Evaluation Of The Promise Keepers Movement

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INTRODUCTION

1B. Begin tonight by reading from Titus 1:9 . . .

"Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able BOTH to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict."

1C. The preaching and teaching of the Word here has largely been a ministry of exhorting - instructing, encouraging, challenging you from the Word in order that God would strengthen your lives. That has been our overriding emphasis.

There are times, HOWEVER, when it is NECESSARY for us to take the same Word and REFUTE doctrines and philosophies which are not in line with Scripture. To warn you of danger, to caution you, and appeal to you to be discerning, exercising good judgment.

2C. TONIGHT, I want to share with you my evaluation of a dynamic, wide-spread, fast growing movement called, PROMISE KEEPERS.

3C. Just so you know how serious and complex this issue is . . . we have gathered information from several sources . . .

* files of information

* John MacArthur gave his evaluation at the last Shepherd's Conference

* Jerry Wragg touched on this at Family Camp

* listened to tapes

* read two Promise Keepers books this week

* read through their training manual on developing men's ministries in the church

* spent at least three hours at the bookstore scanning through materials

2B. In case you haven't had the opportunity to know what this is, let me give you some background . . .

1C. Promise Keepers was founded in 1990 by Colorado University's head football coach, Bill McCartney and a handful of men.

1D. Their goal was to fill Colorado University's Folsom Field with 50,000 men, who were committed to Christ and to learning more about being godly men.

2D. In 1991, 4,200 men met for the first event in Boulder, Colorado.

3D. In 1992, there were 22,000 men. In 1993, over 50,000 men.

4D. Last year (1994), it drew 278,600 men to seven sports stadiums - far beyond their expectations.

5D. The goal for this year (1995) is to reach out to 600,000 men at 13 conferences in football stadiums coast to coast. One is scheduled for Oakland Coliseum, September 29-30.

6D. Beyond that . . . plans are being made to get a million men to march on Washington, D.C., in the year 2000 - and demonstrate to the nation God's power to change lives.

2C. In their brochure, they state their PURPOSE as follows:

"Promise Keepers is a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to uniting men through vital relationships to become godly influences in their world."

To accomplish this, men must be willing to make these seven covenants (promises) and to help one another keep them:

1D. Promise 1: A Man and His God

"A Promise Keeper is committed to honor Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, and obedience to His Word."

2D. Promise 2: A Man and His Mentors

"A Promise Keeper is committed to pursue vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises."

3D. Promise 3: A Man and His Integrity

"A Promise Keeper is committed to practice spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity."

4D. Promise 4: A Man and His Family

"A Promise Keeper is committed to build strong marriages and families through love, protection, and biblical values."

5D. Promise 5: A Man and His Church

"A Promise Keeper is committed to support the mission of the church by honoring and praying for his pastor and by actively giving his time and resources."

6D. Promise 6: A Man and His Brothers

"A Promise Keeper is committed to reach beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity."

7D. Promise 7: A Man and His World

"A Promise Keeper is committed to influence his world, being obedient to the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)."

3C. Men are naturally caught up in the excitement and euphoria of a Promise Keepers Convention.

A football stadium packed with thousands of men to standing room only capacity . . . high-powered motivational speakers . . . music, testimonies, raw honesty in sharing personal struggles, release of emotions - are DIFFICULT to resist.

4C. The impact of this Movement goes even beyond the conventions to spinoffs including . . .

* leadership training seminars for men's ministries

* mentoring groups

* a network of Point Men in churches and Ambassadors overseeing them

* national magazine - The New Man

* books, videos, tapes

* Bible study guides

* affiliate ministries - other organizations riding on the crest of this wave

What made Bill McCartney successful as a coach is what is propelling this fast-growing ministry today . . . his ability to motivate men!

3B. Clarification Of Purpose:

1C. And as I have indicated to you a few weeks ago, I have some serious concerns.

