Candid Thoughts on the Joint Statement on Mike Bickle 

From the Line of Fire team: If you have NOT read the Joint Statement that Dr. Brown was referring to in today's broadcast, published March 7, here's the link. Everything discussed on today's show presupposed this statement, which makes Dr. Brown's views crystal clear: thelineoffire.org/article/a-joint-statement-on-the-allegations-against-mike-bickle

I am 72 years old and have gone through similar situations on a microscale within the Christian world. If it wasn't for social media, all this would be swept under the rug like it was in times past

With all due respect, faith statements do not tell if someone is a wolf. Their actions and the fruit they bear do. Those can not be denied.

As a younger admirer of your work and books, what I feel you might still not recognise dr. Brown is that IHOPKC’s lawyering up and gamed process would’ve likely successfully suppressed victims voices (as happens so often within our charismatic part of the body) - were it not for democratisation of information through social media and the inroads it created for investigative journalists like Julie Roys to dig up the truth. Open questioning has been THE accountability system in lieu of responsible church governance.

Stop redirecting from the point. The issue is what Mike Bickle has done.

The real problem with all American ministries is that we have the wrong gospel. The western gospel and the gospel of the early church are two completely different things.

We need David’s… when caught in sin, he wept and humbled himself to God’s mercy and didn’t blame his victims. He accepted the consequences. He also didn’t manipulate nor falsely witnessed against the Nathan in his life or shunned him. David was considered a man after God’s heart because he was HONEST/transparent and repented.

Thank you Dr Brown for standing for what you believe and doing the Best you can, in light of a ‘public opinion battle’ that can’t be won. But you Win by obeying the Lord!

THANK YOU, Dr. Brown for your uncompromising stance. I appreciate your leadership against this horrible affair.

I can not believe that there is no mention of criminal charges . That will put him on a sex offenders register and put him completely out of ministry for ever no matter what any Church may think . Why hasn't he been arrested and charged ! What a total disgrace ! .

I love your zeal for being on our faces before the Lord's refining fire. Bless you Dr. Brown. Bless that zeal far and wide.

"Mike Bickle's false teachings and predatory behavior." Fixed it for ya.

In this case he should not be restored as a minister over people after many years of deceiving people.

I thank God for Dr. Brown's efforts to help in this painful situation. Some of the things he has said along the way have been helpful to me and I'm sure to many others. An error I think he likely made (not intentionally) was having too much confidence in the IHOPKC leadership early on and speaking in a way that effectively encouraged others to have too much confidence in them. I remember when I heard his sermon at IHOPKC in early November, I was concerned that he might have been too optimistic about how IHOPKC leaders would handle things. That has proven, I think, to be the case. My concern was based partly on my own painful experience in having an advocate-like role in revealing the serious and proven sin of a top leader in a ministry I was part of more than 10 years ago. At first it looked like the other leaders in the ministry would handle it well. But when the pressure was on, they handled it very poorly for a period of time and people, including myself, were hurt a lot. But if Dr. Brown did make this error, it is the type of error we should be able to forgive and give him grace for. It is so hard to get everything right in a situation like this. And he has gotten a lot of things right (imho).

I would like to hear Dr. Brown evaluate his friends (Johnson, Valloton, formerly Bickle, Roth, etc.) not based on what he believes from his private interactions with those but based on what they teach. If someone can share how he has done this without saying ‘I know them….’ Please point that out.

But that is what every predator and those protecting them says when confronted and then they try to dismiss their own behaviors by projecting wrong doing onto their accuser. Stop gossiping! That's what they all say. Do you not know this? It's probably because so many times in the past when God was exposing stuff like this it got shut down and dismissed because "WE don't want to gossip" At some point we have to stop straining gnats and focus on the camel. Maybe not being so cut and dry and acknowledging this type of gaslighting and abuse has been going on in the body of Christ for years towards anyone that tries to come THE RIGHT way initially behind closed doors and is not heard.

No one NEEDS decades of experience dealing with "these kind of situations", we need to apply the Word rigourously. Period.

