God bless you, Daughter. I pray He heals your heart!

(Former)tpcwocattender - I have been asked by the moderator to not change my forum name to "ex-tpcwocattender". So to make it clear I am going to state that I am a former attender.

I went to a new church today. That was hard. Anyway, God is so good! The pastor who had no idea who I was or what I went through came up to me and told me he had a word from God for me. It was "God wants you to know that he has you in the palm of his hand and is not ever going to let go, you can trust Him.I don't know what you have gone through or are going through He just wants you to know that he is in control." It was so good, we serve an awesome God!

Moving forward!

I'm not sure where to start. Anything I say specifically about myself will give me away and although many of you know me I'm not sure how public I want to be.

I was apathetic to the problems. Frankly I didn't care so long as it didnt' touch my bubble. I watched friends leave and hoped that it didn't disrupt my church life and my security. I kept secrets from my spouse hoping that my bubble of happiness would stay in tact. I was willing to look the other way so I could keep on belonging and having 'people'. I made up reasons that were reasonable for certain behaviors. Secretly I hoped to become more than I was within the body, maybe soon I'd be considered trustworthy, but I knew that my free thinking would always hold me back. I had begun to allow the church to define me and tell me who I was instead of God, not only that but I longed for the definition to come from man... it's easier to find. My relationship with God was good but I had allowed myself to believe that I 'needed' the church and I didn't want to make waves. To be honest - we were emeshed in every aspect.

There was an incident that brought to light my own charachter flaw - I really didn't care about people - I cared about me and my security. I was willing to look the other way and let good people take the fall so I could retain position (what there was) . I was willing to let people spin out of church unchecked and be okay that "God was Pruining branches" or that he was "weeding the garden", "cleaning house" all terms I'd heard and frankly, used. I realized I was not truely loving Jesus and preaching the gospel. I was protecting the institution of church. When did we exchange our relationship with christ and obedience to him for protecting and instituion? God didn't say, protect Turning point at all costs, but preach the gospel to all nations. Love one another and Love the Lord our God... I don't remember him ever once saying work hard at church, ensure it's survival and if you have gods approval there will be favor on your life, monetary, status, and church growth.

I have realized that over the past MANY years I've become institutionalized. I have been inside the chruch too long. Because of this I was unwilling to look at the problems of TP. The problem started with me, I believed the lie that fellowship with the saints was starting inside a building and reached out to the people who attended with me, not all the saints. After we left I felt lost. There was no body to identify my existance on this earth. I couldn't say " I go to... wherever" in order to identify what "kind" of believer I was. I had no association - no family. It wasn't until I was with a group of people and I looked aroudn the table and realized my family were those that loved me and who I loved, regarless of my endless flaws. Those who were really there to call out my sin, correct me, encouragment and comfort me - but they don't define me. The moment I look for people to define me and approve of me ive set up an idol because my identity should always be in christ. So this is where my journey has lead me so far.

I've been reading your posts for some time. I've had the opportunity to tell leadership about you all and what you have said but I don't know that they have read anything personally. I've encouraged them to see the pain and the valid concerns. They simply belive their direction is correct. I wish I could say it is different or give you hope that they might consider that they have gotten off course a few degrees. We have made our voice heard and we have suffered consequences for it. We have had to move on and are still struggling with rejection, loss and the pain of not being 'heard'. I know that this too shall pass. I know that God is refining something in me and burning the dross that has become a way of life for me. Thanks for hearing me.

(Former)tpcwocattender:

Leaving must surely be difficult. I am glad you received a Godly word of encouragement. No doubt as you read the Scriptures they will take on a different hue for you as you grieve and seek which direction to move. I will keep you in my prayers.


Die Quietly,

I am saddened by your loss. There really are few words that can give comfort in times such as you face right now. Thank you for taking time to post your story. God is good and He, alone, has a good plan for you.

