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Word of Faith Fellowship Church
(Spindale, NC, USA)

Leader:

Jane Whaley

 

BITE Model as it applies to WOFF (formulated from former members' accounts of time in the group):

Behavior Control

Members are strongly encouraged to only associate with other members; even play-time between children of members and those of non-members is discouraged

Constant need to report every thought and action to leadership of the church

Work and sexual activity is regulated by the leadership

Members are often financially dependent upon the church

Lots of members' time is taken up in church activities, whether or not actually in the church

Rules are extremely rigid; leader hands down rules as though directly from God, no going against the rules in any way, no questioning of rules

"Blasting" - screaming into members' faces to discipline them - used to control behavior the leadership finds unacceptable

"Guards" - fellow members - are used to make sure members are never left alone

Information Control

Leadership often lies to members

Spying on other members--even if one's own spouse, parent or child--is greatly encouraged, and all activities are then handed over to the leadership of the church

Members are pressured by WOFF leaders to "confess" all sins so that members can be right with God

Thought Control

Member must accept Jane Whaley's word as the word of God, no thoughts of dissent are allowed

Loaded language - breakthrough is someone who gets right with God, usually after a public and humiliating confession; locking in means to report thoughts to the leaders, etc.

Emotional Control

Fear is frequently used - such as fear of "blasting", referred to above - to keep members in line

Resource Links:

Article on Watchman web site

Lewis, James. "WOFF Discipline Unveiled." Forest City (NC) Daily Courier. 5-Aug-00: p1+ (not online)

Statements from Former Members

Concerns about the Word of Faith Fellowship church

'Rebellion vs. Submission' in WOFF

Statement/testimony from former member of WOFF

My Time There - another former member's testimony

Description of WOFF - another former member's information on the group

 

 

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