Billy G

It helped with harmony in my family!!

Probably worked with each other. HQ? What top leadership graduated under B&olck$l%?

Anyways. I don't know what book of acts you read. I just read in Acts where the disciples prayed to go out and speak with more boldness. I also read where Paul got the right hand of fellowship from the leadership to go speak, i.e. to Witness!!!! love it. Makes me want to go witness right now!!! (if you brush your teeth really good it will get rid of the puke taste.)

Top leadership assignments huh. We probably know eachother

Top leadership assignments huh. We probably know eachother

Well, as you are I once was. But calling an eggplant a banana doesn't change anything. In the end it is what it is no matter what you and I call it.

Well, you see, there in lies the problem. Sometimes a person being overweight, or heavy, or whatever isn't related to eating junk food and laying on the couch. Sometimes it can be related to other health issues, it can be a side effect of certain medications, it can be glandular. Therein lies the evil. Because in the "counseling" session the person on the receiving end would likely feel coerced to explain personal details regarding their situation. Sometimes, and especially with women, that can be very embarrassing. In the end the way international have no business assuming responsibility for another's body composition, even if it's under the guise of having best interests at heart.

Again easy for you to take the negative viewpoint and easy for me to take the positive. I don't know if they got talked to about it or if they didn't and either do you. You know they could have gone for counseling about it for all we know. Thats how I was trained. I don't go barging into people lives. I make my life available to minister and when the door opens I can teach, help, guide.

Well, as you are I once was. But calling an eggplant a banana doesn't change anything. In the end it is what it is no matter what you and I call it.

Well, you see, there in lies the problem. Sometimes a person being overweight, or heavy, or whatever isn't related to eating junk food and laying on the couch. Sometimes it can be related to other health issues, it can be a side effect of certain medications, it can be glandular. Therein lies the evil. Because in the "counseling" session the person on the receiving end would likely feel coerced to explain personal details regarding their situation. Sometimes, and especially with women, that can be very embarrassing. In the end the way international have no business assuming responsibility for another's body composition, even if it's under the guise of having best interests at heart.

Nope. I am saying that the way international pithes empty promises based on wrong interpretation of scripture. Who have you healed? What miracles have you done? Assuming you are fully instructed you should be able to do these things. My references to the book of acts are to point out that the witness was in the healings, signs, miracles, wonders. The preaching was the explanation.

Where are your references in the book of acts? I don't see them. Many times teaching preceded healing and miracles or people just got taught and spoken to and believed with no sign or miracle. Maybe this needs to be moved to a doctrinal discussion.

Oh. I thought he was referring to a specific "look" as the product we pitch. Anyways...

No records in the book of acts where people went witnessing? Don't really get your point.

Acts 1:8; all the records of Paul's travels and preaching. The meaning of the word commonly translated Marturia means to testify. Speech is implied. You basically tell people what God has done for you. It is where we get the word martyr. Other words for signs (semion) and miracle (teras) also bear witness. I guess I don't get what your point is. Are you trying to say that The Way tells people to go witnessing with no scriptural backing?

Thanks for the open ears. Sorry I'm gonna keep the positive "high road" as you called it and assume the best. Nobody can know for sure except them and God what the heart's intention is. I'm not from California or Chicago but those individuals you refer to are the absolute best! They're Way Corps to the core and I love them for it!!!! (Did that just make you throw up in your mouth a little? hahahaha)

And I do agree with you, they probably have been "counselled" to drop a few through the years and I personally don't think there is anything wrong with that but that's my opinion:)

Billy G

The Way does not want people who don't appear to typify the product they are pitching. (Kinda like Avon would prefer not to have a representative who is so homely, you have to tie a pork chop around their neck to get the dog to play with them.) That has been the modus operandi of The Way from day one. Unless, that is, said person is particularly skilled at generating revenue for the corporation. (WOW Ambassador program) It is, after all, a multi level marketing scheme.

What's the product they're pitching? Any examples?

Ole' BillyG - Comes through, does a little trolling, snipes a post or two, fans the flames - then off again.

Sorry I've been at work and I don't get on that often.

