Tag Archives: WOFF

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

What Thoughts Helped Me Leave WOFF?? Part 1

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     Truthfully, I have put off writing this post for several weeks. But, after certain emails and comments which I have received; I believe it is time to share these events. This post will reveal several of the thoughts I had while I was going through the process of leaving Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). In previous posts, I have shared certain ones, but here the events that led to the thoughts will be put together for a more accurate picture. There came a point where I was forbidden to be on church property. What happened that would cause me to leave the group all together? Not all thoughts and events which occurred are fit for this public forum; but those may be shared under different circumstances. In reality, I did not think the path of separation from WOFF would take the path that it has. But, who can really know the future except God, Himself?

     Readers should not make the mistake of thinking that these exact same thoughts would help their friends or relatives leave WOFF. Everyone had their certain individual thoughts that allowed them to go into WOFF and they must have their own unique thoughts, in order to leave. No two people go in or come out the exact same way. There can be “freedom thoughts” tailored to each individual and those help the most. The struggles of those who leave should be an indication of the mind control and turmoil that goes on inside the group. No other church that I have attended -EVER- has had the intense emotional baggage and wreckage with leaving, as when I decided to leave WOFF.

     Let’s go back to August 2005. During several years previous, I had worked for the property management company which is owned by a family in the church. The hours were long. (Read this post to learn about an event previous to 2005- http://tiny.cc/6ii3q ) August 12, 2005 was a Friday. That was a long day and I ended up working until mid-night in Gaffney, SC. The thought that day was- “That is it! I done. I am looking for other work.” After the events in 2003, I had pushed away the thought because of the junk I went through the first time I went looking for other work. Within weeks, I had secured a contract for other work and approached the owner about training someone else. I was leaving. Over the next few weeks, I trained someone else as my replacement.

     Continue reading What Thoughts Helped Me Leave WOFF?? Part 1 →

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 →

Uncategorized, WOFF Don'ts

Cap Guns, Snap Pops and Hide-n-Seek- WOFF Don’ts!

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     During the last week or so these three things have come back to my thinking. Why? Downstairs from where I live is a very energetic young boy. He is in his first year of school and facing what most folks would consider normal struggles. He is full of very good questions and loves to play. A week or so ago, he asked if we could play. I agreed and he volunteered to play hide-n-seek. Well, I laughed so hard! That game was a “no-no” and most certainly a BIG “don’t” at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Actually, I don’t remember the exact reason given by Jane Whaley or whoever issued the edict, but it could have been – the game promotes hiding sin! Can you understand why after laughing – I said, “Sure you hide and I will count!” His hiding skills had not been developed. So, after counting and not seeing him right away- I said loudly- “Hey, where are you?” He said, “Over here.” It was more laughing for me. We played for just a short time. We found out that since we could not leave the fenced area, that there were not many hiding spots and not much challenge. But, just the thought of playing was a big laughable moment!

      Same young boy, a few days later was calling my name in front of my living room window. I heard a popping sound and had a good idea what was going on. So, I went downstairs and low and behold, he had a box of “snap pops”. These are little twists of papers with some rocks and powder inside. Throwing them on the ground makes them pop!  He was trying out different surfaces to see if he could make the snap make the popping sound. He discovered he could throw them against my shoes or shirt and many times they would pop! He laughed and it was so evident he was enjoying himself. Soon he offered me a few to try. I explained to him that these were around when I was much younger. He didn’t care. He just was glad to have a toy that made noise. Yes, I laughed as I remembered that this would not even be considered at WOFF. If you had to ask on this one;  you would soon learn that fireworks and anything similar were “of the devil” and “dangerous”. So, of course I helped him finish his box of pops. Both of us were laughing and being LOUD!  

     Continue reading Cap Guns, Snap Pops and Hide-n-Seek- WOFF Don’ts! →

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”? →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

Write Jane a Note…. She Might Read It

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     These memories from my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) for this post,  are accumulated over several years. As mentioned, I may not get them in the correct time order, but the meaning will be clear. When you have a group of close to 400 folks and they all are required, at different levels, to “check it out” with Jane Whaley; this could prove to be a practical time management issue! Okay, so who has the time to listen to all 400 before every service? Even if only 200 needed to talk to her before a service? How would that work? Even if 40 or 50 folks every service wanted to see Jane Whaley and ask a question, “open their heart” or tell what they saw… How would that work?