Love and appreciate you Dr Brown. Ever since I first heard you preach on holiness at Brownsville way back when.

I think I have heard enough about Bickle.. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

thank you for being a strong and loving voice, protective of the body of Christ

I was mad at all the leaders coming against MB. Now im mad at MB because of his silence. Not defending yourself is not a thing you do when you are guilty. Blessed are you when you are persecuted for RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE. Not sins sake. You are guilty, MB. It's time to come clean because millions are suffering because of your sin. Otherwise, your silence is from stubborn selfishness. We're not dumb sheep.

The lack of discernment in the charismatic movement is alarming. Either we are children tossed to and fro from every wind of doctrine , or we are intentionally closing our eyes.

Would love to know why you/your team elected to block me from “X” when I simply disagreed with the way you have seemingly been involved in this matter? I’m asking for a honest and respectful dialog.

Thank you for showing us how to apologize publicly.

Who cares? You stood up for your buddy, not Scriptures.

If we really listen to what Dr. Mike is saying he is condemning any actions and defending those who were hurt. He is only saying that we should not be so quick to condemn the whole ministry and for us to consider ourselves. I’m sure many of us have sins we need dealt with but they are in secret. This does not excuse a pastor who would abuse people and take advantage of them. They should be punished but we should also use this as an example of us to be extremely careful that we also don’t fall.

Today’s program is why I so appreciate you Dr. Brown! Your willingness to care for the Body and your humility in these types of horrible situations. You set a good example. Thank you for allowing Holy Spirit to lead you. 🙏🏼

Dr Brown, you clearly said ""if you are wanting to practice your "prophetic voice" or give you opinion, just zip it." You never said that if someone was a victim to "zip it"...people don't listen

I would be interested to know what Dr Brown and Sam Storms think of the fact that Justin Peters and Osman were able to discern that Mike Bickle is not a godly man despite the fact they know him less than Storms and Dr Brown do. I wonder if that has made them realise that their discernment is off compared to their non charismatic brothers.

if its with minors its criminal

I’m not here to judge because I was a worship leader for many years and had secret sin. All the churches I’ve been involved in have sadly lacked discernment and Godly discipline. What was needed for me was loving correction and deliverance from generational curses and I’m talking biblical deliverance which is not these soft centred new age healing ministries but actual casting out of demon spirits of which I had many from being sexually abused by my father. It took me 41 years of wandering in rejection and rebellion, alcohol addiction etc and my second marriage, losing relationship with my two beautiful adult children and seven grandchildren. My freedom came from a deliverance ministry which had me confess, repent, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal my sin. Then cast out every spirit I had picked up through open doors of sin. All this to say my prayer is that anyone living with sin/ demons should be delivered and cleaned out. Not to excuse these leaders but what if they had a generational curse of witchcraft with perversion spirits in their bloodline specifically. Common church!! Move in POWER. This is the HOUR!! I’m praying for those victims that they don’t have to carry those spirits that entered them for as long as I did.

Maybe that Pastor knew more than you. Dr Brown im not hearing you say, IF these did take place we must deal with this and prosecute Bickle... This would be helpful.I know in life Dr I was betrayed by a Pastor who totally lied and admitted it to me but not to other's and is still Pastoring today no one ever knew but he slandered me as if I was in the wrong...I never said nothing and let God deal with it. The abuse has to stop...

Remember the victims. What has been done to help bring healing for the victims.

Sad that Brown feels like he has to walk on eggshells while talking about Bickle. He is not firm at all, so many prequalifications in this speech, so sad. He is not outright protecting Bickle, but he is downright scared to make a true statement. Sad and scary, protect your kids.

Thank you Dr Brown!

