For those who are new to this blog or have read just a few posts, you may know by now that I am a survivor of 16 years under the influence of the teachings and doings of Jane Whaley. She was/is the leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. Over the years, there developed doctrine, teachings and practices that would extend Jane Whaley’s control into many, if not all areas of her member’s lives. At WOFF, the 1990’s and earlier in this decade were filled with court battles over different issues. Some cases would be child custody suits. One case was brought by an ex-member stating Jane had brought physical harm while praying over them. Inside Edition sent in a young man to film meetings and take notes on the conduct, practices and prayer at WOFF. Life at WOFF never seemed to lack drama. Why was that? How did folks get entangled with such a group and yet stay even in the midst of all the drama and controversy?

    In the previous post, I wrote this statement-  “People already in church and familiar with the concept (“…self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline) and even very religious about their religion seem to flow better at WOFF. That must have been me for many years… Right?”  I suggested that I was this person, familiar with self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline. Membership for the faithful at WOFF certainly did require “self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline”. There was self-sacrifice of time working for the church doing various tasks. A sacrifice of money- as Jane would check the records to see if you were tithing and there was always a fund raising project to support or multiple offerings being taken in a service, especially when there were no visitors. Devotion- faithful WOFF members lived out a devotion to Jane and the group that ran deep and cost them dearly. Discipline—the faithful regular WOFF members denied/deny themselves many activities and pleasures.

     Some of the leadership seemed to enjoy pleasures that regular members were not allowed such as vacations (called “time away”) recreational vehicles such as houseboats and jet-skis, time spent fishing and other activities along the coast. Jane and others in leadership spent much time on shopping trips to “secure God’s blessings”. Yes, those were some pretty rough trips as Jane would come back and talk about haggling with the Indian lady in Atlanta for “God’s price” on the jewelry for the engaged couples. A few times, she would even pick up little treasures for herself. She was trying to be a good witness and share Jesus with the Indian lady as she bargained with her. How many services were full of shopping victories? Jane knew how to get over on those merchants- right? Do you witness to merchants in this manner?   

    This however is not the entire answer to the question of how a person could get entangled with a group such as WOFF. In the “Raven” by Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the author writes, “The exhilaration of having a family and a cause that could save the world kept them going around the clock, giving until they were spent. But, it was Jones’s personal magic– above all the black magic, webs of ideas and disguised threats – that weaned people from their pasts and tied them to the Temple’s future.” (page 148 emphasis added)

  We have discussed the phenomenon at WOFF that included the replacement of a new member’s family of origin with the “family” at WOFF. Many would connect with Jane and/or Sam as spiritual parents and as they followed more of the doctrines and practices, they would disengage from their natural family and take on the WOFF family. This all was done very subtly for the most part. Each step forward in the spirit would distance many from their family while they thought they were drawing closer to God. Were we really? Did I really draw closer to God as I went for months without seeing my family? Does that make sense? Does walking with God require everyone to leave their family and walk in WOFFness? Well, possibly in the WOFF-land that is the result, when the immediate family does not enter the church and support Jane.

   What was the “cause” that “kept them going around the clock”, going day after day, month after month, year after year? Yes, WOFF life was living life to the fullest as one member so insightfully put it. Sleep was not a priority when it came to doing the work of the Lord. And still I have pondered this for days. It is really hard for me to express in words. Jane claimed the goal to be “holy righteous living” or living the sinless life — like she did. For those searching for a sure ticket to heaven, this has/had quite a draw.  Was that really the cause that kept regular members going? But, no one ever seemed to meet Jane’s standard. We were always hearing about more sin and getting prayer for many of the same things OVER and OVER again. Why did no one ever meet Jane’s standard? Was walking with God only something she was able to accomplish? Did it serve her purpose to never allow anyone else to claim her status of “sinlessness”? In my opinion, the “cause” was some distant elusive goal of walking without sin that Jane kept redefining as an unreachable spiritual state that only she was able to enjoy. This unreachable state was applied to the individual and to the group. WOFF members were able to sin individually and as a group which intensified the requirement to watch others for where they might bring reproach on the group with their sin. A major part of WOFF-life was taking the “correction” individually or as a group, the intense rebukes and personal searching of others into your actions and thoughts was a part of the daily life. So, there is no wonder why some could not withstand the rigors and the drama rituals.

   That was your WOFF family in a nutshell. It sounds wonderful doesn’t it? Actually, when I was in the middle of it and knew nothing else, I did not see how ludicrous and insane it all was. Every day could include a new drama scene and a new “don’t” or someone else being put on church discipline or someone or a whole family being put out of the church or some new sin being discovered that would “set us back years in the spirit”. What did that mean? It translated into more years trying to gain Jane’s approval and confidence that at least some one could walk sinless like her. Truly, it never happened. We were always beneath Her Holiness.  

   Did Jane have a “magic” that drew others to her? Well, I could put another word on it, though some would call it a “gift”. She knew how to size people up and see if “God wanted them to be at WOFF”. She could discern the need of a person and know if she could “fill their needs”. No, her threats were not as disguised as Jim Jones, in my opinion. She would tell you straight up what to do, how to do and if you don’t do, you are out of here and on your way to Hell. Before my time was over, she had totally convinced her grandson that if he even looked at the Christmas decorations in the small town of Ruth, NC, that the devil would take him over and he would go to hell. How do we know? She let him tell us from the pulpit. He was totally convinced. They normally drove by the lights to get to the church. No disguised threats there. Does that sound like a safe and normal thing to teach a small child?

   Were WOFF members ever “weaned” from their past? Yes, yes and yes. As previously mentioned, when the family of origin was replaced with Jane and other WOFFers, the family relationship was reset and redefined. WOFF became the family of many thus forgetting the past was easy as in member’s thinking because the natural family tied you to the past. Your past was equal to SIN. (Odd, your present and future life translated to SIN also.) The pre-WOFF identity was one to put behind you. Was this true devotion to God or true devotion to a religious controlling group? Was it emotionally safe or even spiritual to require such intense devotion to Jane that required members to deny time with their parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, grandmothers and grandfathers?? Why did Jane and Sam always go see Sam’s family at the holidays? Because Jane said “knew how to take hold of them.” Did she have her magic going? No, Jane did not believe in “magic”, that was no-no word. She called it “being in the Spirit”.

    What is the difference in walking in WOFFness versus true devotion to God? Some inside WOFF would say they are the same. In my opinion, they are very different. The true test of any religion is how it is incorporated into or affects your everyday life. A person could be religious about their religion and not disregard devotion to God. But, a person could be very religious and in that fervor replace devotion to God with devotion to a person representing God. That happened over time to many at WOFF. I never heard Jane Whaley outright claim to be God. But, I did see and hear her require that members checked with her to get approval before making decision or doing MANY things. But, we have already covered that. It was part of the foundation for WOFF-life. There are so many questions to ponder. We shall keep going.

   Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog.  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.

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      (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. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 219.