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M&M
I would like to tell my story in this thread.
I suspect that it may be disappointing in some respects because I do not believe that Turning Point has reached the level that RLC has in regards to being destructive.
I have personally seen much good fruit come from Turning Point. We have seen kids get free of drug abuse and other destructive lifestyles. These kids have been in my home.
When my wife and I left TP no one avoided us. No one, as for as I know, was told not to associate with us. One of my daughter in laws was led to Christ through TP. Though there are concerns I have I would not place a black cloud over TP.
Most importantly, I believe Mike and Cyndi going on Sabbatical may in fact lead the church into a much healthier balanced position. This to me would be one of the most exciting things that could possibly happen.
My wife and I were part of the church from 2001 to 2006. We were heavily involved in everything from teaching Sunday School to writing in the church newsletter, to leading small groups, and being part of what used to be called church in the park. Writing for the newsletter I personally interviewed many people whose lives were radically touched through the ministry of Turning Point.
Very well put! Thank You!
Calvin
I have been in Pastor Mike's house. I have taught his kids in Sunday School. They have been to our house. I would without hesitation say that Mike and Cyndi are genuine people of God. We have also had the joy and priviledge of being at the houses and having in our home many of the staff and leaders at TP. I can also add that TP has done much to unite with other churches.
All of that is true. Anything I am about to say in no way detracts from what is written above.
Turning Point over the last 3 years that I attended gradually evolved into an authoritarian church. They cut ties with the Church of God denomination. Pastor Mike received prophesies that he is an apostle. They embrace the 5 fold ministry model.
As an apostle without any real accountability they have moved almost unconsciously toward an increasingly authoritarian culture. In my personal experience Mike carried himself with an authoritarian air continuously. At least in all the time I spent with him the condition of interaction was that he was the teacher and you were the student. He was not comfortable with flexible relationships moving from one role to another.
An example to illustrate the way a culture becomes authoritarian and then as a consequence becomes insular is the video's the church has put on YOUTUBE. Pastor Mike did a little video showing him visiting his youngest son's school.
Someone did a parody of it. When I watched the parody it was almost physically painful. Whoever did it was probably a non-Christian. What he spoofed was how self righteous and self exalting Mike came across. Ideally someone should have told Mike how weird the little video was. The truth is in all that I saw of them Mike and Cyndi are excellent parents, they genuinely love their kids. But in the real world unlike at TP you can't carry on like you are God's gift to parenting or God's gift to marriage, or God's gift to everything. Because Mike and Cyndi have set themselves up as the authorities and people are very reluctant within the church to speak to them, someone outside the church ends up cruelly mocking them. This is just one obvious example of how the church has become insular.
If anyone is interested in more of my experiences and thoughts please let me know. If you think I am being unfair please let me know. I love the people at TP including Mike and Cyndi. I do not think it is too late to develope a healthy church environment.