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Dear Way Corps Brothers and Sisters,
To those of you that know me and for the benefit of those that do not know me, I would like to take the time to post a few thoughts after reading many of your profiles.
My background is that I started off my professional career as an electrician. I went into the Way Corps never with the intent to be a leader in the ministry. I saw business principles that were being taught in Way Builders and other departments of the ministry and I thought I could apply them into my future business that I wanted to start.
Anyone that had ever heard me teach God’s word knows that I have a hard time rightly dividing electrons and protons. Many of you will remember that every time I taught the Word, even the dogs and cats would cover their ears.
So let me make it clear, I am not a teacher, prophet, evangelist or anything else, I am a businessman that has been making my own payroll with the help of my wife Dawn since January, 1980. We have never received a paycheck from anyone else and we are very proud of that fact.
On the other hand, I see that many of you still run bible studies, home fellowships, home churches, or a host of other names that we once called twig fellowships. I bet some of you out there might even be pointing fingers at the other saying that their organization is a Cult.
This caused me to reflect that many of you did go into the Way Corps to become teacher, prophet, evangelist, etc... or cult leaders… Come on put a smile on that face, I am just trying to keep this somewhat light.
The writer, John Maxwell said, “That great things are not accomplished when extraordinary people come together. In fact in most cases that is one of the causes of the organization failure. They fail because too may egos get involve. He continued to say, that Great Things are accomplished when Ordinary People come together to accomplish Extraordinary Things”.
Again after reading many of your profiles, I thought that there must be hundreds or even thousands of fellowships running throughout the world that are Rightly Dividing the Word every single day. But are we speaking with one accord? Are we one church? Are we one body? Are we likeminded?
It made me remember that history always repeats itself. I again wondered, which way would many of you answer this question?
I promise everyone of you that I am not hear to judge because if you look at my life you would say, that I am a sinner and I fall short in every category of the Christian walk.
On the other hand, I was wondering if anyone of you is like me and just wondering???
In business or in any great mission, it takes a leader to set the vision, it takes a leader to make sure the team has the tools and resources necessary to accomplish the mission set before them. A leader must be a problem solver with the wisdom to surround himself with a multitude of wise and ethical council. A good leader does not upset the apple card unless he has a plan to improve his or her operations.
I was wondering how many of you leaders want to get the ship we all started back on the right course? As I remember many of us in our early twenties and thirties we had a lot passion but little experiential knowledge. God, how I love youth… But as I grow older youth without experiential knowledge is what got me in most of my life’s troubles.
Many of you are older and hopefully wiser. Again, just wondering? Can we reflect on history or an event that caused ordinary people to come together to accomplish an extraordinary mission.
I was wondering how the early colonies came together an elected the leaders to represent themselves to build a more perfect Union. WOW, what vision, what leadership in took, how in the world did the facilitator of that egomaniac group get them to stay the course without killing each other? What motivated them?
Again, just wondering is it possible for some of you leaders to find a facilitator that could get this ministry back on track? Or are we doomed to be segment?
Do not interpret my question that I have a desire to go back to the Way International because that is not the trip I was wondering about. Just felt like I needed a little clarification on my part. Nor do I have the time or the capabilities to facilitate this effort.
Hell after thinking about it, it might not be worth the effort? Gosh, who would be the leader in the end? Who would want to give up their titles and responsibilities or it may even come down to paychecks and cash flow. Again, I was just wondering???
Funny, like I said after reading your profiles earlier, their must be hundreds and even thousands of fellowship throughout the world that is rightly dividing the Word but the leadership is segmented. What a sad state of affairs.
Remember, I never wanted to be a leader in any ministry and I know that there are so many of you out there that are truly, Leaders of Leaders.
I wish all of you well. By the way, I have already received my 1st Goddamn you email. So if I pissed you off, please accept my apology and my condolences that you do not see the humor in life. And please do not send anymore of those, it made me cry tears the size of horse turds.
I am just having fun and was wondering. After the GD email, I was wondering why I would give a shit but what the hell it is fun to wonder… I hope all of you still enjoy wondering like I do… I believe it keeps us young.
