Edit 15/06/2014: It appears that the C3 Churches in America have no problem advertising Phil Pringle on Instagram as a “Doctor”:
We are honored to have Dr Phil Pringle as one of our voices during #c3vegas2014. Dr Phil is the Founder & President of C3 Church International and the Senior Minister of C3 Church in Sydney Australia. Phil and his wife, Christine, started C3 Church in 1980 and it is now one of the fastest growing, exciting and powerful churches in Australia. An entire global movement of vibrant churches has been birthed as a result of Phil’s leadership and vision as he maintains an uncompromised passion to see cities changed by a contemporary, relevant and anointed church. Phil’s dynamic and relevant preaching has made him a much sought after speaker in both Christian and secular contexts, particularly in the areas of faith, leadership, ministry of the Holy Spirit, church building and kingdom principles of finance and giving. Don’t miss#c3vegas2014…register today!!
Source: C3americas, Instagram, http://instagram.com/p/mk5KHKjqoy/. (Accessed 15/06/2014.)
We have been following the dodgy history of Phil Pringle’s false credentials and those he endorses that also have false credentials.
Is Doctor Phil Pringle Really a Doctor?
Congo Line Of Unqualified Ministers Endorsed By Phil Pringle
How Can Kong Hee Say “I Do Maintain My Integrity”? (Part 1)
Kevin Dysons Degree Doozie
RealMen With False Doctorates (Who Is Dale Bronner?)
If Phil Pringle is not honest with his academic credentials before the general public, in what other ways is he being fast and loose with the facts or economical with the truth?
IF HE DUCKS LIKE A QUACK…
When articles surfaced on the internet a few years ago questioning the credibility of ‘Dr’ Phil Pringle’s credentials, people started reporting that Phil Pringle was ducking questions thrown at him about the validity of his doctorate. Recently, a churchwatcher made the following comment (PP is Phil Pringle, GM is C3 Pastor Gordon Moore and KH is Kong Hee).
“In other news, I know the contention about PP’s Doctorate (I have read the C3CW article re PP, GM and KH)….I also note some people’s observations he is not using “Dr” much anymore.”
“Can anyone who goes to C3OF or is close to the action advise?”
Source: Squidaloopa, Phil Pringle’s Kong Job At Presence 2014 (Part 3) All faith – no substance, C3 Church Watch, https://c3churchwatch.com/2014/06/04/phil-pringles-kong-job-at-presence-2014-part-3-all-faith-no-substance/#comment-18340, June 8, 2014 at 4:06 am. (Accessed 09/06/2014.)
This was an insiders reply,
“Can anyone who goes to C3OF or is close to the action advise?”
“Sources inside C3OF have confirmed that Phil Pringle is no longer referred to as “Dr”, but there is nothing to report beyond that. I personally suspect that Phil has been so embarrassed by this affair that he has let it quietly drop, perhaps to the extent of avoiding discussions even with those in C3′s inner sanctum (an iron-fisted ruler cannot afford to look like a dolt, it just doesn’t do). It’s a safe bet that anyone who is on the teat at C3OF and who values their job would not dare to ever broach the subject with “Apostle” Pringle.”
“At any rate, we can reasonably infer that Phil has come to the conclusion that touting his “PhD” was damaging his credibility (which, naturally enough, reinforces the view that it was not the genuine article). If Phil’s PhD *were* real, he could, of course, get in touch with anyone who has made assertions to the contrary and ask them to withdraw those assertions, but it doesn’t appear that he has ever done so (perhaps he is just trusting in God to strike the naysayers dead – a fate which he has suggested has befallen his opponents in the past).”
“In truth, even amongst die-hard C3 fans, there probably wouldn’t be many who would entertain the thought that Phil is an intellectual by any stretch of the imagination, or that he is cut from the sort of cloth that would allow him to succeed in academic pursuits. And of course, Phil has, in the past, affected to despise those individuals who show themselves as genuinely intelligent; this would appear, in the light of his subsequent desire to be a “Doctor”, to have been nothing less than a nasty case of sour grapes. (It’s always rather sad to see a grown man who is not comfortable in his own skin). Another point worth noting is that Kong “I Maintain My Integrity” Hee provided oversight for Phil when he undertook his study – which is strange, because if I were doing a PhD myself, I wouldn’t want my efforts to be associated with someone who had been caught out plagiarizing.”
Source: Inside Scoop, Phil Pringle’s Kong Job At Presence 2014 (Part 3) All faith – no substance, C3 Church Watch, https://c3churchwatch.com/2014/06/04/phil-pringles-kong-job-at-presence-2014-part-3-all-faith-no-substance/#comment-18373, June 8, 2014 at 1:44 pm. (Accessed 09/06/2014.)
The following reaction occurred after the above comment,
“Sources inside C3OF have confirmed that Phil Pringle is no longer referred to as “Dr”, but there is nothing to report beyond that.”
