This phrase has been used to describe certain groups of people in years past. This description has been used to describe folks who are being supported in various ways on a long term basis. Through the dependency and all that entails, their own abilities to provide for themselves are curbed or eliminated. Thus, they become dependent on the programs or government in place at the time. It is not “permanent” unless the folks believe they have no way out or deserve to be supported.
As I have heard discussions about this topic nationally, it made me consider what I had seen and been a witness to in years past. Was one effect of living at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) under the direction of Jane Whaley; to move members to total dependence on Jane and the “benefits” of living at WOFF? Think about how many folks live who are members of WOFF. At my last count, there were about 20 companies or independent contractors a person could with or work for. There was also the Christian school. My numbers are not current, but the meaning is still there.
When my tenure began to draw to a close, I lived in a WOFF household. I worked for a company owned by WOFF church members. Except for my part-time income, all of our family income was tied to or related in some way to WOFF. My “family” doctor was a WOFF church member. My podiatrist was a WOFF member. The electrician and plumber who came to fix things at the house were WOFF members. There was a WOFF church member owned restaurant where you could eat breakfast or lunch. Previously, there had been a furniture store to buy furniture or Jane’s adopted daughter would buy home furnishings and sell it to members of the church. There were two very talented seamstresses who could repair or make clothes, as well as curtains and complete bed sets. In the church ‘bookstore”, ladies could be premium make-up. (Not really many books sold there.)
Continuing on, there was a fellow who did excellent cabinetry and one who could frame anything that stood still. There were painters and carpenters and folks who could install carpet. There was even one fellow who performed pressure washing on houses or vehicles. Of course, Sam Whaley would buy cars and trucks from the Statesville Auto Auction, when a member needed. There was a realty company. The financial aide director for the local community college was a WOFF member- that helped. Talking to the right person (WOFF member) could get you appliances at a deep discount. Last count in 2008, there were four home-grown attorneys and one lady who sold/sells insurance for just about any need. One fellow was in residency to finish his medical training. Another man attended University of South Carolina Medical school. One doctor in Tryon, NC was a dermatologist and he had WOFF staffers, though he was not a WOFF member. There was one dentist in town, who was not a WOFF member, but two of his assistants were WOFF members.
And the list continues, when something needed to be built, there were several skilled construction folks- masons, pool construction experts, stone work, specialized mantle construction and vinyl siding. Did I mention there was a group to install marble and granite? There were two CPAs to help with income taxes. Last I heard there was one fellow studying to be a tax attorney. At least two licensed nurse practitioners were at WOFF. A WOFF member who was a construction worker doubled as the church photographer. (He was very skilled at digital editing.) Of course, what church would be complete with out their own private detective and on-call security team? Did I leave anyone out? I will check the website… Oh, yes. When it was time to move, trucks and folks were everywhere! That was a site to see. Jane Whaley could decide you were moving and the same day or night- it was done! Swarms of WOFF movers and trucks- everywhere. (That is a post for another day. ) About the only thing not done in-house was the auto repair and tire service. But, just wait- they may take care of that soon. 🙂
Now, is it bad to have a church that surrounds you with so much “service”? You decide. When your income, housing, education for your children, choice of friends or a spouse, medical providers; insurance and real estate service providers as well as furniture supply and appliance or home repair servicemen are all centered around folks who belong to WOFF; can you become accustomed to that pseudo “safe feeling?” After all, “I am submitted and Jane Whaley has “ahold” of my life.”
After having lived there for six years- right in the middle of it, I would describe it as a “tightly closed sub-culture” (cult) within Rutherford county. When you are also being directed spiritually be the person who controls all of these people who supply all of these vital day-to-day needs- can critical thinking and individual expression ever exist without the risk of losing all of these provisions and relationships? When Jane Whaley tells you that is you don’t take hold and “jerk-up” (old phrase.. not used as much now..) you “could lose everything” and “go to hell”- does that carry some weight with folks who have grown accustomed to the “full service” of WOFF? For some folks, it may end up, literally being a “cradle to grave” dependency.
Consider the teaching of WOFF, tithes and offerings and missions giving. Also, Jane Whaley, by her own confession, checks the giving records. Folks must pay for all the “service”. But, disclosing how the money is spent is not even considered. After all- why should regular members have any right to know how WOFF provides so many “benefits”?
Could there be a plan to provide everything needed to faithful members of WOFF and thus eliminate their need for contact with non-members? Did things start out that way? Not that I know. But, remember Jane Whaley approves who works where and many times has a good idea how much they are paid, if they work for a church-member owned company. She decides who goes to college and what they are to major in while there. This is the closest thing I have seen or been apart of, that would be classified as the development of a “permanent dependent underclass”. Jane Whaley needs “regular” members to be submissive, “stay in their places”, “tithe and give offerings” and not stray, so others can grow dependent on her “spiritual”, as well as natural provisions.
