Grandview and IHOP

[BigMikeinKC]

IMO, it would seem like this is more of a cult than a church. And it appears to be run for profit. They offer training and internships. An internship costs over $4000. Folks travel from far and wide for "training."

If you were not aware of it, all that property that is being bought with church funds, goes through one real estate agent. Of course we all know agents make a nice chuck of money off their commission. Surprise, surprise, the agent happens to be the pastor's wife.

[ElumEno]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Wow! I had no idea DD, back in 1991 I was expected to tithe what I felt led to give, nothing was issued to me but my room. Granted they were strict on what was and not allowed. No drinking, sex, anything immoral or fun basically. We were supposed to spend x amount of hours praying and if something major like 9/11 happened we were supposed to be on our faces in prayer, and required to fast.

Glad I got out when I did. That is scary

Major Déjà vu going on here... didn't you make this post already? did it get lost in the transition?

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by ElumEno

Major Déjà vu going on here... didn't you make this post already? did it get lost in the transition?

I believe it got lost in transition. My apologies for reposting it. Elum

[ElumEno]

Grizzly.. No need to apologize for re-posting something that should not have been "lost" in the first place.

[dirty dog]

Originally Posted by BigMikeinKC

IMO, it would seem like this is more of a cult than a church. And it appears to be run for profit. They offer training and internships. An internship costs over $4000. Folks travel from far and wide for "training."

If you were not aware of it, all that property that is being bought with church funds, goes through one real estate agent. Of course we all know agents make a nice chuck of money off their commission. Surprise, surprise, the agent happens to be the pastor's wife.

Yep, the pastors wife runs the real estate for them. They used to buy up businesses and changed the name to somehow include IHOP, I guess they feedback must not have been good because now their buying them and keeping them under the original name. The church is run by a guy named Bickle, who from what I am told has no and I mean zero theological training. From what I have just learned they are in fact paying taxes and are not relying on tax exempt organization status. I seriously expect one morning to open the paper and see that the bunch has drank the coolaid.

[malwoody]

Over the years I have had occasion to deal with a number of churches and pastors etc...
I can say that as an avowed agnostic I have almost always enjoyed doing business with said folks and have been treated fairly and with respect..

There have been a couple of exceptions and IHOP was one... IMO it's easy to surmise when you are dealing with a cult...it was as if I was some kind of alien...an outsider...not a true believer. I actually felt sorry for the followers I encountered..

I think DD makes a very good point and it's a thought that has crossed my mind as well..

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by ElumEno

Grizzly.. No need to apologize for re-posting something that should not have been "lost" in the first place.

cool beans, my head is still in the mountains and on mountain time, so i am not tracking 100% lol

[CryptKicker]

Originally Posted by scorpio31

"Most of this thread"? Why not ALL of the thread?

Because the first part of the thread belongs in alerts. This part copied here is the hijacked part of the thread but it is a good discussion and should be continued.

[JS42]

No offense CryptKicker, but you are pretty trigger happy around here. We went from almost a free-for-all, to the tightest ship in the hooker board business. Can't we find a happy medium?

[dirty dog]

Okay just some quick facts, in addition to the 6 IHOP facilities this "church" owns the following

Friends of the bridegroom inc.
The Potter's hand
IHOP university
Shiloh Retreat center
Higher Grounds Cafe
Exodus Cry
The Bickle Group
Bickle and Bickle LLC (real Estate and financial planning)
Glad Hart Insurance
Premium property management
Resteration House
Fore Runner enterprises
Cafe Main

It should be noted that Micheal Bickle is listed as an officer in each of these organizations.

[PounderofBox]

I grew up and live in Belton (moved away and came back) which is right next to Grandview. I have talked to a few people in that cult and yes they do sign over their checks then get money to live off of. Man i am in the wrong business i should have started a cult. Most of the people i have talked to have traveled here from other parts of the country which I don't get Hey move to grandview give us all your money and join our cult!!!! shows what a good sales pitch can do.

[KCSmutMonkey]

Wow, all they need are a couple of celebritards and a better backstory and we'll have Scientology2 right in our backyard.

[Enchanterlingum]

Originally Posted by KCSmutMonkey

Wow, all they need are a couple of celebritards and a better backstory and we'll have Scientology2 right in our backyard.

Throw in a thousand years of retardation and you will have another catholic church.

[Longermonger]

Originally Posted by Enchanterlingum

Throw in a thousand years of retardation and you will have another catholic church.

Don't forget to add some old queens in colorful dresses and funny hats.

THEY ARE ALL TAX DODGING CULTS!

Christianity, specifically, is a Sun cult. It has holidays on solar equinoxes and solstices. Christ rises like the Sun and wears a halo of light, etc. Copy the Egyptians and Greeks much?

Speaking of cults, Christianity/Judaism is a spinoff of the Canaanite religion and its pantheon of twenty-ish gods. Your god was just one of them.

[dirty dog]

Originally Posted by Longermonger

Don't forget to add some old queens in colorful dresses and funny hats.

Well wont that then be one of your parties?