Enclosing, don’t let the bastard get you down and in a few years after your are dead remember that most will have forgotten your name. So my philosophy, is live life, be fair, clean up your messes, and keep the negatives out of my space. It is my life and I am going to live it to the best of my ability.
I hope you enjoy the journey because we only have one life to live on this world.
Love and kisses,
Dale
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Comments
I sure did enjoy your blog. And really if i sat down and thought it all too much I would break down and cry. But then I think, who knows? Nobody knows what is in store.
You wrote:
"Hell after thinking about it, it might not be worth the effort? Gosh, who would be the leader in the end? Who would want to give up their titles and responsibilities or it may even come down to paychecks and cash flow. Again, I was just wondering???"
My question is, who would shut up long enough for God to speak to them now days?
You are a trip,
Janis
OK, OK, OK, like usual you rain on my parade and my time to wonder about the TWI former Leader of Leaders is now over regarding reconciliation.
But I am still wondering why you drop out of the Priesthood. I am going to get a background check on you and until you are cleared, I am going to make sure Doug McMullan keeps his goats and sheep away from you.
The Rock of Ages was cute… Did Hope come up with that line? Are you getting quick witted in your old age? Who is going to call Doug and let him know the Party Is On?
I can see it now, back in Sindey, Ohio Fairgrounds when we were all in tents and it rained like cats and dogs. Or when we moved to HQ the first year and we worked our ass off getting ready. Hell, Doug will have us clearing the back forty, stringing wire, building a waste water facility, etc., etc,. etc,. Next thing you know Monty Hobbs and Art Poling will be back bossing everyone around.
Charlie Quillen will have break out his old Way International Security outfit. You have me laughing out loud….
This made me remember the old group of friends we had back then. Such as, Bill Greene, I do not want you to say anything negative about him. He made his life’s choices and I hope him well. Boy, do I have found memories of him… What fun he was and always could make us laugh.
Would it not be great to have a cold beer or two (3, 4, or more) with him. I bet he could make us laugh until we cried… He was always good for a great story.
Will John you did it again. I hate doing it, but I must admit, you have done a good job with this site. You made me reflect and for that I thank you and wish you well…
Your friend, (of course it should be without saying, Let’s Keep our Friendship from a Distance!!! GOAT LOVER)
Dale
"Again, just wondering is it possible for some of you leaders to find a facilitator that could get this ministry back on track? Or are we doomed to be segmented?"
I have been part of many discussions regarding this issue with many people from all walks of life and experiences both in and out of various groups including those still in The way. What follows is my opinion only.
But in short, no. I do not believe it is humanly possible to consolidate and bring back together what we once had in the past. It's gone. But I also do NOT consider that a doom.
Circumstances have changed drastically
Our culture has changed
People from that era have changed and grown into parents with children and grandchildren.
Finally, again my opinion, technology has transformed our world.
It's a new era. Some say what we had was a genuine movement of God. I tend to believe that in spite of its MAJOR flaws. If that's true, then it will be God who moves things not humans. There may be other movements that we can discover, even at our ages. But I am also reminded of a John Mellencamp song called "Your Life Is Now." How profound.
In my opinion I believe some are desperately trying to hold on to a past era and are trying to keep the fire burning so to speak. That's cool and I am sure they are doing good things. But I also believe it is time to embrace differences and to realize there is nothing wrong with NOT being likeminded in our beliefs, even on matters of The Bible. We were trained to "split hairs" doctrinally on every jot and tittle. Religion can go overboard and get cruel. (But again this site is not designed to host those long discussions.)
All I know is I am not here to judge anyone. I am sooo done with that. At this stage of the game I am interested in having some long overdue fun really and enjoying the company of some great people who have lived some very fascinating lives and who have lots of stories to tell. Your are among them my friend. That was my only motivation in starting this site.
Our friendship faded and our communications ended when you and many others left The Way, while I stayed in until 2000. The stories I could tell!! But this is not the place and it is the past as you said. Always an optimist, I will just say it was a great learning experience at best. Anyway, I find it interesting that here we are 30 years later still friends and still businessmen in spite of it all.