Thank you for this podcast. I've somewhat followed IHOPKC and taken a few classes. At 53 minutes you address Kenneth Copeland. I agree with you, that he is in error. 1) that the Church has replaced Israel and 2) that the covenant that Erica has with God is more precious to Him than the one He made with Israel. While Yeshua says in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples OF all nations, this does not mean that those nations replace Israel, rather that they enter into the covenant of promise with Israel. These things keep me from being too involved. The prosperity stuff doesn't bother me too much, as I've seen that Copeland is forthright in his financial dealings and frugal with offerings. Dave Ramsey says to build wealth to give big and so does Copeland.

Through this whole ordeal, i see why king david asked for the Lords judgments rather than men’s (2sam24:14)…the mob would have strung bickle up like they did gaddafi. Michael Brown is measuring his words and steps unlike the mob behind the keyboard.

The elephant in the room is the allegations involve CRIMINAL behavior. Imagine Bickle standing before the judge saying, "yes she was an underage girl but I'm a pastor, I'm a godly man, I pray 24 hours a day, grace needs to be extended to me." Then the judge says, "OK, no 20 year sentence, please go free, may God bless you."

It’s the fruits that teach us about the tree. Forget all the rest. Further, many people should shut up and not talk about others and should focus on preaching the gospel and love the brothers and sisters.

Unless the error of Hierarchy is corrected in the church this dysfunctional behaviour will continue. Its that simple folks.

We need greater accountability, with each other, in the America Church. How can we start?

I dont hear you speak on behalf of the abused. What if it was your wife or daughter would you not want someone to speak on their behalf's?

I have refused to watch videos posting concerning Mike Bickel nor was I interested in reading what people have been posting, I have however thought IHopkc posted video of latest update only to find it wasn’t it was people who on the defense for victims posting their perspectives so I decided to get off the watching. I don’t know how to pray so I ask God to help all that’s involved to work out salvation in fears and trembling, may no one loose their faith or turn against God but continue to steadfastly walking with God!

So, so, very thankful For your sharing! My my husband and I were very active for 7 years at KCF/Metro Vineyard/IHOPK fof 7 years. It has been Almost 30 years since we were there but have loved mike and Diane since we got to know them. I have grieved a lot over All that has happened What I have seen going on in the body of Christ.... I have I have felt very alone in my Convictions About How this has been Dealt with In the body and across social media. Thank you for your words And I so agree with you And it has been so healing to hear someone in leadership Take such a stand Truth joined with compassion! Sometimes I have thought this is As much a test for the body of Christ in owning up to the gossip, opinions and slander that has gone forth To the world About something so grievous. May God have mercy.. Thank you again and bless you my brother!!!

You were ABSOLUTELY right in your call to stay off social media. BOTH sides have failed by assuming their side would be spoken without them speaking to a third party mediator. ALL of us need to grow up about dealing with these things as God has ordained things by His Word. I highly recommend Dan Juster’s book “Due Process” & Asher Intrater’s book “All Authority” for solid training in these matters.

The problem is our modern society we understand leadership in the context of Hierarchy. Thats not the definition of a leader in the body of christ.

Steven Hassan of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center has developed an acronym: B: Behaviour I: Information T: Thought E: Emotion This explains how cults and other groups conrol members. It can also apply to any 'high demand group', such as a psychologically and spiritually abusive, controlling church, or any organization. Well worth searching. Very informative. I'm sure many people who are or have been in such situations can relate to this. But these days, even in a church, sadly, you need to know who and what you're dealing with.

I think your statement was clear you did not intend to silence the victims but had provided a safe place for them to report their hurts.

Come clean to those that have “authority” over your life?!!!!!! What in the world!! This is where the charismatic church is going wrong. We dont have a right to ANYBODY’s life unless a person has given that place to a friend or family member. Of course if your boss asks something of you that is work related then you are accountable there.

