This is the third post in a series which will highlight the insights found in the book by Len Oakes while comparing his observations and conclusions to my personal experience inside Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). This work by Len Oakes titled, “Prophetic Charisma” – The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities (copyright ©1997 by Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY, ISBN 0-8156-2700-9) has captured my attention. We closed the last post in this series promising to review the traits and behaviors learned by Oakes about those who have this “prophetic charisma” and compare them to my understanding, experience and knowledge of Jane Whaley, leader of WOFF.
It is at this point, I will admit several thoughts and concerns. When I first heard of this book and ordered it, my excitement was off the meter. As I began reading this work, my expectations have been realized and more. Yes, I have been awed at the accuracy of this work by a man, who to my knowledge has never met or heard of Jane Whaley. While at the same time I have felt a degree of validation and/or vindication, even though that comes with a certain and definite note of sadness. Oakes gives some direction in the Introduction that has led me to realize that this series will not only be about Jane Whaley and how she compares to the observations of Oakes. Oakes writes, “Because we cannot really understand the prophet without understanding something of the followers and the particular bond they share with their leader, discussions are presented in chapters 7 and 8 of the followers and their quest, and also of charismatic rituals.” (page 22) In order to present a more complete picture of my time at WOFF and what I observed, I will be reviewing the insights of Oakes about followers in later posts and comparing to my thoughts, feeling and resulting experience. The thought of doing this gave me some apprehension at first. But, I will attempt to share all as we go through the highlights of this work by Oakes. This attempt coupled with the quandary that there is so much valuable insight in the book; I am realizing there is no way to share all of it. Let me encourage you to find your own copy and read it at your pace. Amazon.com was my source for the book.
Oakes gives some understanding as to where his observations and analysis led him. The results gave him, “…first, a more finely grained description of the basic behaviors of the leaders—that is, a list of specific traits unlikely o be measured by a standardized psychological test –and , second a developmental sequence of life stages—a kind of “natural history of prophetic development”—that accounts for development of these traits and behaviors.” (page 12) In truth, I am not sure how many posts it will take to cover these traits. But, we will list them and give my experiences within WOFF and see if Jane displayed these traits. Next, we will share about the “life stages” and compare them to what Jane has revealed about herself as she loved/loves to tell her story to her faithful WOFF members. I should be able to recall most of it as I heard it many times.
“Without appearing frenetic, prophets show enormous energy for life and the goals they set. Most need only a few hours of sleep a night.” (page 12) When I first was a part of WOFF in the early 90’s, there was much said about Jane not needing much sleep. It became almost a badge of honor to some members to tell or let it be known how little sleep they needed or received. This trait or quality has been intense at times and less intense at others. Years ago, I remember Jane admitting that a doctor told her to get more sleep or her health problems would increase. So, there was a swing in another direction to “get home, read your Bible and get in bed…” Well, that would last for a while and then back to the long hours to “do the will of God, help others who have helped you and work on night projects…” Many a man would fight the sleep devil during the church services after not getting enough sleep during the week. Woe be to the one who would wake Jane by calling here too early on Saturday morning. In fact, I helped with the crew of young boys who regularly do the weed-eating at the Whaley estate on Saturday mornings in the spring and summer of 2008. We were told which window was Jane’s and to not go too close in the morning, at least not until the window shades were up. That was the sign Jane was awake. Things may have changed since my exit, but Jane Whaley scores on this trait.
“Their energy flows freely and feeds their enormous self-confidence… The grandiose self-confidence of charismatic leaders is legendary. It shows in their claims to special powers as God’s Son or His chosen messenger, or whatever… A fearlessness goes along with this confidence that makes everything they say seem authoritative… Delusions of omnipotence and refusal to compromise or hear criticisms may appear as a dogmatic need always to be right and an inability to admit error, to apologize, or to recognize the hurtful effects their behaviors have on others. Such leaders are difficult to work with because they must always get their own way.” (page 12-13) Wow, what can a former or even present member of WOFF say to that? Let me just say it, Jane’s behaviors, as I remember them, are described perfectly in the above sentences. Do any other readers agree? Remember, as far as I know, Oakes has never met Jane Whaley. His work started BEFORE Jane and Sam started WOFF.
What do these observations prove? For sure, that many other leaders are like Jane and that Jane, in turn, is not unique in her behaviors; she is like MANY other religious cult leaders. In reality, Oakes studied many other non-biblically based groups. So, the behavior patterns do not stop at the boundaries of bible-based groups. Jane’s “dogmatic need always to be right and an inability to admit error, to apologize…” is undeniable! If you think differently, then you have never have been a member or you are attempting to deceive yourself. Also, Jane’s inability “to recognize the hurtful effects their behaviors have on others.” is in my opinion, one of the most grotesque and blatantly obvious traits of her life. It is the most telling sign of her mental state. I agree with others who have told me that Jane’s use of Scriptures to validate her “work” and methods for handling members has been the most egregious aspect of WOFF. Oakes describes the patterns of behavior more fully in his work; I have been floored and saddened by his accuracy to this point.
“For the grandiosity of the prophet is in part a blindness to others, and a fixation on a revolutionary vision… as one of the leaders of the study said, “I’ve become the message now”. (page 13) What is the “vision” of Jane Whaley? In her testimony on the WOFF website, she writes a lot about “the Battles” and the persecution. She writes about being ill-treated and spoken evil of. But, what is the “vision”? After so many years of being under her teachings and living at WOFF, I have a hard time answering that one. There used to be a Bible School for training preachers to go “To The Nations”! Well, that died away. There used to be several songs regularly sung about going out to teach and preach… “to the islands of the see… we will preach them liberty…” (Odd, preach “liberty”? how can that happen?) But, that seems to have been replaced with whatever Jane wants to do. In essence, Jane has become the message. There may have been great hopes to spread the WOFF gospel in years past and some reports have Jane predicting a local membership in Spindale of over a thousand and the excited reporting of the constant need to build a new building is a central theme… But, really, what is the vision? Can others help me with that? Has Jane evolved and/or been so concerned with her grandson that she has lost whatever “vision” she may have had? Has her vision turned inward in order to make her comfortable and let her have the good life? Is this a predictable course when “prophets” age and come to the fall or winter of their ministry? When considering all that is WOFF- could there any other strong or noticeable message besides –Jane? Will WOFF continue when Jane is no longer around? I get that question a lot.
We will close for now and continue in another post. As was said many times by Jane and her other favorite WOFF preacher, “We have yet begun to scratch the surface on this, there is so much more to cover…”
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 280.