Posted October 01/08
Parachurch Organizations Tearing Down Foundations of the Local Church
The present article is intended as all other articles to be a warning to the brethren. A monster, of sorts, has reared its ugly head in good, independent Baptist churches; this monster is the unscriptural parachurch organization. Before you think I'm crying wolf, please read the whole article. First let me clarify that I am not referring to independent Baptist mission boards or independent Baptist Bible colleges when I speak of parachurch organizations. These both have their own pros and cons that could easily be the subject of a future article, however these are not the focus of this present dilemna. I am bringing to the discussion table today a host of so called "family friendly" ministries aimed at the pocket books of Christian families and specifically homeschoolers. The three major ministries that have caused the most confusion, disruption, and rebellion are as follows; Vision Forum, Mike Pearl, and Bill Gothard.
The common problems with these three ministries are many, below are just a few:
1. They are all a kingdom unto themselves. This is to say that they are not a ministry of a KJB, local, Baptist church. They are not under the authority of a pastor. Even though Mike Pearl claims to be a pastor, his so called church could not be considered scriptural for many reasons (it is not Baptist, it has no authority to exist, it has no authority to administer the ordinances, it is full of doctrinal error which will be documented below, etc.).
2. All of these organizations promote doctrinal error.
3. All of these organizations butcher our King James Bible.
4. None of these organizations are strong, church building, soul winning ministries.
5. All of these ministries minister to church people without the consent of their "overseer" pastor.
6. All of these ministries have embraced and promoted Protestantism, Protestant history, and Protestant "Bibles."
*7. All of these ministries have undermined pastors, led families astray, split churches and have attacked the old time Baptist faith.
My first run in with these destructive parachurch outfits was about 15 years ago. I had never heard of Gothard or the Gothard movement. Then I came across a dear pastor who had some families caught up in it. What I observed was shocking. I cannot report exactly what these families had been taught, only the results of what they had been taught.
1. All three of these families had elevated the home above the church. For example, they missed church regurlarly if dad felt like they needed family time. If "Jonny" had a birthday party, attendance to church was optional. Often times these people were given positions in the church and then would simply not show up. In one case the Sunday morning piano player would skip church for the family and never notify the pastor. When the head of the home was confronted about this problem, Gothardism was chosen over the Bible.
2. All three of these families began to view Gothard as their authority, instead of the man of God. Bill had wisdom and their pastor, who was not a Gothardite was not enlightened. They began to correct the preacher and assistant pastor for having graded Sunday school classes, youth activities, etc. I understand good people disagree on such things, but when the pastor is upbraided on a regular basis there is rebellion in the camp.
3. All three of these families tried recruiting others into Gothardism in direct opposition to the pastor's leadership.
4. All three of these families developed an elitist attitude toward the rest of the local church body.
From the time of my first encounter with the family friendly parachurch groups, I have seen a steady stream of good families turned aside by these outfits. Most recently I picked up a catalog from Vision Forum. I was amazed to see them promote as Christian heroes John Calvin, Martin Luther, etc. These ungodly men persecuted our Baptist forefathers, they both held to infant baptism, and they both practiced dominion theology. In addition to this, Calvin developed the deadly tulip, which has caused great chaos and confusion in the Lord's churches over the years. Why would a good organization like Vision Forum promote an ungodly wretch like Calvin? Why would they spotlight this man and want everyone to read his books? The answer is very simple: Vision Forum promotes Calvin because they are Calvinists! Vision Forum promotes Calvin because they are also Protestants! Vision Forum promotes Calvin because they are dominionists also!
When Independent Baptist people who are King James Bible Believers, soul winners, etc. disregard the commands to be separate from error and begin to fellowship with heretical parachurch leeches that are feeding on the Lord's churches, there is no wonder it is producing big problems. Some will point to all the good they do and try to defend these groups. But be reminded that this is exactly how Satan operates. He puts out enough truth to entice the undiscerning. Do you expect Satan to try to lure people in with dope sales? Do you think he could turn people aside if Vision Forum was promoting Maralyn Manson? He mixes good with bad and seduces the simple.
I have been burdened about this problem for some time and have felt the Lord leading me to cast out a warning to the brethren. Home schoolers have been the greatest target of these groups. If you are a home schooler and are involved with any such groups, beware. These people are no friend to the local church. They have been known to promote the unscriptural home church movement. These people are not independent Baptists, and they are not soulwinners. The best thing to do is disassociate with these leeches and be loyal to your local church and your pastor. If you are worried about having the right resources to raise a family for God, I recommend a King James Bible. In 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 we are told that it is all we need. We can either believe God or look to men for our wisdom. If you trust these groups to help raise your children, they may get some help. They may show all their teeth when they smile, and they may end up respecting their earthly father, but they will have the wrong heroes, a false view of their pastor and a disinterest toward the institution of the local church. In addition to this they will not learn of the importance of personal soul winning from Calvinists, neos, or nut cases.
Pastors, evangelists, and missionaries, I ask you to join with me and others to warn God's people about these trouble makers. Pastor friends, if you don't warn your people, you may be sorry down the road. Dear friends, before you embrace the next parachurch organization the Devil dreams up,
-----THINK!