Category Archives: WOFF Website

Behavior Control, Thought Reform, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates, WOFF Website

“The Art of Remembering” – Charisma Magazine® (2)

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Our last post explored an article in Charisma Magazine® about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and their Holocaust Museum display. It was dated October 1, 2013 and can be found here. The article was written by Marcus Yoars. Here is the contact information for Mr. Yoars: marcus.yoars@charismamedia.com main tel:407.333.0600  

This post will review more material from the article and contain more thoughts on the subject. The Art of Remembering mentions that Word of Faith Christian School (WFCS) has “no art teacher.” It also featured Nahum Burgeson and his insight into how the Holocaust work began. Without a doubt, Nahum is a talented artist. The article also quotes Nahum, “I know without a doubt that God flowed through us to do this, “… When we first started, many times we would have a problem getting the paintings to look right. But, as we cried out to Jesus, you could see fruit. The more and more we cried out, the better we would get.”

Continue reading “The Art of Remembering” – Charisma Magazine® (2) →

Books, Resources, Information control, Uncategorized, WOFF Website

We Are Willing to Work with You – Maybe

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   Recently, I received a copy of a letter written many years ago to a couple outside of North Carolina and signed by Jane Whaley as “Superintendent of Word of Faith Christian School”. I am including a redacted copy in this post as evidence to my point. The identity of the recipients and the former Word of Faith Christian School (WFCS) students are not critical to this post. The text of the letter is my purpose. The date of the letter is September 7, 1994. John, why even use this letter? As we go through the letter, that will become more obvious.

   My first meeting at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) was in May of 1992. Honestly, as a commuter from the Greenville church, much of what went on at WOFF did not get relayed to us. We attended meetings when everyone was on their best behavior- if that was possible. As the months and years passed, many of the quirks and family secrets of WOFF were played out before the Greenville members. We were exhorted to be like “family” and encouraged to participate as much as possible during the times we were there. All that being said; as “regular members”, we did not see certain events which played out behind Jane’s closed doors. Also, I must admit I did not and do not know the former members referenced in the letter.

   To see letter click here:   Letter from Jane Whaley  (you may need to use the back arrow in your browser to retun to this post)

   The scenario is common at WFCS. Not every student stays “submitted” and totally enthralled with Jane, KR, JC or the other teachers at the school. Students do leave before they finish. Has there ever been a student or family that left without some drama- either immediate or delayed? If there was, I never knew it. When ANYONE leaves WOFF, there were/are emotions and some sort of drama to “walk through”. Okay, if a person leaves at all, that is an accomplishment.

   Continue reading We Are Willing to Work with You – Maybe →

Behavior Control, Information control, Uncategorized, WOFF and Money Issues, WOFF Website

WOFF Contradictions – Part 3

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     We continue on with the contradictions that I witnessed at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The previously stated qualifying statements continue here. These are my opinions. Some contradictions are obvious and some need to be explained.  

     The WOFF website contains very interesting information and pictures. Under the “Outreach” tab there is a header for “Political Outreach”. On this page there are several photos of current and former elected officials including former First Lady Laura Bush, former Congressman Charles Taylor, Lt. Governor Walter Dalton and North Carolina Senator Debbie Clary. All of this is very impressive. Another page in this grouping is titled “Our Purpose”…. This page explains the position of WOFF in reference to praying for and respecting civil authorities. The text goes on to explain the many activities that WOFF and its members have been involved in such as voter registrations, non-partisan forums, congressional prayer breakfasts, petitioning of state and national leaders.  

     The Articles of Incorporation for The Word of Faith Fellowship, Incorporated can be found at the following link.   http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Filings.aspx?PItemId=4982905   This is public information on the North Carolina Secretary of State website.  Under Article X, it says that “No substantial part of the activities of Word of Faith Fellowship, Incorporated shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and The Word of Faith Fellowship, Incorporated shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) a political campaign”.  I encourage readers to read the entire document for context.

   Continue reading WOFF Contradictions – Part 3 →

Uncategorized, WOFF Website

Footwashing Services at WOFF?

