet Again", or have we entered into Once Upon a Time with Roselie portraying Regina the evil Queen/Mayoress, and who is TWI's version of Emma Swann to save everyone from this nightmare, created by Rumpelstilkin/VPW(or is that LCM, CG, or Mr. Linder perhaps?). My name is Rod Serling and you have just entered the Twilight Zone(cue music). Or maybe I am Dan Curtis and this is Dark Shadows, with Wierwille portraying Barnabas Collins and Martindale is Quentin.

Welcome, Richard! As promised, here are the fresh baked cinnamon rolls today. Please, help yourself. :) I don't know a thing about John Hendricks, but I do know a bit about TWI and I would never get involved with a group that bases their doctrine on the things taught by TWI, but that's a personal decision. You may agree with the things they teach, believe and stand for. I don't like the way they treat people. I don't agree with how they run their business - and yes, it IS a business. Things I would ask: - How does VP Wierwille and TWI doctrine fit into what they teach? - Do they open their financial records to the membership? If not, why? - How do they handle people who disagree with the doctrine they teach? - How do they handle questions about the organization and doctrinal issues? - What do they teach on money, debt, the tithe, being saved, speaking in tongues? - How much do they get involved with people's lives? - How often is one expected to attend their meetings? - What are the requirements for leadership? - What are the checks and balances in place to avoid just one or three people making all the decisions? - What are the "rules" (spoken and unspoken) for membership? - Do they even have "membership"? If not, run - run away very quickly! In general, I would read "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" and I would keep my eyes open, my brain in gear and ask lots of questions..... I do that with every church/religious group I visit. I've found one I like, respect and trust, but I'm not going to be lulled into sleep or busied into not being able to think again - not intentionally, anyway. ;)

My good friend is a member of that fellowship. I know that John did not adhere strictly to all that DR Weirwille taught. He reworked things and greatly encouraged people to go to the Word and figure things out on their own. My friend has been a member of that fellowship for at least 11 years and I believe that the fellowship is sweet. Bottom line - take things slow and be ready to speak up if you dont' get or trust something. I don't see anything wrong with getting involved with any group as long as you are willing to not turn your brain off.

Richard, Welcome to Gspot and I applaud you for wanting to do a little background check on any group that you are considering "joining." I have never attended any of their fellowships, but I am an "expert" on the way (does 28 years in count?) I knew John and his wife and I think they are personally decent people, and they THINK they are serving God in their own hearts. THAT SAID..................their entire doctrine is based on and copied over from A CULT. Their foundation in the bible comes from what they learned from A CULT. Their structure, and teaching styles come from what they learned in A CULT. At this point in time, I hope you are asking yourself.......if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck.....how can it BE anything other than a DUCK???? There are a couple of books that are available for you to read........THE CULT THAT SNAPPED, and the SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL PERSUASION, both books are a MUST READ before you make your decision, just so you know within yourself that you looked at both sides of the issue. And, here at gspot, there are many, many people whose lives and stories are great resources. Good Luck in your search Richard. Radar