In the previous post, we were quoting from the book, “Why is it Always About You? The Seven Deadly Sins of Narcissism” (Copyright©2002, 2003 by Sandy Hotchkiss, LCSW, published by FREE PRESS, ISBN-13:978-0-7432-1428-5). In Chapter 5, the author was describing a narcissist and wrote this, ““Individuals who feel entitled to respect without giving it in return, or who expect rewards without effort, or a life free of discomfort, are forfeiting any power they might have to shape their own destiny.” (page 22) We mentioned expounding on the phrase – “a life free from discomfort” in a future post. I delayed writing about this phrase because it fit well with another book I have been reading.
The book is titled, “Radical” by David Platt. (Copyright©2010 by David Platt, published by Multnomah Books –Colorado Springs, CO, ISBN-978-1-60142-221-7) The subtitle is “Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream”. This is not a book on cults. The author does not name cults or pretend his message is directed toward or meant for cults or those studying them. However, I believe his message does apply to those getting free from a captivating message that has stifled and muffled many a desire to serve God. My perspective has been shaped by the many years I spent at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). What former member can deny that Jane Whaley and Sam Whaley preach a gospel laden with the prosperity message? I heard Sam say more than once, “If God is not blessing you- then something is wrong with you.” He then would go on about the nice clothes, fine cars and house that many WOFF members had and how that was evidence to him that God was “blessing them”. He also would spend time telling how proud he was when his car buddies would go through the church parking lot when it was full and tell Sam, “You all must be doing something right, there are some nice cars in that lot!” Even though Jane goes through periods where she will regress and not emphasize the “prosperity message”, who can deny she lives it, loves it and benefits from it?
Frankly, I must admit that during the 80’s when I first became aware of certain preachers and the faith/prosperity message, I was attracted to it. At that time, I was young in “the faith” and could not see the traps that this type of message holds. I endeavored to learn it, live it and preach it. So, what I am about to share is not from a standpoint of never having been a part of the problem. In years past, I have attended other churches besides WOFF that preached the faith/prosperity message to one degree or another. All that being said; I did spend the years from 1992 until 2008 listening to Jane and others inside of WOFF and believe I have some ability to assess the gospel Jane preaches. More than what Jane says, we must take a gander at how Jane’s gospel is practiced at WOFF. I will compare the massage of “Radical” with the WOFF message that many of us have endured during our years in WOFF.
David Platt begins in Chapter One by giving some background as to why he went through the changes that make up the theme of his book. He had been labeled “The youngest megachurch pastor in history.” As he moved into this role and led a “large thriving church in the Deep South—the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL.” He admits being caught up in the “strategies for making the church bigger and better.”(page 1) Platt goes on to explain the contrasts he saw between the life in a megachurch and the life and teachings of Jesus. He was confronted with two questions, “Was I going to believe?” and “Was I going to obey?” (page 3) Before he took the job as pastor of the church in Birmingham, he had spent time visiting the underground house churches in Asia. This experience moved him as he came face to face, and joined in prayers, for men and women who daily faced hardships, persecutions and even death- for the privilege of sharing the Gospel of Christ.
One of the leaders in the underground church said “Some of the people in my church have been pulled away by a cult,” he said. This particular cult is known for kidnapping believers, taking them to isolated locations, and torturing them. Brothers and Sisters having their tongues cut out of their mouths is not uncommon.” (page 4) This passage got my attention.
The author contrasts the scenes from Asia to the scenes in America. “The scene was much different. Dimly lit rooms were now replaced by an auditorium with theater-style lights. Instead of traveling for miles by foot or bike to gather for worship, we arrived in millions of dollars’ worth of vehicles. Dressed in our fine clothes, we sat down in our cushioned chairs… To be honest, there was not much at stake. Many had come because it was their normal routine. Some had come simply to check out the new pastor. But none had come at the risk of their lives.”(page 7) He went on to explain that the place was filled with “wonderful, well-meaning, Bible-believing Christians… who simply desire community, who wanted to be involved in church, and who believed God was important in their lives… I could not help but think that somewhere along the way we had missed what was radical about our faith and replaced it with what was comfortable. We were settling for Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.” (page 7)
At this point, I was hooked on the message being presented. For years, I have watched as WOFF changed from having a Bible School meant to “send preachers to the nations”; as we sang songs about being called “to every tribe and nation, to the islands of the sea, we have been called to preach them liberty”… What happened? What changed the vision and direction of WOFF? What happened to Jane to close down the Bible school? I heard her say one time that it closed so people could “go to work”. We were to take what we had learned into the workplace. Now, I never was a part of the first Bible school. I heard about it and attended the Greenville church’s reflection of it called “training center”. We sang the same songs, we had a similar format, but, we did not have the same teachers.
