Category Archives: Uncategorized

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

The May Seminar We Watched TV Preachers

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    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.

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Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Resource for Help: Celebrate Recovery

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     In the last couple of weeks, I was made aware of a program sponsored by a church in area. The program is called Celebrate Recovery®. It is described as a help for those with “hurts, habits and hang-ups”. This program was started by John Baker from Saddleback Church. The Celebrate Recovery® program began in 1991 and has grown to serve folks in over 10,000 churches. You may have heard of Saddleback Church in California, as their Pastor Rick Warren wrote “The Purpose Driven Life”© series.

     The brochure for this program lists the purpose as helping those in need “to embrace God’s healing power by sharing our experience, strength and hope with one another. Through the process, we become willing to accept God’s grace in solving our problems, pain, shame, and addictions.”  There are explicit guidelines for what to expect and what is not included in the program. It is very clear this program is not for therapy. Leaders are not professional, licensed counselors.

    This program could be a resource for those leaving religious mind control groups. Some of the issues being addressed include: Depression, Divorce, Anger, Hurtful Relationships, Codependency, Eating disorders and Addictions. The program provides a safe place to share with others. There is respect given and expected from each participant.

     The list of things not to expect includes a place for selfish control, secrets or dating relationships. No long term commitment is required as well as no quick fixes are guaranteed. There are sharing guidelines that allow all who are willing to participate, to feel safe. Support for those in the group is expected, but no one is there to “fix” one another. What is said in the group stays in the group. Those outside the group environment need not know what is said in the group – even in the form of a prayer request!

    Continue reading Resource for Help: Celebrate Recovery →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

Grace to Shun and Ignore

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The Parable of the Good Samaritan

30Jesus, [f]taking him up, replied, A certain man was going from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and belongings and beat him and went their way, [[g]unconcernedly] leaving him half dead, as it happened. 31Now by [h]coincidence a certain priest was going down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32A Levite likewise came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road]. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him], 34And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii [two day’s wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return. 36Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? 37He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. (Luke 10:29-37, Amplified Version, emphasis added)

    Recently, a review of the parable of the Good Samaritan revealed new insight for me. I read about the priest and the Levite who shunned and ignored the man in need, AFTER SEEING him. Unlike possible circumstances today, it was not as if there were already medics at the scene, caring for the man who was beaten. The inference is that the man, who had been beaten, was in a very helpless desperate state. The priest and the Levite represented the religious order of the day. What kept them from taking time to help? For sure, in this example, their religious position did not lend itself to stoop down and help one in need.

     After reading the parable, I was reminded of things I had done while a member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). When a member was put “in discipleship”, other members were expected to withhold fellowship and restrict speaking to that member. You may have been able to say “hello”, at times, but no “foolish or loose talk”. I can remember a few times, I went and asked a person in leadership, if I could talk to the person in discipleship. The reason given to not speak or fellowship was so you would not “pull them out of the dealings of God”. For new folks or members who were unaware, it was the first steps to teaching the “grace to shun and ignore”. If you wanted to continue as a part of WOFF, you learned this “grace” or things did not go well. This “grace” was the “law” at WOFF.

    Continue reading Grace to Shun and Ignore →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

Mother’s Day at Word of Faith Fellowship?

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    Recently, a friend replied to an email. He had to get clarification on something I sent him. He asked me if I meant to imply that Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) does not celebrate Mother’s Day. I chuckled when reading his question. Though the WOFF website lists one paragraph with one scripture reference and a short list of holidays; they do not specifically mention Mother’s Day, Memorial Day or Fourth of July. (In years past, WOFF has had a Veteran’s appreciation program. Not sure how that works now.)  But, none of these are officially celebrated at WOFF. (NO on the fireworks, for sure!!!) Certainly, in this country, we are not required and should not be required to participate in any national, regional or cultural celebration regardless of the origin. Freedom to opt out or in is still a freedom.

     However, looking at the whole picture and not just number 17 on the list of “Beliefs” on the WOFF website, one gets a clearer picture of the effects of this non-participation. Mother’s Day is a busy time for the post office, flower shops and telephone/cell services. It is a normal practice in the American culture to take time and show your mother your love and appreciation on that day. Yes, gifts, cards and other things may lead the way for the “evidence” of the love. There is always a group of folks that allow the commercial side of anything to replace the meaning. It is so easy to do in this culture.

From this blog we learn a little more about the origin of Mother’s Day:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100508/LIFESTYLE/100509629/1349?p=2&tc=pg

“It was a hardworking mother and teacher, Anna Jarvis, who came up with the idea of Mothers’ Work Days to improve sanitation in her small West Virginia town in 1958, according to the Santa Rosa-based National Women’s History Project. In 1872, Boston poet, pacifist and women’s suffragist Julia Ward Howe established a special day for mothers as a call for peace after so many sons were lost in the bloody Franco-Prussian War. But it was Jarvis’ daughter, also named Anna, who pushed Congress to officially establish Mother’s Day in 1914. Jarvis herself railed against the selling of Mother’s Day.”

   Continue reading Mother’s Day at Word of Faith Fellowship? →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

November Seminar 1994- What is the worst thing that can happen?

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     At the beginning of a November seminar at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)  in 1994; (could have been 1993) Jane Whaley came  in and started the service with this question- “What would be the worst thing that could happen to you?” She then listed things like illness, divorce, death of a parent or child. After some discussion, she stopped and told the congregation that God had showed her the worst thing. Reading from Matthew 7:22-23. (New International Version)

22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

    Jane went on to say that the worst thing for her would be to come to the end of her life and stand before God and having Him say to her: “I never knew you. Away…”  At that time, it was a very serious thought. Obviously, it has stuck with me all these years. Could this time have been a turning point for Jane? What happened?  How could the thoughts about this passage of scripture be so serious and yet not produce lasting changes in a person’s life? Certain things in life are a mystery.

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Uncategorized

NC Pastor Charged with Tax Evasion, His Pastor Friend is Already in Jail

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Read more at this site.. http://interceder.net/news/Harriet-Jinwright   
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The Day the Protestors Were Beside the Road…

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    During a court battle over child custody, there were a few (not sure how many) church services in which protesters standing out on Oakland Road. There were some thoughts and observations during that time which I will share.

   First a little background, I had participated in a few anti-abortion demonstrations previous to attending Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, NC. The group I was a part of in Charleston, SC, would hold signs along a highway and just stand without shouting at passing motorists. We would stand for a while and sometimes move to another spot. It was totally meant to be non-confrontational. I remember no incidents of violence or hostility at these protests.

    The first Sunday, in which we encountered protesters while driving to the church, we came upon them and had not been warned. Quickly the children were told not to look and put their heads down. I was driving and could not spend time looking, but I did glance toward the protesters and recognized no one. There were signs and people were shouting. As I remember, the expressions on their faces looked angry. At that time, it made me wonder “What had we done wrong?” The other thought I had was “Why do I attend a church that is being protested?” I had been a demonstrator in years past and now our group was the subject of a demonstration? Are we being persecuted because we are “right”? Those thoughts stuck with me.

    Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) was being protested by a group supposedly brought together by Shanna Muse. I say supposedly, because after I left WOFF, I found out we did not get the complete story about several things while on the inside. If any readers were in the protest group, please comment and share your thoughts at the end of this post.

    Continue reading The Day the Protestors Were Beside the Road… →