The premise of this post is simple. I will review a blog post from a leading Christian magazine website and compare the material to my own experiences from my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).  Some of my readers may disagree with the source of the post, but, please review the material with an open mind and heart. The post is titled, “Would You Recognize a Christian Cult if You Were In One?” The blog is “The Plumbline” by Jennifer LeClaire found on the website for Charisma Magazine- the main site found here- http://www.charismamag.com . Her post is dated November 29, 2012.

My hopes for this post are the same as for the blog overall. I aim to retell my experiences and inform about the present happenings surrounding this group and others. All the while seeking to spark readers to discern their own experiences and make quality decisions for change. I have no formal training to lean on as stated before.  I do not pretend to be a professional anything. My experiences and my desire to tell those experiences in a fitting, truthful and forthright manner are the foundation that allows me the motivation to continue. For those readers that have traveled this path with me, you know that I have had my own personal struggles when processing the decisions I made that led me to join and leave WOFF. And for those that understand the trials of leaving a group such as WOFF, you also know that just the act of leaving does not bring immediate healing. A survivor must learn to process the past and prepare for their future, one day at a time, all of this while discovering who they were before they joined, who they are now and who they want to become. For a second generation survivor who grew up in WOFF or a similar group; it is like starting all over and learning to crawl while the people around you expect you to run. Recovery and/or discovery can be a slow process.

LeClaire begins by going through the headlines for November 2012 and reciting the instances she was aware of where the controversies surrounding a cult were noted. My purpose here is not to rewrite her post, but, I will share some of the links and headlines-

“ABC’s 20/20 just exposed the shocking truth about life inside Warren Jeffs’ Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints Church. The cult leader was convicted and jailed for sexual abuse of young girls, yet his 8,000 followers continue to believe he’s a persecuted prophet. He’s known for ordering married couples to stop having sex and handpicked 15 men to father all of the cult’s children. That’s clearly a cult.

Meanwhile, Fox News reported earlier this month that members of a Bolivian cult that reveres human skulls have held a rite to close out a Roman Catholic religious festival in honor of the dead. The cult’s followers believe the skulls have miraculous powers that help them find a job or even help their favorite soccer team win. That’s clearly a cult.

Also earlier this month, ABC 7 reported on Scientology controversy in Washington, D.C. L. Ron Hubbard’s creation theory highlights a despot named Xenu sending surplus beings to volcanoes on earth. Scientology officials deny cult status, but this is clearly a cult…”

She then poses her question: But the question is, would you recognize a Christian cult if you were in its midst? Would you know you’d entered into a cult before you were effectively brainwashed? How can you discern a Christian cult?

LeClaire offers the reason for the teaching in November of 2012, by the International House of Prayer leader Mike Bickle, was the tragic death of a woman who had been involved with a secret group and subsequently murdered by one of its participants. The accused was also a member of the International House of Prayer University (IHOP). Here is a link to an article explaining more of the background of the tragic series of events. – http://www.charismanews.com/us/34625-ihopu-offers-statement-about-off-campus-student-murder

This series of events prompted its leader to again teach from his notes on cults and how to recognize them. After reading the synopsis provided by the blog writer, I read the notes provided by the speaker and decided this material fit here on this blog. In my opinion, the list is not all inclusive and refers more to Biblical references, while leaving out some other aspects or evidence of control that have been covered in previous posts here. Honestly, I believe not every reader agrees with every post I write. However, I believe this material will hit home with some and is worth your time and mine.

Before presenting the seven characteristics, let me quote the close of the post which will allow you to better understand the perspective of the author. LeClaire writes:

“…I’ve been very close to two cults and escaped both before falling into the deception headlong. It’s not always easy to recognize the fruit of cults at the surface. You have to dig down to the roots. Sometimes the cultish behaviors don’t manifest until you are integrated into the community. At that point, it’s harder to escape—but Jesus can set you free if you set your heart to go through the door into true Christianity…”

From the blog post:

“1. Oppose critical thinking versus demanding that people think for themselves: Cult members must accept what the cult leader believes without ever challenging their doctrines. They do not want their members to think critically for themselves.”

It is not strange that the speaker would start with this warning. My experience inside WOFF was that opposition to Jane Whaley’s beliefs was an invitation for a public rebuke or a ticket to the discipleship room or worse. For those who lived inside of WOFF- did Jane invite critical or logical thinking from her members? Could you voice an alternate view or conclusion and expect fair treatment?

“2. Dishonoring the family unit versus insisting on the biblical priority of the family unit: Children are taught to be more loyal to the leaders than to their parents. Women are taught to be more loyal to the leaders than to their husbands, and husbands are taught to accept this as normal behavior.”

