Aaron Back

Beloved son. Husband and father. Worshiper. Disciple. Youth pastor. Musician.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

HERE I STAND: My deepest convictions regarding #MikeBickle & #ihopkc
February 9, 2024

Theology has consequences, as do false teaching and sinful practices. There is only one gospel (Gal. 1:8-10), and one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph. 4:4-6). We continue to stand and advocate for those who have been abused by Mike Bickle and silenced or discredited in any way by IHOPKC leadership. Part of their justice and vindication is found in calling out the false teaching which has enabled this egregious abuse of spiritual authority and allowed what Bonhoeffer called "cheap grace"—forgiveness without repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion [Lord’s supper] without confession.

Apostle Paul exhorted the young leader Timothy to keep “sound doctrine” and to oppose all false teachers (1 Tim. 1:1-11). He told Titus, another spiritual son, to “encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9). The Church in America in the 21st Century is so cancer-ridden with false teachings and foul allegiances, so desperately in need of absolute #Reformation once again. There will not be any great #Revival without true repentance, Christlike humility and servanthood, and radical transformation in the Church. God is sovereign, just, holy, gracious, and merciful. He will not be mocked. He will have His way.

This is about the glory of Christ in the earth, the purity and witness of His true Church, and the protection and preservation of His precious children.
In Christ alone,
Aaron Back

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@ryankondo Could you link the Roys Report that you're referring to?

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@sammieleemusic As far as itinerant ministers, churches should know well who they have preach and be sure that they are submitted to a trusted body of elders. As Paul exhorted Timothy "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them... and you will save both yourself and your hearers."

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@sammieleemusic There's some insight in the Greek words-- (preach) "kerusso" is more about proclaiming/heralding the gospel message, while (teach) "didasko" is unpacking and explaining information/biblical doctrine. A pastor should be doing some of both consistently. https://t.co/Mlq5YPolxZ

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@JenniferVerdery That was such a sober moment in the interview, among many.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@mtree81 I needed to hear this tonight, thanks for sharing. Realigning with the simple truths of the kingdom after the painful and disorienting season at ihopkc.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@timmyfraim Yes but the Lord is not letting up. Six months ago we couldn't imagine that they'd be forced to reduce facilities, ministries, and staff down to 10% of what it was. He's keeping the pressure on.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

Let's get the downfall of #IHOPKC story right: it's not "distrust was sown" but that "untrustworthy leaders were exposed." The destruction came not from outside but from within.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@Jhunterjones More blatant lies. I heard this story so many times, and it reinforced MB as the humble reluctant hero.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@peace_got He's definitely not preaching the gospel, probably never has. So yes flee. Secondarily, that sweater is an abomination 😬

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@skooziest @ihopkc No we don't, praise the Lord there's no longer silence! God has raised up an army of prophetic witnesses to speak up until righteousness is done.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

Calling for justice for victims of abuse and dismantling of corrupt leaders is not "agreeing with the accuser", it's agreeing with the Man of Justice who defends the weak. Silence on this matter is sin. @ihopkc #justice #csa #prophetic #notsilent

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@andrewbullard15 Thank you for this much needed reminder today, brother.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@petehavel @reachjulieroys My response was based on the face value of your comment, which implied that IHOPKC leadership has made the right steps. As one who has been here on staff, spoken out, eventually resigned in the midst of this travesty, I can assure they have not. They should cease public ministry.

[Beth Kiraly @bethkiraly_]

👋🏼Hey Sean…soo I don’t have a lot of hope that you’ll actually take the time to read or consider a perspective so vastly different from your own, but hopefully someone will (buckle up, it’s lengthy).

I truly do get your point, and if people actually were identifying with their own pain and victimhood over their freedom in Christ, that would be an issue.

However, are you aware that trauma physically changes someone’s neurobiology? Are you aware that you can look at a brain scan and determine whether or not someone likely has experienced trauma?

If someone were simply to elevate “the power of the cross” over their trauma and pain and find radical healing—this would be a MIRACLE.

Sure, I believe miracles can and do happen. However, your post indicates that you either:
a. Have not done your research and have no understanding of what trauma and pain actually means and are therefore harmfully overspiritualizing neurobiological issues, or
b. Believe that acknowledgement, tenacious treatment, and long healing journeys for many issues of health and humanity cheapen the power of the cross.

Would you say that people operating within their limitations with a diagnosis of cancer, paralysis, or autoimmune diseases are elevating their ‘victimhood’ and thereby cheapening the power of the cross? I would hope not. There are occasions that people get their emotional and relational needs met by identifying as victims, but I assure you that is the exception, not the norm, when it comes to trauma just as much as it is any other diagnosis.

In fact, people with trauma typically hate how much fear they experience on a constant basis—they find no pleasure in that. To suggest that they could just choose the power of the cross over their victimhood and that Jesus would deliver them from this condition is, IMO, as abusive as telling someone with cancer or chronic disease the same thing.

Do most Christians with complex trauma pray to be healed and set free all the time? I’d be willing to bet YES. But I think you are actually cheapening the power of the cross to suggest that healing and freedom looks like you suggest—a radical, spontaneous deliverance. Maybe that’s how it works for some.

Maybe for others, their long-term suffering and healing process deepens their understanding of God, highlights their need for healthy and safe relationships, and increases their empathy and compassion for others. Maybe God is in the battle with disease just as much as He is in the healing.

I can’t picture Jesus saying what you have stated in this post. IMO, it’s abusive, dangerous, condemning, judgmental, and unbalanced. It lacks empathy while elevating the miraculous. Is a slower road to healing subpar?

Unaddressed trauma is linked to a vast array of physical health conditions, many of which are known to shorten lifespans. CPTSD has largely been considered a chronic diagnosis, especially until recent decades of research and improved interventions. It’s not cool to tell someone with cancer that they’re cheapening Jesus’s sacrifice, so I implore you to do your research and speak with more kindness and care to trauma survivors.

To trauma survivors—it’s okay to speak the truth about your story and not to spiritually bypass your pain. It’s okay not to dissociate from your experience to proclaim your healing. Maybe you’ll experience a radical miracle of healing; Maybe your healing will be long and complicated; that does not make it any less Christ-centered and empowered by the finished work of the cross.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@seanfeucht Have you ever walked longterm (not from a stage or with a camera on) with someone who has been abused and traumatized? Sincere question. Perhaps you have. Christ can save them in a moment, but His love and healing is longsuffering with them (who are us) in the process...

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@Johnandhammer @Calebculver @DrMichaelLBrown Thanks. I'll look that up.

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@Calebculver @Johnandhammer @DrMichaelLBrown FB link doesn't work, says no content. I'm curious about specific examples as well. Any ideas how to access what he shared?

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

Key identifiers of false prophets, biblically: They say 'peace' when there is no peace. They call good evil and evil good. "Crisis is over. Advocates caused the problem. Repentance is done. The show must go on." #IHOPKC #travesty #Godwillnotbemocked

[Aaron Back @AaronBack22]

@sammieleemusic #worthfightingfor