MIKE BICKLE IHOP HISTORIC SPIRITUAL ABUSE: A SUMMARY OF A COLLECTION OF GRIEVANCES AND CONCERNS

Transcript

• A Summary of A Collection Of Grievances And Concerns

  Regarding IHOP-KC

  by

  Kendall Beachey, Tyler Dunstan, Nathan Otten, Richard Liantonio, and

  Gary Wallin.

  In an April 1st, 2014 meeting mediated by Midwest Ministers Fellowship between IHOP-KC Leadership (Mike Bickle, etc.) and Kendall Beachey, Tyler Dunstan, Nathan Otten, Richard Liantonio, and Gary Wallin (henceforth we), we presented a collection of grievances and concerns focused on the spiritual culture and leadership practices of IHOP-KC. This presentation was divided into six distinct sections, each presented by a different individual. It must be stressed from the outset that these concerns are not over individual infractions or isolated incidents. Rather, any single event is only highlighted as means of illuminating the larger systemic issues within the leadership culture, structural dimensions, spiritual environment, and community of IHOP-KC that allow for, encourage, and justify these, and similar, infractions. These grievances are aimed at the systemic issues at work in perpetuating, by grave negligence or purposeful intent, these mistreatments. The Meta-Narrative The meta-narrative of IHOP-KC can be summarized as Pre-millennial Eschatology + Prophetic History = IHOP-KCs meta-narrative. These two elements function together powerfully to create the driving impetus behind all that happens at IHOP-KC. This narrative can best be captured in the predominate symbol within the IHOP-KC community: the word forerunner. The name forerunner is ubiquitous and is a shorthand way of telling the IHOP-KC meta-narrative each time it is said. It both encapsulates IHOP-KCs place on the timeline (shortly before Christs return) and role (carrying a special message the rest of the Church must hear in order to be prepared for that return). For a person in leadership or on staff at IHOP-KC to deny Christ is returning within this generation or shortly thereafter deconstructs and undermines the narrative substructure of the school and missions base (which is labeled Forerunner School of Ministry and Forerunner Christian Fellowship). IHOP-KC depends on the belief in the soon return of Christ to sustain its unique identity in the context of every other Bible school or seminary and every other Christian community.

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  While every culture and community operates with some level of meta-narrative, our analysis reveals at least four troubling results of the unique dynamics caused by meta-narrative found at IHOP-KC. 1) Psychological and emotional trauma The meta-narrative on IHOP-KC encourages a narcissistic environment where individuals focus on the temporal short-term (next six months to a year) as being the most significant rather than long-term life planning. The atmosphere focuses on the importance of the state of his or her individual heart, fostering an unhealthy introspection. There is a soteriological significance to being a part of the community, which comes into focus when an individual is faced with the choice to separate himself or herself from it. Fear of falling away and deep shame accompany many who find their personal vocation or beliefs no longer in line with those of IHOP-KC. For many, leaving is a traumatic process that can take years to recover from. This difficulty in leaving is not because the leadership forbids him or her leaving, but because of the power of the stories and the worldview the leadership create. Leaders do not need to explicitly say, You cannot leave. They dont have to, because the meta-narrative does this for them. Many, who have given their late teens and twenties to IHOP-KC, find themselves in their mid-to-late twenties with no college education, no work skills, and a resume that only includes a controversial ministry or a degree from an unaccredited university. There is despair about not being able to go anywhere else or having to start over at 25 or 30 years old. Mike Bickle exasperates this traumatic experience when he makes statements such as those from IHOP-KCs August 2013 Staff Meeting:

  When God does this...When God gives signs in the heavens [1983 comet] to back up words that have to do with a global purpose and he invites you to it, you are now accountable for it and you will talk to him about it at the Judgment seat of Christ. Every one of you in this room, and every one that has been in this room over the 14 years, they will talk to the Lord about this purpose.

  Despite Mr. Bickles attempts to justify or qualify these statements, it is impossible to escape the psychologically powerful way in which statements such as this, which insist those who draw back fro IHOP-KCs purpose will have to answer for it at the Judgment seat, pressure individuals to remain a part of the movement and suppress their doubts and fears due to terror of finding themselves on the wrong side of Christs judgment.

