Mike Bickle

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Mike Bickle is the president,[1] and director,[2] of the International House of Prayer (IHOP), president of Friends of the Bridegroom (FOTB)[3], and co-founder of The Joseph Company of Kansas City.[4] He currently is the most-featured speaker at Sunday worship services at Forerunner Christian Fellowship, the church associated with IHOP.[5]

Bickle was formerly the pastor of the Kansas City Fellowship which is now known as Metro Christian Fellowship. In that role he was Senior Pastor to the so-called "Kansas City Prophets" in the 1980s and 1990s, a group which included Bob Jones, John Paul Jackson and Paul Cain, and by some accounts Francis Frangipane and Rick Joyner. In regards to the moniker "Kansas City Prophets" Bickle is quoted as saying: "I hated that name."[6]

While working 30 hours a week for IHOP,[7] and 30 hours a week for FOTB[8], Bickle has also authored or co-authored numerous books.

The primary focus of his teachings is to prepare the body of Christ for the last stage of human history. His teachings focus on growing in love for God, and encourage living new Testament Christianity. He is most well known for his teachings on the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon).

With his involvement with IHOP, Bickle has been on the forefront of the restoration of 24/7 prayer and worship in the "spirit of the Tabernacle of David."[9] Regarding the Tabernacle of David, Bickle states "It's a prophecy about the victorious church in power. It's more than a prayer and worship ministry, but that's a key part of it. There's a priestly and a kingly dimension to it."[10]

The Joseph Company, founded by Bickle, is a marketplace ministry organization that operates in conjunction with IHOP. One of their goals is to encourage the ministry of "Treasure Bringers" within the church, whose "greatest joy is plundering the wealth of the world for their Lord."[11][12]


[edit] Criticism

Bickle's theology and methods have been challenged by many in the church who assert that he is in error in some of his practices and beliefs[13]. Their criticism, warranted or not, focuses mainly on the basis of his theology, his allegorical interpretation of the Song of Songs,[14] and the moral failings of some of the prophets that he has promoted, including Bob Jones[15][16] and Paul Cain[17][18].

Criticism has spanned several decades, from contemporary critic Rev. Keith Gibson,[19] director of the Kansas City office of the Apologetics Resource Centerto a Kansas City Pastor, Rev. Ernie Gruen[20], who authored a controversial report entitled "Documentation of the Aberrent Practices and Teaching of the Kansas City Fellowship (Grace Ministries)"[21] in 1990. It was around this time that Bickle and his church affiliated with John Wimber and the Association of Vineyard Churches (AVC)[22] in part to address the issues raised by his critics.[23] Regarding these issues, Bickle responded saying "We were tempted to say that the attacks were all of the devil. In retrospect, we see that God’s hand in all of this - even using the things that came from Satan’s hand as well. Some of the criticisms were valid[24] (especially concerning our pride) others were not."[25]

[edit] Books

Books written by Mike Bickle

  • Dynamic Intercession by Mike Bickle ISBN 0850098068
  • Passion for Jesus: Perfecting Extravagant Love for God by Mike Bickle (1994) ISBN 088419258X
  • Growing in the Prophetic by Mike Bickle and Michael Sullivant (1996) ISBN 0884194264
  • The Pleasures of Loving God by Mike Bickle (2000) ISBN 0884196623
  • After God's Own Heart by Mike Bickle (2003) ISBN 1591852307
  • The Relevant Church by Jennifer Ashley, Mike Bickle and Mike Howerton (2004) ISBN 097469424X (one chapter)
  • The Rewards of Fasting by Mike Bickle and Dana Candler (2005) ISBN 0977673812
  • The Seven Longings of the Human Heart by Mike Bickle and Deborah Hiebert (2006) ISBN 0977673847
  • Loving God by Mike Bickle (2007) ISBN 9781599791753
  • Passion for Jesus: Cultivating Extravagant Love for God by Mike Bickle (2007) ISBN 9781599790602


