(Note: this is a slightly altered version of a Facebook post Luke made on May 5th)

Many of you have probably seen the video Mike Winger released critiquing our prophetic pastor at Vineyard Northwest, Micah Turnbo. We hope to give a more detailed response as soon as we can, but here are my initial thoughts:

I had a pleasant phone call with Mike the day before he posted the video. He shared much of what he ended up saying publicly. He wasn’t hostile and was willing to acknowledge it when he agreed with me. From our short conversation, it seemed we had a lot in common when it comes to our approach to Scripture.

Where Mike and I agreed – and where Micah and I also agree - is that he could’ve been more theologically careful in some recent podcasts. Mike also flagged a few instances where Micah’s descriptions seemed to contradict Scripture. Micah readily admits that he does not always have full understanding of some of the things he experiences, and may even, at times, partially misinterpret them, take them too far, and at times, like any human being, misremember some details. We deeply value Scripture at Vineyard Northwest, and so we aren’t taking this lightly. A more careful way of sharing prophetic experiences is something Micah and I are committed to. 

However, Mike and I disagreed on much more. He told me I was too charitable in how I receive Micah’s revelations—something that stems from my personal relationship with Micah and firsthand knowledge of his theology of Scripture. In fact, just days before Mike’s video, Micah publicly reaffirmed that he always subordinates his prophetic experiences to Scripture. I’d encourage anyone who wants to genuinely understand Micah’s views on this to check that video out. I had hoped my perspective might affect Mike’s judgment, but it didn’t.

I explained to Mike that when Micah shares his encounters, he’s not making universal or timeless claims about God’s nature. Micah and I both recognize that in some interviews, he spoke openly and informally, without always clarifying his meaning—like when he said, “God has a sparkly beard.” He wasn’t suggesting that God eternally exists in that form, but simply describing how God appeared to him in that particular moment. Micah understands the need to be clearer in future conversations.

I believe Mike used Colossians 2:18 out of context to critique Micah. Colossians 2:18 is describing a particular nascent, heretical, Christian sect from the first century. To cut out one description of that group, transport it to the 21st-century, and then use it to say that we should view descriptions of long, detailed prophetic revelations as “red flags” is, in my opinion, a complete misuse of the text. I actually brought this up with Mike, and he told me that it was a fair critique, but then he still went on to use that verse in his video. I wonder if Mike would say that Colossians 2:18 should be used to critique Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and the apostle John, as well!

Though Mike would say otherwise, I think he’s confusing his personal “common sense” with biblical discernment. Most (not all) of the time, it seems to me that what he finds strange in Micah’s visions likely offends his intuition more than it violates Scripture. 

On a related but slightly different note, I want to say this clearly: even if you believe the accusations against Micah, there is no place for cyberbullying within the Body of Christ. While it’s important to test prophetic voices—and at times, even to challenge or reject them—there’s never justification for baseless personal attacks.

There’s more I will say, but let me conclude with this: Micah Turnbo is not a liar. Micah Turnbo is not delusional. God has supernaturally confirmed this man to me more times than I can count. Many of you have heard of the extraordinary dream I had in 2014 where God indisputably did so. I’ve been close friends with Micah for 11 years. I’ve seen his character in private and in public. I’ve seen him minister from stages and in living rooms. He isn’t perfect, but in my experience, he has been consistent, trustworthy, full of good fruit, and always wholly committed to pointing people toward friendship with Jesus.

Luke Haselmayer
Senior Pastor
Vineyard Northwest