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  2) Creates a negative view of the rest of the church or sectarian elitism The mandate to Change the understanding and expression of Christianity in one generation is often heard in the context of IHOP-KC having the driving role in such a change. The symbolic word Forerunner points to this idea. Many in the global church are seen as out of step or irrelevant. The predominate idea (although not stated directly) is that all the existing structures will crumble during the coming crisis and Mr. Bickle and others will be the leaders of the true Christians after the falling away leading the 35 apostles in the Blue Ridge procession in a city of refuge. It is in the context of this larger narrative that all qualifiers about the rest of church being necessary and good are heard. When Allen Hood states at the May 2013 staff meeting that Mr. Bickles message about 10,000 John the Baptists, forerunners,

  changed his worldview and

  My life would look very different without this ministry, I would be a United Methodist pastor somewhere else you [IHOP-KC staff] just helped the rest of the world to not enter into Church as usual,

  there is an implicit, and at times explicit, degradation of traditional churches. Mr. Bickles statements from the May 2005 staff meeting that,

  Every assignment in Scripture is subordinate to the call to the solemn assembly. Wherever one has grace for this, then lay aside other assignments no matter how noble, for they are enriched, strengthened and multiplied by the solemn assembly

  or Corey Russell on IHOP-KC promo videos

  Shut it all down! in reference to traditional church expressions, all function together to promote an image that IHOP-KC holds an exalted role within the Church. The significance of these quotes is not the individual statements; it is the cumulative effect on young adults (and older adults) as they sit through meeting after meeting where these types of statements are made. 3) Creates an environment where the ministry is not questioned or, if questions are raised, are not heard There are ready-made categories for individuals who question IHOP-KCs direction, methods, or theology. The Prophetic History uses the image of rabid dogs to describe

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  those whose criticisms would attempt to derail the movement and presents a picture of those who would try to steal the message from Mikes heart. Numerous times throughout the past 10 years, IHOP-KC has emphasized that great controversy is always right around the corner. These stories and prophecies provide ready-made interpretive categories by which to dismiss all controversy as unfounded and actually provide a sense of rejoicing when controversy comes because it validates the narrative IHOP-KC lives by. It is all too easy to place any dissenting voice into these categories of opposition and to fail to hear the genuine criticisms that those who have been a part of the community express. 4) Prophetic History determines doctrine A reoccurring question when doubts are raised concerning IHOP-KCs beliefs about eschatology is what about the prophetic history? This question has been repeatedly used to end conversations over Biblical disagreement and to pressure compliance from staff and students raising questions. While Mr. Bickle and other senior leaders claim IHOP-KC does not base its theology on the Prophetic History, we have a hard time believing that the Prophetic History does not influence IHOP-KCs main teachings, but they rather simply emerged from reading and studying Scripture. Every exegete, no matter their conclusions, has a lens that they look through, and no one is truly objective. While this is okay, responsible teaching insists these lenses be acknowledged publicly. If the Prophetic History has shaped Mr. Bickle or other teachers lens through which they read Scripture, it should be acknowledged. We would have serious reservations about engaging in a theological dialogue with IHOP-KC teachers and leaders because there is something standing behind their convictions that is not open to public debate and discussion the Prophetic History. More than just providing the overarching meta-narrative fueling IHOP-KC, the Prophetic History is the lens through which Scripture is read within IHOP-KC and is in the background of all theological discussions, arbitrating what questions or conclusions are off limits. Discipleship of Assimilation We see a central issue running through IHOP-KC: a program of assimilation. As individuals join IHOPU or IHOP-KC staff, they find themselves under tremendous pressure to conform to the culture of IHOP-KC. This pressure to say, act, and believe like those who are platformed causes increasingly problematic results as individuals attempt to express their own preferences, differing opinions and beliefs, and individual preferences. The Prophetic History (Forerunner message etc.) and narrow eschatology serves as the controlling meta-narrative of IHOP-KC. Like any other groups controlling narrative, the Prophetic History is not merely something to look at, but the lens through

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  which members negotiate the past, the future, and the current world around them. This Prophetic History furnishes individuals at IHOP-KC with:

  A drama to be invested in

  Roles and identities to live out of

  Corresponding practices and activities. These pressures applied by IHOP-KCs meta-narrative creates a highly polarizing view of the world that demands absolute allegiance to a narrow eschatology, ecclesiology, and Christian vocation. Our fear is that because so much dignity, nurturing, and defense is reserved for the meta-narrative, it is at odds with the dignity, nurturing, and defense Christian ministers normally reserve for the people below them. More specifically, when forced to choose between the dignity of the Prophetic History and that of the individual, IHOP-KC and IHOPU have opted to create a safe place for their ministry agenda, rather than for individuals. We put forward the following question: Does IHOP-KC exist for people or do people exist to further IHOP-KCs agenda? The following three issues demonstrate in our assessment the latter answer to be the regrettable reality.

  1) When valid Christian vocations are chosen that differ from that which the meta-narrative demands;

  2) When different ecclesial voices or practices are listened to or

  undertaken; 3) And when questions that are perceived as damaging to the validity of the

  meta-narrative are asked (concerning theology, eschatology, or the Prophetic History),

  measures are taken to silence, correct, warn, or label. In our personal experiences and the experiences of others who have shared their stories, we have observed that when individuals within IHOP-KC consider vocations outside of IHOP-KC, consider Church expressions different that those practiced in the Prayer Room and Forerunner Christian Fellowship, or adopt theology, primarily related to eschatology, that differs from that taught by Mr. Bickle and other senior leaders, these individuals are counseled against these choices, warned of impending peril, and labeled a threat to IHOP-KC and those around them.

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  These stories do not merely implicate individual leaders for isolated instances of inappropriate action, but are meant to show symptoms that point to the larger issue of how the meta-narrative functions within the community. We do not see these stories as scattered, isolated instances that need individual attention. In our mind, that would be treating the symptoms of a disease rather than the disease itself. Rather, we see in these stories, considered together, the systemic nature of these destructive beliefs. We are not suggesting IHOP-KC simply tweak the way they speak about differing vocations, churches, and doctrines. We find that the pressure placed upon IHOP-KC by the meta-narrative demands these drastic conclusions whether officially or unofficially. In most every sphere there seems to be an elitism that places IHOP-KC and its meta-narrative over and against what is happening in other spheres of the body of Christ vocationally, ecclesiologically, and theologically. Handling of Disagreement Repeatedly, the stories we have received from those who experienced mistreatment or hardship at IHOP-KC feature inappropriate behavior by leaders who have disagreements with members (staff, students, interns, etc.). This behavior is particularly evident in stories of private meetings with individuals found in disagreement with IHOP-KC. While we lack the space to tell all the details of these encounters, it will suffice here to summarize those behaviors that seem most problematic.

  1) Interpretation of Motives: Leadership of IHOP-KC is ungenerously skeptical of the intentions, motivations, and aims of those with whom they are in disagreement with. Negative motives are assigned without foreknowledge and upheld despite the individuals protests or attempts to explain.

  2) Listing Credentials: Leaders attempt to establish their position over the

  individual by categorizing the ways in which they are superior to them age, years in ministry, level of education, etc. in an attempt to silence questions.

  3) Conversation Domination: IHOP-KC leaders often fail to give individuals

  adequate time to explain their position or make a case for their behavior. Leaders take up much of the time talking, deciding the direction of the conversation, and fail to demonstrate interest in understanding the individuals position.

  4) Authoritarianism: Often, leaders focus on the need for individuals to submit to

  authority. Individuals were told you just need to submit, or a student is not above their teacher, or a student is not smart enough to know what is best for them. Leaders responded harshly when students questioned their methods of leadership or the means by which they attempted to lead.

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  5) Context for Challenging: Repeatedly, individuals were told that the only context

  for disagreeing with a leaders teachings was in a private one-on-one meeting with the leader with whom they had a disagreement. Individuals were told they should have known that a classroom was not the context to express disagreement with the teacher or ask questions that might undermine what was being taught.

  6) Victim Blaming: A major red flag we identified was that of blaming the

  individual who raised a concern for the very problem they were attempting to address. Individuals went into conversations with IHOP-KC leaders to raise concerns and would, with varying degrees of force, be told the problem really was not the leader or something they had actually done wrong, but was rather the problem of the individual bringing the concern; the individual was not humble enough or had some other spiritual malady that impaired their judgment.