I’m an atheist and I do lots of things that I and others would consider wrong. That’s because I’m a fallible human. However , I take responsibility for my actions and appreciate that if some of the wrong things I do is also illegal, there is likely to be consequences if found out. I have no reason to believe that some entity knows everything I think and do and will punish me in some afterlife. Neither did Mike Bickle, if the allegations are true. This “saved” Christian, believing God was watching, still got up to no good. However, unlike Bickle, I do not pretend that I’m in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit. This is called hypocrisy. I’ve seen Brown on RU-vid essentially saying he knows Bickle and he’s not a charlatan. Well, Dr Brown, this calls into question your discernment. To explain why so many Christian leaders are getting caught out as hypocrites, I hear Christians say that religious leaders are under attack by “the enemy “. The only enemy is the lack of control of their trouser snake; something all men suffer from.

Thank you, Michael, for your humility and sacrifices of time and finances to move these critical issues along towards a just and righteous result. Those who covered up accusations should resign also. We (intercessors) poured ourselves into prayer and fasting for Israel last year at Mike Bickle's urging. After following & supporting IHOP for decades, this revelation of his repeated moral failure was devastating to me. O Yeshua, help us ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼

Pretty much ANYTHING from IHOP is questionable. They're doctrine vs the Bible is horrible

Brown is so big in American Christian circles, but his statements are so weak and small. Why don't you just stand up and not be afraid to state your true opinion? This is so sad to watch.

The signs for bickle were there but everyone ignored them.Mike has always had a model for ministry. At risk younger teenagers who are estranged from family.

We need to click the delete button an pretty much all modern church leaders and let a new generation who believe the gospel of the kingdom and the divine nature to lead the church into the light of the world in becoming a city set on a hill.

Ok... So Mike Bickle committed abuses... And the question is whether it's fine to rebuke him or if it could hurt his feelings? I'm trying to understand the guy in chat who disagreed with Dr Brown loudly. I apologize for my difficulty to concentrate on long periods of time. I believe that waht counts first is to let the authorities do their job. Then if he'S found guilty, repentance is of the man's own business and to that extent, all we need to know is that he's not in a position where he can be a nuisance anymore.

⁠Michael, you kind of missed the point of rebuking bad leadership. David had as many women as he wanted - no rebuke till murder. Since the Bible record called him a man after God’s heart, the church runs to that to justify a restoration: Now to my point. Guys today read that statement as to him being a man after God’s heart and assess that they ALSO are men of God in spite of wanting to bed lots of women. They use the scripture text to elevate David and then elevate themselves. The quick defense by Christians for David to get as many women as he wanted because of his culture, therefore translates into a false assessment of spirituality. David had many wives, not for his concern to treat them correctly, but for the VERY SAME REASON that Joseph Smith, or David Koresh, or Mickey Rooney wanted multiple women. To bed them. Christian apology for Old Testament sex drive is a primary reason these current church leaders can give themselves a pass. It’s a situational ethics where top down authority reigns without rebuke. Why would it not lead to exploiting women when it is constantly exploiting whole congregations. The church is so completely given to reading Bible characters as heroes instead of flawed beings that they will continually let corrupt leaders tell them other corrupt leaders have been rehabilitated and are to be accepted back on top. It’s all a false dynamic based on a slanted reading of scripture as an endorsement of hero worship. This problem has at its core the false reading of authority which Jesus repeatedly addressed as incorrect. Keep the authority worship delusion intact and you will keep the exploitation. Michael, your tactics to divert the discussion into ‘Damning them to hell’ is just that. It is a refusal to notice your unwillingness to address the gross misuse of false authority by making the rest of the body into similar sinners as an excuse. Yes we sin, but mistakes aren’t the same as a CHOSEN belligerence to use false positioning as a means of exploitation. Be more honest.

Thank you Michael Brown and thank you for your heart and for bringing clarity

I actually really admire Dr Brown’s biblical teaching….Isaiah, for example, which is why his tolerance of Quacks like Bickle and these “signs and wonder, prophetic, prayer movement” people is so disappointing. Bizarre prophecies, angel feathers and dreams and visions for a fee is disgusting. IF you don’t like being involved don’t attach yourself to these people. I disagree --practice discernment. 1John4 test the spirits…many false prophets have gone out. What is the shepherds role? I’ve seen this in churches too often. Who is warning the sheep? My mother warned me about the Vineyard movement, about Toronto and the latter rain… Among others. She got this information from her pastor….who was a believer of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts but also an ardent teacher of scripture. He was doing his job.

