bucks4now

If you grew up in TWI and left or tried to leave, how did your parents (who were in or currently in a splinter group) react to you as an adult leaving?

I have a friend that grew up in TWI. Before I knew that, she told me that she endured more pain than 5 people should ever endured. At the time I had no idea what she meant. From what she told me (and she was very vague) about her pain. As she told me, my thoughts were that she was "abused". I took it as physical. I never really thought about the abusive "childhood" that she went through. I could sense her emptiness and aloneness. My eyes shed a tear for her often. I think it's hard for her to understand that I'm just trying to support her. I can't imagine how hard of a life she has had. since her parents were in it and she grew up in it. It must be hard also because if she choose to make some changes as an adult, she puts at risk her family. It has to be hard.

Did all the families live at the head quarters or did they live in the area? Where did most of the kids go to school? How did they interact with kids that weren''t in TWI. Isn't the headquarters on the county line?

When the Cafe mentions the board members, only Victor, Don, Howard, Chris and Craig are mentioned. How many board members were/are there, were there terms (years to serve), how were they selected, was it a paid position, and what happened to them when Chris wrote "the Passing". Where they just figureheads or did they have any powers?

Sorry, the first only didn't take. I was looking for the original thread that was posted last week with the link in it.

I can't find the thread that had the Rock of Ages 1976. I had it two days ago! Thanks...

As someone that hasn't been involved in the Way personally, I was interested in how you responded to people learning that you were in the group or a similar group. I'm sure its not a conversation starter at a party, but are you embarrassed, ashamed, mad, angry? Do you admit it, or deny it. Does it make a difference how involved you were in the organization? Just wondering

How about splinter groups? Cortwright Fellowships, Spiritual and Truth Fellowship and Christian Educational Services. Is it the same for all organizations? So you have to be invited to attend?

Are most fellowships contact information open to the general public? Is it common to request not to publicize any of the information?

Yes its around Westerville.

I can't find out anything about it. that's what's so puzzling. I've googled it, no phone number in local phone book, no phone number on internet. The only thing I've found is name on the auditor's page. That is why I was wondering there is anything out there in other areas of the country. It's in Ohio.

I'm thinking that it's a splinter group. It is a pretty large complex. Are there many splinter groups popping up in different areas with different names?

Has anyone heard of these or this? I stumbled onto this recently. It's a building with no signage. I had to find the name on the auditors page. I can't find a phone number either. It was built in 2005 and on the tax page it's listed as a charity exempt property. If you know of it, any insight?

So, I have a question...What if you left TWI and your family was still in? WHat would happen? Wouldthe family "disown" you? I think dealing with the family abanding you would be hard. PS, I was never a member of the TWI.

I wouldn't hold it against the town. I'm trying to get an over view of the complete situation. What is the % of people that live or lived in the town assoicated with TWI? 25%, 55%? There was no listing on the town's home page for them as a church. Is the correct terminogy "fellowhsip"? How would I go about finding the "closest one to attend"? Most churhces have signs in from of them with the name, minter, and sevice schedule. I would think that these would too.

mmm..., so it sounds like a very close knit community (TWI), So on a Sunday morning I could not drive into the parking lot for fellowship and get out of the car and just walk in, like I could at my local Catholci church? You have to be "invited"? If I had a neighbor who was a member, would it be a common knowldge. Would he talk about it at all, or would it be a "deep dark secret" type of thing? What about adutl children that grew up in it. Would there friends know?

I looked up New Knoxville on Google. It's a pretty small place. Is it fair to say that if you lived in that town, you were part of the organzation? Were/are there other churches in the town? If one belongs to the organization, is it "public" or general knowlegde. Or do the go out of their way to keep "outsiders" from knowing they are members?

Hey Waysider, Maybe, I'm using the wrong phrases. I thought that Christian Educational Services and Cortright Fellowships were "splilnter groups". I though these were people that left TWI and started their own "fellowships" When people have left, where do they turn to "worship on Sundays"?

Thanks Waysider. I understand that there was major changes in the 1990's. . I think that it's hard to find "current" information about the splinter organizations. I've read a lot about sexual abuse and lawsuits.. Was it more toward "women" or "children".

Since I've never been a member of TWI, I am trying to get a basic understanding of the organization. Does someone have to be invited to join the fellowship? How does one find a local fellowship? Are they all pretty strict? What about the splinter groups? How do they measure up to TWI? This thing is by far the most confusing thing I have come across in my life!

I'm new also. I have never been involved with TWI but I've learned that someone I knew in the past was/and or is involved. I'm trying to learn more about it so I have an understanding about it. From what I've learned so far...the organization grew pretty fast until the death of Victor. When Marintdale took over things got bad. It appears that groups "splintered" off. Is it possible that some of these groups are worst than TWI? Are the fellowship easily accessible? Are they easy to find in bigger communities compared to small towns? Do members openly acknowledge being members in conversation or is it not talked about? Thanks for all your input!