higherground30

I'm sure Xenu wouldn't mind me posting this  if you have spare time here is the documentry Going Clear 

Tbone,

It's almost been 5 years since this great informative post.So here goes 'bump'

Tbone

Ah Fleetwood Mac!must say I hadn't heard this from them

Great tune by tower of power I believe the group is still around to this day

Was not even born around this time but know it was the start of the 'fog years' thanks to owner Michael Scherling for sharing 

Rock of Ages 1972 by Cunningham7777

Rock of Ages 1975 by Michael Scherling

Enjoy, thanks to the owners of these videos 

Amother hit from early 80s and another favourite group

Fleetwood Mac Hold me

2 hours ago, Stringchairs said:

I was outintexas years ago. I lost my password and since I've been in Ohio nearly six years I just started over with a new account. I was in twi 25 yrs mostly as a low level peon, out since 1999. I'm outandabout's "little" brother.  Glad to be back and glad I'm no longer stringing chairs.  

Welcome back mate 

Newbie here,oh those 'stringing chairs' was involved in many many class crews,let me tell you how many chairs we had to adjust 

Most of the crews I served on,we had a builder as a coordinator.So there was no shortcuts,he had tape measure,leveler and of course builders string.Looking back now i have a laugh we must've perfected chairs to a T.

Anyways mate here's to all those chairs 

Great post Krys!

I have been here in this position.It took me 2 years to finally make that decision.Can tell you it has been the best decision I ever made.When your gripped by fear,doubt and worry I have been there.I was raised in twi from 5 years to my exit at 26.So walking away was not easy.

My purpose is not to draw you away from christian values but help expose the way for who they really are.Just read a few in the forums.

If you are around here at the cafe I am available to chat or mail 

Yours, Hg30

On 12/01/2017 at 8:27 PM, Rocky said:

TRUTH shall set you free! Great post Twinky.

That's right Rocky TRUTH shall set you free 

That's right Skyrider!!You tell em!

JYDL, you have seen,heard and even participated in alot of devious cover ups. It makes me wonder how do you sleep at night??!knowing what you know and what you and others swept under the rug 

You and others before you(martindale/rosalie) have alot to answer for so be a real man and own up 

I found I was more happy, was less judgemental.

Being in the way I thought I was 'spiritually' above all those not on the way, which is wrong morally 

2 years from my exit i can say im a totally different person I became a human....

Looking for any former members from 1990 to 2014

Cheers

Looking for any former members from 1990 to 2014

Cheers

Skyrider

I feel rather angry and bitter as to the way you were treated.Others like yourself were only trying to do good and the way you and your family were treated near the end pees me off, but that's "the way international" way of doing things

You are a great inspiration and to know we both shared similar experiences even though I wasn't leadership,makes me more solidified to make sure twi doesn't hurt anyone else.Noone likes bullies 

Hopefully others can read  your story and hopefully save themselves from this devious cult which hierarchy has alot to answer for

I'm glad you and family are free and living life, good to hear you got to spend time with your parents as well I'm playing catch up as I too also missed alot.Time does sure heal my friend

Haha at Tbone now your taking me back I remember those big boomboxes!! 

I can thank a former member for alot of my music influences.70s and 80s best music in my opinion

A hit from 80s Hall and Oates

Go Skyrider!!!  

On 25/03/2016 at 3:08 PM, CollateralDamage said:

<takes a seat and pulls out a menu>

Hello All-

There's quite a bit to unpack from 30 years. Bare with my rambling thoughts as they all get down.

A third-generation "legacy", I only knew TWI as truth absolute. A child of the 80's, I remember growing up and having The Way being the only way. I took each class in the entire class series the exact week I was eligible, and repeated every chance I could. I only knew LCM as the fount-head of all things godly, and worshipped with (at) him through the birth of the new class. I soldiered on through his fall and stood behind my identity as a chosen part of the faithful remnant throughout the early 2000's. I pursued a degree and lead fellowships, certain I held forth what I knew to be the epicenter of the spiritual world. Once I got close to graduation, the promise of getting a job became VERY real. In a market the began to shrivel, I went from interview to interview, each time putting in hours of deliberate, thoughtful prayer and reflection, certain that the God I knew dwelt in my fellowships and that I was told would never let any wrong befall would come through in the clutch. Each time, nothing. Each time, disappointment. Each time, words came from those more seasoned as "Renew Your Mind", "It's not the spiritually best for YOU!", "God's got something bigger for YOU!". This was the first time I needed to prove God had my back. Long story short, I cobbled together enough to get by, but nothing close to the Eph 3:20 I was told time and time again.

