Recently, one lady attending a book signing for “Locked in” let me know it was not necessary to quote exact dates when relaying events in the retelling of my time at Word of Faith of Fellowship (WOFF). After I gave her encouragement some thought, I decided that for some events it was very necessary and maybe not for others. The process of retelling my WOFF story with certain dates has definitely helped reassemble in some organized fashion those lost years. For other survivors, I believe it has the same effect.

One particular date has eluded me. For the last few years, I have struggled to determine at what point did the lives of the members of WOFF become possessions to the leader, Jane Whaley? On what day did this happen? Some may argue that this day has never come. I beg to differ. How else would you describe the consistent power Jane exercises in her kingdom? Daily, her decisions affect the nature and essence of very minute details of her member’s lives. The manner she molds and fashions the intricate dynamics of her subculture lead me to one definitive conclusion- at least on some level, she views members as possessions.

If the outcome of her decisions were always shown to be loving, caring and beneficial to the members, we would not have a reason to care. Alas, this is not so. Survivors consistently tell of horrific events inside of this “church.” Not every survivor leaves with the same level of trauma, but there are enough stories just here on this blog to convince one of my theory.

However, looking for a sentinel event which triggered to notion of possessing the lives of members may not be easy. First, I believe Jane would deny the accusation that she possesses her members. She may answer by saying because of their “sin”, she feels they possess her. She has lamented for years of lost sleep as she deals with transgressions late into the night fielding many texts and phone calls. Why does this occur? Because of the layers and layers of rules Jane enforces, the sum of which no one can successfully keep. This excuse of hers holds no water, as the genesis of the activity is her creation.

If we trace the steps backwards, at what point did the pendulum swing from a beneficial relationship to a possessive one? This assumes that at some point long ago, Jane truly wanted to help her followers. I was not present in the very early days, so, I am comfortable starting with this assumption.

The easier question to answer may not be when, but how? Answering how may help us determine when and the other elusive question- why?

In order to answer how Jane took possession of her members, we start with simple observations. What characteristics are obvious when looking at WOFF members? The first thing one will notice is the manner of dress. Members dress in the same style of clothes as dictated by the unwritten rules and guidelines initiated by Jane. WOFF members are required to dress as “ministers.” This true whether is it at a funeral or jumping into a creek. No shorts for adults, no sleeveless anything, nothing above the knee.

When did someone else make decisions for you on how to dress? My parents told me what to wear until about middle school. Why? That was their job. Why does Jane tell her members how to dress? She feels she has the right. Why? At a minimum, every member is her “spiritual child.” She feels she has a right to because she claims she is “responsible” for them. They belong to her.

Another thing you notice about WOFF members is their unique language. They use WOFF-speak. Can this be denied? Who taught you how to talk? Who corrected you speech when you were growing up? I believe I learned to talk at an early age by listening to my parents. More importantly, my mom washed my mouth out with soap when I said bad words. Why? I was her son; I was in her custody and care at the time. Why does Jane believe she can control every word spoken by her members? She must feel they are in her custody and care, they belong to her.

If you do not know, WOFF members are told where to live and who they live with- by Jane. When is the last time you were told where to live and who you must live with? When I was a child, my parents gave me a room, showed me how to keep it clean and if company came to stay for a while, I shared my room at their direction. For WOFF members, the requirement is the same or worse. Jane tells each where to live, who to live with and most of them, how to decorate their house. Why does Jane feel she can control this part of her member’s lives? They must belong to her.

When you were a child, did your parents have to approve of your friends? Did your parents want to know who you hung around with and who you were dating? Why? Well, probably because they felt it was their responsibility, you were their child. You may have resented it, but it was normal for the age group.

WOFF members are told by Jane who they can be friends with and who they can have relationships with. Jane exercises this power over her members quite freely. Why? She has Truth and they belong to her.

If you went to college, did your parents help you in the process of picking which one? Some may have and some may not. Jane approves where her members attend college and what courses they take and “hears God” on their major. Why? Jane has Truth and they belong to her; many call her “Momma Jane” or Grandma Jane.”

Married adults inside WOFF are given direction on when, how and how often or if they can have sexual relations with their spouse, why? Jane has Truth and they belong to her. Do you call your parents or your pastor to ask them if you can have relations with your spouse? Why or why not?

By just reviewing a few of the obvious aspects of WOFF-life, we conclude that even if we don’t know when exactly the change occurred, we can see how it occurred. There may not be an exact moment when Jane said, I now own my followers, but as she began to exercise more control over the daily lives, the effect of ownership were seen.

Inside the group, the effects of ownership were translated as benefits of living among God’s people. You are protected in God’s will here; you will not suffer the effects of sin if you just submit your heart and live as God says… Members don’t see themselves as possessions; they still believe they are autonomous. This is all part of the blinding dark cloud which hangs over members.

Members are told the reason Jane lays down her life for them and hears God for them is because of her deep love for God and them. She is sacrificing her life for them. The effects of Jane “owning her members” came gradually and not at the same pace for every member. More “faithful and submitted” members responded quicker in giving up control of their life to Jane under the guise of submitting their lives to God. Yes, true. The owned do not suspect they are owned. By agreeing to live by the rules, you agree the rulemaker has the rights to punish you for breaking the rules and thus dictating your behaviors. I had no idea that I was just a possession until I was tossed aside as unwanted. This happened when I questioned Jane’s right of ownership by doubting, and then she had no use for me. I was a danger to her world. Members who express doubt over Jane’s rights of ownership are a threat to the sham.

Okay, John. We may not know exactly when Jane began to own her members. You have suggested that by adding all the rules and the penalties for breaking the rules shows evidence how the transfer of ownership took place. This leaves us with the question of why? Why does Jane exercise such control, what is in it for her?

I believe the answer comes just from observing Jane’s lifestyle. Where does she live? What does she drive? What kind of clothes does she wear? What kind of jewelry does she wear? Who does she seek for friends or in some way to influence? Listen to Jane talk and observe what she takes pleasure in. The game she plays affords her the rewards she craves; nicer, better, newer, bigger. In her mind, the motivation may be different, but to me it appears the money she takes in buys her the life she believes she deserves. Who knows what she actually tells herself? She rationalizes in some way the necessity of owning her members. She must believe she has “Truth” since she claims to give it to so many folks who don’t agree with her or doubt her. How often during my years there did I hear her say, “I gave them Truth!”

No doubt Jane feels fully justified in living the life she has chosen. Her ability to fully control the lives of her members is necessary to have the lifestyle benefits she deserves. I doubt if she gives a second thought to the trauma and destruction her choices have brought on her members. In her mind, she is only helping others live for God.

When did members become Jane’s possessions? It is hard to say exactly. How did this come about? Unwritten rule added upon unwritten rule, the penalties for breaking becoming more and more severe as Jane required deeper loyalty. Unknowingly, members transferred the ability to make their own decisions (a characteristic of owning your life) to Jane by believing her spin. She claimed she knew God’s ways at a higher level than they did or ever could because of their sin. Jane was not weighted down with sin. She lived on a higher spiritual level than her followers.

Why did Jane believe she could own her members? She has Truth and hears God, her members do not. No one can hear God at a high level as she does. If you doubt, just ask her. Be careful when you listen for the answer, you just might believe her; maybe not the whole load at first. But if you find yourself agreeing with just a little of her spin, you might be invited to a service. From there, you are subject to more of her spin until your life may be spinning out of your control into hers. You have been warned. Trust me on this. Stay away from Jane Whaley and her vortex.

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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 and Josh confirmed it.

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Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 560.