“Grrrrrrrrrr!! I attended c3 college a looong time ago and we head [sic] the staff tell us that we needed to call Phil Pringle “Dr Phil Pringle” so church members and visitors could see him in a better light and so I did.”
“Now I hear this and dig this info up,http://signposts02.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/c3pringle_credentials.pdf, and find out that I was mislead at college!!!! That college worshiped Pringle as a prophet by brainwashing us to believe he predicted 911!!!! HELLO!?! Using deaths in 911 to elevate prophetic office!?! Yuck!!!! And then they shovved [sic] down our throats Pringle getting an OAM from the Prime Minster John Howard!!!!”
“So does that mean Pringle mislead the Prime Minister of Australia with his false credentials??? And his college runs leadership classes?”
Source: GrumpyxC3CollegeStudent, Phil Pringle’s Kong Job At Presence 2014 (Part 3) All faith – no substance, C3 Church Watch, https://c3churchwatch.com/2014/06/04/phil-pringles-kong-job-at-presence-2014-part-3-all-faith-no-substance/#comment-18375, June 8, 2014 at 2:28 pm. (Accessed 09/06/2014.)
What are your thoughts on this?
C3 Church Watch 
Thanks for quoting me, great to see my name in lights lol.
From the outset I’m not accusing PP, GM, KH, the Sweetmans etc of NOT having Doctorates. My question is firstly, a) are they credible (ie from a reputable/recognised university, or b) have they completed any publishable work?
Firstly – if they have a “Ph.D”, granted by a “university” or “educational facility”, they technically do, but it doesn’t mean it’s the real thing. Kind of like lane-splitting or filtering on a motorbike – there is no law that says “you can’t lane split”; so technically you can legally do it, but in doing so you actually break other road rules. Hmm not the best example. How about – you’re a part-time cleaner contracted by a cleaning company, and you clean the toilets at a major record label. You therefore tell people, “I work for a major record label”, or, “I’m contracted to a major record label”. Sounds great! It’s technically correct but not really.
As mentioned by CW, PP could obviously face his critics and display or release details of his Doctorate. Again I’m not saying he doesn’t have one, but it’s dubious as to the validity. We have been advised by the great defender Dean Sweetman that his wife Jill has a Ph.D in counselling, and he is happy to send us her thesis. So there’s another one however at the offer of being shown actual work, we could probably believe the credentials (I suppose largely depending on the institution). As for Kong – I’ve got no comment.
The last person I’ll mention is Gordon Moore – I know first hand he has done previous study; he was a school teacher in NZ, he did some Masters work here and it was announced a few years ago that he gained his Ph.D and his thesis was on “The Celtic Church and its Significance for Today”. Some web searches say his Ph.D is in Bible Theology (USA), apparently another site says New Covenant (the alleged diploma mill). Make of that what you will, but all I’m saying (as I’ve said in previous posts) is that Gordon has done some legitimate study.
However I find it hard to believe that, even though people have Doctorates in Bible Theology, their implementation in the church is particularly sketchy. Look at how Kong talks about money, how he says God apologised to him after having him go through these trials alone. Phil’s push on money. Accountability. Do they really understand the Bible but do contrary to what it says? Why don’t guys like Mark Driscoll (not necessarily supporting him) – with substantial (to a degree) theology – not go around stamping “Doctor” on everything? I don’t see Chris Roseborough (Fighting for the Faith) go stamping “Dr Pirate” on everything – yet I think he’s got a more thorough understanding of all these “Doctors” put together; don’t agree with all of his views, but his theology is sound – unlike many of the “Doctors”.
Look at what studying the Word can do:
“I have more insight than my teachers, because your decrees are my meditations. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts”. (Ps 119:99-100)
Meditation – then application.
How can your “name” be “in lights lol” when you are not using your real name???
Couldn’t help noticing you don’t use your “real” face as a gravatar, Dean.
Care to address the topic, as Squidaloopa did rather well ?
Dean! Mate! Hope you’re all doing well.
I’ve told you before, but I’ll say it a different way: you obviously weren’t too happy when some here had a swipe at your son, Barn – right? You would then rightly understand how upset I would be – after airing my concerns about all I have (in a fairly reasonable way) – when my kids would get swiped by current members of c3 when they see them at school, social events etc.
Don’t say it wouldn’t happen Dean.
How do you feel when Jill gets swiped? Upset? Angry? How does she feel too? And therefore you could understand how revealing my identity would affect my spouse too. And remember – don’t think it wouldn’t happen to them as well.
Not to mention the phone calls, ignored looks, confrontation I’d get…
God bless.
I’m using my real name, and I’m sure the c3 people know who I am. I don’t have kids so they can’t give them a hard time. I don’t care what they think of me and if they tried to give me a hard time it wouldnt bother me. Actually I would find it very amusing.
‘How can your “name” be “in lights lol” when you are not using your real name???’