Steven Hassan in “Releasing the Bonds” (copyright 2000) does not use the exact phrase- “permanent dependent underclass”. However, he does describe in great detail, the dependency on the leader and group, that is developed in members of mind control groups. In his B.I.T.E. model explanation, he mentions several areas of dependency development that I have seen in WOFF life. Behavior Control: 1.( e.) financial dependence (on the group), 6. Individualism discouraged; “group think” prevails. Under Information Control: 7. Need for obedience and dependency. Thought Control: 1.(d.) Us vs Them (inside vs outside). Emotional Control: 4. Excessive use of fear. 6. Ritual and often public confession of “sins” 7. (c.) shunning of leave takers, fear of being rejected by friends, family or peers. (pages 42-45) All of these things and more enhance the “dependent experience” that members of WOFF develop to one degree or another. For many reasons, not all will develop the same level of dependency on the group; but to some degree every member becomes intertwined with WOFF and that makes it much more difficult to consider life outside, worth striving for or seeking.
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. 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 88.
John, I WAS asked to show my paycheck stub at least 2 times that I CAN remember( It was while I worked In Spartanburg, then just after I changed jobs to come work in greenville. I mentioned what a big paycut I had taken and it had to be confirmed. And to think I fell for that!!) I was cautioned to never read a newspaper available at work, other that maybe the obituaries. ( In case someone died that leadership needed to know about. And this did happen, one of the fellows at a nursing home on Pelham Road did die suddenly and I saw it in the newspaper, then I got put on church disipline for “wandering eyes” reading the newspaper. But they thanked me for telling them about the death. GO FIGURE!!! Do not forget to mention that if someone wanted or needed to buy furniture or appliances it had to be “checked out” to see if you could buy them at the time. Only if authority had “a hold” of it was it allowed. Keep up the good work. You have my support. Love, hugs and prayers Vicki
I was only inside WOFF for 2 years but it always seemed strange to me that only the “chosen ones” had any clue at what the financial status of the church was. I can remember services where at the end of service the head secretary would come into the sanctuary and whisper in Jane’s ear. Jane would then announce that the church had a commitment that week and that not enough money had been taken up in the offering, so the baskets would be passed around again. The secretary would leave with the baskets and we would not be dismissed until the money had been counted. After the counting was done the same secretary would come back in and whisper again in Jane’s ear. Either the church had been faithful or we had not obeyed God and given what God was requiring of us. If this was the case the baskets would be passed for a third, fourth or fifth time until the dollar amount was received. The “need” was never disclosed to the congregation nor how much was received. Although you would certainly wonder you knew better than to ask what it was for. That would mean you were being a “busy-body.” It would be almost laughable if it weren’t so true of how much people feared the wrath of Jane Whaley. This I believe is the core of how WOFF operated. Fear of the wrath of Jane Whaley disguised as the “wrath of God.”
I remember on Sunday mornings walking into the building that housed Jane’s office and see a line of people in the hallway outside her office waiting to “lock-in” with Jane for one reason or another. The family we lived with (communal) always seemed to have one or two of their children in line and church could not start until Jane had locked-in with everyone of them unless time was running too long then she would tell them to come back after church where the line would form again. People absolutely would not do ANYTHING unless they had “locked-in” with Jane for there was a perception that she is the ONLY one that could clearly hear the voice of God.
I have read many blogs about WOFF and people seem dumbfounded how this place operates. I think it’s very clear when you completely rely on this church for EVERYTHING you need, you have an absolute fear of the leader of this church and you believe with all your heart that this individual is the only person in the world who can clearly hear the will of God for your life it’s very easy to see how people fall into this type of lifestyle.
For me the thing that got me out of WOFF was my family (Dad, brother, sisters). I had reached a crucial point in my tenure at WOFF that I knew that I would have to cast away my family and any association with them and fall 100pct into WOFF for the rest of my life or leave. I chose the latter and now 11 years later I am at peace in my heart and happier than I’ve ever been in my life. God has blessed me. By the grace of God my children left the church, came to live with me and are now leading successful, happy lives. For those that still struggle with the damage that WOFF has caused you just remember there is hope.
Reading the posts on this blog has been very informative, brought back a ton of memories of what it was like to be there and have helped me to see what God has brought me from. Thank you for sharing this John and keep up the good work!
Jon,
Thank you for reading and taking time to comment. I appreciate you sharing your memories..
Best to you and all yours…
John