Doc Brown, thanks for being a joyful servant, and wanting to be discreet about this. That's the way it ought to be, discreet in restoration, and gentle. Thnks also for being transparent. None of us is what we ought to be. Do you ever take questions about Hebrew? I've been teaching myself for years, by writing the text from Tehillim. Anyway, I feel so joyful to go to the Scriptures daily, and learn from Jesus through the sheer joy of the Psalms, though there dark places in them, the Light of the LORD outshines them. שָׁלוֹם

You only had time for two questions when at the beginning of the show and you made it sound as if you will take multiple calls. Just confusing. Also does no one screen the callers before they ask their questions? The last question from the caller wasn’t relevant for this episode.

With 50+ years of ministry I can imagine everything you might wish to and in fact seem to say on this topic. It doesn't deserve that much time. It's a black eye on the work of God. Then, the uncovering of the underlings in the ministry...clean house...start again...

Dr Brown with all respect, Justin Peters et al is not calling out sin, that is the work of the Holy Spirit. they guard against error which is the duty of every Spirit Filled believer. It is your duty to do so without fear or favor, as you are one of the few sane voices in this desert of confusion caused by men and woman who brings reproach to the name of Christ and leading tens of thousands down a path of unhealthy Christianity. there is now talk of restoring men that has fallen...what is that about? sinners must repent and not pretend to be preachers and workers of miracles when they are clearly not.

I don't blame you.

The purpose of allowing the body to begin to discuss these things is healthy. It is much needed. It may not be the intention but the inability of the body to discuss is case and point why it's needed.

Within 30 minutes of visiting a man who wanted to bring the Toronto / Brownsville blesing (spirit) into our small fellowship in the midwest back in the 90s it was clear that a foul spirit was animating this movement, I have to belive that any leader who was involved in this movement were either decieved or complicinat. Unfortuantly, this entire movement and if's foul spirit has produced foul fruit. This could have been stopped by men like Mike before this "strange fire" swept the country and world.

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1Tim4:16

What is Joel Richardson's beef with Dr. Brown? I have followed both for years, sad to see him going after Dr. Brown on Twitter etc

I just clicked on this to give you an opportunity to clear your name. I am so sorry but I now affiliate you with Mike Bickle yet since the big disclosure I see you on a couple other pastors ( that I follow) shows and it confused me. I have been one who fell greatly into sin and have been restored praise God. So I understand, However for whatever reason when I see you I now associate you with defending Mike. We all have fallen short, this was so horrid and to hear leaders defend him more than grieve has been difficult. We all need to pray for all involved. I think however it would do you better to speak of the horrendous sin first prior to all the grace and pardoning. It would be best if you spoke first of an apology and grieve with everyone for a time. Grief takes time. Honestly it probably would of been best for the voice from the pulpit to do as Pastor Che Ahn did many years ago after discovering the ministry leadership was involved in sexual sin and he announced it from the pulpit and dropped the mic 🎤 walked away. He showed his disgust. I’m sorry you got caught up in the middle of this but less talk would be best. God bless you.

To agree with Patricia King (whoa 😱) she is so off. It is concerning to me otherwise I agree 100% with what you are saying.

Independant investigation by a 3rd party is CRUCIAL.

I grieve over the abundant collateral damage to the name of Jesus much more over any human victim or perpetrator. The body of Christ has worshiped man over the fear of the Lord and obey his Living Word. I’m so deeply grieved as one who desperately wants my unbelieving friends to come to know HIM, let’s stop building “churches” around a movement or a man and instead obey and follow Jesus Seminary PHD profs and ALL. Follow Jesus 😢😢

Please be watchful of too many words and not enough actions. It's too easily to craft wonderful messages and content and accomplish little. This needs to be dealt with. Shut it down if needed, restart, whatever but the words words words...

there needs to be truth spoken by bickle, either he is guilty or not, the whole truth

Its a cult Dr! Do a deep dive on how ihop came about.

