Hello all,
I too am a Radiant Life Church escapee, and it might seem that some of us are meddling here by weighing in on the issues that you are facing at Turning Point, but we have much in common. Radiant Life Church is at the point of disintrigation because of the hiding of facts, the worship of Tony Cunningham, the lack of accountability.
We who have opined here are warning you because we see the same issues that were present at RLC. In a sense there is a DNA crossover because of the continuing relationship that Tony has with Mike. Some of the things that you are describing are identical to what we have experienced (with great heart ache, loss of relationship, and personal pain) at RLC. Let me give you one:
The attitude that "if you don't like it here because of some issue, you can just leave. After all, you are an adult and can make your own decisions.". What is wrong at the heart of this attitude is that the issues are YOUR problem. Not the church's. This is called blame shifting, it's one of the first symptoms of a destructive church. It insulates the leadership from ever having to address their sins, and enables them to point to you who have left as the problem. You are the ones who are bitter, unforgiving, and unspiritual. This is the farthest thing form the truth. You see, if you don't have anything to hide then why are you acting like it?
It was very difficut for me when I had to admit that the place where I was at (RLC) was indeed a problem. But admitting it is the first step towards freedom. I am (as oppossed to how exer's are portrayed) not bitter and unforgiving. I do want more than ever the Body of Christ to be a place where there is true righteousness, and open to scrutiny. Aren't we to be above reproach? Shouldn't the Body of Christ be the guiding example to the world in terms of accountabilty and integrity?
Which leads us to the Apostolic Movement. Man, if this isn't the wrong medicine I don't know what is. It empowers the senior pastor (if identified as apostle in any form) to act as a free agent that is completely unaccountable. Elders say to themselves "If I oppose what pastor is saying then I'm going against God". People lavish upon the pastor and in the end the church becomes about that pastor. The end that I see is that the Apostolic Movement is a corrupting influence upon the clergy, and cancerous to the Body of Christ. We as humans are way too easily corrupted, and the Apostolic Movement is a sure fire way to ruin an otherwise good man. What happens when a man's heart becomes proud? Only God can humble it and the biblical examples of how he does it does not look pleasant.
Turning Point, please take warning. Look at what has happened at RLC. Ask yourself:
Does pastor Mike brag on himself?
Do questions get swept under the carpet?
Do people who question get "blacklisted"?
Is the answer to peoples questions "you can always leave"?
Are you treated as unspiritual because you ask for financial openess?
Are pastors salaries hidden?
Is pastors lifestyle out of proportion?
Have you ever felt that to question pastor is the same as questioning God?
Is pastor "double dipping"? What I mean is : Is he charging members of the church additional for attending SOMA?
after all, he is already paid a salary for being their pastor.
I could go on, but you get the idea.

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Painfuljourney
Braveheart,

Papier-mache masks, huh? This exact same message was made to the church by The Barnes during the Sabbatical. The message given to the church was that people in the church need to take off their masks.

That's very interesting!
I shared that concept with Kim Barns last fall.... it was from a book titled TRUEFACED. I wonder if Jeff and Kim read the book or did they plaguerize one of the authors introducing the book at the Navigators? you can find it on Utube and Godtube

SOMA fans and students: if you were going to a REAL Bible school you would be studying the writings of the early church fathers. Here is an link to part one of a four part series on what the early church fathers had to say about false prophets. Only nine days until your false Prophet Tony comes to lead you into further darkness.

Jeff and Kim Barnes, I suggest both of you start a serious investigation into the Apostolic-Prophetic movement instead of blindly following down this path to destruction and damnation. Jeff I had respect for you in the days of TPCC's birth. Now I am fully and completely disappointed in you. You have chosen the path of least resistance. And now you run the risk of paying with your very soul.

[www.fulfilledprophecy.com]

I just wanted to share Buddy Jr.'s reply to a private e-mail Buddy received, because I thought it showed alot of insite and wisdom for one who is young. These are answers to statements that were made and only a few sentences have been dropped to protect the identity. I think your can guess the statements based on this reply:

"You have no clue of the severity of this situation. You have been deceived. This is as black and white as the 50's. The word of faith doctrine Pastor Mike has let into Turning Point is lowering Jesus and lifting up himself. 90 percent of the church doesn't know what is going on. They are being devoured by the false doctrine of pastor Mike and Tony Cunningham. I heard from a friend of mine who is a second year student of SOMA and he knows Turning Point's teaching. He told me we can control God's will. I even asked him again, because of my shock and he verified his previous statement. When the dispute is over something like tongues, healing, or how we should worship (hands lifted or not) you will never find a church you will totally agree with. But when you teach God's word for your own gain, deceive people in the name of God, and lower the position of Jesus it is personal, intolerable, and all around just plain mean no matter what good they may have done in the past. You yourself said he may have done it for money and that he is a false apostle. There is a key word in the previous statement; It is "false". If I were you I wouldn't want to be taught by a liar. You said you wished it was as black and white as I make it out to be. Well, AMEN!! AMEN!! HALLELUJAH!!! your wish has come true. It is as black and white as I make it out to be. Pastor David Luster does have an excellent opportunity to reach out. But when reaching out is done under the control and guidance of a power/ money hungery Napolean Bonapate it is spreading lies straight from the pit of hell. I have one last piece of advice "don't drink the cool aid!"

I was tempted to replace a few words but then it wouldn't be Buddy Jrs. words. Mrs. Buddy

Here is a link for New Apostolic Movement from Walter Martin site.New Apostolic Movement

Does this quote strike a chord with you?

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...Nobody joins a cult. You join a self-help group a religious movement a political organization.

They change so gradually, by the time you realize you're entrapped - and almost everybody does - you can't figure a safe way back out....

- Deborah Layton, Survivor of Jim Jones' Peoples Temple

D



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/2009 10:23AM by buddy.

DEAR Pastor Jeff Barnes, do remember the sermon you gave right before Pastor Mike came back from sabbitical? You told us to test everthing,all things ,all spirits! Well we declare to you that we have! And we declare to you that Pastor Mike and Tony(the tiger)Cunningham are false Apostles! Now what are you going to do? How can we believe anything any more, when TPWOC denies a relationship with Tony and denieds spiritual parenting? When Tony will be here next week! Enough of the lies and cover ups! Are you going to stand up to Pastor Mike and tell him enough is enough! Pastor Jeff you are not a health,wealth,prosperity teacher! Skipping your Advil so you can pray ain't giong to hack it with these big time Word of Faith,name it claim it teachers! Your Buddy,Buddy

Thanks for the links, TPR and Outreach!

Mike and Tony : For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve! 2 cor 11:13-15



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/2009 05:23PM by buddy.