I got married, to an amazing and supportive spouse, who left her church to join up. She realized if she wanted tot be with me, she had to drink the Koolaid, and drink she did. She practically did a keg stand with that Hawaiian punch. Together, we weathered many situations that were far from the rosy scenes painted on STS tapes (or CDs or VHSs). Real life was hard as hell, and the God of the lectern and the magazine was not as quick to come through. There was always an explanation, mind you, but should not have to be this hard. "Maybe we're not studying enough. Maybe and hour daily is just a start.". "Are we giving enough? We're at 20%, but could we do more to prove our commitment to God and not our paycheck". We ABSed our meager earnings, lived in apartments, drove our terrible, leaky, beaten cars, and gladly taught others on how much God loved us and would provide. Any positive event in life was championed as proof of TWI's system. It began to seem like a lens that made all the bad not their fault and any positive thing their cause. Perspective.

Fast forward to a fourth generation being born. Numerous requests from insiders to go on Staff and change from within. By this time, my life had changed. The grind of finally getting (and keeping) a real job meant hard work. I began to feel like everything in the ministry was a motion. Same old collaterals. The articles in the magazine were SOOOO predictable, as were the overly scripted services. Title, personal anecdote, verses, three main points, conclusion, blanket "Let's continue to..." statement... repeat. I felt as if I wasn't learning anything. To challenge myself and scratch my own spiritual and intellectual itch, I started my own studies and digging. ANy time I would bring these up, I was chastised for going solo and delving into what was already researched. I should re-search what is already available. By this time, I could hear an introduction and immediately know which verses would come up. One STS, I wrote on my wife's notes five verses. Sure as dang, each one was ticked in the course of that scripted speech teaching. I stopped taking notes. I stopped putting time into my teachings at fellowships. I started coasting. I could see others going through the same motions. I used to talk about all of the interesting connections and parallels the moment a great teaching was done. Now I saw how quickly others began talking about their week, their boring lives, their.... anything but the bible. Truth was, it was the collaterals being taught again and again and again. LCM was disavowed, never to be mentioned. All that was safe was the collaterals. So that's were everything went, and still are.

Last flash is to the moment I realized how crumby the long-term TWI plan is for those out in the field. Find a menial job, work hard and don't rock the boat. Try to witness but we only need seats for the class- if it's just a connection, move it along. SELL SELL!!!! Find an apartment, move every few years, drive a 5 year+ model car (and keep that cardboard so you don't mess up the driveway). Long-term planning? You don't need that. God's got you. I woke up one day to realize my parents have no retirement and no equity of ANY kind. I didn't want that. I began looking at houses and tried every way to get one without getting a loan. Couldn't do it, so I tried to ask permission. Another post needs to explain this hot mess, but needless to say it was not on the menu. I forged ahead to the disapproval of many.

Kid number two arrives- I stop going to STS. Our last trip, I don't even open my bible. I hear and scrutinize the entire presentation better than I had every encapsulated with my notes. (Oh the notes, but I digress...). On our way home, my wife says "What an electrifying teaching!". I let the air clear for about 5 seconds and say "Was it?". Her face was as white as the audience at any given STS. We then discuss very openly our current role in the ministry and where we saw our spiritual lives. Needless to say, it was the beginning of the end.

We limped along for a few more years, mainly because of the sweet people that genuinely did care about others and the large family/friend connections. This is certainly a fact that cannot be overlooked, but we were killed with kindness and not won by spiritual truth. We eventually decide to skip fellowship for any convenient reason, attend other church services on Sunday mornings, and try on many religions/denominations. It came to a road that lead to us moving and telling our new coordinators we were out. I felt it necessary to go out on my terms, not middle-fingers a-blazing, but with a truthful talk.

We left about two years ago. There were some rough times, including much anger that has not fully gone away. I still struggle with what could have been or should have been, a fact that I can't completely let go of, but am getting closer. I burned my syllabi and collaterals, but still have their haunting memory (and .pdfs! that's a fun post as well!) in my mind. Religion is no longer something I value, and, current spiritual beliefs aside, I was able to emerge with clear and cogent truths I hold to, truthfulness and integrity being paramount.