TPR

How long can the lies and deception continue. Is there a reason Mike will not be swapping a pulpit? Are all TP mtgs secret? How is the church doing fiscally since their major budget cutback. Has anyone checked into rates of pay for SOMA instructors on top of their church salaries? Mike and Cindy make $80.00 and hour on top of their church salaries. Do they feel justified in their salaries, in their Aspen home, or their waterfront Bremerton Condo. Available to certain leadership for a fee. Home many of the flock are going without? How many have lost their jobs. Who runs benevolence ministry now that Pastor Jackie is gone and so is Laurie Young. Do they even have a benevolence ministry now. How many are in attendance. TP NEVER was a church of 1000. But maybe 800 at one time. Yet all the number are inflated. Did Pastor Mike ever allow Tony Diaz a mtg to reconcile? Or is every mtg cancelled they make? I have even heard reports of gossip from Cindy. No scripture says not to entertain accusations against an elder lest there be witnesses. I say Cindy is not an Elder, neither her or Mike meet the qualifications according to the by-laws. And what is with Pastor Jeff Barnes telling people not to tell people why they are leaving? Do you think we want to send anyone to TP. Why wouldnt we warn by name? Becasue you say it is gossip? I say you are wrong, as Paul and other warned by name in scripture all the time. STUDY the word. TP has elders with financial lack of integrity, elders who visit porn, deacons who see drunkeness as a solution. Where are the facts? Just ask and see what kind of answers you get! What happened to UGM ? hmmm bad idea huh Pastor Mike! Well Duh. Who are you accountable to now. Not Wendell Smith who when asked about you does not even know who you are. He says his wife handles counseling issues. It will be interesting to see if Casey Treat makes the conference. How much extra does Cindy pay herself for the worship tracks? How is enrollment in SOMA. How many drops to date? I could go on and on. And yes I am still attending TP. Waiting for repentance or the Axe. Sadly I love Tp and want to see its reputation restored to a place of humble and contrite hearts in leadership. There are a few good men and women left, but how long can the hold on? My arms are tired, and my heart is broken!

Die Quietly,

The Word of God will lead you and comfort you while you walk through this loss. It is a loss. But you opened your eyes and realized that Turning Point was not the church we all once loved. The pastoral staff are not the humble servants of the Lord we couldn't wait to see and listen to each week.Hang in there distance and time do help.

I am sure you have noticed the extra footsteps in the sand, The Lord is with you and wiil not leave you or forsake you. He is happy that you are reclaiming your identity as one of his beloved flock and he no longer has to search for you to bring you back into the fold.

Saddened

I remember sitting in discipleship and watching all the women pay Cyndi amage that were words draped in gold. She began to cry because of the adulation of the women there. If that isn't worshipping a leader, I don't know what is. She could have been Jesus Christ for all I knew. One time I asked a question and i immediately felt that I had done something wrong. It was an honest and straightforwad question, but I was immediately suspected of insubordintion, at least I felt like that. But, Cyndi did answer my question and it was a good answer. It was just the sense that she had all the answers and I bought the lie that she was more godly than me. None are righteous, no not one. I remember feeling like I needed to honor her and even thought about offering to clean her house. I left there with a bunch of warped ideas. I'm still not connected totally to a church, but I think moving closer. I have grown so much in my churchdom. I have come to a place where I don't even care if my ministry gifting is in worship. I don't know if that is good or bad, but I think that God has shown me that I need to be still and let him guide my life. My modus of operation is to do nothing but do everything he puts in front of me. It's working for now.

Dear Die quietly,

Thank you so much for your story.

My name is Marty, my sons are Dan, Bobby, and Jesse.

I am so sorry for what you went through but appreciate your integrity.

If I can be of any help please let me know.

Marty

The past couple of weeks God has been placing the right people and topical talks, ie... the radio, church sermons, bible studies, just hanging with Godly people. I have been ministered to, forgiveness, resetting boundaries, encouragement in seeking the kingdom of God first. I think it is more the interconnection between all of these, how good God is to connect a bible study about forgiveness, then the Sunday sermon built onto the bible study's forgiveness lesson, radio talk shows and personal dealings with Godly people in my life all have been interlinked. It has enforced God's love for me, especially since these people and situations are completely separated.
It has been a healing time for me, not that I have totally forgiven all and am walking the paved path to heaven. It has been a start, it may take me until the day I am called to walk hand in hand with Jesus.
People have failed me, but God has never failed me, people's agendas have hurt me, but God's agenda never has hurt me.

A thank you to LP, Wounded Warrior, M&M, longtimer60, and my Pastor; your inputs have been an encouragement to me.

Quote
Jael
The past couple of weeks God has been placing the right people and topical talks, ie... the radio, church sermons, bible studies, just hanging with Godly people. I have been ministered to, forgiveness, resetting boundaries, encouragement in seeking the kingdom of God first. I think it is more the interconnection between all of these, how good God is to connect a bible study about forgiveness, then the Sunday sermon built onto the bible study's forgiveness lesson, radio talk shows and personal dealings with Godly people in my life all have been interlinked. It has enforced God's love for me, especially since these people and situations are completely separated.
It has been a healing time for me, not that I have totally forgiven all and am walking the paved path to heaven. It has been a start, it may take me until the day I am called to walk hand in hand with Jesus.
People have failed me, but God has never failed me, people's agendas have hurt me, but God's agenda never has hurt me.

A thank you to LP, Wounded Warrior, M&M, longtimer60, and my Pastor; your inputs have been an encouragement to me.

God is good and he takes care of His own.

I am happy to hear so many stories, lately, of how God is healing and helping restore each of you to your rightful place of relationship with Him. His love endures forever!

I hope more of you will share your story of healing as there are others who fear leaving the "covering" of M and C still at TPC looking for a way out. Perhaps your stories might serve to encourage them as they walk away from the false doctrines and into the light.