  7) Shouting and Shaming: Leaders often exhibited inappropriate behavior such as

  yelling at students and individualsin one instance yelling at a student don't you dare question how I train my soldierrevealing the type of militant authoritarianism present.

  8) Intimidation: In other instances, leaders towered over members who were

  physically smaller while pressuring them to engage in conversations and answer questions they did not wish to. When an individual cornered by a leader responded, Im feeling really uncomfortable right now, the leader replied, Frankly, that means nothing to me.

  While this is no way an exhaustive list, it gives a window into the types of authoritarianism and troubling behavior that has been exhibited by leadership at IHOP-KC. It is these dealings with individuals in private that is the most troubling. While the perception of leaders on the stage may be positive, these private dealings reveal the troubling reality about the way they treat individuals. While, due to privacy concerns, we cannot include many of the details from the stories we have received, we feel confident in saying that the behavior exhibited in the information shared in the April 1st meeting is shocking and exhibits behavior that is abusive and absolutely unacceptable for any leader. Accusation Without Investigation The issue of accusation without investigation has been significant in understanding various individuals negative experiences at IHOP-KC. Repeatedly, stories we have heard, including our own, involve leaders bringing disciplinary action against individuals on the basis of rumors, false accusations, and hearsay, without adequately

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  investigating and determining the facts involved. In some cases, this has involved disciplinary action such as censorship, probation periods, reeducation, forced sabbaticals, loss of employment or position, and private meetings with leaders to correct what was deemed as troubling behavior. Individuals have been accused of spreading lies, teaching false information, engaging in sexually promiscuous behavior, or being part of theological discussions deemed inappropriate by the leadership, all without adequate investigation and information about what took place or giving individuals an opportunity to give explanation to their behavior. When individuals have attempted to set the record straight or defend their behavior as appropriate, IHOP-KC leadership has often refused to listen to their explanations or consider their position. Leaders presumed to know things about individuals, sometimes claiming the information came by the Spirit of God, but were not allowed to challenge. Leaders were unwilling to enter into the type of extensive dialogue that would be required in order to further elucidate the situation. This reveals a deeply disturbing trend within the leadership of IHOP-KC and shows the extent to which leaders are not willing to deal honestly with individuals who seem to present challenges to the existing system or meta-narrative. Control in Domestic Spheres In an environment where a dramatic, all-embracing eschatological meta-narrative supplies the foundational source of an all-consuming spiritual culture marked by intensity, pressure, and urgency, a context is fostered where boundary lines become less clear and normal boundary lines are transgressed. Within the strength of the meta-narrative, a subtle "ends-justifies-the-means" mindset emerges in leaders and followers, making it easier for leaders to justify their actions and followers to ignore questions of propriety. Within the isolation of the community, actions and situations become seen as normal or only slightly abnormal, that in outside ecclesial and professional environments are considered grossly abnormal. IHOP-KCs leadership has crossed into the domain of domestic control in instances where individuals were told they needed to stop being friends with one another. These instructions to end friendships were sometimes accompanied by unsubstantiated claims to knowledge of sexual impropriety provided by the spirit of God. In another instance, at least a dozen individuals were told they were to no longer help or associate with a sick member of the community with no explanation or reasoning even when asked. When one of these individuals questioned this, leadership lied to this individual and claimed the sick friend had never been a part of the IHOP-KC community. When confronted about this lie, leaders both acknowledged the lie and

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  justified it, saying, The situation is complicated. The attempts to end this friendship nearly resulted in the significant disruption of the individuals family unit as family members were pressured by high-level leaders to take sides for or against IHOP-KC leaderships position. In another instance, when a low-level leader said in a meeting that IHOP-KC leadership was pressuring them to come to a mandatory meeting on their only day off felt like manipulation, this individual was met with one-on-one, told never to use the word manipulation again, not to oppose leadership, and to name the other individuals who had expressed appreciation to this individual for expressing dissatisfaction with the mandatory meeting. Subsequently, this individual was not invited back to their leadership position again with no explanation. Many other individuals were kept from having a weekly day off. Worship leaders were told they were not allowed to travel on the weekends to raise financial support in order to pay their bills and remain on staff. Individuals were routinely pressured into accepting that they did not need a day off, being told that for most of IHOP-KCs history individuals did not take a day off, and that most Christians out there in the world would love to be able to come to the prayer room on their day off and you are upset that you have to come in for a [two-hour worship/music] set on your Sabbath. On numerous occasions, leaders in IHOPU stated that their educational philosophy was eliminate any flexibility or free time from their students schedules, saying "Our goal is to keep the students so busy they don't have time to sin." One IHOPU faculty member was forced to take what was originally a six-month (but without additional explanation grew to be indefinite) sabbatical from teaching due to the alleged bad fruit he was producing. The bad fruit referenced was that two of his students were asking difficult questions and disagreeing with teachers in their other IHOPU classes. As a part of this forced sabbatical, this faculty member was no longer allowed to