Michael, you should have known Leviticus 14:33 et seq applies to IHOP KC. Where is the application? You being a believing Jew should have resorted to those principles and not stood to give a pep talk to a flock scattered by a wolf and hireling elders. The elders are strictly at fault for not executing right judgment. And where is the grief of the shame to the Holy Spirit? Your video is trivial pursuit of self justification.

I read a report, and there are a whole lot of "I believe", "my opinion", "It seems to me" concerning what Mike did. I don't think it's right to make statements on the extent of his guilt until the facts completely come out. I would like to hear Mike's side of the story. In my opinion.

If its SA allegations then surely the church should not be the first investigators?? Surely the police should? What would any of the police think about the church trying to run it themselves?

Thank you for your humility

That minister in the AG that talked about that parking lot experience was a HUGE red flag.

I think this situation may link into our individual pain in respect of authority in respect of our parents, school or other. Encouraging everyone to allow the Holy Spirit to lift up our individual pain in respect of authority figures.

Be comfortable doing the work of preaching truth and sin as well as hope and healing. If we say we are prophets or apsotles or teachers are frequently have no problem calling out sin among the congregation, yet so meek to call out sin among the leaders. The spirit is deeply grieved and the sin is quite systemic and still wholly denied .

I will believe you want to hear push back when I begin to notice that you have ceased to talk over and interrupt people who do call your views to question. You’re not real good at listening.

Please don't stereotype a whole ministry based on one members sin. A righteous man judge's everything, but we don't condemn as Jesus didn't condemn the Lost. Teachers and preachers are held at a higher level of accountability.

I was totally unaware that this situation even existed until today. So guess I've been missing the christian christian whatever Christian news I used to watch IHOP have it live streaming on my screen, but lately I've been praying on my own and just hungering down in my bedroom

Appreciate your candid thoughts

I want to vomit everytime you mention the word leader cause its been poisoned by the error of Hierarchy which Jesus & Paul taught against & warned about in the future.

Because of all of this and other church abuse I’m reading Somethings Not Right by Wade Mullen. WOW!!!

Are there any oastors out there who tell the truth? How do they justify decades of deception? The devil is the father if lies. Read the bible, for Christ's sake.

Very much off topic, I know, but kudos to the team on the new camera set-up. It's a nice upgrade in this day and age, when people expect more than 720p.

Faith statements should be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the false prophets and apostles have good " faith statements "

You're a good man Dr. Michael Brown.

You new about bickles sins for weeks, maybe months and said nothing. Why now?

No Christian should seek legal redress against another. Forgive and you shall be forgiven. But clearly a leader who grievously sins should stand down or be removed if they won't go voluntarily. That is after allegations have been proved true or confessed as true.

Elephant in the room: who paid for the independent investigation? If you pay for something, then the firm won’t likely want to find a lot of things to make you look bad bc they’re paying you. Make sense?

@37:50 this pastor should have stepped down an affair while being a pastor is forgivable, but brings too much reproach to the name of Christ, step down and pray for another way to serve the Lord

I would like to know has my fickle been involved in anything inappropriate in the last 20 years?

Dr Brian please do a Topical Teaching on how to handle WOLVES in the Church Stop talking about “restoring a brother” when Bickle is NOT a brother, never was Please teach the church how to handle WOLVES in the Church Why will No one do this… The whole church was dinned sgsinst, thst is what you do not get He is a Wolf Talk about NT wolves and OT False Prophets

Believers do not take each other to court - you resolve things among each other. I le says so.

I have noticed a spirit of perversion accompanying the Kansas City Prophets movement. It would be interesting to discover what happened historically for this spirit to be so evident in this area. Mike Bickle is just another example of the "Kansas City Prophets" being subject to this demonic entity. I hope and trust God will expose the root of this during this time and deal with it, rather then just dealing with individual cases. Does anyone know the history of the area (Kansas City) to shed more light on this?