Randy Phillips, President of Promise Keepers made the statement, "We've got a tiger by the tail, and it's pulling us . . . we're not pulling it." We better find out WHO this tiger is, before we grab on to its tail.

2C. At first glance, Promise Keepers definitely caught my attention.

1D. I, along with many of you, have felt the need for men to be leaders in the various contexts of their life - have an influence in their marriages, families, churches and communities.

2D. It is their stated purpose to raise up godly men - men of conviction, integrity and action. And we say, AMEN, to all of that.

3D. They are concerned about the feminization of the Church - women knowing more about the Word than men, women taking the initiative to take action and to lead, and the greater emphasis on ministries for and to women and for and to men. You know it. I know it. That's a reality we need to contend with.

4D. BUT as I began to take a closer look at what's happening - primarily the MEANS which they are using to accomplish their purposes . . . I began to see some real dangers.

Let me say . . . there are some very powerful undercurrents propelling the growth of this Movement.

3C. I am NOT . . .

1D. Interested in going on a campaign against Promise Keepers.

2D. Doubting the sincerity of the men who are involved.

3D. Questioning the intention of its leaders - their character or integrity.

4C. In fact, my concern is more FUNDAMENTAL than that.

I believe that there is reflected in this Movement . . . a lack of biblical discernment that, in effect, will ultimately weaken their true effectiveness.

TRANSITION: There are SIX CONCERNS I have about Promise Keepers.

1A. I Am Concerned About It's CHARISMATIC Influences.

The Charismatic Movement is a very effective means of generating the kind of enthusiasm, soul-bearing and feelings-oriented atmosphere desired.

1B. Bill McCartney was a Roman Catholic who converted over to the Vineyard Movement, which is a radical charismatic position begun by John Wimber.

1C. It is also called, the THIRD WAVE - that is, the third wave of the moving of the Holy Spirit.

2C. Pentecost was the first moving of the Spirit, the Charismatic Movement was the second . . . and the Vineyard Movement is the third.

2B. His pastor is JAMES RYLE.

1C. Pastor of Boulder Valley Vineyard Church in central Colorado.

2C. This man claims to be a modern-day prophet of God - who receives DIRECT, prophetic revelation through dreams. In other words, the Bible is not a closed canon.

For example, God revealed to him through a dream that He is preparing to anoint Christian musicians with the same anointing that He gave to the Beatles. Listen to what Ryle says were the words of the Lord to him:

"I called those four lads from Liverpool to myself. There was a call from God on their life; they were gifted by My hand; and it was I who anointed them, for I had a purpose, and the purpose was to usher in the charismatic renewal with musical revival around the world."

So what happened?

God continues, "The four lads from Liverpool went AWOL and did not serve in my army. They served their own purposes and gave the gift to the other side."

According to Ryle, God told him in 1970 that He lifted the anointing and has held it in His hand since then, BUT is about to release it again in the church.

3C. This same man sits on the Board of the Promise Keepers.

Let me ask you, according to Promise 6: Would you be willing to lay aside denominational differences (including ongoing revelation, including dreams and visions, miracles and healing) all for the sake of uniting together?

3B. The Charismatic influence will also be channeled in through conference and seminar speakers, worship leaders, and small group relationships.

Their magazine New Man is published by Strang Communications, which is also the publisher of Charisma magazine.

The Charismatic Movement can only sing the praises of Promise Keepers for opening the door for greater acceptance in the evangelical Church.

2A. I Am Concerned About It's ECUMENICAL Orientation.

1B. Again, Promise 6 states: "A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and DENOMINATIONAL barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity."

Randy Phillips, President of Promise Keepers, enlarges on this: "We believe that we have a God-given mission to unite Christian men who are separated by race, geography, culture, DENOMINATION, and economics . . . . the biblical directive to pursue reconciliation compels us to address the division that has separated the body of Christ for too long (John 17:20-23; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)."