Forewards or Introductions by Mike Bickle

  • Watch of the Lord by Mahesh Chavda and Bonnie Chavda (1989)
  • The Singing God by Sam Storms (1998)
  • Bridal Intercession by Gary Wiens (2001)
  • Leaving Laodicea by Jeanne Terrell (2001)
  • Enjoying God by S. J. Hill (2001)
  • Praying the Bible by Wesley Campbell and Stacey Campbell (2003)
  • Unrelenting Prayer by Bob Sorge (2004)
  • Marketplace Christianity by Robert Fraser (2004)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Parrish, John A. for IHOP (May 14, 2007), IRS Form 990, pp. 18, <http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/742/938/2006-742938029-03165e82-9.pdf>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008  Lists Bickle as president of IHOP.
  2. ^ Who we are, Mike Bickle, <http://www.ihop.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=22497>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008  States Bickle is "director" of IHOP
  3. ^ Parrish, John A. for FOTB (May 22, 2007), IRS Form 990, pp. 5, <http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/742/938/2006-742938033-03245726-9.pdf>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008  Lists Bickle as president of FOTB.
  4. ^ The Joseph Company: Meet the Team, <http://www.ihop.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000021270>. Retrieved on 19 January 2008 
  5. ^ Forerunner Christian Fellowship (FCF), <http://www.ihop.org/Group/Group.aspx?ID=1000000380>. Retrieved on 7 February 2008  "FCF is a local church family...Mike Bickle and other IHOP leaders bring the 'now' word of the Lord..."
  6. ^ Hipp, Deb, Return of the Prophets, <http://www.pitch.com/2002-10-10/news/return-of-the-prophets/3>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008 
  7. ^ Parrish, John A. for IHOP (May 14, 2007), IRS Form 990, pp. 18, <http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/742/938/2006-742938029-03165e82-9.pdf>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008  Lists Bickle's average work week as 30 hours for IHOP
  8. ^ Parrish, John A. for FOTB (May 22, 2007), IRS Form 990, pp. 5, <http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/742/938/2006-742938033-03245726-9.pdf>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008  Lists Bickle's average work week as 30 hours for FOTB
  9. ^ Bickle, Mike (September 9, 2007), God’s Desire to Find a Resting Place on Earth, pp. section I paragraph A., <http://www.ihop.org/Publisher/File.aspx?id=1000004153>. Retrieved on 13 February 2008  "In the May 1983 Solemn Assembly (corporate 21 days of fasting), the Lord spoke audibly commissioning us, saying: 'I will release 24-hour prayer in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David'.”
  10. ^ Walker, Ken (Sept/Oct 1990), “The Rise of Prophetic Worship”, Ministry Today (Lake Mary, FL: Strang Communications Company), OCLC 132797310, <http://www.ministrytodaymag.com/display.php?id=537>  The article goes on to state, Quoting Rob Stearns, "Amos 9:11-12 and Acts 15:16-17 both say that in the last days the tabernacle of David will be restored."
  11. ^ Fraser, Bob, “Six Kingdom Callings of Marketplace Christians”, FOTB Missions Base Journal: 14 
  12. ^ Bickle, Mike (November 4, 2007), Financial Provision for the End Time Worship Movement, pp. paragraph L., <http://www.ihop.org/Publisher/File.aspx?id=1000004684>. Retrieved on 13 February 2008  Bickle mentions the "great transfer of wealth in the End-Times as God shakes the nations," a key doctrine of the Joseph Company.
  13. ^ Maudlin, Michael G. (January 14, 1991), “Seers in the Heartland”, Christianity Today 35 (1): 18-21, ISSN 0009-5753  "Several cult-watching groups have expressed apprehension, and a few,condemnation. Even some Vineyard churches have expressed grave concerns about the direction the prophets are taking them."
  14. ^ Bickle, Mike, Session 1 Introduction to the Song of Solomon, <http://www.ihop.org/Publisher/File.aspx?id=1000002054>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008 
  15. ^ Bickle, Mike (Fall, 1989), "Visions and Revelations" Mike Bickle interviews Bob Jones, (audiotape)  Background info on Bob Jones
  16. ^ “Kansas City 'Prophet' Disciplined”, Christianity Today 36 (3): 67, ISSN 0009-5753 "Vineyard leaders took strong steps recently to discipline well-known "prophet" Bob Jones after Jones admitted to "Sexual misconduct (not adultery)" with two women." "Vineyard leadership also is supporting the Joneses through regular counseling, visits by the Kansas City Metro Vineyard leadership, and monetary contributions."
  17. ^ Joyner, Rick; Bickle, Mike & Deere, Jack, Special Bulletin, No. 37, <http://web.archive.org/web/20041027045030/www.morningstarministries.org/pages/special_bulletins/SB_Current.html>. Retrieved on 3 February 2008 
  18. ^ Grady, J. Lee (March 2005), Prophetic Minister Paul Cain Issues Public Apology for Immoral Lifestyle, Altamonte Springs, FL: Charisma and Christian Life, ISSN 0279-0424, <http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=10627>. Retrieved on 28 January 2008 
  19. ^ Gibson, Keith, “Speaking for God? A Response to the Apostolic and Prophetic Movement”, Areopagus Journal 7 (3): 67, ISSN 1542-040X Gibson notes "To Bickle, apparently, the Trininty is one of those "lesser doctrines" around which a true prophet may be misinformed."
  20. ^ Grady, J. Lee (Sept/Oct 1990), “Resolving the Kansas City Prophecy Controversy”, Ministries Today (Lake Mary, FL: Strang Communications Company): pp. 50, OCLC 132797310  "Gruen says he first became troubled about some of KCF's doctrines after a disagreement with Bickle during a pastor's retreat in 1984."
  21. ^ Beverly, James A. (1995), Holy laughter and the Toronto blessing : an investigative report, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, pp. 180, ISBN 9780310204978 
  22. ^ Grady, J. Lee (Sept/Oct 1990), “Resolving the Kansas City Prophecy Controversy”, Ministry Today (Lake Mary, FL: Strang Communications Company): pp. 51, OCLC 132797310  "In a surprise announcement, he [Wimber] said that Bickle and his associates had agreed to submit themselves to his oversight and become part of Wimber's Vineyard Ministries. The KCF network of fellowships would become Vineyard churches."
  23. ^ Poloma, Margaret M. (2003), Main Street Mystics: The Toronto Blessing & Reviving Pentecostalism, Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, pp. 151, ISBN 9780759103535, <http://books.google.com/books?id=JuokG3nJmAYC&printsec=frontcover#PPP1,M1>  "Despite the accusations of 'false prophecy and misconduct' directed at Bickle, Wimber stood by the Kansas City prophets and encouraged Bickle to bring his church into the AVC."
  24. ^ Maudlin, Michael G. (January 14, 1991), “Seers in the Heartland”, Christianity Today 35 (1): 18-21, ISSN 0009-5753  "To cap it all off, Mike Bickle received public correction (from Wimber) for exaggerating some prophecies, for allowing too much latitude with some prophetic ministers, and for unnecessarily provoking other Kansas City churches for making unwise statements about the role of KCF."
  25. ^ Bickle, Mike & Sullivant, Michael (1996), Growing in the Prophetic, Orlando, FL: Charisma House, ISBN 0884194264 
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