waysider

Anyone else notice the book that is conspicuously absent? http://theway.org/bookstore.php?page=wayresearch&lang=en

"You guys just weren't looking hard enough. Sure, there's a phone number (fax number too).... if you want to BUY something". HaHaHa----I would have NEVER found it, then.

They don't even list a phone number. Just "P.O.Box 328"

How about this one: I witnessed an incident where a person missing a limb was witnessed to and brought into the twig family. They were told that if they would just take the class, they could learn how to get their believing up so they could then get ministered to and have their limb restored. Now, I realize some may say, "With God, all things are possible." This person was seen as a trophy. Yeah, if The Way could pull this one off, people would be begging to sign the green card. In retrospect, it was sheer cruelty. Once it became apparent that the person wasn't going to be taking the class (due to strong opposition from their family) the person was dropped like a hot potato. It was all part of VPW's drive to push PFAL sales figures up.

Of course it's foolish. But, back in the 70's, if you got "ministered to" and then went to a Dr., it sent a loud message that you didn't really "believe" in "ministering", that you had spiritual weakness. If you went to a Dr., you had to keep it quiet so no one would suspect your weakness. The very act of getting ministered to was perceived as stepping out on your believing. It's one of those unspoken kind of things that were so prevalent at that time. After someone threw away their meds and died, in about 1974, Wierwille used the main stage at ROA to put a major spin on it and launched a damage control effort. I'm sure he realized the legal liabilities that were at stake.

You asked for it!

No man is an island-------John Donne

You should be able to look at the annual statement SS sends out and see if those years reflect a contribution.

You have to wonder, too, how many people needlessly suffered or even died because they opted for "believing & ministering" rather than seeking appropriate mental or physical treatment.

Now THIS one used to bug me. "Father, thank you for renewing this man's fellowship." I never knew "intercession" was in our job description. <_<

Legitimate Question: One that warrants a legitimate answer.

If you hurry, you can still squeeze in part of Friday The Thirteenth.

Thanks, Krys I wasn't sure what I was looking for when I started this thread. You seem to have zeroed in on it. It's not so much about healing as it is about the TWI practice we all referred to as "ministering". Lots of times, all you did was offer up a generic kind of prayer for them. And, there was an element of compassion that accompanied the "ministering" event. It was a source of comfort, if nothing else.

I think it must have been 1973 or '74, at ROA, immediately following the main teaching on closing night, VPW announced there was going to be a mass-healing service. Anyone wanting/needing to be "ministered to" was to come down to the front of the stage. All AC grads were told to come down front and team up with someone so they could "minister" to them. It completely took me off guard. I wasn't about to be a part of it unless God told me to. (Remember the teaching about "God told me to tell you"?) So, I stayed back. After it was over, the second guessing and guilt set in. (ie: Maybe God had told me to be a part of it and I wasn't listening. Maybe someone's life depended on me stepping forth on my "believing".) Do you know how long I carried that guilt with me? I carried it until I came here and got a glimpse of what The Way was REALLY all about.

I thought there were 3 VP's, no?

I remember some guy "ministering" to me and thanking God for healing me from some obscure thing or another. When I told him I didn't have such a problem, he said, "Of course not, I just 'ministered' to you." :blink:

I remember being one of the few AC grads in the area and having people ask me to "minister" to them. (Only AC grads were supposed to "minister".) It got kinda weird sometimes. You could be in the middle of the shopping mall, when some believer would spot you and want you to "minister" to them right there in front of the wishing fountain. It was awkward, to say the least. Plus, what were you supposed to do when there was no great "revelation" smacking you upside the head? And what about all the times the shoe was on the other foot? Were they just making stuff up like you did for them?

Oh, I'm not sure there was anything specific I wanted. It's just a subject I haven't seen addressed very much here so I thought I would toss it up in the air and see where it landed.

Headphones required!

When I was in Cleveland in the early 1970's, "ministering" ( administering of healing) was quite a big thing. Anyone have any interesting stories to relate?

Hey, ex. I posted real quick this morning on my way out the door. When I got back home, I reread what I had posted and thought, "Holy Crap! That doesn't sound at all like what I meant!" Of course, it was too late to edit. All I was trying to say was that if I knew what it is that your friend finds objectionable, maybe I could help in trying to fix it. Well, that's still not exactly what I'm trying to say but I hope it makes it a little clearer.

I doubt they really care what happens to the cash cow after they croak.

Did this person give any indication of what they don't like about GSC? Is the coffee too bitter? Were they, perhaps, hoping to find blueberry scones on the menu? Is the decor not to their liking? Maybe we can direct them to a cafe that has the type of fare they're looking for. I'm just sayin'------

Just curious as to "why?".