An Interview with Jim Phillis of Sustained Victory

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What is Sustained Victory?
Sustained Victory is a weekly one-hour telephone support group for Every Man’s Battle (EMB) workshop alumni. In our groups, we use a Christ-centered 12 Step workbook to guide us in making progress in not only ending the sinful behavior, but growing in dependence upon Christ and living in integrity.

What kind of man would need a program like this?
We call it Every Man’s Battle for a reason. Every man needs a safe place to struggle with the challenges of life and find encouragement and support. David says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!“(Ps. 133:1)

How can Sustained Victory help men?
Everyone struggles to live by faith. For men who have fallen into compulsive sexual sin, their doubts and fears can become debilitating. By participating in SusVic, men can be reminded of God’s promises and be encouraged to resist the doubts and fears according to God’s promises.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer described the benefit of confessing to one another in his book, Life Together. He observed that when we confess only to God, many times we are only confessing to ourselves and granting ourselves forgiveness. When we confess in the company of someone else, we genuinely acknowledge sin, we don’t attempt to minimize it or justify it, and we hear our brother speak the Gospel message: “In Christ’s name and in His blood, this sin is covered.” Such an experience is powerful, particularly when others may keep holding our sin/sins against us.

Tell us a little about yourself and those who run the program.

Jim Phillis - New Life Coaching Coordinator

First of all, I have my own story of struggle and victory over sexual sin. After more than 20 years in pastoral ministry, I work full-time as a certified personal life coach with New Life Ministries, serving individuals, couples, and Sustained Victory groups, primarily with men who struggle with sexual sin and with their wives. In addition to this, I work facilitating process groups at New Life’s Every Man’s Battle and New Life Weekend workshops. I am excited when I get to see God’s people overcome the obstacles that keep them from fulfilling His call upon their lives. I completed my Master of Divinity studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological Seminary. My wife, Susan, and I are parents of three grown children.

The other group facilitators have their own stories of struggle and victory. In similar ways, He is using our past as the foundation of our current ministries. While I am embarrassed about various parts of my past, I now see more clearly than ever how great a Savior Jesus Christ is. Having worked with all the other facilitators, I know that they would say much the same thing.

I am sure you have heard all the excuses, what kind of excuses do men use to not attend?
Among the most common excuses: “I don’t really have a problem; it’s my wife’s problem.” OR “I can take care of this myself.” OR “I can stop this any time I want.” OR “All I need to do is get closer to God–more Bible study and prayer.”

In every case, the man is convinced that he can master his sin by himself. The Bible makes it clear that we need the assistance of others in our battle against temptation and sin. Ultimately, what the excuses are masking is a fear that no one will understand or be able to help or be willing to help. Sadly, in many churches we have learned to hide our sin struggles from each other instead of asking for help from others and receiving it. EMB and SusVic provide a safe place to acknowledge the struggle and get/give help.

Do you have any way of measuring success rates?
Obviously, a major issue here is determining what success is. One measure of success is ending the acting out behavior pattern, whether it is pornography, masturbation, affairs, or something else. Most men do experience victory in this area, though there are occasional slips and falls. Another measure of success is ending the isolation and shame of the sin pattern. This may be the more difficult struggle, though we are privileged to see men find true, lasting forgiveness through Christ and break through to healthy Gospel living. Since our groups began meeting in November, 2005, I have personally worked with a number of men who have completed the steps and continue to live with integrity. Some have gone on to provide leadership to other men who struggle in their home churches.

How does someone sign up for Sustained Victory?
Since SusVic is open only to EMB workshop graduates, signing up is done either at the workshop or by contacting me. It is not necessary to register for group at the workshop or immediately afterward. We have had a number of men who went home thinking they had sufficient support in place to work their battle plans. Later, they realize that their home-based support isn’t as helpful as they thought and they recognize the need for SusVic work. I have registered men for group even 4 years after they have completed the workshop. They are enfolded into the group relatively easily and are able to receive help, just like those who register immediately afterwards.

Thank you for your time, is there anything you’d like to add?
Most days I absolutely love the work God has called me to. I tell people that I have front row seats watching the Lord change people’s lives. I don’t think there is any more exciting place to be. For the men who participate in Sustained Victory, they too have the privilege of seeing God change other men’s lives, which is powerful motivation to pursue Christ themselves. I pray that many men will continue to seek freedom from sexual sin at the EMB workshop and then through Sustained Victory.