The Infamous Ernie Gruen Report
January 18, 2008 by devinasheville
I am really happy that I got a hold of this. There is some controversy surrounding this document, not only because of it’s extensive documentation of abuses done under the ministry of Mike Bickle, but also because Gruen supposedly wrote a city-wide apology for the report claiming that he was a “deceived deceiver”. I have not been able to get that info affirmed, it is simply what is claimed in this Mike Bickle wikipedia page. But I have found Ernie’s e-mail, and am awaiting a response.
The Ernie Gruen report is 233 pages full of info from financial issues to examples of abusive prophecy.
This letter is long, and Ernie is a Christian, and I can’t exactly pinpoint all of his doctrinal beliefs, but this document, by far is a major blemish on the “Kansas City prophets” record.
Also, if Ernie did in fact say that he was wrong in this report, the documentation still remains of personal testimonies, and evidence of edited tapes. I haven’t read the entire document, but what I have read doesn’t surprise me, and also, Ernie isn’t the only guy to have reported these sort of things within the movement.
So, here I gladly present perhaps the best document concerning Mike Bickle and his entourage’s history.
Aberrent Practices - By Ernie Gruen
If you have the time, and the paper, you should print this out. It is also available for download here.
The people who published the report to their website dont seem to be keeping the site up anymore. I tried to find out info on them and their beliefs but was unable to. So I can’t say if I do, or don’t endorse them.
If Ernie returns by e-mail, I will post the response.
in Christ alone,
Devin
Devin,
I hope he does return your e-mail, however, I won’t be surprised if he doesn’t. I imagine that as soon as his report was made public that he was immediately blackballed from the Charismatic community. An authentic recantation would be one thing, but hearsay (and for that case Wikipedia) is another. Gruen may be a Charismatic “Elia Kazan” (communist director who named names in the ’50’s) or he could be a complete sham. It would be helpful to know. Good work.
Very true my friend. Like I said in the post, even if he doesn’t respond. The evidence still stands in the report.
The link to the report (at another site) has been on my blog for several years. Didn’t know you were looking for it.
Clasen’s “My 8 years with the Kansas City Prophets” is a good followup article.
http://www.intotruth.org/kcp/kcp-metro1.htm
The wikipedia page is funny. More than 500 revisions in 2 years. It must keep those kids in the prayer room busy revising history on a regular basis.
I was sitting around yesterday when the name popped into my head, so then I went looking and found it, so the search wasn’t active, because I knew that it would be fairly easy to find on the good ole internet.
I seriously wonder about Gruen’s retraction/apology. For a “citywide” letter it is odd that no one seems to have a copy of it. And Gruen’s so-called grandson seems quite vague about the details.
On the other hand, John Wimber seemed to think the original report credible.
ernie is charimatic. he is a pastor in K.C. and he did take alot of flack indeed. it would be killer to get a resopnse from him. oh and if they rewrite history we can always find the facts. at least for now. and if it was all false then why did wimber take them under his grand ol wing?
ernie responded
check out the new post
Devin,
This is great! I know you appreciate Mr. Gruen’s email. However Mike has repented so when you try and mention anything regarding this to the IHOPpers you always get that response from them. Mike has managed to repackage the whole mess in a tidy and popular youth based concept. My guess is that once you start peeling back the IHOP layers you would still find those shaky foundations. Where is Jessica Hahn when you need her?
actually you get the response that gruen lied not that antone repented. or this is in the past. or what what .
[...] two [...]
ernie gruen is my grandfather and yes he is still alive…
This report is now and has been printed and on my coffee table for the last three months.
Truly EYE OPENING.
SP