Today, in a conversation I had with someone who had never been a member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), I tried to explain to them how a member of WOFF could be accused and found guilty of a sin, while never committing the act. Jane Whaley uses the Scripture in Matthew 5:27-29- (Amplified Version)

 ²⁷You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. ²⁸But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  ²⁹If your right eye serves as a trap to ensnare you or is an occasion for you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be cast into hell (Gehenna).

   I was not trying to explain the correct way to incorporate this in one’s life, I was trying to explain how Jane uses this passage to control members- often members who are younger and may not have any idea what the term describing the sin act – actually meant. If Jane perceived that a member had a thought or evil desire, then she often would press for a confession to confirm her “word from God”. The pressure could be light at first, and then increase intensity as she would be convinced she had heard God and that member was in sin. This tactic was not limited to Jane, as many in leadership would have the same “skill” to root out sin in WOFF members. Remember, the environment we are talking about- a pyramidal control structure. Regular members toward the bottom of the pyramid had more “leadership” above them looking at them and pressing them to open their heart and expose their sin. A few young boys (men, now) have confided in me that they would confess to sin when they did not actually know what the sin act consisted of. Many times, this was sexual in nature. After leaving, one man told me he found out what he confessed to and was mad since he had never done that act. Other told of being required to write their confessions. After they left WOFF, they would be reminded of their written confessions and that they could/would be used against them, if they attacked! Can you say black-mail or at the least- WOFF-mail?

    Jane’s perception became a WOFF member’s reality– since Jane was/is never wrong. If a member is accused – it was a foregone conclusion they were guilty. Some would try to deny whatever they were accused of- but, after being badgered with intense pressure, many would say – yes, I had the thought. Alas- they had succumbed and once again another layer of adulation was laid on Jane’s queenly robe of authority. The grace God is very scarce in WOFF-land. It should not surprise anyone that in a place where legalism abounds and is the life-blood of the group – you need not commit a sin, just admit to thinking a thought.

   In addition, the punishment handed out would be fitting AS IF you had committed the sin. It would vary, but, at a minimum there would be loud prayer and deliverance. There may be a required confession in front of the whole congregation or a certain class or group. Ask KK. He will tell you about that. Many times public rebuke was included as part of the remedy. This served a dual purpose. First, the one who committed the infraction would be motivated to not do it again or at least to not admitting to it again. Next, others would be forewarned and purpose to stay away from that sin or at least from confessing that sinful thought. It was a power play for sure.

   As I remember and others have confirmed, in years past, certain members  frequently admitted to having lots of thoughts, but, how much sin they actually committed – was never clear. It did not matter in WOFF. They were guilty. As with others, I am not sure these members knew exactly what the sin act was that they had confessed to having a thought about.  Don’t misunderstand, I am not dismissing the words of Jesus, I am just trying to explain how this was misused to Jane’s advantage and to the hurt of many WOFF members. WOFF members have their share of sin. No one is perfect at WOFF- except Jane.

  Jane’s perception became a WOFF member’s reality– since Jane was/is never wrong. This applied to other activities or areas of a WOFF member’s life. If Jane perceived or “heard God” you were to live in a particular house, work at a certain job, have or NOT have a relationship with a certain person,  use a certain brick on your new house, decorate your house in a color or design, drive a certain car or not drive a certain car, study or NOT study a certain subject in college, attend or not attend a family function with relatives not in the church, sing a certain song, run and dance in a certain fashion, play a particular instrument or NOT play an instrument, speak in tongues, wear or NOT wear a certain dress or suit, buy a certain ring or piece of jewelry, remove any facial hair, speak or sing in front of the whole congregation, approach a certain pastor in the community and give them truth, be a part of a ministry team or NOT be a part of a ministry team and on and on it went.

    What was the result? Once you had been in that environment for a while, what may have been considered finatical in other circles became perfectly acceptable inside WOFF. Why? Because that was Jane’s reality and now, it was yours. It was accepted as normal and expected that you went to “lock-in with Jane” to receive direction in your life. You began to see those on the outside as unfortunate in that they did not have access to Jane and her “wisdom”. You began to see as extra ordinary and most spiritual Jane’s abilities and admired the level of perfection and holiness that she walked in every day! It could become a goal of yours to be just as holy and walk-in the same place in God as she did. So, what would happen? You would begin to make the same motions, commotions and emotions as you saw in her. You would look for someone to take hold of and help them walk in their place in God! Jane’s reality would then be reflected in you and your reality. You could become a Jane-clone. (In your own skin of course…!)

   Does anyone else remember any aspiring Jane-clones while at WOFF? Some folks may have aspired to copy someone else who was then in turn copying or seeking to walk in the spirit as Jane showed was possible. Is there any doubt why there is a recognized WOFF-look, WOFF-mannerisms and WOFFness that pervades the group? Some of the patterns are known to WOFF members and some are not. Many behaviors and manners you don’t recognize until you leave and begin to incorporate into normal life around you. Then you may see how “WOFF” you had become!   

  In closing; if there is any doubt as to the structure of WOFF as a pyramid or at least a ladder to the “top”- then read this from a former member. This is an answer to my inquiry for them to answer a few questions. Here is the reply:

“Hello John, good to hear from you. I’ll answer any questions you have as long as it doesn’t have to do with the church. I probably know more about how the church works than most people that have left, but I do not view it as my responsibility to share that information. In my opinion if anyone wants to know, they should join the church and work their way up the chain just like I did. The things I know is because I was trusted.” (emphasis added)

   Well, that pretty much sums it up. “…work their way up the chain just like I did.” Yes, it was a chain, ladder, pyramid- all seem to describe WOFF, especially – chain(s). So, join up, work your way up and be “trusted”. Just beware what the trust will cost you and whose reality you will live in during the mean time.

   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, 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 374.