I have learned not to be judgemental because of the destruction I have seen it do to countless hearts. I never liked the idea and I still do not like the idea of giving people the "spiritual cold shoulder" just because he or she may not be in the same group or have the same belief system. That sucks! I tried not to practice that poison. Sadly, some still do. Not only some Ex-Way or current Way people, but also countless other religions across the world. Religion indeed can be a cruel weapon or it can be life changing. I tend to favor those groups who welcome the likes of you and me....those who don't fit the mold. I also tend to favor groups who really, really pay no attention to whether I give them a dime or not.
I am glad to call you a friend after all these years. (In in spite of the fact that you verbally abuse me and call me names and curse at me and accuse me of sleeping with Doug's sheep, ha, ha.)
I'll comment about something else you said in another post below. Talk to you later, man.
I love you, I love you and I love you… You got what it takes and if anyone says anything about you I think I will just give them a piece of my mind…
The next time I am in your area, I promise you that I am coming to visit and make a grand night of it… You are my kind of Gal… You got heart, guts and not afraid to give your opinion… What the world needs now is HOPE, HOPE and more Hope HILBY!!!
I can not wait to have a drink with you and catch up. I knew you would never let the bastards get you down and I would bet a million that you will live your life the way you know you should.
There is no doubt in my mind that you are a thinking woman and never would fall into someone leading you down the BS path.
Thanks for emailing me, you made my day and am grateful for the fond memories.
Happy Holidays to you and your family. When I get back to the office, I promise you I am going to make an excuse to travel to your area, just because you are there.
Love and Kisses,
Dale
Thank you for your kind words… I loved to see that you are still a thinking man. I too have attending many of the mega churches, a few fellowships. Hopefully someone, somewhere will rise up and not worry about titles and money and pull these segmented groups together. I am not sure if it possible but time will tell, it always does.
On the other hand, I think I will give John Richeson a big thank you again for setting this site up. I did not know I was this interested in all of you knuckleheads.
If it were not for the Holidays, I would not have the time to spend on this site like I have in the last few days. It has been a good time and a vacation like you said.
I travel a great deal and maybe when I am Chicago we can get together for a drink and diner.
I do not want to promise the time because when I am in a city many of my meeting last until late and into the evening. The next day I am off to the airport very early. But hopefully, we can find the time to chat and bring a smile to each other.
Your comments were most appreciated and I am grateful you took the time to respond.
I am not much for the God Bless message because I think we water it down and it has become just words but for you my friend, God Bless you and may all your dreams come true.
I will see you, when I see you but for sure we both know there is a time when I will see ya!!!
Dale
These various "ministries" are run by, what you referred to as "Leaders of Leaders" and all of these men are Way Corps grads. I have talked, broken bread and continue to fellowship with all three of these groups. I am fortunate to live in a large metropolitan area, Chicago and there are many Ways Corps grads which I have kept in touch with over the years. The point I am trying to make is these three groups remain somewhat in contact but it puzzles me why they don't all come together, discuss their differences( if there are any) consolidate and move as a unified unit. I know someone has a logical answer and they will address my question/puzzlement. I also attend these "mega churches" ( some even larger than TWI at its peak) and am also intrigued by their sheer size, the bible they teach, the various "ministries" they make available ie. marriage/divorce recovery, teen/young adult groups and various retreats dealing with a myriad of issues. This site that Richardson started is indeed a "vacation spot", I try to read as many profiles as I can, look at the pictures posted, read the comments posted and am indeed pleased to see how many of the Ways Corps breathens lives have florished. In parting I am saddened by the many divorces which have resulted between our Corps brothers and sisters but am elated to see the many that are still intact. You spoke of your wife briefly and I can only imagine the wonderful relationship you two have and it apears you both are living that "abundant life" we were introduced to so many years ago. Dale! You are a good man and I look forward to the "return" as you do.
Keep pissing off the piss ants.
If they can not take a joke..F*** em.
and they just do not know you..pity them.
but on the other things you wrote about..
we have our own homes, with our own families,
parting that which is what we know is right.
and praying they don't make the same mistakes.
ya know?
am proud to know you. Merry Christmas..loves. h