One May seminar at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC; there were monitors (TVs) set up in various places in the sanctuary. There was a buzz in the congregation as this was a rare thing to allow the whole group to watch something on the monitors (TVs). In the years I attended WOFF, I can remember a few times that the monitors were put in place. We watched scenes from the 911 attack. We watched Ronald Regan’s funeral- tape delayed. We watched Tammy Faye Bakker’s last interview with Larry King. (Why?) We watched the “History of Christmas” tape from the History channel. The scenes were edited and the volume muted in certain places- “for the children” and some adults. We also watched speeches by President George W. Bush, weddings in Brazil and Africa, and a few other events. As a rule, regular members were not allowed to have televisions in the house. Some in leadership may have had televisions and Jane had one that God told her to watch. She then would come tell us what God had told her to watch, as far as I know.

    Jane Whaley came to the podium at the beginning of this service and announced that God wanted to show us “just what else is out there in the Body of Christ.” She had taped some ministry shows off Christian television and wanted us to see them. She warned us to guard ourselves so that the music or message would not “come in us”. There would be places were the volume was muted because “the music was so bad”. With those warnings and those instructions and maybe more that I can’t recall, the monitors were turned on and we all began to watch.

   After so many years, I cannot remember all of what was shown. I can remember the general impressions I had during the viewing. Jane chose to tape several African American preachers while they preached with passion the message they had been given. Not every preacher viewed was African American, but most were to my recollection. The sad part was during some parts, snickers and muffled laughter could be heard in the group. Jane Whaley sat on the front row with a microphone commenting in different places. She would admit if she knew them personally or whatever may relate to why she chose to record the preacher being watched.

     There were several churches that belonged to the fellowship from other places present that day. It was not possible to monitor who exactly was being amused and showing their glee. But, the fact that it was allowed, only fed the attitude of “we are special, we don’t carry on in that way…” Coupled with the attitude expressed at other times, “We know there are others with Truth; we just have not found them yet.”—this examination of other ministry gifts fed the spiritual elitist mind set of WOFF. I know. I could sense the “we are better because we don’t do that”– attitude among the members. At times like these, it was still hard for me to consider we were the only ones with “Truth”. Looking back – it was very sad. How many years previous had the entire country been privy to the scenes of WOFF prayer groups filmed by Inside Edition? Since my time line is not verified, I cannot say for sure the dates of this May seminar.

    One result, denied by some in leadership, is that the church which came from Michigan, soon broke ties with WOFF. I only knew a few of them and certainly don’t know the meetings that led up to their departure. But, I firmly believe that because most of them were African American, they took exception with the content and prevailing attitude of WOFF members during this meeting. A few African American WOFF members were allowed to get up at some point later and make reference to their former participation in services similar to the ones watched at the seminar. All of this fed on itself and furthered the spiritual elitist attitude that still prevailed at the time of my departure. Things could have changed, but certainly former members and other estranged family members, would have seen the “fruit” of such changes.

   This break with the Michigan was certainly a contributing factor to another event. One morning, I had to go to the church office and drop off something. When I arrived, I found every office worker there crying and trying to hide it. Naturally, I wondered who died. I hesitated and did not ask why the tears. Later, I found out that a father from Michigan had come to town to retrieve his son who had been attending the school. He had law enforcement officials with him to carry out his request, as the young man was 17. There was a judge’s order to release the school records. This father had done his homework. Subsequently, the young man went back to Michigan, later he spent time at Wellspring. He claims to be put out of there because he refused treatment. He came back to WOFF as he turned 18. He has since married another member of WOFF and remains in the church.

    Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource.  Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) This is post number 104.