We have posted several times on blog about the rules or “don’ts” put upon members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). It is understood that in a group like WOFF, the rule count may ebb and flow, but the general direction of the number is up. Until I was out of that group, I did not stop to count or consider the effects of the large number of behaviors regulated from the pulpit in spoken rules on among the members in unspoken rules. Many rules were so ingrained, that you don’t know of them until you leave and see others who do not follow the rules or adhere to the “don’ts”. Then you begin to examine your reason for doing or not doing something. It is then you begin to see the massive number of detailed regulations that were imposed on you as a member of WOFF. The details of the rules can be debated or argued as to when and why and who made the rule. Today, we will look at the effects of the rules other than the obvious behavior modification. What mindset evolves after being under so many rules? Here is the list I posted earlier. No, the rules were not written at WOFF, therefore it was easier to manipulate and deny the existence of so many restraints that were issued. (WOFF Don’t List WOFF Don’t list from 03 10 ) This list spans the 16 years of my involvement in that group. I feel VERY sure some have changed and new ones have been added.

    These next quotes are from the documentary- “Join Us”. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007). Here is the link to the second post for that film…http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3464   Kristy Sullivan is describing her time and her thinking while in the cult called Mountain Rock Church in Anderson, SC. She and her husband have since left the group and received counseling at Wellspring Retreat. I use this quote as it typifies the result of living under the control of a cult leader. From what I can see and determine, Mountain Rock Church has LESS number of rules than WOFF. Their dress was less monitored and they were able to celebrate some holidays. So, the comparison would not be absolute, but it does give a great indication of the emotional state of being in such a controlling environment.

       Kristy: “We were taught that if the parent is in any kind of sin the devil has the right to destroy the children.” Joaquin Sullivan, her husband, “Raimond (the cult leader) tells Kristy she has these demons of laziness in her.” Kristy: “My kid is going to die because I don’t overcome laziness. And so, then I am working really hard cleaning Raimond’s cars… I couldn’t stop you had to get it done in a certain amount of time and do it just right… (crying) I just hate all that crap.. I always felt like I couldn’t do anything right. I couldn’t be good enough in the church and I couldn’t be a wife and I couldn’t be a mother. And that Raimond tells me that this six month old is full of demons and unlovable. The one thing I needed was to know that he would love Josiah (the son). Because he represents God in my life, acceptance from him is (the) total goal…” (this is just after the nine minute mark in the film)

    For some, this explanation from Kristy may seem surreal. How could one person have that much influence and control over another? What did the rules accomplish? What were the end results of the leader’s insistence that this member work out her demons of laziness? Did keeping the rules give Kristy the sense of worth or acceptance she craved and needed? Does anyone else see the brokenness of this type of religious legalism? Does the term Pharisee have any relevance here?

    In religious cults, this is common. In my opinion, the rules, warnings and intense emotional/behavior modification are most times a gradually growing thing that reaches a crescendo in an individual’s life to cause total submission or a total implode and/or withdrawal from the group. The time frame for a withdrawal can vary and take months or years. The submission can last for months or years and then an event or series of events can cause a withdrawal from the group. Each member of a group is affected in different ways and to different degrees. Not everyone will react to the rules in the same manner. What one person will submit to is not necessarily what another one will tolerate.

   This next example is from a book written by a cult survivor. The author, Shari Howerton, was born into a church that was in the William Sowders movement. “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0) is a very honest account of her walk through and out of the church she grew up in. She spent about 43 years in that group. The first post about the book is found here …http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3629 . Earlier in the book, she recounts the emotional turmoil over the length of women’s hair in the church and the pastor’s control over that aspect of the women’s lives. There were many other rules, however, from what I can determine; there were not as many rules as in WOFF.

   As she considered her departure from the church, she wrote a lengthy letter to the pastor and his wife explaining her reasoning and feelings about leaving. This quote from her letter speaks to the rules she was required to live under during her membership in the church. “I sincerely don’t understand making rules, which cannot be backed up by Scriptures, for the purpose of our being more accepted by Bro. Jolly’s followers. That just seems inherently wrong to me and not at all about God. I don’t believe people should be required to conform to a rule that is not only unscriptural, but is done to obtain acceptance from other people, in order to qualify for participation in our services. (i.e., having to wear a white shirt to play in the band). That is making a rule more important than the person. Isn’t that the sin of the Pharisees? … I have done things all my life that I did not believe God required of me because I had such a need to be accepted and approved of by other people in our church. But that isn’t serving God. It’s serving my own need to be loved!” (page 139)

    The letter is a detailed explanation of her feelings, doubts and emotions about her stay in the church and her reasoning for her exit. It is very revealing and sincere. She does not admit to having all the answers or doing everything right, but she is excited about finding her way free from many of the nagging questions from her stay in that church. For me, the insight was so plain and easy to follow. If the rule is not backed by Scripture then how can it be an absolute? The shirt example is relevant as in WOFF services; the men can only wear white or blue shirts. Yes, only a certain shade of blue, not too dark… per Jane. I have witnessed men being required to leave the service and change shirts, even if that meant going all the way back home to have the “right shirt”.

   Later on in the same letter, “Because when you stop conforming, people view you differently – as though you’re lost or disobedient to God (because you aren’t convinced every rule came directly from God.)” (page 139) This is true in WOFF. Jane is the voice of God and represents God at WOFF. So, when you do not conform, you are bucking Jane! That is the same as coming against God. People that did not follow the rules were at risk of losing jobs, housing, relationships and membership in the group. Admittedly, I was guilty of thinking that members who did not follow the rules at WOFF were lost or backslidden. I thought that way to justify my following of the rules. If they were lost by not following, then I must be saved by following them. Right? – No, very wrong. Where were grace, truth, faith and Love? … And most of all, where was the relationship with Jesus?

   A major difference from this group and WOFF, Jane Whaley does not fellowship with other churches that are not under her control. She does not allow others to speak in her pulpit that are not totally in-line with her doctrine, beliefs and accept her authority. So, following Jane’s rules are to gain HER acceptance and not another church’s or even God’s approval. How many folks inside WOFF are merely existing in an emotionally wrecked state as they try to shoulder the weight of the burden of all the rules? Who really knows? Can they come out and find freedom? Some have, others will.

   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 245.