1C. What he's saying: Doctrine has been a barrier to biblical unity.

That's exactly what the Ecumenical Movement has been telling for decades: that doctrine is divisive, therefore, doctrinal differences must be set aside in order for true unity in the Body of Christ to be experienced.

2C. Randy Phillips cites two passages:

1D. John 17:20-23 where Christ is praying to the Father for the unity of His disciples.

Backing up to verses 17 and 19, Jesus also said: "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth" and " . . . that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth."

In other words, true unity is based upon the common foundation of TRUTH.

2D. He also cites 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, which he has taken completely out of context.

Paul is not speaking about a ministry of reconciling denominations, but reconciling sinners to God through the Gospel.

3C. Furthermore, if Randy Phillips is right: Our God-given mission is to unite Baptists, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Vineyard Fellowships, Presbyterians, Nazarenes, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Roman Catholics . . . as all members of the Body of Christ.

Bill McCartney wrote (Seven Promises Of A Promise Keeper, p. 162): "Now, I don't mean to suggest that all cultural differences and denominational distinctives are going to disappear. But what I know is that Almighty God wants to bring Christian men together regardless of their ethnic origin, denominational background, or style of worship. There's only one criterion for this kind of unity: to love Jesus and be born of the Spirit of God. Can we look one another in the eye - black, white, red, brown, yellow, Baptist, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God, Catholic, and so on - and get together on this common ground: 'We believe in salvation through Christ alone, and we have made Him the Lord of our lives'? . . . . can we not focus on that and call each other brother instead of always emphasizing our differences? Men, we have to get together on that!"

This is essentially the same problem we have with the ECT Document. And the questions which must be answered are:

1D. What is the Gospel? What is the Gospel that Evangelicals, Charismatics and Catholics can agree on?

2D. What does it mean to be brothers in Christ?

2B. On the other hand, Promise Keepers is calling for us to elevate our common cause above our doctrinal convictions.

1C. In the Promise Keepers promotional brochure, one pastor (from Missouri) is quoted as saying:

"There was an obvious commitment to focus on Jesus Christ. Promise Keepers was not a political, social or denominational rally. It was a beautiful display of what biblical unity looks like when people are united around THE cause."

Be faithful husbands, good fathers, respectable members of the community, supporters of our pastors . . . turn the tide against divorce, domestic violence, crime . . . be men of integrity. That's the cause . . . BUT I am not sure that God places a greater priority on that than on the truth of the Word.

2C. The irony is . . . evangelicals condemned the liberals for this very thing back in the 60's - minimizing doctrine and preaching a social gospel.

And now, these evangelicals are doing the very same thing: breaking down the doctrinal barriers so that we can work together in promoting moral, social and political causes.

3B. Does doctrine really matter?

1C. A newspaper article read:

"Church helps strengthen families. It's easy to talk about the importance of family. In a world filled with hate, drugs, AIDS, suicide, and a host of other ills, few would deny that love, trust, and strong family bonds are virtues worth working toward. This church known for its heavy family emphasis does more than talk about it. It provides families options and programs and encourages them to spend time together, cultivate friendships, building strength . . . . Take time to develop friendships within the family. Have regularly scheduled family activities and involve all family members. Attend church services together with the whole family. Choose television and movies carefully. If a situation arises that goes against your moral values, teach family members this is not appropriate behavior. Encourage each family member to set a good example for other family members. Create situations where family members can learn to love each other."

2C. The article is describing the teaching of the Mormon Church.

We would agree with these standards for family life - but it's NOT enough to allow us to work with them, is it?

3C. A recent update reported that Promise Keepers is finding acceptance among Roman Catholics and Mormons in the Los Angeles area.

The pastor of St. Hilary Catholic Church is quoted as saying: "There is no attempt at proselytizing or drawing men away from their faith to another church. The primary message of the weekend is turning your life over to Jesus Christ and standing tall as a man of faith." He's saying that he agrees with the primary Gospel message of Promise Keepers . . . do we agree with his?

