June 26, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - Though Promise Keepers apologists often downplay the connection between their organization and the Vineyard movement with its prophetic "revelations," Bill McCartney has testified that the connection is very direct. In his Foreword to James Ryle's A Dream Come True, McCartney makes the following statement:

"Our relationship [Bill McCartney and Vineyard Pastor James Ryle] developed as the result of a remarkable dream that James shared with me prior to the 1989 college football season while I was head coach at the University of Colorado. The dream foretold that our team, the Colorado Buffaloes, would have a golden season resulting in being ranked number one in the nation and that I, as head coach, would be given the Coach of the Year honors as the season's conclusion. ...

"The season unfolded and gave us more than our share of thrills as we watched with wonder how God seemed to be proving the dream true with each successive game. A deep bond of brotherhood was forged between James and me in those joyful moments of seeing the hand of the Lord bless us. ...

"That unforgettable season did much to turn my heart toward God with greater sensitivity to hearing His voice. If God would speak in a dream about a football season, what other more pressing matters might He address if we would only listen? The vision for Promise Keepers became more believable to me as a result of learning to regard the thoughts and impressions which come into our lives from God" (Bill McCartney, foreword to A Dream Come True, pp. 8,9).

In a letter dated May 29, 1997, Pastor Ryle wrote to Lynn and Sarah Leslie, editors of The Christian Conscience, and said: "It is not my view, nor has it ever been my view, that the Vineyard gave birth to Promise Keepers."

This is a strange statement in light of Bill McCartney's own testimony in Ryle's own book. I think there is no doubt that Vineyard gave birth to Promise Keepers. At the very least, it provided the theological framework which undergirds Promise Keepers. There is more to the connection than this, though, for Vineyard pastor James Ryle has been a key leader in the movement from its inception, and Vineyard church member Randy Phillips has also been involved in Promise Keepers leadership from its inception and is the President of Promise Keepers today. Other Vineyard men have also been involved. Why not admit that the Vineyard movement birthed Promise Keepers? Why do they want to make light of this connection? Is it not reasonable to assume that they do this because the Vineyard movement is considered radical and suspect even in many Pentecostal-charismatic circles?