penguin

It's gotta be close to it Nick! I know for a fact that they told all of the believers in Lexington to move to another branch. I think almost everyone did except one couple who were faithfully involved with twi for YEARS. They had claimed Lexington was cold and the word wasn't moving there because classes hadn't ran for a while--I think for maybe 3 years before some WOWs came in 1990. Things got a little more warm after that for a few years. They did the same thing to St Louis Mo. Everyone was supposed to move too. I think many went to either Kansas City and some to Louisville. (J*ff Sh*w was one who moved from St Louis to Louisville.)

Yep! Before Bob was in Georgia he was doing a branch in Pensacola Fl which at the time he left that branch was counted as part of the AL limb. They were there for several years before going to Atlanta.

Yes I think she had throat surgery around in late eighties when she was in MD and then again in GA sometime in late nineties?

Yes! Find a church that knows about Cloud/Townsend's book on Boundaries!! You have to find safe people to be around who don't want to run your life. My pastor knew of the way---some people who were already members had left twi themselves. He was encouraging but never told me what to do. Thats what the whole congregation is like so far. They have a principle that everyone has to agree on--advice requires permission. No one is allowed to give you any advice unless you tell them you want some first.

JavaJane, Hey! I hope you can find one. I kept driving by the one I ended up at--the last few months I was in twi I kept having this thought that I should go to that church as I drove by while going to work. It took me 3-4 months of having that nagging thought every day--with me usually answering, "Why in the world should I go to a church for?" Finally I went to prove to myself that there was something out there besides twi and that God was bigger than twi and what twi made Him to be. I haven't regretted it--I haven't been told what to do--there's no power plays going on---I have grown tons in the couple of years I have attended.

Right! Compassion wouldn't fit with the "spiritual anger" we were supposed to have in the 90's. Even love became a rote definition only--nothing genuine to the "love" dished out in twi since the 90's. Love was "Love for God in the renewed mind in the household."

I have started to believe that I really wasn't thinking! To use a twi phrase--I only thought I was thinking! So many paradoxes in twi--I thought I had found freedom in twi, only to be enslaved more than I ever had been before twi. Many more thoughts along those lines, but I won't get going on them. I don't have enough time to post them all and I don't want to make my brain hurt right before bed or have anymore way-like dreams/nightmares.

I had the pleasure of going on the historical tour at least once while in rez. I was so hooked to twi that I took pictures of the gas pumps and the office window where vpw supposedly was. To think how much importance/awe/worship I had for vpw and later lcm and others, I am embarassed and ashamed. Thank goodness for forgiveness and deliverance!

So now they have divided things into 15 regions? These regions keep getting smaller and smaller--I remember what when there used to be 8? It's funny cuz they had the bigger regions when there were a lot more people. Now that there's less people, they need more regions? When I left branches could have 2 fellowships. Not a lot of talent needed to be a branch coordinator. You needed 100 believers to be full time Corps. I know a few months before I left that people were on the "active" list that hadn't been to any fellowships or events in over a year. One couple on the list even said they didn't want to fellowship with twi any more. Maybe branches and regions keep getting smaller to try to stroke the egos of the Corps still involved. They need to feel important? In my own experience, it's harder to leave an organization if you feel like you are leaving your importance behind. Kind of like losing your identity after having a title for so long.

I don't know--I will check with a few people. When do you leave for your visit? You can PM me for privacy if you want.

Well that could prove helpful too! :) I guess I was trying to be nice.

Yes--muzzled. Eventually true colors come back out, even if by accident. Look at the fruit that those leaders had even in the 90's--rotten fruit comes from rotten trees. If they haven't repented and apologized--which I didn't see ANYONE do in this current decade, I suppose they are still the same type of tree. TWI leadership really need to be re-trained to love and care for people after all the venom they were exposed to during the 90's. My 2 cents anyway. I had learned how to shut down emotionally in order to cope with how I was being treated and for how I was expected to treat others.

I can vouch for that one. I remember being a part of a special, state-wide leadership meeting. In it, John R*pp called to check in with our state/region coordinator. R*pp had a "special message" for us from Rivenb*rk. It really was supposed to be a special, make sure you mention this to all the leadership in the state, message. (This was after Craig left.) Her message was, among other things...... Are you ready? Make sure we are preserve the integrity of the ...... MINISTRY! It was, I think the first time I had a red flag go up in my mind. Not preserve the integrity of the Word--the integrity of the ministry. There wasn't a "thank you" for your service as fellowship coordinators, no uplifting message from the Word or even a inspiring verse. I agree with Oak as well---before I left I heard 2 teachings from our Branch coordinator that stated if you weren't 100% sold-out to the Way, Jesus Christ wasn't your Lord. (Of course, not too much mention was made of Jesus Christ, the emphasis was how sold-out we were supposed to be.) I realized after I left just a few years ago that while I was sold-out to the Way, I wasn't following Jesus Christ! I had been following men almost the whole time I was involved. It was so strange not being told what to study, what to teach, where to go...I hadn't realized how much I had structured my life around the Way. I now have a true relationship with Jesus and a peace I didn't have while involved with twi. (And joy...more love...and lots of other things! I can be myself and still be loved by my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love that! I am allowed to have struggles and my siblings help me and pray with me. I guess we are trying to keep it REAL)

