From the Grey Coats:
My husband and I were a part of Kansas City Fellowship from it’s inception, until 1990. Here’s our story.
We were part of the original church that Mike Bickle started in the early 80’s called Kansas City Fellowship. In fact, when Mike first arrived in Kansas City, he spoke at a women’s bible study that I was attending at the time. It was the first time I had heard contemplative prayer taught. I was so intrigued by his teaching, I made it a point to attend his soon to be new church.
From the church’s early beginnings, we were wowed by the fact that this church seemed to be commissioned by God. We were encouraged to read about the modern revivals, such as Azuza Street, and modern revivalists, such as Mary Woodworth Edder, and Charles Finney. We were also encouraged to read about the life of David Brainerd, especially his devotion to prayer. Also on the list of required reading were all of Kenneth Hagin’s books. All of this was to prepare us for the coming revival in knowing what to expect.
Read the here. Recently, I’ve enjoyed conversations with those who want a first hand account of IHOP. First hand accounts say the same thing – something is not right. And remember, Mike is only a part of the Kansas City Prophets.
Joel Landon Watts is a Masters of Theological Studies student with a focus in Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific ideals of the past century. Currently, he is a TA for Old Testament at United Theological Seminary under Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Professor of Old Testament. His first book, Rhetorical Strategies of the Evangelist: Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark, is expected to be published by Wipf and Stock early next year. He is currently co-editing a book on moving from Fear to Faith (Energion, 2013).
I myself have never lived as part of the IHOP community, but I did attend two of their annual OneThing conferences. The first year (2007), although I saw a lot of excessive enthusiasm and a bit of unabalanced-ness among some attendees, things were pretty decently done, and there was a lot of helpful teaching. It was only on my second trip (2008) that I began to see what an unhealthy group-think has gripped gripped this group, while listening to Bickle’s dogmatic teaching on end-times teaching, which was hailed as self-evidently true by all and supported “prophetically” by extremely talented but similarly unbalanced worship teams. I have no personal experience that would suggest the label of “cult” for them, but I definitely see a lot of unhealthy thinking and acting. I’ve also had some conversations with a number of people who have lived there, and the general effect on them is that they have an intense desire to know God and the Word, but on the other hand they have some very narrow thinking that leads toward disillusionment. My advice to all: just stay away.
Love that advice, Mitchell, and wish more people would take it.
I myself have never lived as part of the IHOP community, but I did attend two of their annual OneThing conferences. The first year (2007), although I saw a lot of excessive enthusiasm and a bit of unabalanced-ness among some attendees, things were pretty decently done, and there was a lot of helpful teaching. It was only on my second trip (2008) that I began to see what an unhealthy group-think has gripped gripped this group, while listening to Bickle’s dogmatic teaching on end-times teaching, which was hailed as self-evidently true by all and supported “prophetically” by extremely talented but similarly unbalanced worship teams. I have no personal experience that would suggest the label of “cult” for them, but I definitely see a lot of unhealthy thinking and acting. I’ve also had some conversations with a number of people who have lived there, and the general effect on them is that they have an intense desire to know God and the Word, but on the other hand they have some very narrow thinking that leads toward disillusionment. My advice to all: just stay away.
Love that advice, Mitchell, and wish more people would take it.
A lot of Christians who chase signs and wonders are not open to learning the Word which will give them the discernment they need to walk in the Light. Signs and wonders will then follow them. I am cautious of those with free unteachable spirits. We need to be God chasers not movement chasers.