The following article from Jim Kirksey shows how ecumenical and pro-Vatican the Promises Keepers really are.

(For those out there who still imagine that PKs are of God, think again. Despatch.)

Jim Kirksey,
Denver Post Staff Writer
Mar. 3,1998.

Bill McCartney and his Promise Keepers were embraced by the Denver Catholic Archdiocese Monday night at a gathering of more than 250 men, and a handful of women, at the John Paul II Center in south Denver.

In his first address to a group of Catholic men, McCartney - former football coach at the University of Colorado and founder of the Denver-based evangelical Christian men's organization - told the gathering that one of the great things about sports is that if you love sports, it doesn't make any difference what denomination you are, "they'll let you in." "It has become clear to me what God has in mind" for Promise Keepers, McCartney said.

The answer, he said, was found in the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they are the sons of God." A peace-maker is one who brings warring factions together, he said.

The reason there isn't a Catholic men's group filling stadiums around the country "is because God wants us together," he suggested.

Archbishop Charles Chaput, who embraced McCartney as he came off the stage, had said in an interview before McCartney's talk that he viewed Promise Keepers as another evangelical movement trying to bring people closer to Christ, and it should be encouraged.

Chaput said he wouldn't put out an appeal for Catholic parishes to answer Promise Keepers' call for every church in the country to contribute $1,000 toward its operation, in light of its decision to stop charging men to attend its conferences.

"But I wouldn't discourage it," the archbishop said.

He said he will let individual pastors decide. It might be appropriate for a parish with several Promise Keepers members to make such a contribution, he said.

In his talk, McCartney said Promise Keepers has set Jan. l, 2000, as the date for "men of God...across the United States to stand up for Jesus Christ." He said he envisions 650,000 men in every state capitol gathering at the same time.

Christopher West, director of the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life, said the archdiocese had expected a turnout of about 100, and was overwelmed by the response.

Time Magazine March 2, 1998 Notebook GOD AND MAMMON Hard Times Hit the Promise Keepers LAST FALL ALMOST A MILLION PROMISE Keepers assembled in Washington; this spring they are rallying to pay their bills. The head of the organization BILL MCCARTNEY, has told the staff of 345 that they will not paid after March 31. This will be very bad news for some of them. The Promise Keepers' 1996 tax returns, which were obtained by TIME, show that the organization's five vice presidents were paid between $78,000 to $100,000 each while the president, RANDY PHILLIPS, earned $133,512; their 1997 salaries were th same or higher. McCartney, who has taken less than $21,000 i compenstaion, called on 3,000 ministers to donate $1,000 each to his group. If they decline, staff members will soon have to find ways to support themselve while running the organization as volunteers. McCartney will continue with his job as a motivational speaker for a Denver water-bed company. By Michael Connors / Denver

This simple little article really hiits the nail on the head. Without going into any doctrianl issues about the "Compromise Keepers," it would be good for all to note that everything done in the church MUST be done through the "local" church. If the local church cannot support an extended ministry, then the burden is only upon that particular church. Calling upon others, missions excluded, to support a national ministry indeed shows it is time to end that particular ministry!
God Bless
Bob Picard - Bible Way Baptist Church ... http://www.invitation.org

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