This week in Christian history: Doug Phillips resigns; Protestant Reformation begins

Doug Phillips resigns from Vision Forum – Oct. 30, 2013

This week marks the anniversary of when Doug Phillips, the head of Vision Forum Ministries, a prominent group that advocated for homeschooling and patriarchal family leadership, resigned.

In a statement of resignation, Phillips said he was stepping down as president and halting his speaking engagements due to “a lengthy, inappropriate relationship with a woman.”

“While we did not ‘know’ each other in a Biblical sense, it was nevertheless inappropriately romantic and affectionate,” he wrote at the time. “There are no words to describe the magnitude of shame I feel, or grief from the injury I caused my beloved bride and children, both of whom have responded to my repentance with what seems a supernatural love and forgiveness.”

“To the friends of this ministry, I ask for your forgiveness, and hope that you will pray for the Phillips family at this time, and for the men who will be responsible for shepherding the work of Vision Forum Ministries in the future.”

Shortly after the resignation, Vision Forum closed down. The following year, Phillips would be sued by a former nanny who accused him of engaging in an abusive relationship with her.

For his part, Phillips denied any wrongdoing. In 2016, the two parties reached an out-of-court settlement in which the allegations were dismissed with prejudice.