My question is . . . what kind of Gospel would find acceptance among Roman Catholic and Mormon leaders - or at the least, make them feel comfortable and accepted? In fact, the Jesus of the Roman Catholic Church is NOT the same Jesus as the Mormon Church. BUT somehow they are quite comfortable with the Jesus of Promise Keepers.

4B. "Pastor, the purpose of Promise Keepers is NOT to be an evangelistic crusade anyway. Their specific purpose is to raise up godly men."

You cannot raise up godly men . . . if they are NOT born again! The Gospel is not only important . . . the Gospel is the critical beginning point of all they seek to accomplish!

3A. I Am Concerned About It's PSYCHOLOGICAL Sanctification: Frankly, this is their MOST glaring weakness.

1B. Promise Keepers has linked arms with the Christian Psychology Movement. It is thoroughly immersed in psychology.

1C. Many of its speakers and authors are psychologists: Gary Smalley, John Trent, James Dobson, Gary Oliver, Larry Crabb, Robert Hicks are the most familiar.

2C. Have given so much credence to the authority of psychology that . . . any psychologist will do.

If you study their literature, men will even contradict one another. For example, in the same book, What Makes A Man, you have Don Osgood warning against the self-love (page 97) and Gary Smalley and John Trent advocating it (pages 44-45).

3C. The clearest indication of a lack of discernment in counseling is in their promotion of the book, The Masculine Journey.

1D. This is a book written by Robert Hicks.

2D. It was distributed to every man present at the July 1993 Conference in Colorado.

It is also used as a resource book for a Promise Keepers' study guide as a followup to their conventions. The men are not required to read the book for their group meetings, but the study guide is based on his views.

3D. He has discovered that there are six stages of manhood: Creational male, phallic male, warrior, wounded male, mature man and the sage.

1E. His belief is that . . . we all begin in the same stage, but must find our way through each of these stages in order to be a fulfilled man.

2E. In chapter 2, under the first stage, "The Creational Male", he cites this quotation:

"Man with all his noble qualities still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly origin." That quote is by Charles Robert Darwin, The Descent Of Man.

4D. Just to give you an idea of how he has integrated secular psychology with Scripture, Hicks quotes:

Carl Jung, inner-healing therapist Leanne Payne, transpersonal psychiatrist and spiritualist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and Sam Keen, former theologian in residence at Esalen, the New Age/Eastern mystical therapeutic center south of San Francisco.

2B. At the foundation of the Christian Psychology Movement is an unbiblical view of man.

1C. Rather than being a depraved sinner, responsible for his behavior and accountable to God . . . Christian Psychology today takes a very different viewpoint.

2C. Man is a VICTIM of his environment (past and present); he is wounded.

Therefore, he must NOT to be confronted and held accountable. Instead, he must be heard, understood and loved - so that he can be healed.

3C. Man is also a VICTIM of a fatherless childhood. What keeps him from being a godly man is a lack of a role-model.

1D. Then JOSEPH is a miracle - because he was a godly young man who was raised in a very dysfunctional family.

2D. The problem isn't that we don't have role models. The problem is a problem of sinfulness in the heart . . . that naturally rejects even good role models and gravitates to poor examples.

3B. Let me show you what Hicks says (and again, this book is one of the key resources of Promise Keepers - reflects their own perspective) . . .

1C. The Masculine Journey, p. 99.

He agrees that the men's movement is rooted in "the repressed pain in men's lives, the pain they feel as the result of being wounded by life. In order for men to discover what manhood is all about . . . , they must descend into the deep places of their own souls and find their accumulated grief."

Later in the chapter (page 116): "Wounded by society or circumstances, by parent or spouse, the hostile male feels powerless and so strikes out. The hostile spirit is rooted in woundedness . . . . I am convinced many men in our society today are lashing out at women, at society, at bosses, even at God - all because they do not understand the wounding experience." Let me ask you, who among us would dare say to an abused wife, "You husband is only lashing out at you because he has been terribly wounded in his past."

