RE: Promise Keepers....

preacherdave...sorry I have to really disagree with you. there is nothing wrong with going outside of your church leadership to find answers as long as they are biblical answers and fellowship. perhaps some men wouldn't step don't feel comfortable with sharing personal problems with folks they know but are able to in a group of men they don't know...who knows....point is, God is using them and I think that is wonderful.

karen

 

As PreacherDave doesn't get on here often (work + ministry keep him busy), I'll offer our insights for him. As we are one & have the same mind in this, I know I'll have his blessing.
Believers need to start with their elders for answers. If you're in a Biblical church, your elders should take their role of preaching/teaching/discipling seriously. If you're in a church that doesn't value these things--find another!
In no way was PreacherDave saying you have no other recourse than your elders. That would make them popes. And we iz Baptists! However! Rather than go to a group that specializes in entertaining heresy (many speakers of PK promote extra-biblical "words from God"; the "blab it and grab it" philosophy of Word of Faith, and so on)...go to men of God from past & present who are known for being Biblically solid. This is why we have BOOKS!
As Richard Baxter (Puritan of 200+ years ago) said, books are a great resource, as they may be even more helpful than the pastor (at times), can be re-read--where a sermon is given once (of course, his day was before the advent of tape players!), etc.
There are plethora of good Christian books on the subjects of manhood, parenting, marriage and the like--and one doesn't have to compromise Biblical truth to find it!
'Nough said...for now!

 

I have an uncle that is big into the promise keepers and he wanted my teenage son to visit a meeting once. I wanted to hear more about them so I started asking questions. I was told men go to these meetings and outwordly praise God and that they discuss problems in there family and so on.(They are of all faiths) They are not suppose to tell anything about there worship or discussions. It is a secret! Doesn't this sound like a cult to you? It is wonderful to get together and praise the Lord but image if these men did this in church. We need men and women like that! I am a baptist but I believe in praising the Lord out loud. I don't think it should be done just in a secret meeting. I don't believe secret meeting of any kind are of God. God wants us to share what he has given us. Not hide it under a rock. And I feel a married man should be sharing things with his wife and young boys with there parents. When I heard about the promise keepers, I seen a red flag and I thank God has put one out for you too. I thank you have a right to be concerned about this group. I wish these p.k.'s would get as excited about God's house. Read the scriptures and see for yourself. By the way, none of us are perfect so it would be impossible for all these men to keep promises. Only God can be a promise keeper!

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mr. Curtis:
You are right.The church might not tell you, but careful, prayerful reading of the scripture tells you plenty. Child training, how to love your family, relationships with friends, it's all in there for us. What a great tool. It really is all we need for a complete Christian life.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Amen! and AMEN!!! The same men need only make one promise and that is to commit to studying and putting into practice the WORD OF GOD. And God did truly intend for the church to perform these functions that the Promise Keepers do. Oh yea, and church is free!

Personal side note. Promise keepers caused a split in our church when the Pastor took a stand against it. He said that if the men of the church were lacking direction, he'd start a men's class during the week to share with them things from scripture. Apparently, that was good enough for their families!

Michael

 

"I'm not a promise keeper, I'm a promise reaper."

Dr Arthur Belanger said that.

 

I just wanted to add one more little comment. We as Bible believing Christians (not just Baptists) must be aware of the reason there are false doctrines and professions out there...to sharpen us to seek out the truth. Yes we MUST be discerning. If the organization is sticky with feelings and emotions, full of "coach-isms" and not exhortations from scripture, we must BEWARE! The Word of God is the source of sanctification as the Holy Spirit drives it home.

We can not change merely because we have an experience. God's Word is the deciding factor. PK pep rally's leave us with a sense of camraderie, encouragment for doing the right thing, but really...must we make a cult out of it? It is much more productive to link arms with a brother or two and pray together, holding eachother accountable through the study of scripture.(James 5)

The "system" for doing this is outlined adequately in the Bible, it's called submitting one to another in the fellowship of His love.

 

Only been to one PK meeting! Really got fired up. A few days afterwards,I began wondering what was so special. It hit me; emotionalism!! Well known speakers, challenging talks (mostly about how we need to get along with other races), lotsa singing etc., etc.

I realized that after the excitement settled, there was not a whole lot of meat to chew on. I didn't find anything that was un-biblical, just that too much depended on the hype of the moment.

If PK has drawn you to, or closer to, Christ, fine. No problem from this quarter; it just didn't do squat for me

 

A question from a newcomer; Why a third page limit on this topic, when some are into the 4th, 5th --- pages?
No problem, but the disparity is curious! Thanks!

 

Folks, y'all keep coming up with some good observations....

Which only brings another question to my mind: For those that are "in the know," what's the difference between Promise Keepers and the Emmaus Walk?

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>---and the Emmaus Walk? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've wondered about this too. I've been told that you're not the same after this experience.

My hang-up is that I've been involved in too many of these "life changing" seminars, retreats, meetings etc. that were great at the time but a week later there was no difference in my life.

Maybe it's just me, but I finally just decided to forego the "priviledge" of any more of the same.

I find that I get a far more defined shift in my life by some really scriptural, dynamic authors than these retreats"!

'Course my wife tells me that I'm wierd anyway ( ), so---!

 

Here is a link to about 100 different articles exposing the danger of Promise Keepers PROMISE KEEPERS

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.