Honestly, I believe Jane and Sam had a heart to take their “gospel” to the nations. In reality, they have outreaches to Brazil and Africa. But, frankly, they have the same problems in those countries as they do here. Why? Because the WOFF religion that Jane has constructed is preached in those nations. Therefore, those churches are as equally dependent on Jane as WOFF members are in America. She wants it to be so. Her model for her churches still revolves around her, whether in NC or Brazil or Africa. How do we know? I understand she broadcasts her services from NC to the other countries every week over the Internet. She does not want “another gospel” being preached, her gospel of control and legalism is the benchmark for her churches.
This is not to say Jane and Sam don’t travel to these other nations. They do, well; she does mostly from what I understand. I have not been able to confirm it, but, have heard from several folks that RF and JF have jets they lease and those jets are in turn at Jane’s disposal for her travel needs. Though I have never been to the church/school in Africa, I have been to Brazil. What happened on that trip? We had meetings that reflected the ones in NC; same messages, same loud prayer and deliverance. There was just not the air conditioning. Don’t get me wrong, the people were sincere and helpful. It is just what Jane exports to Brazil are no different from she gives out in America- her gospel of control and legalism.
Besides the new outreach with the Holocaust Museum, (I gave my ideas on the reason for that “ministry”.) what does Jane risk and where is the outreach to the nations? Should we be grateful that she has, in my opinion, transitioned into “a life free of discomfort”? Yes, I know there is the ongoing local prison ministry and nursing home emphasis. But, Jane does not get involved with teaching in those ministries – directly every month. From all appearances, Jane is happy taking her shopping trips to Atlanta and talking to the Hindus who sell jewelry. (She is getting “God’s prices” – don’t you know?) She seems content buying her clothes by the car load. From what I hear, she still teaches or oversees her grandson’s class. Again, I ask, should we in the community and those on other places be glad Jane is not blasting her control and legalism gospel over the television and radio? Yes, this is one part of her narcissism that has benefits for those not caught up in her web of religious mind control. But, for those inside WOFF, there are the constant fund-raising and pleas for money to keep Jane’s life “a life free from discomfort”.
Platt goes on to say that many Christians have settled for “A nice middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn’t mind materialism and who would never call us to give up everything we have…” (page 13) Well, I am not saying that all of Platt’s observations fit with WOFF. Certainly, Jane and others at WOFF appear to be believing for more than middle-class! His account of preaching in a house church with, “No sound system. No band. No guitar. No entertainment. No cushioned chairs. No heat or air-conditioned building…” does not sound like the direction Jane is headed with her constant proclamations of needing a bigger sanctuary…
In his book, David Platt admits his notions are idealistic and to some may appear impractical. He does outline the efforts his church is making to live out the challenge of taking the gospel to every nation. I have read this book with great interest and hope to take away from it a cure for what I have been a part of for years at WOFF. Possibly, I will be able to gain a better understanding, which will help me live the true purpose of the Christian life.
Also, as I reflect on the years at WOFF and being under Jane’s teachings, my opinion is that as Jane’s narcissistic needs have grown, her need for comfort and the “finer things in life” has grown as well. After all, as God’s minister, she is ENTITLED to the best! Additionally, since she is the designer of her own WOFF-religion, there have been no hindrances to the redirection from her earlier stated purpose of going to nations, into building a pyramidal structure meant to feed her needs for adulation, control and power. In her mind, it all makes sense and coincides with her gift and ministry. That is the scary part.
We will continue in a future post with more on narcissism from our resource book. The exploitation that a narcissist uses on those around them is our next topic in the series.
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Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 337.