2C. So, what's the answer for the "wounded" male (The Masculine Journey, p. 120):

"For men to survive their wounding, I believe they need to feel safety among men who have also suffered pain . . . . My hope is that with the help of some honest brothers who acknowledge our pain, we can move on and obtain an even greater perspective on life. We can begin to move toward wholeness with a greater sense of direction and purpose in life."

This leads me to the next concern I have about the Promise Keepers Movement . . . .

[4A. I Am Concerned About It's ENCOUNTER GROUP Methodology.]

1B. What does it take to move towards wholeness and being a real man?

2B. HOW is that worked out?

1C. Answer: Men meeting together in small groups.

Promise 2: "A Promise Keeper is committed to pursue vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises."

2C. Okay, but the question, "What do they do?"

"Through vital relationships we can embrace one another's pains and triumphs. By this we express our honor for one another as equals while respecting our diverse heritages . . . . We contend that this is best accomplished when a small group of men agree to pursue God - face to face, shoulder to shoulder, and back to back - and establish covenant relationships with one another to affirm, to be available for, and to pray for one another; to be honest with, to preserve confidentiality with, and to be accountable to each other."

3C. "Don't WE believe in discipleship groups?"

We do. But these groups do NOT follow the pattern of biblical discipleship . . . but rather the ENCOUNTER GROUP model. They are male-bonding encounter groups.

And that's my FOURTH CONCERN . . .

3B. One method of followup for men who have attended the Promise Keepers' convention is to go through an 8-week encounter group session based on Robert Hicks' book, The Masculine Journey.

1C. The purpose of this type of format is "getting in touch with one's feelings" (NOTE: not Promise Keeper's wording). Various questions and exercises are suggested to help men: explore and unmask their inner feelings.

2C. "In the context of covenant relationships, a man willingly grants other men the right to inquire about his relationship to God, his commitment to his family, his sexuality, and his financial dealings." And that's the foundational premise to an encounter group.

3C. In the group meeting, there is a non-threatening, non-judgmental atmosphere and leadership is low-key - more of a facilitator to the discussion time. In fact, the study guide encourages passing the leadership around from session to session.

4C. The purpose is NOT to deal with the truth of God's Word, but to get men to learn to bare their souls to other men - with the promise of strict confidentiality.

This then, undermines the authority of the Word . . . replaced with group consensus, or personal judgment.

5C. Remember what Hicks said (The Masculine Journey, p. 120). HOW can a man be what he needs to be?

"My hope is that with the help of some honest brothers who acknowledge our pain, we can move on and obtain an even greater perspective on life. We can begin to move toward wholeness with a greater sense of direction and purpose in life."

4B. The PROBLEM is . . . that's not how godliness is produced in the life of a man.

1C. Let me say this . . . we need fellowship as men. We also need one-on-one and small group interaction.

1D. We need to be discipled and we need to be discipling men. In that discipling process, we need accountability.

2D. BUT that discipling relationship must be centered on the Word of God. And our model comes from . . .

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, TEACHING THEM to observe all that I commanded you . . . . "

2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

3D. There is no discipleship that leads to godliness without interaction with the Word - the Word explained, applied, and modeled in discipler's life.

2C. Furthermore, we need to understand that the key to godliness is SELF-DISCIPLINE.

1D. Paul writes to young Timothy (1 Timothy 4:7): " . . . discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness".

2D. The key to godliness is self-discipline . . . which is NOT an element of the encounter group mentality.

Self-disciple means to bring your self under the authority and control of the Word of God and the Lordship of Christ. There's no sanctification (that is, growth, maturity and so on) . . . apart from obedience to the Word.

5A. I Am Concerned About It's Spirit Of TOLERANCE.