This attribute of a controlling group is foundational to life inside WOFF. The family unit is NOT priority. Jane is priority. Members are told that “Jesus came with a sword to divide. That means He divides families.” That is what Jane Whaley believes, teaches and practices. The catch- she is the Voice of God that tells who is divided and who can spend time with their family. When family members either inside or outside express doubt as to the supremacy of Jane’s authority or the rules of WOFF– then comes the division.

“3. Isolating members and penalizing them for leaving versus helping them to do God’s will: Cults isolate their people from their families, the church and society. They reject any who leave and warn them, saying that they will be judged by God or will lose God’s best if they leave. People are taught to make lifelong commitments to the group. Some groups teach that their members must get permission before joining another ministry.”

There is no good reason to leave WOFF once you are considered a member. After all, “God called you here.” says Jane. Jane is more direct- she prophecies misery, sickness, drug addiction, murder, prison or early death on those that leave. If you leave WOFF and tell others your experiences, you are a “Judas.” Does this sound like a safe place to live?

“4. Seeking inappropriate loyalty to their leaders versus loyalty and connecting people to Jesus: Cults seek to connect their members to the cult leader and require loyalty to him instead of to Jesus. Loyalty is defined as not questioning the leader. It is very dangerous, when the leader cannot be questioned.

This is similar to number one. Add this from Mike Bickle’s notes– “Cult leaders warn their members to not touch “God’s anointed.” Do any other survivors remember that one? Where does this come from? When David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he refused by saying he would not “touch one of God’s anointed.” With this reference, is Jane referring herself to be a “King?”

5. Crossing biblical boundaries of behavior versus walking in purity and financial integrity: Cults cross biblical boundaries of behavior especially in immorality and finances. False teachers can be detected by their covetousness and immorality (2 Peter 2:3-18).

Here, we again say to our readers that Jane Whaley did not nor does she now, as far as I know, disclose her finances to her faithful members. In my years of giving into the coffers of WOFF, I never saw a written disclosure or budget or even a written summary of totals for how much was given or how it was spent. Jane said she received a check for $600 a month. She gave Sam $200 and he admitted to squirreling it away. See the post here: Jane Whaley makes $600 a month (sorta).

From Bickle’s notes: “They usually insist on owning or controlling the money and property of members who “join the community.” …(emphasis added)

As Sam would say when taking up the offerings, “Let’s give it all the first time so we don’t have to pass the plates again.” The “offerings” or extractions would be counted and if “the budget was not met”, then the plates would come around again. Members would be “encouraged” to hear God again, “Someone is not hearing God because we have not met the budget.” Who knew what the budget consisted of? I have been in services where the plates were passed at least four times. Does this happen in your church? Why or why not?

As far as immorality, I can’t say I have info about Jane’s personal practices. In years past, immorality has been within the walls of WOFF and I am not certain it has been eradicated. Many indicators point to it as alive and well.

“6. Separation from the church versus a culture of honor towards the church: Cults separate from the wider church and operate with an elite spirit, believing that they alone have a special status with God. They have a polarized mentality of “us versus them.” They criticize the larger body of Christ and often claim to be the only ones truly saved. They view all other ministry and denominations as being in error.”

Jane Whaley speaks as if no one on earth hears God at the level she does. She does not affiliate or submit to other outside ministers or ministry groups. She is accountable to no one. This one characteristic has been and will continue to be an invitation for disaster. There is definitely an “Us vs. Them” mentality at WOFF- do you agree? I saw it, felt it, and lived it while inside WOFF.

The participation with CUFI is on her terms and in my opinion, still seeks to edify her and her work as supreme and special. If the planned WOFF “Holocaust Museum” becomes a reality in Rutherford County, I see it as a tribute to Jane and Sam Whaley and an attempt at a legacy. What is the “legacy” so far?

7. Emphasizing special revelations that contradict Scripture versus loyalty to Scripture: Cults emphasize the special revelations of their leader that contradict the Scripture.

Let us take a moment to recognize the ton of Scripture that are quoted on the WOFF website. However, quoting Scripture does not in itself validate the socially obtuse, abusive and controlling practices that have been, and continue to be alive and well inside of WOFF. Quoting Scripture was a plus inside of WOFF, but, more importantly was being able to present a Scripture to back-up or “justify” a certain practice. Many times it was a long elusive stretch to see a connection. But, if Jane blessed the connection of a particular Scripture and a WOFF practice, then dare you not question it. Refer back to number one on the list.

What Scriptures are being used to justify the slapping and hitting inside of WOFF? What Scriptures are used to defend practices which are considered at odds with the laws of our land? Does this sound like a safe place to live? Remember, “It is never too late to wake-up and leave…” Steve Hassan.

Link to video with Mike Bickle teaching these characteristics – here . Use the “back” button to return to this blog.

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. Jane told me. 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 433.