I didn't mean to communicate that the reason people with weight issues aren't accepted isn't because of weight issues. I don't know that and I never said that. I just don't assume the crux is physical appearance. It may be because their bodies may not be healthy enough to walk a mile let alone run one. I don't know. You say that you have friends with that experience and I believe you. All I meant to say was that there are other factors to consider. Insurance, liability...I had to get a physical to play Jr. High baseball for gosh sakes. To me that is more logical. I know a minister who is literally huge. But she is amazing at loving people and she can push push push all day long. She gives and can go all day giving, teaching and loving. Nobody gets on her case about her weight cause they see how she can serve without reservation or hindrance and she is healthy.

Not trying to fan the flames. Just offering another viewpoint. Flames will be flamed by it but that forum claims to be open discussion, but it seems to being leaning to personal attacks now./ But that's ok. We are all entitled to our own opinion.

in the mountains baby!:)

You should read those posts again. They clearly say it was there one year. It was a year when the program moved from Gunnison to HQ. It is no longer done this way. That is why there is so so so so so so so much misinformation on here. People hear something, a whisper, and everybody assumes that is how it was and still is.

I'm not saying that obese individuals are always allowed in. I'm saying that there may be more practical reasons that they are not accepted. Like a doctor not signing off on a physical because a person could fall over with a heart attack at any moment. Insurance and liability seem to have more to do with it than people blushing because they are graduating ministers with 40 in waists.

I haven't heard that people haven"t been accepted based on physical appearance. I think that that is bull. If anything it is due to health issues related to a weight problem. Big difference. I went through the training more recently than Old-school and there was people I would call heavy. Oh and the duo is not done behind Founders Hall. Fact

Wow keep a journal, working out, flossing your teeth. How horrible

Jesus Christ had different programs. When he did activities he told them don't take any extra shoes, don't take any money and go believe God. Get over it.

No SS for working for a church? Don't think so. They still pay SS. You Don"t have your facts straight. Employees of TWI still have SS taken out of their pay check.

I never like anything Karen Armstrong writes. the first point I have to disagree with. That TWI claims the the Bible is perfect (forget her exact words and to busy to go copy and paste). I believe they teach the Word as originally given by God was perfect. discrepancy comes from errors in translation and/or error in our understanding.

I don't know how many there are now, but I was surprised when I looked at a Google satellite image of the property. There were not many cars there and the grounds looked very deserted (though still well maintained). I never saw the blue painted basketball court before, east of the Jordan bridge. When did that go in?

all the cars are gone. everybody gets around grounds now on segways. hahahaha Basketball court east of the jordan, man you must have left some time ago. Why not come around for a service some time?

Far as I know international numbers far exceed domestic.

I believe this is a trend for Christianity in general. It's only natural that domestic twi numbers have and will drop. The demographics have simply shifted.

Yes international numbers exceed national. I would argue about the "natural" tendency for the future. There is so much conjecture here. Numbers have steadily rose in recent years (post 2004).

The criteria for country coord. are very specific yet I do not know all of them. All I know is that much consideration is given. Nobody who just starts up a fellowship in a country and requests to be named a country coor. is given that opportunity to steward the resources a established country with leadership is given. Fact.

Oh and Venezuala does have a country coord. They have Way Corps in fact. Fact

Well I believe there was a cap on the numbers for the first AC returning to Gunnison.

points noted

Interesting poll. I studied these in college. Looks like this site is not very effective in reaching people that came to TWI in recent years. Just filled with people who are ....ed and feel their 20s and 30s were stolen in the 70s and 80s.

My advice is to stay if you're happy.

Actually TWI is very upfront in communicating to believers in the us about the International Outreach progress. Most people know how many countries are official (established leadership with trained country coordinators). Those flags do not represent just "Joe Grad" in a military base. The flags represent official countries that meet criteria. There are many other countries that are still "developing" that are not "official" but have strong fellowships. None of you guys know what you're talking about. Most U.S. believers know the majority of faithful grads are outside the U.S.

I don't know about you but I am so glad to know certain truths like:

Jesus is not God

The dead are not alive

I can pray perfectly

God is always good

God's Word is true

I will meet the Lord in the air...

anybody else?