ECC and spanking-Micromanagement of peoples lives

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[blonde]

I know this has been discussed extensively.  Maybe just take this as another story about ECC and GCx regarding the whole spanking debate.  I was talking to a very close friend yesterday.  She told that she has had a very bad relationship with her daughter since she spanked her a lot.

My friend said that Mark Darling told her how and when to spank her kids.  I was saddened again how ECC has affected a close friend of mine.  I need to say, I did not ask or even suggested ECC or Mark Darling.

My friend seemed like she was so broken and why she even did these spankings.  I asked her, "Looking back, do the things you spanked [your daughter] seem like a big deal now or that they were that important to spank her?"

She said no.

I again, am shock now much damage that ECC and specifically Mark Darling has done in peoples lives.  My friend has no deep relationship with her daughter in Upton Minneapolis. 

I wish I had the balls back then and my friend had the balls to tell her pastor to lay-off the micro-management.  That what it is.  Micromanagement of peoples lives.

[Innerlight]

I for one am glad this forum exists.  Although, I have never been in a GCC Church, reading these posts enlightened me to the behavior, demonstrated by my close friends.  In some sense you might call it “text book” behavior, almost scripted.  So many, many things are clear to me now:  Dating, fanatical devotion to a single church, idolizing pastors (and the board members), dress, school choices, home schooling, college and career choices.

It is worth repeating that any church that warrants this much attention, by that I mean a forum for discussion, and numerous websites addressing its founders, their methods and history should be a cause for great concern.  Even more so if your children get caught up in this at college.  I checked, and yes you can find info on my pastor (Leith Anderson), and others, Chuck Smith, Rick Warren, etc…, but most of that deals with their high profiles, or an article about their church, things along those lines.  None to my knowledge deal with cult like issues, or other things detailed in these posts.  If you want, you can find websites challenging Billy Grahams’ methods, so I guess no one escapes cyberspace.  That being said, searches of GCC and its’ leaders, seems to turn up more than its fair share of negative publicity.  Again, I would be concerned.   

Having just listened to an excellent study of Luke 14, entitled “Counting the Cost”, led by Brian Broderson of Calvary Chapel. Jesus pulled no punches about being his disciple, including putting him first in your life, and daily carrying your cross.  The comment about parents is not about breaking the 5th commandment, but the devotion he expects.  Jesus never downplayed the trials and tribulations of being a Christian, but said “count the cost”, before signing on.  Compare this to some of what has been said on this site, the manipulation, the love bombing, the seeker sensitive, dumb down the message Gospel, or even the music…”See were just like you”.  Once you’re in, it seems that the manipulation begins not true discipleship.  Christ calls you to be devoted to him, not to a single church or a single pastor or movement.  It’s too bad these divisions exist, and some exploit them to grow their own memberships.       
 
Mat 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

With so many other biblically sound churches, led by men who have spent their entire lives in deep study of The Word, with a sound calling, and the education to back it up, I would hard pressed to make a lesser choice, and go for a GCC Church.  Put another way, all things being equal, I would choose a different church.  I am sure there are fine GCC churches, but the same constant theme seems to run through all (see my first paragraph).

In closing, I am thankful I found this site.  I believe God wanted me to find it.  I am now more equipped to speak and minister to my friends, since I now know the ground rules, and what I’m up against. 

[steelgirl]

I for one am glad this forum exists.  Although, I have never been in a GCC Church, reading these posts enlightened me to the behavior, demonstrated by my close friends.  In some sense you might call it “text book” behavior, almost scripted.  So many, many things are clear to me now:  Dating, fanatical devotion to a single church, idolizing pastors (and the board members), dress, school choices, home schooling, college and career choices.

It is worth repeating that any church that warrants this much attention, by that I mean a forum for discussion, and numerous websites addressing its founders, their methods and history should be a cause for great concern.  Even more so if your children get caught up in this at college.  I checked, and yes you can find info on my pastor (Leith Anderson), and others, Chuck Smith, Rick Warren, etc…, but most of that deals with their high profiles, or an article about their church, things along those lines.  None to my knowledge deal with cult like issues, or other things detailed in these posts.  If you want, you can find websites challenging Billy Grahams’ methods, so I guess no one escapes cyberspace.  That being said, searches of GCC and its’ leaders, seems to turn up more than its fair share of negative publicity.  Again, I would be concerned.   

Having just listened to an excellent study of Luke 14, entitled “Counting the Cost”, led by Brian Broderson of Calvary Chapel. Jesus pulled no punches about being his disciple, including putting him first in your life, and daily carrying your cross.  The comment about parents is not about breaking the 5th commandment, but the devotion he expects.  Jesus never downplayed the trials and tribulations of being a Christian, but said “count the cost”, before signing on.  Compare this to some of what has been said on this site, the manipulation, the love bombing, the seeker sensitive, dumb down the message Gospel, or even the music…”See were just like you”.  Once you’re in, it seems that the manipulation begins not true discipleship.  Christ calls you to be devoted to him, not to a single church or a single pastor or movement.  It’s too bad these divisions exist, and some exploit them to grow their own memberships.       
 
Mat 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

With so many other biblically sound churches, led by men who have spent their entire lives in deep study of The Word, with a sound calling, and the education to back it up, I would hard pressed to make a lesser choice, and go for a GCC Church.  Put another way, all things being equal, I would choose a different church.  I am sure there are fine GCC churches, but the same constant theme seems to run through all (see my first paragraph).

In closing, I am thankful I found this site.  I believe God wanted me to find it.  I am now more equipped to speak and minister to my friends, since I now know the ground rules, and what I’m up against. 

What kind of issues do you see your friends struggling or dealing with?  I got involved with a GCM church after I graduated.  One friend who was my mentor wondered why I got the college degree I had.  Hell with the fact, she admits to barely making it through high school.  One thing that I should have thought twice about was the fact that they talked about disciplining for various things including refusal to work.  I was willing to work, however I did not have steady work.  I therefore might have been seen as unmotivated by some because I could not get steady job in retail.  Why the damn freak does that matter whether I work temporary or a more steady job.  Perhaps what happened in GCM has affected me when getting involved with other churches.

[Innerlight]

Steelgirl,

Be a disciple of Christ, not a church.  Men will always disappoint.  Push through it, and find a good church, with the criteria I mentioned in my post.  Learn from Christ!

Mat 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

[steelgirl]

Going to new churches and getting involved can be scary but for the past 6 yrs I have struggled with trusting people at times through other churches due to what happened in GCM.

[Innerlight]

I prayed for you!