Wednesday, I received confirmation that the second-degree trespassing charges initiated by Jayne Caulder against Wayne Guffey, David Wheeler and I, were set to be dismissed. These charges were filed after events on July31st at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The video has been viewed over 20,000 times and though I am not providing a link, it can be seen at Rccatalyst.com in an article about the events and dismissal. Also, Daily Courier article.

Rather than trudge through the mire of who said, she said, they did, we did not- I will say the North Carolina Attorney General Special Counsel Adren L. Harris was able to bypass hype and emotion and use sound legal reasoning on which to base the dismissal.

“Although is it evident from the video the Mrs. Caulder repeatedly asks the defendants to leave the Word of Faith Fellowship premises, and they remained while seeking clarification, it would be unreasonable to interpret the word “remain” to include such a brief or temporary interlude that lasted only a few minutes.”

Harris goes on to quote case law where individuals asked to leave and then stayed until police arrived to arrest protestors for second degree trespassing.

“… the defendants in the instant case did not permanently remain on the premises after being asked to leave. Instead they temporarily remained for a short period of time seeking clarification as to why they had been uninvited. Next, the defendants left the premises prior to law enforcement’s arrival and were not subject to removal by law enforcement. Therefore, for the above stated reasons, the conduct during the incident does not satisfy the elements of second-degree trespass and the Attorney General’s office declines to prosecute this matter.”

After all of this, my concerns remain for the treatment of those members who choose to leave WOFF. Yes, I am concerned about how members are treated overall. However, my chief concern on the day in question was to discuss with Jane Whaley alternatives to the usual member exit process. The emotionally charged covert plan of sneaking out in fear of retribution or strong discipline and taking off without personal belongings happens often. Many times, members taking safety risks which could be avoided if there was a healthy and safe exit procedure in place. I have shared this concern on other platforms and will continue to tell anyone who will listen.

Young members with no transportation, no cell phone, no outside employment or contacts, face nearly insurmountable odds to obtain the freedom they deserve. Their choice for a life outside of the confines of WOFF is often scoffed and rebuffed, making them the object of strong physical discipline or forced seclusion. They become separated from family and friends and any means to accomplish their goal. If this sounds too crazy to be true- wake up. I can put you in touch with many who have fought through the barriers to exercise their freedoms to leave WOFF.

Secondly, there are adults who have fallen extraordinarily dependent on WOFF provided services, provisions and living arrangements which cannot easily be replaced. They feel stuck. There is an ongoing internal struggle to appear happy and at ease when inside the appetite for freedom roars and will not be silent. My concerns also include this population inside WOFF. Those who are too dependent to obtain their independence in a calm and reasonable manner.

In order to address these issues and others not known, I propose these initial measures. The logistics of these initial steps will require adjustments and assessments for improvement.

1. Recognize the autonomous right of anyone to leave WOFF without suffering through the onslaught of jeers, screams, beratements and the like. Most certainly those of legal age, allow them the rights others in the country freely enjoy- freedom of movement.

2. Show Christian love and support for those choosing to leave and allow them to be heard and respected.

3. Appoint a central WOFF member to be the exit escort for this member. This person needs to be of a calm and stable manner. (I suggest- Ray Dixon or Larry King, Sr.)

4. This escort will help the member gather personal belongings, close out business relationships within the group and make contact to an agency or individual willing to help transport them away from WOFF properties.

5. The escort will assure the member exiting a timely, safe and complete detachment from the WOFF subculture.

6. If an outside agency such as the Red Cross is used to help the leaving member- the escort will be the liaison to that agency for the time of transition away from WOFF.

I suggested these two individuals because they have a good reputation in the surrounding community and possess some measure of personal decorum- at least from my observations.

There is my first proposal to improve the conditions for members desiring to leave WOFF. For those in WOFF leadership, what are your thoughts? You know the dramas of the past and how unsafe the exit process has been. Why not help facilitate safe exits and avoid the risk of additional negative publicity when a member attempting to leave is injured physically or emotionally or both? Others in your group may face additional indictments. Doesn’t it make sense to recognize the inevitable desire of some members to leave, establish procedures and begin to repair the negative public persona of your group?

I understand if you don’t want my help or input. However, it will do you well to recognize he problem and consider the constructive alternatives to the dangerous and risky escape options which many have been forced to take to gain their freedom. Consider it damage control.

Friends and readers, there are my initial ideas. Tell me your thoughts. It may seem crazy to even suggest such alternatives. That is fine with me. Progress often starts with an absurd idea which then goes through changes to become the new possible. Certainly, all involved in the WOFF drama on any level should be looking for new and positive possibilities. WOFF can’t change their past. They can change their future.

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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.

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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Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.

(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 644.