Vision Forum

Recently, on a Christian blog, I defended the ministry of Vision Forum led by Doug Phillips. I continue to stand by that defense. However, rather than respond, and take up someone else's blog space - especially on something off-topic to that particular post - I choose to comment here on my own blog.

My particular comment there included an encouragement to check out Vision Forum's ministry for those that were interested in resources for raising boys to be godly men. The post addressed the fact that boys no longer seem to be growing up into men that exhibit the traits of Biblical manhood. I was simply offering a suggestion. But, my comment drew another commenter who is unequivocally anti-Doug Phillips. He stated that Doug Phillips, "rules Vision Forum, his church and his family like a cult." Finding this to be an attack on a very godly ministry, I quoted, "For he who is not against us is on our side." (Mark 10:40) There is no evidence that even hints at this commenter's implication. I would venture to guess he is representative of evangelical liberalism.

Perhaps, some believe that Mr. Phillips has gone beyond the Bible in his convictions - but they are HIS Biblical convictions. Those that have chosen to attend his church obviously have the same convictions, for no one is keeping them there - there are plenty of other churches in the San Antonio area. As I stated in my comment: What is "legalism" to one, may very well be "honoring the Lord" to another. This is the liberty that we have in Christ. Where this goes awry is when one man's convictions are demanded or expected of another - not when his beliefs are shared for the edification of the body of Christ.

I have been following the ministry of Vision Forum for several years, nearly since its inception. Our family has been incredibly blessed by various teachings from Vision Forum's conferences - and they are not all taught by Doug Phillips (which proves he is not the leader of a "cult", as was suggested). Some well known names such as R.C. Sproul, Jr., Voddie Baucham, and Jeff Pollard, as well as other pastors/layman from across the nation are among the annual conference speakers. These men, though not all of the same denomination, are on the "same page". The main focus has been the reuniting of church and family.

Many will admit that there is a problem in the visible church today with a lack of continuity in the family, in general. Every day, each family member seems to be going in his/her own direction - a husband to his job, a wife to hers, and the kids to a public or private school. Later that day - once again, separate interests govern the family - meetings, Bible study, youth group, and sports. This goes on year after year until, by the first years of college, a high percentage of college students walk away from the Biblical truths their parents thought had been instilled in them. All in all, there seems to be a great disconnect between the church and the family. In the opinion of Vision Forum (as well as my own), a large part of this has to do with our culture of "individualism" - rather than the church influencing the culture (as it did in the formation of this country), it has now become the other way around.

Nothing that I have seen or heard from Vision Forum over the years has ever raised a red flag for me. It is a ministry that stands for bringing the family back together; fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the family as a whole - all of it Biblical, Old Testament and New Testament - which both bear the thread of law and gospel. This ministry does not promote works-based salvation, but God-honoring obedience which follows regeneration and faith. God-honoring families create God-honoring congregations - I like that word "congregation" - or ekklesia as I recently learned :).

Admittedly, our family doesn't hold to every conviction that is taught by Vision Forum. Perhaps we aren't there yet, or perhaps some things will never become our conviction. But, I certainly respect those that hold fast to those beliefs. Their standards are to be commended, not ridiculed. In a day and age when the average family is falling apart, I applaud those that are seeking and finding viable Biblical solutions and have the boldness to share them with the body of Christ. I would rather see the church move in the direction of a ministry like Vision Forum than in the direction of the church growth/seeker friendly/emergent movements any day.

Praise God for what the ministry of Vision Forum is doing...encouraging the return of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6) - in other words, building back Biblical familial relationships which, in turn, build the body of Christ. Shame on those that would decry this ministry without ever doing some serious homework.