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     One noticeable omission from the “Beliefs” page of the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) website was the “foot washing” practices of years past. This is not listed as a ordinance of the church as with other churches who practice foot washing. If my memory serves me correctly, I participated in three “foot washing” services while attending WOFF. The first one was more intense than the second or third. Though not practiced by several mainline or traditional Protestant churches, there certainly is scriptural basis for the practice. Here is the passage in John 13:5-9, 13-15:

5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”  9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.   New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica 

     My memories are not as detailed and distinct in reference to these three services. So, I may get the details confused as to the order they occurred. The first foot washing service at WOFF was set on course with certain guidelines: men washing men’s feet, women washing women’s feet. Family members could wash each other’s feet. The purpose was to humble yourself and make right any bitterness or unforgiveness with that person. Plastic basins, (from prayer times?) were brought out with some water in them. Towels were supplied for drying the feet. The service lasted several hours as there was a whole lot of washing to do. Many wept and from all indications, several relationships were mended.

    Continue reading Footwashing Services at WOFF? →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates, WOFF Website

Thank You, for the New WOFF Website

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     While the reaction of others has run the gamut, I am thankful that Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) has put up a website. Most assuredly, Jane Whaley approved each picture and page and line of content. It is very doubtful that she had any hand in the actual development, but since her name and reputation were/are at stake, she was/is “involved” for sure.  The layout is extensive and the graphics – well done. Finally, the whole world can see a little into this very controversial group. As far as note worthy church groups; WOFF does not rank as one of the largest. I must say, while I was there for many years- it seemed very large. There was in years past, and there is now on the website, talk of needing to expand the facilities. While my memory is not perfect, I see only about a dozen new  (unknown to me) folks in the very extensive array of pictures. (Some pictures seem to have been taken a while back)  Would that necessitate a new sanctuary? Or does that mean the growth of the membership is not documented on the website?

     The school did expand its facilities during last year- but that was not an option. When I left in 2008, there were 34 children under five years of age. Last June 17th, I learned that some students were not yet finished their classes from the spring schedule. I asked, why? The answer was that for many students who helped build the school, they got behind in their assignments as several classes were suspended and they had to finish in the summer. Another person who was there during that time mentioned that much of the wiring was done by two particular students who “were being trained”. He did not say they were licensed. But, it was probably counted as class time for something. One of the teachers is pretty skilled at construction and could have been the “teacher”. That is the flexible nature of private eduction.

      Continue reading Thank You, for the New WOFF Website →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Website

What is “Classical Christianity”?

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     Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) was started by Jane Whaley and Sam Whaley. The Articles of Incorporation were signed in 1979. On their recently published website, under the tab listed as “Our Church” you see “Beliefs”. Select that and you will find some very interesting information. WOFF defines themselves as a “Protestant, Non-Denominational church with a Christian school (as defined in classical Christianity)”. Honestly, I missed the term “classical Christianity” in my first reading. Well, there is no doubt about the Protestant, Non-Denominational part. Certainly Jane Whaley reports to no central office and allows NO ONE to tell her how to run her church. As far as I can tell, WOFF discloses no financial records to any third parties for any reason. Yes, the term Non-denominational fits here.

     When considering the term “classical Christianity”,  I learned that my first impressions of the term were lacking. Upon searching  on the term I found a source from Drew Theological School. This source appears to be a support school for the Methodist denomination. Since Jane Whaley admits to attending Methodist churches, then hopefully this source will be good. Certain parts of the article caught my attention.

 What is “Classical Christianity”?      Virginia Burrus, Professor of Early Church History
Drew Theological School

Here is the link to the full article… http://tiny.cc/ykkt9 .

 “The term “classical Christianity” is of relatively recent coinage. Some Methodists, among others, currently use it to refer to the views of a select group of theologians who wrote during the late Roman Empire (that is, during the fourth and fifth centuries) and laid the groundwork for such enduring doctrinal formulations as the divine Trinity and the two-natured Christ.”

     So far so good.. reading further, “The “Fathers” themselves did not agree with one another on every point.” This references the early “Church Fathers” not agreeing but, still moving forward as one. “The fact that a diversity of perspectives and interpretations can exist among those who adhere to “classical Christianity” should not surprise us.”  One definition of classical Christianity means accepting those who may not fully agree on every point? In my opinion WOFF fails miserably on this point. My experience is that WOFF, more specifically, Jane Whaley: it is “her way or the highway”.

      Continue reading What is “Classical Christianity”? →