I have spiritually sherpa'd a few others out of TWI, and gotten immense satisfaction for helping them think and process, not just bad-mouthing their religion. It's rewarding to truly help people, not blanket their needs in retemories or promises of a brighter day that never comes. It's rewarding to see them break the chain of mediocrity and a quiet life of apartments and ABSing to pay for staff cars (another post). I loved helping them and reassuring them the devil will not take them should they decide to take off the name tag.

My bourbon is getting low, as is my battery. Time to refill both. I have lots to say, and not sure how much/when to do it. I have many damning things, but not sure how it could help me or others. I don;t want to go back to the post-exit anger and rage that consumed my evenings (too late for that today! Oh well...), but I think a healthy processing and sharing for those who discover this site (like I did) will help clearer thoughts and heads prevail. I know TWI is not the epicenter of the spiritual world. I know TWI is pyramid of those working the ladder upward. I know TWI is a shell built on a few books and lock-step loyalty. I know that 30 years is far too much CollateralDamage.

Mate! Collateraldamage thanks heaps for your sharing your story I can only relate to alot of what you said

A bit late to the party mate but here have a coffee on me 

The name of the beach was Omapere.Located in the upper north island.Sandunes are still there.Beautiful beach and let's not forget the fish and chips.Yes my mother had taken that class.Heard stories about it,riddles,people getting publicly reproved etc...not too sure of name Bruce? I know the likes of Mich@el Walker, Geoff or Jeff from Australia..

Another favorite song ..

Another favourite of mine from the group War

You guys over in U.s have football, which is quite similar to rugby.In saying that if usa took rugby seriously I personally think they would become unstoppable on world stage as we know you guys take sports to a whole new level.Here's a link of us rugby 7s 

Enjoy

On 17/11/2016 at 2:39 AM, penworks said:

Greetings Grease-Spotters and visitors to this website,

I’m happy to announce that on November 22 the Special Offer starts on my website for ordering my book, Undertow: My Escape from the Fundamentalism and Cult Control of The Way International.

Before I say more, I want to thank Michael Duffy for providing this online community where we can share our stories. Also, a big thank you to everyone who has posted helpful, informative information over the years and keeps doing so.

I wanted this community to know that from Nov. 22 until Dec. 22 customers in the USA can order Undertow at my website and receive a signed copy in the mail. Transactions will be secured on my website through PayPal. Undertow is $24.95 plus tax and shipping. There are 31 photographs included. The e-book version is scheduled for early 2017.

Later, all customers, including overseas residents, can find Undertow at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other vendors’ websites and can order it from brick and mortar bookstores, too. (FYI -The print-on-demand company printing and distributing my book says the time it takes for books to become available at Amazon, etc., varies from one retailer to another.)

Maybe you suffer or you have a friend or family member who suffers from confusion or emotional abuse after leaving a high-control group, religious or otherwise. Perhaps you are a mental health counselor seeking to help people who have left such a group. Whether you are a professor of New Religious Movements or are a parent, student, clergyman, or simply a person curious about the inner workings of such groups, you can find insights in Undertow.

My book may only pull back the curtains on one person's seventeen-year experience as a leader and biblical researcher in The Way, but the story's themes of idealism, commitment, disillusionment, and survival are universal. It offers hope.

I'm grateful to share my story and thank everyone who has helped me bring it into the world.

Read more here

Cheers,

Penworks

Thanks Penworks for sharing your heart and life

I will be purchasing my copy soon thanks to those who provided the links for purchasing

NZ twi has only 50 solid members minus the children.When time does come for those in NZ to take the class,it's 90% of the kids raised in twi

From a timeframe from 2008 to my exit in 2014.Never saw any growth no new members...just one or two maybe stuck around for 6 months max.No advanced class and most had taken it.Plenty of foundational,intermediate and dta but that's about it.As advanced class only be taken in usa.Last advanced class taken in nz was in 93' or 94' not sure maybe Twinky knows.Big recruitment drive to take this class ladadada...doesn't matter if you have taken it 10x already! was normal to see same members take class together as NZ is small in comparison to US

In my opinion I'm not suprised no advanced class.Serves em right maybe the innies are starting to see the light?!

Welcome Grant

Coffees on me here at the cafe