It's been a few years, but I think the last time I ran into Mark Barrington he was living in Georgia--maybe not too far from Atlanta area?

The newest family class taught by the "enthusiastic" (Sarcasm here) Coulters actually taught that adultury was wrong--and also that bestiality is wrong too... :o That class was released in 200 or 2005---I can't remember which and don't care to strain my brain right now trying to remember.

Yep I am one who left several years after 2000 rolled in. My husband was ready to leave after the lawsuits--but was scared to tell me. I was ready to leave 3 years later but I was scared to tell him. We finally faced our fears and talked to each other before, during and after the Advanced Class (not-so) Special in 2004. We were really hoping that things would start to be different than they had been. It was so lifeless and dead by then to be in twi. Oh the weight and burden that was lifted off of our shoulders when we finally left!! We had no idea the oppression we had been under. It took leaving to almost immediately recognize how much life had been sucked out of us. Even more subtly, I had no idea that at some point leadership had become my lord. They told us what to study, how to take care of our people we coordinated and so much more. It was awesome to get re-acquainted with my REAL Lord--though sobering and accompanied by much repenting for many things I had not realized ever before. Life is awesome now. I have joy again! Blessings! Penguin

Brushstroke, I will be praying for you and your situation. I have only been gone from twi for a little over 2 years. Things had started to appear "nicer" on the outside but the same motivations mentioned by others were still present. When we had Way Disciples ("volunteers" who for 6 months get sent somewhere new with 3 or more strangers who go witnessing and running fellowships/classes on a full-time basis while holding down part-time jobs) and whenever we went witnessing in our area, we would attempt to not mention that we were with the Way so people couldn't look us up on the internet. We would say, "Bible fellowship" in our home. We would look for beliefs that we had in common with people and not point out errors in their beliefs. I was raised Roman Catholic. I got sucked in at 15 by a boyfriend's brother who seemed like he had all the answers and these people were all loving, positive and said good things about God. I took their foundational class and didn't realize they didn't believe Jesus was God. It took me 20 years to leave, but not for doctrinal reasons. I still thought everything they taught was correct. It took me being around a bunch of caring, non-judgemental people who were encouraging AND being a part of genuine worship service to get me to see what I was missing. Feel free to pm me if you want. I went through the Way Corps program, have worked on their staff and have had various local responsibilities.

Amen! I never realized how much pressure I was putting on myself AND the people I coordinated by teaching the law of believing. NOW I have genuine peace and prefer to "trust God" in every situation. He knows what is best, He is my refuge and rock AND He's got me covered! I know where my help is coming from but I don't have to figure out everything and believe in my ability to believe.

Hey D! I read your post and think that the Lutheran pastor sounds pretty cool. I have actually been able to walk into a church--a current way person and all--and not be criticized--even allowed to express my currently held beliefs in small group discussions. The pastor and others were not judgemental and were there to help me however much or little I wanted. After 20 years of having "twig face" --you know everything is always ok and you could normally not be yourself--I am slowly letting down my walls and letting myself be me. All with the support of this church that I now have become a member of. (Still makes me laugh at times--that I am now a member of a church!)

Happy Birthday to you!!! :wub: I will be praying for a new job for you too!!

Cindy! I tried to PM you but it won't let me send your message. Do you want to PM me with a email or a different member name? Thanks! Penguin

My aunt e-mailed this to me and I thought of you, Ham. :D

I must admit I am a little bit "nuttier" than I used to be. Makes things more fun!

You know the Bible 100%! Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic! I guess I did ok too--they were pretty simple questions with some silly answers to pick from! About Rosie, I don't know Thomas--I sure wouldn't want the job!

Hey all. I popped in for a bit and noticed this discussion. I am not 100% sure of twi doctrine on this anymore either. My point of HMMM..I wonder how this fits in was: Moses and Elijah dropping in to visit with Jesus at the Transfiguration. If they were still dead-who was Jesus talking to? just a thought I have had, but I haven't gone any further than that