1B. This is no surprise because we live in an age of TOLERANCE. In fact, we tolerate anything and everything . . . except INtolerance.

1C. If you say with any degree of authority, "This is right, and this is wrong" - you're narrow, legalistic, nit-picking, unloving, judgmental and divisive.

2C. Be careful of those who call for tolerance . . . when there's tolerance, there's no scrutiny. Consequently, doctrine and opinions are taught and accepted without being examined by divine revelation.

2B. With Promise Keepers, the word for tolerance is . . . SENSITIVITY. We men need to be trained in sensitivity. (Sensitivity doesn't really say a lot. For example, Peter doesn't say, "Be sensitive to your wife", he says, "Treat your wife in an understanding way". Sensitivity conveys feeling with the person . . . understanding connects with the mind and thoughts and judges action.)

1C. The Masculine Journey, p. 177.

"I'm sure many would balk at my thought of celebrating the experience of sin. I'm not sure how we could do it. But do know we need to do it. For example, we usually give the teenagers in our churches such a massive dose of condemnation regarding their first experiences with sin that I sometimes wonder how any of them ever recover. Maybe we could take a different approach. Instead of jumping all over them when they have their first experience with the police, or their first drunk, or their first experience with sex or drugs, we could look upon this as a teachable moment and a rite of passage . . . . perhaps at this point the true elders could come forward and confess their own adolescent sins and congratulate the next generation for being human. Then they could move on to the all-important issues of forgiveness and restoration, but this time on common ground, with the young person as a fellow sinner!"

2C. Promise Keepers has taken an inclusivistic position on homosexuality. The following is taken from a statement of Promise Keepers, December 8, 1993.

"As to homosexuality, Promise Keepers shares the same historic and biblical stance taken by Evangelicals and Catholics - that sex is a good gift from God - to be enjoyed in the context of heterosexual marriage. Promise Keepers also recognizes that homosexuality is a complex and potentially polarizing issue. There is a great debate surrounding its environmental and genetic origins, yet as an organization we believe that homosexuals are men who need the same support, encouragement and healing we are offering to all men. While we have clear convictions regarding the issue of homosexuality, we are sensitive to and have compassion for the men who are struggling with these issues. We, therefore, support their being included and welcomed in all our events."

3C. The spirit of tolerance is reflected in Robert Hicks' book, The Masculine Journey, p. 181.

"I believe Jesus was phallic with all the inherent phallic passions we experience as men. But it was never recorded that Jesus had sexual relations with a woman. He may have thought about it as the movie The Last Temptation Of Christ portrays, but even in this movie He did not give in to the temptation and remained true to His messianic course. If temptation means anything, it means Christ was tempted in every way as we are. That would mean not only heterosexual temptation abut also homosexual temptation! I have found this insight to be very helpful for gay men struggling with their sexuality."

What is he saying? He's saying that Jesus has inherent sinful passions . . . in other words, Jesus had a sinful nature! And gay men need to know that it's okay to have and struggle with those desires!

What these men NEED is not to be comforted and pampered, but to be challenged to repent and trust in Jesus Christ for deliverance from sin (1 Corinthians 6:11).

3B. In its mentoring groups, there is a non-judgmental attitude, accepting the individual man for who he is. The key word is "sensitivity".

1C. In the Promise Keepers manual, Brothers! Calling Men Into Vital Relationships, we read:

"The first job of men's small groups is to learn complete acceptance: no judgment, no 'I told you so' or 'you should have known better.' No hidden agendas! I'm not out to change you and you're not out to change me."

2C. There's no confrontation, no admonition, no rebuke for the sake of bringing about repentance.

This is as close to the Bible as they get on this point: " . . . there are over fifty commands relating to 'one another' in the New Testament . . . . All of these commands, however, can be summed up under three major headings: to accept, encourage and exhort 'one another.' The way these concepts build upon each other is the dynamic of brother love and the foundation of men's small groups in Promise Keepers."

