Have you been to my new website? Mikebickleisagoodguy.com? (*not a real link..)  well…buckle in friends…

I’m writing this for the immediate hate I expect to receive. So if you’re reading this I probably sent it to you because you think I hate IHOP, christians, Mike Bickle and the rest.. 

This is my second ever blog post..and its why I think Mike Bickle is such a great guy.

Ok- you’ve got a man who is literally joy on legs…nearly always smiling—genuine and sincere in all he says and does. That was my honest impression of him my 6 years at IHOP. Best I can tell that’s still true of him today…loves Jesus, preaches the word…not just ANY parts of the word ..the parts that talk about how much God loves us…He really REALLY loves us…and Mike seems motivated by a genuine desire for people to experience God’s love. 

In my research for this project- across the board- criticisms of IHOP on blogs and from former members will almost ALWAYS have the caveat: but Mike is SUCH a good guy…and Diane…they are genuine..they are the real deal…

I also think that’s true. 

Here’s why I think Mike Bickle is such a good guy:

In my lifetime of attending church up until 18, I never saw a woman preach. Not once. I was there pretty much every Sunday. A conference here or there maybe…it was a touchy subject…I read a lot about women’s roles in church and wrote a paper on it during my time at Wheaton. My peers laughed at me. There was a scoffing at any idea outside “women submit and stay silent”. It wasn’t really up for debate.

I didn’t realize the affect this had on me until I saw Jennifer Roberts preach at OneThing. I’d never seen a woman preach like that. On a platform..for probably 15,000 people. Over the years I’d watch Shelly Hundley preach, Dana Candler, Sarah Sun Kim..Misty Edwards…

This is normal in some denominations. This was not normal for me.  Where did these women learn to preach like that? Just as well…better even..then many men I’d heard my whole life…how are they able to do this? Who …LETS them do this??

Mike does. 

With a giant BEAMING smile on his face like the proudest papa you ever saw.

Mike doesn’t just “allow” women to preach… Mike is the biggest CHEERLEADER …of women in general..I have seen in my 36 years as a christian.

It’s one thing to allow women authority, to participate, to teach, preach etc…it’s another thing completely—to CHAMPION them the way Mike does. He deserves all the credit in the world for doing this. In all the praise he gets..he doesn’t get enough praise for this. 

I remember walking into church as a child in May. My mother sighed, “Why doesn’t our pastor ever preach a mother’s day message?” She asked several times…I couldn’t help but notice we usually got a Father’s day message..” Why can’t he preach a mother’s day one?” she’d ask in genuine discouragement. 

 Years later I’d send her Mike’s mother’s’ day message..or some message I heard him preach more than once- ranting and raving..about moms. How awesome and important they are.

Up to this point, watching my Mother express feeling unseen…recognizing as I became an adult, the expectation laid out for me was the following:

  -“Don’t forget! You’re a woman, you have to submit! 

-Know your role! 

-Know your place! 

-The husband is the head!

-When you get married you’ll HAVE TO SUBMIT

-Women don’t teach in the church, not over men..

..they don’t lead

..they don’t preach

…know your role, know your place..don’t over step! did we mention SUBMIT!!??!?!?

I watched women get hurt by these ideas and thought for sure I’d eventually be hurt by them too…then I showed up at IHOP and watched women teach and preach BOLDLY and unapologetically…women that have influence and authority and respect. I would look over at Mike..this smiling goofy man and watch him prop up their flourishing like an olympic powerlifter doing an overhead press -with a smile on his face.

I’d hear him say things DAY in and DAY out like: 

“When women are honored the kingdom of God flourishes…we want to contend for their honor..

“..Women have lived in so much abuse..in some places in the body of Christ, women are not seen as equals to men – I believe women can function in every way that men can function in body of Christ, in society, in politics, in government.. in every way.

“In the body of Christ, the women’s insights are not sought after. They’re not valued. Their work is seen as important- but secondary..let men do the real work….that is not God’s perspective..

“..Mother’s have the most influential ministry in the body of Christ throughout history. If I had to pick one group who has really made a grassroots change- its mother’s discipling children in their home.”

“When women are honored the kingdom of God flourishes…”      -Mike Bickle.

…I mean…how amazing is that?? My only problem with the above statements is …its not some places women are seen as unequal…its the MAJORITY of places in the body of Christ. The Majority. This is a big deal. It affects over half of the body of christ, it affects ALL of us.

I had to wait ’til I was 23-25 to hear women truly valued like this from the pulpit. And I heard it often- its how everyone felt at IHOP about women and as far as I know still do…I left in 2014 and the above quotes are from a message Mike preached in May 2016..(probably on mothers day…;) 

You’ve probably heard a lot, or experienced yourself, why Mike is such a great guy…have you ever heard someone point out how well he champions women? 

Now you have. Spread the word. Have you noticed how other leaders are treating women in the church right now? SBC…John MacArthur come to mind??? 

Guess what Mike’s been up to in the last year? As scandal after abuse scandal broke in the news…Mike was using the end of IHOP’s first conference in several years….to preach directly to young moms.

Yeah. I know. How could you not love this guy? “Why young moms need not fear the coming crisis” or something like that.. was the sermon title..and then there’s Mike, literally platforming young moms…

I mean WHO else is doing this??? Do you follow a preacher who literally brings young mothers on stage the first chance he gets after a pandemic shut down??? Have you heard a message like the one cited above…EVER?? 

If you have, and you got more of this- send it my way- please. I’m now 36 and its as much a refreshing cup of cold water now as it was when I first witnessed it at 22…grown men, experienced preachers, a flourishing ministry…championing women.

It’s the exception, it’s not the rule. And it’s because of Mike. He is literally exceptional.

..and that’s why I think he’s such a great guy.

more to come…