Perhaps you don’t realise it Dean, but the fact that you use your real name raises some interesting questions. We are all well aware the Phil Pringle has told his followers that they should not visit web sites that are critical of C3, since, according to him, there is a “demon” behind such. Yet here you are, lurking on this site and seeing fit to comment on this thread, so it must be the case that either:
a) you have knowingly and deliberately flouted the rule set down by Phil Pringle (the leader of your movement; a man who esteems himself as a prophet), or
b) in the C3 movement some followers are more equal than others (gnosticism, anyone?), and that while the great unwashed masses have to be protected from exposure to disconcerting truths, the oligarchs who are running the show are not subject to any such strictures, and they can do anything they please.
So which one is it, Dean? Are you a rebellious rule-breaker or an just an enthusiastic party to plain old-fashioned hypocrisy? (Speaking of hypocrisy, how are things going at C3 Asheville these days? Is Nick Dimitris living his “best life” in the pen?)
Since those who run this site are well aware that they have a large and growing readership amongst C3ers, including those in leadership positions (a fact that is confirmed by your presence here), another question that arises is this: why doesn’t Phil Pringle get someone to post a comment here putting his side of the story re. his alleged “PhD”? Why doesn’t Phil Pringle ask *you* to set the record straight on his behalf, Dean? All he has to do is pick up the phone and dictate a rebuttal along the lines of:
“I, Phil Pringle, swear on the tithe that I did not obtain my Doctorate from a Dodgy Brothers Diploma Mill for Dunderheads; in fact it came from that most reputable of Universities, [fill in the blank]”
Where “[fill in the blank]” might be Oxford, or Cambridge, or The Sorbonne, or Harvard, or Yale, or something like that. That would be so simple, wouldn’t it Dean? So why doesn’t Phil do that?
“Since those who run this site are well aware that they have a large and growing readership amongst C3ers, including those in leadership positions (a fact that is confirmed by your presence here)…”
Contrary to how voting usually works, Dean is the *vocal* minority. As said before, I applaud that you have the proverbials to at least come on here. Though as I’m informed, yes many in various tiers of c3 leadership read this. And they should – because the volume and depth of complaints and concerns is huge. And the majority come from ex-c3 members, like myself.
But are they going to listen?
As another well-informed ex-member told me (and this is not mudslinging) – so many of the upper leadership are untouchable. Like a law to themselves. They run the show, control what’s preached, spoken at offering time, how songs are written, what lyrics to say etc.
Where’s the accountability?
So come one, come all! Maybe c3 pastors will realise why some of their wiser members are leaving, and why this site exists.
To quote Keith Green (and our Lord – “For him who has ears to hear”!
Phil the Crisp ie Pringle ould call a shovel a PHD……Post Hole Digger……….he needs one to dig a bigger bholemfor all the corruptnleaders he endorses and promotes
And of course we still need to find out where “Dr” Jill Sweetman got hers at. Allegedly it was obtained at “Trinity University”. Her FB account (or an old one, anyway you can still find it) was linked to Trinity University in San Antonio, a very legitimate and reputable institution. What a great place to get a doctorate from! Oops, but hang on, they don’t seem to offer doctorates like the one “Dr” Sweetman has?!?!? So is there another “Trinity University”? Well, no there isn’t. But there are places like “Trinity College of the Bible” and other similar sounding places which don’t share the same level of credibility as TU San Antonio and quite frankly look like diploma mills.
Dean has said she studied at “Trinity University”, but TU say they don’t offer the course, so I hope he understands why I still haven’t dropped the question. Maybe one day we’ll get a straight answer?
Apart from the huge vanity factor of being called ‘Doctor’ ….i wonder if that particular title also increases the fees for ‘guest appearances’ at other C3 conventions.
Especially if you’re a speaker at the next C3 Americas Conference in Las Vegas (appropriate venue – where one goes to be “fleeced”)
http://instagram.com/p/mk5KHKjqoy/
Ah yes, Viva Las Vegas C3…sin city. Appropriate.
Especially when it comes to offering time….especially if it’s to fund Kong’s ongoing legal fees…
“Shut up and put your money where your mouth is….”
Can’t wait for the c3 band to come out in Elvis costumes. I have heard [unconfirmed] that the first song will be elvis ‘devil in disguise’…followed by a nick demitris/Kong Hee medley of ‘Jailhouse rock’.
I left a comment on Pringle’s FB page some weeks ago asking him to clarify the issue of academic integrity, and whether his PhD was fake, or not.
No reply. I asked again, very nicely, for some clarity. A C3 acolyte then left a comment, stating I need to step away from the darkness, and come into the light.
I responded to this acolyte, and asked about peer review regarding Dr Pringle’s thesis. She then said that Pringle’s FB page has 6000 likes, and that was as good as peer review for her.
Do we know which institution awarded Dr Pringle his PhD?