Now that's FINE . . . but there is another side to the same coin: the Bible also says to admonish, rebuke one another. Not confronting someone about sin . . . is one of the most unloving things you can do.

6A. I Am Concerned About It's INFILTRATING Potential.

1B. Men are recruited to be Point Men in their church to be the link between their men's ministry and Promise Keepers.

1C. He is trained by Promise Keepers to initiate, organize, develop the men's ministry of his church.

2C. He promotes it's national conferences and training seminars.

3C. And he is the conduit through whom the resources, thinking and values promoted by Promise Keepers are brought into the Church.

And do you think it will have an impact in that Church? That's one of their goals: "We believe that the local church is called to be the champion of applying biblical solutions to the problems facing men. Promise Keepers exists to serve the local church in this mission, acting as a supply line to their men's ministries."

" . . . acting as a supply line to their men's ministries" - and that's the problem. You know what I'm talking about . . . set a television in your living room and at your disposal in the convenience of the world - you can pump in anything your heart desires! All you need is some undiscerning member of the family at the controls.

2B. In my opinion, the most effective way to bring a church under the influence of modern Christian psychology is . . . Promise Keepers. A perfect TROJAN HORSE.

1C. You already have a powerful wave of interest and enthusiasm.

2C. You have the endorsement of evangelical leaders around the country - well-known personalities.

3C. You have all the available resources: conferences with high-powered motivational speakers, seminars to train men how to develop a men's ministry in your church.

4C. You have an organization with an effective marketing and networking strategy in place.

5C. You have churches in the area who are already to links arms with you in this moving of the Spirit.

All you have to do is invite them in.

RESPONSE To Promise Keepers.

1B. Let me sum this up by saying: While I agree with the essential purpose of PROMISE KEEPERS which is . . .

1C. The PROBLEM is this: the MEANS they have chosen to accomplish this bypasses the Word.

* deemphasizes the importance of doctrine

* elevates Christian psychology above the Scriptures

* minimizes biblical authority

* removes from man guilt and responsibility for sin

* offers a smorgasbord of sanctification models

* reduces discipleship to feelings-oriented, encounter groups

2C. "Am I riding along with Promise Keepers?" You kidding?

1D. There is a serious lack of discernment at the wheels. It doesn't understand where it's heading.

2D. Think again of what Randy Phillips, President of Promise Keepers confessed, "We've got a tiger by the tail, and it's pulling us . . . we're not pulling it." He doesn't know what its going to do . . . you want to grab on?

2B. CHALLENGE: Let me say this . . .

1C. Can you DECIDE right now to be that man?

1D. Do you need the football stadium?

2D. Do you need thousands of men to give you moral support?

3D. Do you need dozens of men tell you what Christ has done in their lives . . . before you believe that He is powerful enough to change yours?

4D. Do you need a motivational coach in order to make a decision? If you do, my friend . . . then you going to need him the rest of your life.

There is NO reason in the world why you can't RIGHT NOW make a commitment to be a godly man!

2C. There is NO reason in the world why you can't RIGHT NOW move in the direction of godliness, holiness and purity!

1D. Are you a new creation?

2D. Do you have Christ in your life?

3D. Do you have the Holy Spirit abiding in you?

4D. Is the Word of God trustworthy and reliable and sufficient?

5D. Are you a partaker of the divine nature?

6D. Is God's purpose to make you like Christ?

Then WHY not move in the direction of godliness! And if you ARE moving . . . move more forcefully!

3C. You know what else?

1D. I believe that too much of the emphasis is on the Promise Keepers rather than on the PROMISE KEEPER - and that is God the Father. He has saved us, made us complete in Christ, and given us everything we need for life and godliness.

2D. "I'm not going to Promise Keepers, but I am trusting in a Promise Keeper . . . who will not forget His word regarding me."

Grace Bible Church - Sunday Evening, July 30, 1995.