Good questions TPR. I have a few more myself.

How many of those working hours overlap...you know the ones for soma, tpc and their personal businesses?
Is the payment of each employee fair and equitable?
What are the wages of ALL of the employess?
What percentage of the church's total income goes to Mike, how is the rest of it distributed?
As for this situation with Jackie, I wonder what change took place three years ago that suddenly there were questionable activities on the books? Hadn't she been a faithful servant for nine or ten years prior? Is this really about Jackie?

I think the appropriate people to answer these questions is the IRS.
They will be more than happy to address these issues at no charge.

When I found out they were changing the name of SOMA I could've cared less. When I found out what the name was on the other hand...I felt very disturbed. SOMA, when I first started attending, was a place where people were able to be open and experience legit spirit transformation. Some were hurt even back then in 2006, but the heart behind SOMA was for the student to experience change and a deeper relationship with Christ...not for the building of Turning Point or anything else. I actually graduated last year, December 2008, and I cannot say that I was proud to walk across that stage and take that "diploma"...especially since I had spent the last 4 months realizing how much I disagreed with what was being taught at SOMA and what was happening with the church. Earlier this year (February - March) I had talked to a couple different students who were still enrolled that were/are my friends...they had been to big universities and experienced real academia. One of the most painful things for them was going to class and having their freedom to think, share, and collaborate ideas squashed. They described it to me as empty and useless. One of them, actually my best friend, said that SOMA should be called the "School of Indoctrination." I agree with her.

For SOMA to be called a college is crazy. Even back when I believe the heart was different (in a good way), when I first started going, it still couldn't be called a college. College is a place of intense teaching and challenging of ideas...a place for you to choose an avenue to go down and pursue your dreams. Where you can learn about more than what the pastors are teaching you. Until PNBC or SOMA...whatever its called...gets professors who have masters and teach with multiple sources (not just their own revelation)...it will never be accredited. Not because I wish the demise of it or want it to come crashing down (ppl who still attend SOMA are very close to my heart)...it is just the reality of the BIG PICTURE.

I just pray for the students to not get so sucked in because there is a big world out there and unfortunately...most of them believe that they have reached or found the solution to the world's problems. They believe they are getting the best teaching and receiving the most anointing...at one point that's what I believed. A teacher talked in class one day about a dream they had where they believed the Lord told them SOMA was the School of the Holy Spirit. I do believe at one time that was true...but I think most would agree it is not that anymore.

For me, SOMA was the beginning of my process of getting out of Turning Point. It was the place where I started to see everything that didn't make sense. But that story will be for another day... "How Emily Masten Woke Up." Maybe I should write a book...lol.

Love you guys...I just had to share about my splurb on SOMA. Oh...and one more thing. Please don't "hate" the SOMA students who are enrolled now (I couldn't think of a good way to communicate my point). Just pray for them...I used to be one of them. The last thing that I needed was someone who tried to verbally and theologically beat the snot out of me. God is God and He reveals truth. That is all we need to remember. :)

I posted the first link almost one year ago. Its a story of an "apostle and prophet" in Virginia. It is interesting to see parallels to TPC.

The second link is a follow up story to the original story and involves the IRS investigation of this "apostle's" school.

[www.washingtonpost.com]

[www.washingtonpost.com]

Emily,

Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry that you have had to endure what you have gone through. Former staff share a different experience than those who were former members. Again, thank you for your courage in sharing.


TPR

It could very well be that the SOMA name had been changed to distance TPC from the now defunct Radient Life Church of Sacremento. SOMA was a Tony Cunningham school and now since the law suit and church sale Mike is finally cutting his strings with Tony. Mike is smart enough to see a losing proposition with TLC.

Outstanding post, emily.

I'm loathe to clutter a good point with too many words, so in regard to SOMA:

Emily wrote, “Until PNBC or SOMA...whatever its called...gets professors who have masters and teach with multiple sources (not just their own revelation)...it will never be accredited.”

I say, until PNBC gets qualified professors and teaches with multiple sources, it should never be respected.

One can spiritualize the teachers' lack of higher education, saying that God grants wisdom to whom He chooses and that Kingdom ways are not our (worldly) ways. So, this argument doesn't hold much weight in the mind of an indoctrinated person.

But here, if you are an ex-TPCer, an inner-circle syncophant, or a turnip, listen up!