  1) teach in any context (including informal Greek classes in his own home or extended conversations in the prayer room hallway)

  2) hold small group liturgical prayer meetings in his home, 3) lead home groups and prayer room teams, and 4) invite individuals to his church (since he was opening things up to

  students that IHOPU was not opening up to them).

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  When his students were informed of this sabbatical, which they were told was voluntary, they were instructed not even to ask this faculty member about the sabbatical. Control in domestic spheres is one of the most troubling aspects of the stories we have heard from individuals who have been involved with IHOP-KC. Telling individuals who to associate with, what they can do in their own homes, what conversations they can have, and how they can spend their free time is deeply troubling. This control represents a fundamental inappropriateness on the part of senior IHOP-KC leaders in crossing of boundaries. This type of behavior is a significant red flag in diagnosing the state of IHOP-KCs leadership culture and the extent to which they are able to distinguish between right and wrong. Disregard for the Mental Health of People in their Pastoral Care If what we have said thus far serves as any indication of how we perceive IHOP-KCs dealings with the overall well-being of its students and staff, this section should come as no surprise. Time and time again, as we have mentioned, various leaders have opted to support IHOP-KCs meta-narrative, often at the expense of students and staff. In these instances, IHOP-KC does not exist for people; rather, real live individuals exist to further IHOP-KCs agenda and become a means to advance IHOP-KCs ends. Looking at many stories we received, it would take little more than a casual glance to recognize the potentiality for serious psychological harm and emotional dysfunction to develop among those who have spent time at IHOP-KC. During our time at IHOP-KC, it has been our experience and observation that IHOP-KC has not been willing to accept responsibility for the mental well-being of those who have come to IHOP-KC as staff, students, interns, or members of the community. There is an assumption at IHOP-KC that the ministry is bringing in mostly mature Christians who merely need to be equipped with the end times message and sent out for ministry. The reality is that IHOP-KC attracts many broken individuals who need to be provided a basic foundation of Christian theology and praxis and professional psychological help. For IHOP-KC to be appropriately responsible, it needs both to identify the ways in which its culture attracts and exasperates issues of mental health and to provide care for these individuals as a primary concern and use of its resources. All of these stories we have received are painful. They involve dysfunction, mistreatment and traumatic instances. Many involve the loss of friends, support structures, jobs, dreams, and ambitions. Many of these stories include events that call for serious pastoral care and professional psychological help. They are the type of life-defining events that need openness, honesty, and vulnerability to heal. In many cases, IHOP-KC has not only been the perpetrator of such harm, but has also not sought to meet the true

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  demand of pastoral care that the fractured state of its people demand. As of yet, IHOP-KC has not taken responsibility for the mental well-being of those individuals who come, either those who are fractured upon arrival or those whom IHOP-KC takes an active role in fracturing. The weight of these stories and the repeated lack of concern over the well-being of students, staff, and interns raise serious concerns about the safety of IHOP-KC as an organization and the drastic response that would be required for it to right this area of gross neglect. Conclusion Our entire presentation attempts to illustrate the long-term, systemically unhealthy leadership culture that is present in IHOP-KC. We recognize that our knowledge is limited. While we are only able to present some of the stores we are aware of, it is likely that there are many more stories that we have not yet heard. The consistency with which individuals in very high positions of leadership go on to abuse their power is both disturbing and alarming. The degree to which Mike Bickle deeply trusted these individuals and the abuses that took place under his watch is also frightening. What we are dealing with is not one or two isolated instances of weakness, but rather a pattern demonstrating that a number of the senior leaders have a warped sense of what is right and wrong, what is appropriate and inappropriate. This also brings to light the marked contrast between what Mike Bickle say from the platform and what is executed by the leaders directly underneath him. While speaking with an individual who was heavily involved with IHOP-KC as a prophetic singer from its early days and for many years, they commented,

  everyone hears one thing on the platform, but several leaders directly under Mike enforce a radically different policy that has to be the most common/recurring theme Ive heard countless times over the past 11+ years.