     Well, there were folks that would come early to services and line up down both sides of the hallway leading to Jane’s office and wait for Jane’s arrival. “Maybe we can talk to Jane about this question or decision we need to make?” Or – “You have been giving to sin and we need to get to Jane to expose it see what she says…?” So, everyone lined up in the hall may not have a question, they could just be bringing someone else “to the light”. This of course would keep them out of trouble since at WOFF- if you knew of someone else’s sin and did not expose it- you were in just as much trouble as they were or worse- since “hiding sin will take you to hell!” So, thus the “great commission of WOFF” was complete with your friends and fellow members watching you at every point! That is part of the control that outsiders don’t see! When it was known beforehand that visitors were coming and they would be brought to meet Jane before the service;  not only did “Loud Prayer” get put on hold; the hallway dealings were either moved out of sight of visitors or the inquirers told to wait until after the service – if possible. Known sin would be dealt with in a room away from visitors ability to hear or see. (see post here http://tiny.cc/wenoq )

     So, practically there were issues just meeting all the demands of the confession/communication  requirements that had been put on the members. As another fellow put it to me recently- speaking of Jane’s self appointed role- “It is hard (for her) being God”.  A two part solution evolved. One was there would be folks who were trusted “go betweens” and faithful lieutenants; they would meet folks in the hall before the service. They would ask the person what was going on? or why are you here? After assessing the situation, depending on their comfort level of either giving an answer or knowing “Jane needs to hear about this”– they would deal with it or go into Jane’s office. There, they would talk to Jane Whaley about the issue at hand. The person would just wait out in the hallway, most times until the “go between minister” would return. Upon their return; the answer would be given or depending on how close it was to time to start the service; they would be told come back after the service and talk to Jane in person.

   Continue reading Write Jane a Note…. She Might Read It →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized, WOFF and Money Issues

Jane Whaley Gets a New Dog- You Need One!

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     Seeing pictures of Jane Whaley and her dogs brings back memories from a service at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Jane had acquired a new tiny dog. She already had THE Great Dane. That dog had caused quite a stir. Not only did it have tremendous size, but, it would bark loudly at children, occasionally. It worried some parents. The Great Dane had issues with a sore on its leg and had to be watched. This dog was kept in a church office and did not take to being startled.  Even in its muzzle, the dog was ominous and deserved anyone keeping a distance.

     But, we shall get back to the first small dog. Word got out in the hallway that Jane had a new very tiny dog. Now, the exact breed escapes me, but it may have been a miniature, tea-cup chihuahua. I will not remember all the story in order but, here goes. Before the pending church service Jane brought the dog out and held him up while on the platform. She said he was too fragile to put on the carpet. This dog was scared and shaking. (See this video of one similar to Jane’s http://tiny.cc/p7t3t )   Jane’s first dog was much more fragile and weighed only a few  ounces. The one in the video was a hardy dog compared to the tiny dog that Jane bought.

     Somewhere in the process she mentioned that she and some others drove all night to Louisiana and picked him (?) out. They had seen the advertisement on the Internet.  He cost $700. I thought that was strange since she only made $600 a month and gave Sam $200 a month to “squirrel away”.  (see post here.. http://tiny.cc/sfeub ) Can you imagine paying more than a month’s salary for a dog? But, when “God says” and you want it- the money will “just be there”.. Amazing how that works…

     Continue reading Jane Whaley Gets a New Dog- You Need One! →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Baptism of the Dead?

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     Recently, in a short conversation with a co-worker; I noticed something very important about one religious cult group that would apply to others… Some how we ended up talking about the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I mentioned I had been there in the early 70’s. In order to demonstrate the excellent acoustics in the main temple area, a man walked down to the front while our tour group stayed near the back of the main seating area. He rubbed his coat sleeve and you could hear it from where we were. Next, he literally dropped a needle on a wooden surface and we heard it though we were several feet away! She exclaimed they did the same demo while she was there in the late 90’s! Some things don’t change.

     My family traveled out west one summer and spent several weeks in the mid-west and western United States. I asked her why she had an occasion to be at the Mormon Temple? This co-worker explained that she had worked for a large entertainment conglomerate with offices in the mid-west. She was an outside sales representative and responsible for one certain account in Utah, among others. This account was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints (LDS) or Mormons. The Mormon church was seeking help in digitizing the genealogy records that had been stored for years. The process was taking paper records stored in filing cabinets in caves and other safe places, as well as floppy discs and scanning/transferring them to CD’s in order to preserve the integrity of the information. Her company was a leader in the technology at the time.

     She talked about meeting with ten young Mormon men in a Board room and how stiff it became at times. Mormons are a patriarchal society and having to deal with her was apparently stretching their understanding. She said they were all polite and cordial, but still being stretched.

     About that time I asked her, “You know why they wanted to preserve the records, right?” She said no. I told her that Mormons practice the baptism of the dead. I told her they baptize dead people in proxy, so they can be a Mormon in the Celestial Kingdom. She was shocked! I sent here a link with a simple explanation. Here is another.. http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp and http://tiny.cc/vat65 

Continue reading Baptism of the Dead? →