SOMA NW teaches from one source (Apostle Mike Villamor, and the sources he approves), and presents his approved ideas in the most one dimensional way possible (teacher speaks, student records).
Nothing about this is scholarly. Everything about this is narrowly instructional. If TPC is indeed a reputable church, then it's an acceptable arrangement as long as the teachers call it what it is- a Turning Point Church Ministry Training Program. This should be absolutely clear to every student paying $300/month to attend. If you don't plan on being on staff at TPC, you have no business being there. And if you just want to serve the church wholeheartedly, and be trusted with some level of leadership, you should be asking yourself... why won't they accept me without this pricey 'degree'?

However, from one scholar's opinion... spending nearly $10,000 to be fully indoctrinated into Pastor Mike's interpretation of scripture is irresponsible and lazy, even if history proves him to be the next Martin Luther. In fact, Luther would have no respect for a student of his who did not carry out his duty to examine the scriptures for himself.

So Pacific Northwest Bible College is a major misnomer, both in scope and level of instruction. Call the thing what it is- a school of indoctrination- and leave any fantasies about “higher education” out of it.

James 3:1 – “ 1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

Quote
Jill
Outstanding post, emily.

I'm loathe to clutter a good point with too many words, so in regard to SOMA:

Emily wrote, “Until PNBC or SOMA...whatever its called...gets professors who have masters and teach with multiple sources (not just their own revelation)...it will never be accredited.”

I say, until PNBC gets qualified professors and teaches with multiple sources, it should never be respected.

One can spiritualize the teachers' lack of higher education, saying that God grants wisdom to whom He chooses and that Kingdom ways are not our (worldly) ways. So, this argument doesn't hold much weight in the mind of an indoctrinated person.

But here, if you are an ex-TPCer, an inner-circle syncophant, or a turnip, listen up!

SOMA NW teaches from one source (Apostle Mike Villamor, and the sources he approves), and presents his approved ideas in the most one dimensional way possible (teacher speaks, student records).
Nothing about this is scholarly. Everything about this is narrowly instructional. If TPC is indeed a reputable church, then it's an acceptable arrangement as long as the teachers call it what it is- a Turning Point Church Ministry Training Program. This should be absolutely clear to every student paying $300/month to attend. If you don't plan on being on staff at TPC, you have no business being there. And if you just want to serve the church wholeheartedly, and be trusted with some level of leadership, you should be asking yourself... why won't they accept me without this pricey 'degree'?

However, from one scholar's opinion... spending nearly $10,000 to be fully indoctrinated into Pastor Mike's interpretation of scripture is irresponsible and lazy, even if history proves him to be the next Martin Luther. In fact, Luther would have no respect for a student of his who did not carry out his duty to examine the scriptures for himself.

So Pacific Northwest Bible College is a major misnomer, both in scope and level of instruction. Call the thing what it is- a school of indoctrination- and leave any fantasies about “higher education” out of it.

Excellent posts Emily and Jill!!

Just when you think your heart can't be more broken this thing with Pastor Jackie happens. I was told I was not "the greatest". And I would never say that I was, but I gave my heart to TP. I served and I tithed but I wasn't one to be considered to be potentially worthy because although I was a member of TP and I was an active participant in many areas, I knew it things were askew. When I overheard people brag that they do not "gossip" or that God told me that I deserved that parking spot by the entrance. And people began to put "Mike" in their will. I thought something is weird here. The saddest thing for me is that the great prophet Cyndi could not even see my sincere heart when I asked for prayer. I could have found the prayer she said for me on a Hallmark card. Nice, huh? Can you say I want more abuse? Through all the hurt I have been through you think I could give up on Christianity. If it weren't for the Lord Himself and the presence of His Holy Spirit I would've given up. I know that Tp does not represent the real church. It is a place that homage can be PAID $$$ to "Apostle Mike" and to SOMA "School of Mike the Apostle" and to the beautiful interior designer Prophet Cyndi. My heart is continually broken because many are praying and yet the Illusion that these two people are worthy to be honored goes on. If you are still a TP attender please to don't be blind to the loss of people. These "Men and Women of God" are there because they want to use you and hope that you are a faithful tither. They will tell you that if you do not tithe you may have to question that you are a true believer. Whatever you do, take your doubts and go out the nearest exit and do not go back. There are other churches in Marysville that will care for you and teach you the truth that is in the Bible. These other churches will not manipulate you to give and to serve. You do have a choice and the decision to leave TP will be your best choice at this point!!

Some scriptures to ponder about those who have sought to slander the good name of Pastor Jackie:

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:3)

Do not go about spreading slander among your people. (Leviticus 19:16)

It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor. (Proverbs 25:27) [Or double honor]

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:18)

For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. (John 12:43)

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16)

For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:37)

I don’t need to state an opinion about the latest gaf at TPC; the Word of God is far more powerful and true than any word or words I could conceive of and string together.

Saddened



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2009 12:29PM by Saddened.