As I read different books by different cult survivors and cult experts and learn that the phrases and actions that I experienced at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) were NOT unique in many regards; it still continues to shock me. Before leaving WOFF, I would have NEVER conceded that there was any other group in America, much less several other groups, that acted and behaved as we did at WOFF. Call it ignorance, call it naïveté. Call it a willful blindness to the very few warnings were allowed to slip past the guard of Jane Whaley and those in leadership. Whatever you call it, I suspect I am not the only one. For those other survivors who have left WOFF, I hope you are learning along with me. For those outside of WOFF, who have never been in a controlling group, my shock is probably hard to comprehend. Nonetheless, we move on with our review of a book written by a survivor of another group with many similarities to WOFF.

       We have posted from this source before. “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). This book has been an emotional read for me. The feelings and emotions of the author come through clearly in many places and I can readily identify with her. It has been hard to read more than a few chapters at one time because of my own memories that so mirror many reflections of the author. In the chapter titled, “Using Wisdom”, I found material that I was very familiar with. The author writes, “Growing up in such a tight-knit community leads to lives becoming deeply intertwined. Most marry within the group.” (page 160) Let me stop here and mention that though I did not grow-up within WOFF, I spent many years there and became very intertwined in several lives. At WOFF, NO ONE marries outside the group. NO ONE even has a friendship/dating relationship with the opposite sex, outside of WOFF. If you want a relationship of that nature outside of WOFF, you leave the group to pursue it. Do I need to mention names, here? So, WOFF is MORE controlling than the author’s group.

   “There are endless family connections, which is another reason why it is so hard to leave.” (page 160) Well, why would it be any different at WOFF? Many folks are related and have known each other for many years inside of WOFF. Many came to WOFF from other churches and have been with each other for years and years. Remember, Jane Whaley attempts to lead whole churches into her control. It has worked for some and not worked for others. Sometimes, she only gets a few “sheep” to cross the line and join her group. But, regardless, as soon as new ones come in, there is an attempt to connect them as soon as possible with more stable long term members and cement the connection into the group.

    The author writes, “In all my years I attended CGT, we did not openly share our distinctive doctrinal beliefs with other Christians right off the bat, especially anyone we were hoping to win to our fellowship. We were taught that this was “using wisdom”, God would reveal these deeper “truths” when hearts were ready to receive them.” (page 160) It was here, I had a stop and search moment. Had I not done the EXACT SAME THING for years while at WOFF? Was I not guilty of practicing this “using wisdom” when approaching others or explaining to others where I went to church and what we believed? Did I not cringe when I brought Jonathan Guy to the church and knew he would/could be subject to loud prayer, the very first night? Is that not why WOFF members are REQUIRED to tell someone in the office that a visitor may be coming so Jane Whaley will know and NOT to do certain things or carry on “family business” that may seem strange in front of visitors? Didn’t we do this and allow Jane to put on a show that may help someone decide that WOFF was for them and the only place God would want them to attend? Were any other WOFF members anxious when they were allowed to bring visitors, including family to the services, as to what may happen and how much of the skirt of WOFF would be lifted on the first few visits? How had I allowed myself to be a part of a group for so many years that was not honest and forthright with visitors from the very start? How had I reconciled this in my thinking? How many lies had I told myself to say this was okay and “God’s way” of carrying on His work? What a fool I was! Looking back, it was all part of the WOFF package. You didn’t express how much angst you had when recruiting new members or it would be said you were full of devils yourself and not a true believer. You stuffed any doubt in order to not be put out.

    Howerton continues, “We tried not to scare anyone away by introducing one of our “truths” prematurely, before God has prepared their heart to receive it.” (page 160-161) What were the unique “truths” that may scare away a prospective new member to WOFF? Here is a short list: LOUD “deliverance” prayer which looked like screaming to the “uninitiated”. Another “truth” was Jane’s sovereign rule. Need I expound on that one? Another “truth”, everything you did and said would be subject to review of everyone around you and eventually Jane. Yet another “truth”, couples were told how and when to have relations. (It was actually was more detailed than that…)  Need I expound? Okay, one more, the longer you are in WOFF, the fewer relationships outside of WOFF you will be allowed to have unless Jane sees a higher purpose in that relationship, i.e. power, and influence or money for her. To reflect on other “truths” read the WOFF don’t list which is here…WOFF Don’t list from 03 10 You can get an idea of what is important in WOFF life, things like appearance and obedience – to Jane. Yes, you will be told how to dress in order to “reflect the gift of God in you” and not “bring a reproach to Jane in the county”.  If I have missed a glaring Truth, please, remind me in the comment section.

****** Added 12 hours after initial posting: How could I forget? One of THE signature practices of WOFF! (or non-practice) NO HOLIDAYS! A WOFF member certainly did/does not open with that one when seeking to recruit a new member. Was anyone else roasted over that one when WOFF members were required to stop visiting relatives during the holiday season? ******

    So, if you were a part of WOFF would you be able to hold back and not tell someone you had invited to church about these “truths”? You followed these “Truths”– and knew that if believed and followed these “truths” would/could enhance their life, if they would only submit to God (Jane) and join WOFF. Yes, it sounds like a stretch, but when you were a member of WOFF, this was all part of the experience.

       Let me share one more insight from this chapter by Howerton. “It is my belief that CGT members weren’t hiding these “truths” out of malice. I’m convinced that they were hiding these truths with good intentions, probably because I always thought I had good intentions when I deceived others.” (page 161 emphasis added) I must agree with this statement. While as a member of WOFF, one is not fully aware or allowed to express that this practice is deception and hence evil. WOFF members are so convinced that their way of life is THE WAY, that whatever it takes to woo and convince others to join them is totally justified. But, it is DECEPTION.

   What Scriptures are used to justify this deception? This is one:

    ⁵So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.  6Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away. ⁷But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God–[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. 1 Corinthians 2:5-7 (Amplified Version)

   So, is it acceptable to use any Scripture to validate the use of deception? What does this say about Jane Whaley and her group?

    Here is an expert, Steven Hassan, writing in “Releasing the Bonds” (copyright ©2000 by Steven Hassan, ISBN: 0-9670688-0-0) about this practice: “Information control begins during recruitment, when cults withhold or distort information to draw people in. People don’t join cults—cults recruit people.” (page 48) Hassan is explaining his B.I.T.E. model which identifies controlling groups and their behaviors. This part is included in the explanation about “Information Control”. He goes on, “Cult recruiters are skilled at drawing information from people without revealing much about themselves or the group. They don’t tell people up front who they are, what they believe, and what they want from them…. People are given only the information they are deemed “ready for,” or as much as they “need to know” to perform their jobs. Cult ideologies allow for many levels of “truth,” including “outsider” and “insider” doctrines.” (page 48-49 emphasis added)

   It is hard to describe the thoughts, emotions and feelings I experience when I read quotes like ones included in this post. The regrets run deep and the feelings of helplessness are intense as I realize that these practices have not stopped at WOFF. I hear reports of how potential new members are being contacted and recruited. It grieves me to realize I did this for years. Others, who I love, are continuing to practice these deceptions and are more than likely not fully aware that “using wisdom”, when talking to outsiders is in reality USING DEPCEPTION. It is not justifiable or excusable in any regards. No, just putting up a website and listing a few pounds of Scripture references does not meet the requirement to be fully open and honest when talking to outsiders about your group and its practices. Face it, for Jane Whaley to honestly tell potential new members what really goes on in WOFF, including how she would run their life in absolute terms, would/should scare away everyone. She just can’t afford to be honest. Her kingdom would crumble. So?

 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 252.