  For example:

  - Critical Thinking - (A) Mr. Bickle says, We must all test each teaching that we hear in the light of Scripture. Do not receive a teaching that you cannot see with your eyes in your Bible. Do not quickly accept new ideas before examining them. Loyalty to a ministry involves humbly challenging it when needed. Do not say, Our leaders say..., but, The Bible says... (b) However, people are routinely punished, rebuked, and/or humiliated by senior leaders for questioning Mr. Bickle and other leaders teaching. The phrase, Mike said

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  is one of the most commonly heard phrases at IHOP-KC. The caveat to challenge in a right spirit is used as an excuse to shut down anything that doesnt pass a subjectively nebulous bar of in the right spirit.

  - The Scriptures - (A) Mr. Bickle says, The Bereans only accepted Pauls teaching when they saw it in the Scriptures (B) However, leaders have on multiple occasions defined Bereans as accepting the teaching first and then confirming in the scripture. A plethora of stories show that it was not even arriving at inappropriate conclusions which could exclude a person from ministry, but even asking the questions was enough to label individuals unfit to lead or participate on even low levels.

  - Isolation and Rejection - (A) Mr. Bickle says, A leaders concern is to help people succeed in doing Gods will for their own lives, regardless of whether it means joining another ministry. The foundational value is that God owns the people, not the leader of a ministry. (B) However, people are at times humiliated and given explicit and implicit (eschatology/Prophetic History) pressure when they want to go to college, pursue another career, or even think about their life outside of IHOP-KC.

  - Inappropriate Loyalty- (A) Mr. Bickle says, Our first loyalty and connection is to Jesus (Col. 2:19). Faithfulness is defined as loyalty to Jesus and obeying His Word and will. (B) However, behind the scenes, senior leaders promote Mr. Bickle as an apostle, often insist that Bible studies only be led from Mr. Bickle's teaching notes, continually appeal to Mr. Bickle's experience, authority, and prophetic experiences; operate in an authoritarian manner, and root out anything that would challenge this authority.

  - Biblical Boundaries- (A) Mr. Bickle says, healthy organizations do not cross biblical boundaries of behavior. (B) However, senior leaders believe it is their prerogative to tell people what they can and cannot do in their own home; who they can be friends with, who they can talk to, and where, and about what; whether or not they can have a day off; how to schedule their time beyond their requirements, etc.

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  - The Church -

  (A) Mr. Bickle says, We love Jesus by loving the whole Church that is so dear to Him. We cultivate a culture of honor by loving the whole Church. (B) However, senior leaders promote an elitism that disparages other churches, denominations, and movements; demonizes various orthodox and evangelical theologies, villianizes people for engaging in practices of other orthodox Christian traditions, seeks to prevent students from engaging with other churches and traditions.

  - Special Revelation- (A) Mr. Bickle says, healthy ministries do not, emphasize the special revelations of their leader that contradict Scripture. (B) However, senior and junior leaders regularly appeal to the Prophetic History to shape the ministry, motivate people, and guide, limit, and even determine the biblical interpretation. From our perspective, we can only see two possible explanations as to Mr. Bickles personal involvement with this unhealthy leadership culture. (1) Individuals who abuse their power are put into place because they are the type of leaders that Mr. Bickle wants in his organization. The contrast between what is said on the platform and what they execute is because they execute what Mr. Bickle actually wants. (2) Abuses have perpetuated in many different areas of Mr. Bickle's organization, by many senior and junior leaders without Mr. Bickle's full knowledge, but not without an extreme level of negligence on Mr. Bickle's part. If this is true, Mr. Bickle must take full responsibility for the level of negligence that was required for this type of situation to grow and perpetuate.

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