I believe the number one reason Mike Bickle is permanently disqualified from ever holding public ministry again is a prophetic word given by Bob Jones, a word Mike himself publicly agreed to:
“If any leader in this work commits sexual sin, God will remove them from ministry forever.”
This was not a private conversation, nor a vague impression. It was a clear prophetic warning, given at the foundation of the work, meant to protect the integrity of the ministry and the purity of its leadership. The warning was given to keep the ministry from moral compromise. It carried both divine authority and binding accountability for all leaders involved.
By that word, and by the moral failure it addresses, Mike Bickle stands disqualified.
I was on a few of Derek Prince’s ministry teams that would have to remove a leader from ministry. It was never fun. The purpose for removal as Derek laid out, and the conditions for that persons return to ministry are as follows:
To protect God’s people, preserve the honor of His name, and give the fallen leader space for genuine repentance without the pressures of public ministry.
Protect the Flock
Acts 20:28–30 — Shepherds are to guard the flock from wolves and false teachers; if the shepherd himself becomes a danger through sin, he must be removed.
- Removal stops ongoing harm — spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
- Preserve God’s Reputation
2 Samuel 12:14 — David’s sin “gave occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme.”
Public sin from leaders affects the public witness of the gospel. * Provide Space for Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:9–10 — Godly sorrow leads to repentance without regret.
- Removal frees the leader from performance and defense, allowing for true heart change.
- Uphold Biblical Standards for Leaders
1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9 — Moral integrity is a non-negotiable qualification. Loss of it disqualifies a person from leadership until, and unless, restoration is truly complete, which may be never.
Prevent Premature Reinstatement 1 Timothy 5:20–22 — Public sin requires public rebuke; leaders must not be hastily re-laid hands upon.
Biblically, moral integrity is a non-negotiable qualification for ministry (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9).
When that qualification is lost, public leadership is forfeited, often permanently, to protect the witness of Christ’s Church.
Repentance Without Expectation of Return
In my opinion, if there is to be any path forward for Mike Bickle as a follower of Christ, it must begin with unconditional repentance and full restitution, with zero expectation on anyone’s part, most of all Mike’s, of ever returning to public ministry. Restoration to the Body of Christ is about relationship, not platform. It is about truth-telling, not reputation-saving.
That being said, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). God’s grace is sufficient for forgiveness, but grace does not erase the consequences of sin, especially when leaders have violated sacred trust.
Repentance and Restitution From A Hebrew Perspective
From a biblical Hebrew perspective, repentance (תְּשׁוּבָה – teshuvah) and restitution (תְּשַׁלּוּמִים – teshalumim) are inseparable. True repentance is not complete until the wrong done to others has been set right.
Teshuvah (תְּשׁוּבָה) — Repentance / Return from Root: שׁוּב (shuv) — to turn, return, go back.
Four classic stages (Maimonides):
1. Recognition (hakara) — Acknowledge the wrong.
2. Remorse (charata) — Genuine sorrow for the sin.
3. Confession (vidui) — Admit the sin before God and the injured.
4. Resolution (kabalah le’atid) — Commit to never repeat it, proven by changed behavior.
Teshalumim (תְּשַׁלּוּמִים) — Restitution / Making Whole from Root: שָׁלַם (shalam) — to make complete, restore, bring to wholeness.
Torah principle: Restitution must be made to those harmed, sometimes with additional compensation (Exodus 22:1–15; Numbers 5:6–7).
The vertical relationship (with God) cannot be restored without repairing the horizontal relationship (with people).
Biblical Parallels:
- Ezekiel 33:14–16 — Turning from sin includes restoring what was stolen.
- Luke 19:8–9 — Zacchaeus offers fourfold restitution as evidence of genuine repentance.
- Matthew 5:23–24 — Be reconciled to your brother before bringing your gift to God.
Bottom line:
In the eyes of God’s Word, and even more so in the light of a specific prophetic warning Mike Bickle accepted, there is no legitimate path back to public ministry. The only biblical response is teshuvah and teshalumim, without conditions, without a platform, and without self-defense.
I believe Mike Bickle needs the prayers and support of those who can help him find his way to a place of public repentance and full restitution. This is not enjoyable for anyone, it is painful, humbling work, but it must be done for the healing of those harmed, and Mike’s own eternal well-being depend on it.