Many members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) are very sincere in their faith. As Cal Sayles of Faith Freedom Fund, indirectly wrote about WOFF members- “… I believe that most people who find themselves in a cult are simply, in the words of the Apostles Paul, doing their best to work out their salvation (Philippians 2:12), perhaps with a greater vigor and sincerity than most.” I must agree. The regular members of WOFF are sincere and freely give their support to other members, over and over again.
Are these WOFF members true Christians? I will not make any blanket statements about the individual decisions of each to follow Jesus and pursue their beliefs. However, that being said; I will offer my opinion that in the WOFF environment, growth as a Christian is hindered and made difficult. Why? Growth in the ways and knowledge of God is hindered by the authority set-up at WOFF. As mentioned before, EVERY decision of any consequence (and smaller decisions) is run through Jane Whaley. The requirement to “check it out” with Jane Whaley about every decision stunts the growth and perverts the perspective of the members of WOFF. The set-up causes idolatry in the leadership and members. Jane Whaley is idolized and she longs for it to be so. Any member who desires to continue in WOFF will at some point admit and submit to the idolatry of Jane Whaley or they will be put out or leave on their own. Jane calls it “meeting the authority of God”. It is sobering to say, but much worse to live in WOFF and have to witness and submit to the idolatry, which is the life blood of WOFF.
How much can you be helping those around you grow in Jesus, by dictating every decision and more, in their lives? Why attempt to replace the Holy Spirit that is in charge of leading the body of Christ? WOFF members are sincere believers allowing the idolatry of Jane Whaley keep them from hearing the Holy Spirit in their own hearts and leading them on to mature in Jesus. True Christians? I will not say. Stunted in their growth because of the legalistic, authoritative environment at WOFF- most definitely. It is the sad truth. At WOFF, Jane Whaley is the center of their universe and that is perversion of the true Christian faith. This set-up is not unique to WOFF, as mentioned in previous posts. Other groups like FLDS have suffered through the same idolatry of a leader and its consequences.
What is the evidence of such a claim? While at WOFF, it was mentioned from the pulpit over and over by regular members and leadership, when a “crisis” arises, “sin” is uncovered, dispute or question would be asked – who do you call? Jane Whaley or someone that you know who is with Jane and can get her on the phone! Because of the structure and set-up of WOFF, regular members are frozen in fear if they have a decision to make and cannot reach Jane. The FEAR is of doing something WRONG! And thus the FEAR of not pleasing their idol- Jane Whaley! Jane has the “authority” to tell them they “missed God” and what would be the consequences. This FEAR makes the mind control very real in the lives of regular members and those in leadership.
One of the thoughts I had in May 2008 that eventually led to my exit from WOFF was – “WOFF is open to being called a cult, because the members are more afraid of Jane Whaley than God!”. That thought was such an eye opener for me! I finally could name the thing that was so strange about WOFF. The FEAR of a person and not the healthy fear of God, became so obvious to me. Yes, I am a little slow. It took many years! Do the people in the community see the results of the fear of Jane, in the lives of WOFF members? You are welcome to comment and confirm or dispute the material in this post. Things could have changed at WOFF and the idolatry stopped. But, if that were so; I am sure I would have been told.
Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members.
(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. )
John,I am enjoying this blog very much. And learning so much, also. Yes, I can attest to the fact that ‘leadership'(Jane Whaley) is more feared than GOD in WOFF!! I love Sam and Jane Whaley and many others at WOFF but, truth is truth and they have gotten way off base. Why else but fear of man (OR JANE) would cause a pastor ( of the Greenville church) to openly ‘testify’ that he agreed to move to Spindale? He openly stated that if he did not move his wife and family were going without him because AUTHORITY in SPINDALE had told them they were to move and he did not want to , but he did not want to lose his family. What if his refusing to move could have been the salvation for his family ( getting them out of the controling cult?) It is so sad the number of people that bought into that lie about moving!!
That is so true, the people are good people who want to know God. But, cannot know Him, because of the hierarchy in the church. It is so similar to many other religions where you have to go through man to see God…but, alas, you miss God, because you are lost in the “men”. God wants us to love him with a pure heart and to enjoy His love. The control at WOFR kept many people from growing. There was no missions, no ministry because only a handful were worthy to do that. For several years before leaving, the services were all so negative. You were sinful and then you felt like there was no hope.
If you heard from God on your own and checked it out, you were told you were wrong and in sin. I remember seeing one person in the “hall” to ask Jane about someone who left. Because Jane said from the pulpit if you want to know about anyone, you come and ask me. So, this person asked Jane about this particular person. She berated this poor person in the hall, “Why do you want to know?” “You don’t need to know.” It went on for quite awhile. The poor person was quite shaken by it all.
It was always a race to get to Jane. If someone got to her first, it seemed she believed their story. If you tried to explain your side, you were severely rebuffed. The big thing was to find little faults in people and go to Jane about it and expose their sin. So, it was all a control game from the top down to the bottom. Several children of main ministers knew how to play that one on their teachers and anyone else around them. They would get by with everything, that another child who be severely punished for doing. It was amazing to see how much everyone in the church would underhandedly get to Jane with stories to keep certain people in trouble. There were lies all the time. I left after seeing how the ministers lived one way and then preached another way. If you dared to live like them, you really got in trouble. But, that is another day.
As stated, these are recollections from my memory and may not be totally perfect. But, the tone and atmosphere can be easily remembered.
Thank you, for the confirming thoughts and memories.