Dear members of the IHOPKC and Tikkun communities,

We want to provide an update to you all on where the process stands with the Pastoral Recommendation Team (PRT). As many may be aware, the original PRT report was removed from public spaces, following concerns expressed about the content of the report. Following this removal, we had the opportunity to meet with Rachael Denhollander, walk through the report, and gain a better understanding of the commission we had been given.

In this process, it became clear that there had been some miscommunication which resulted in a misunderstanding of what this report was designed to do, and the audience for whom it was intended. What we believed was intended only to be an internal memorandum to the current IHOP Board, was in fact, a much more serious and broad commission. We have spent considerable time praying through our new understanding of the role of the PRT and stand in agreement with its purpose, but we have also recognized that our team lacked critical history and context needed to fulfill this commission, as well as needing additional subject matter expertise to allow us to consider vital aspects of recommendations for reform.

We believe in and affirm the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture. We also believe in and affirm the charge to let “iron sharpen iron” and rely on every member of Christ’s body and their unique skills and giftings – that none of us can say to a member of Christ’s body, “I have no need of you”. We believe that “in a multitude of counselors there is wisdom”. We likewise understand that shepherds and leaders must engage the broken with gentleness and knowledge, recognizing that “a bruised reed he shall not break.”

As we came to understand the full charge of the PRT, we recognized that a critical first step would be to humbly seek wise input and counsel from members of Christ’s body who have additional specific knowledge, expertise, and wisdom in trauma and abuse. We therefore requested that Tikkun allow Rachael Denhollander to be appointed as an official member of the PRT, as well as retain additional subject matter experts whom she recommended to us. We have spent the past few weeks ensuring that these steps are taken.

We are deeply grateful that Dr. Diane Langberg, PhD, Dr. Tim LeCroy, PhD, and Dr. David Pooler, PhD, have joined our team as advisors, in addition to Rachael joining the PRT as a member. Their expertise and knowledge will be critical as we consider the appropriate response to the Firefly Report, which substantiated  longstanding patterns of sexual misconduct and abuse by IHOP founder Mike Bickle.

Dr. Langberg, Dr. LeCroy, and Dr. Pooler will be providing wisdom, counsel, and feedback on the PRT’s report. They, along with Rachael Denhollander, have full ability to remove themselves from the work of the PRT and notify the public that they have done so, if they reach a point where they believe they can no longer support the work of the PRT. We desire to learn from these individuals and understand that, far too often, names or relationships are leveraged to quiet concerns, rather than genuinely seeking to grow. We therefore believe it is imperative that they retain their agency as they work with us.

We hope to provide the updated report within a month’s time.  While we hope to be able to release a new report at this time, we believe it is more important to pause and take appropriate time to listen and learn, and are not holding to a firm deadline at this time.

We are deeply grieved at the hurt caused by the initial release of the PRT report, particularly areas where we failed to communicate with clarity. Our desire is to produce a work that reflects God’s heart towards the wounded and His hatred of injustice and oppression, believing that as leaders and Christians, it is our responsibility to speak clearly.

The Pastoral Recommendation Team (PRT)

Mark Pfiefer
Steve Procopchak
Kim Vastine
Jerry Dirman
Rachael Denhollender

Wanda Morgan
Rich Nichol
Monica Mauer