Gary Ezzo and Church Discipline

On 5/20/06 this post was modified.

Further clarification is forthcoming.

As I've said before--how can Christians trust someone teaching about family discipline, when that person lacks understanding and submission to church discipline themselves?

Posted by TulipGirl | 10:45 AM| TrackBack (0) | Words

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Bravo, Tulipgirl! It has long concerned me that people take the Ezzo's word on child rearing as if it were scripture. As if to stray from his teaching was to turn your back on Christianity and biblical parenting. Well, you have to check the source. And the source is someone who is incredibly proud, unable to withstand critisism, and unwilling to accept the authority of the church. The man scares me.
Posted by: Anne at June 1, 2005 01:09 PM

Gary's children still attend Grace Curch, and they have ceased nearly all interaction with him.

Does this refer to Ezzo's daughters?
Posted by: Kim in ON at June 1, 2005 04:40 PM

It's interesting to note too that Ezzo's own children, who remain in the church, have little interaction with him. Seemingly, if his council on parenting is so fail-proof, he would have a loving relationship with his own kids?

Thanks, as always, for the insight.
Posted by: Fittsy at June 1, 2005 04:45 PM

I'm new to the Ezzo controversy. I didn't read any of the books and I don't know anyone who has. I've been clicking through all the links you provided and I read through the timeline. I was wondering if there is anything more recent than 2003. Has he ever repented and been brought back into fellowship? Has he ever acknowledged the damage his false and destructive information included in his books has caused? I find it so disheartening when I read a story like this about someone who claims to know Christ.
Posted by: Carrie K. at June 1, 2005 05:12 PM

I'm right there with you - I really don't get this one...
Posted by: rsjm at June 1, 2005 05:22 PM

That's powerful. I'm grateful to him for speaking so directly. For those who don't realize, Gary launched his curricula and ministry when he was a staff pastor at Grace Community Church, and their excellent reputation and resources gave him a big boost.

Therefore it's been especially important for GCC to set the record straight that they were misplaced their confidence in Ezzo and that he does not enjoy the kind of relationship with this church that he has implied, in fact quite the opposite.
Posted by: Kathy at June 1, 2005 05:33 PM

Wow, thanks for bringing this to light. My wife and I had taken an Ezzo course when our son was born three years ago. We were constantly frustrated by not achieving the goals set by the program, and had a difficult time with his statements portrayed as biblical principle. We passed on the skills for our daughter, now six months old, and feel that we are able to better enjoy this time of our lives. (for the record, our son turned out just fine, in spite or our efforts!)
Posted by: Forrest at June 1, 2005 08:41 PM

Whoa, that is big!!! Thanks for keeping us up to date on these matters. I have had friends that fell in line with him and they scared me because they changed over time and became more and more domineering over all aspects of their live and not just their kids. Good stuff you share here!!!
Posted by: ~Leann at June 1, 2005 09:17 PM

sobering words, indeed.
Posted by: Rey at June 2, 2005 11:23 AM

Wow. I always figured the 'tell' would be in how his children turned out, whether rebellious or as part of his organization, even when we were taking the classes 4 years ago. Since I hadn't heard or read about them endorsing his methods, I was suspicious of whether they had worked as well as he claims. He obviously started his ministry trying to help parents. It's a shame that pride took hold and even his elders couldn't shake it loose.
Posted by: Jema at June 2, 2005 11:29 PM

Thanks for posting this. I linked to it, but couldn't get trackbacking to work.

I am disturbed by the amount of influence this man continues to have.
Posted by: DeputyHeadmistress at June 3, 2005 01:48 AM

Wow. I hadn't heard this! The church I used to go to (we moved) used to have the growing kids course and the Ezzos were scheduled to come personally. Then our pastor (who is awesome!) apparently found our more about them, cancelled them, and cancelled the course permanently.
Posted by: blestwithsons at June 5, 2005 10:14 PM

Quick Clarification:

Only one of Gary's daughter's is still in our church, and they have limited their interaction due to the discipline of Living Hope Fellowship and the consequent agreement by GCC.

Grace and peace.

AHB

Posted by: abailie at June 7, 2005 11:50 AM

AHB,

Thank you for the clarification. If you see this would you clarify something that is ambiguous (to me, anyways) from your wording? I don't want to assume I understand.

"Only one of Gary's daughter's is still in our church, and they have limited their interaction"

Do you mean "they" as in "the daughter at GCC and her husband have limited their interaction" or do you mean "they" as in "both daughters have limited their interaction"

Kathy
Posted by: Kathy at June 8, 2005 11:17 PM

AHB,

Could you further clarify if you know why your comments as captured by Tulip Girl are no longer on the forum you orginally posted them to?

Jenn
Posted by: Jenn at June 9, 2005 01:50 AM

The Ezzo's non-mention of their daughters on the gfi.org web site says a lot to me. From their site:

The Ezzos have six grandchildren and reside in South Carolina.

Where did these six grandchildren come from? You would think that a site on parenting would include a detailed biography of the teachers -- especially information about the children they raised.

Since I know that they raised Amy and Jenny according to their own GFI principles, what went wrong? Why do their children stay away? Why does Jenny attend the very church that put her father out?

Because GFI is not teaching anyone how to raise their kids "God's way". Much in their material is wrong, some is dangerous, and almost all Scripture is misused.

Posted by: bill at June 13, 2005 11:02 PM

I have received the clarification I requested. The "they" in Adam Bailie's post above does refer to both daughters.
Posted by: Kathy at June 17, 2005 11:54 AM

Our pastor endorsed the Gary Ezzo method and it ended up splitting the church in the "us vs. them" controversy. The "us" was the spiritual enlightened who followed Ezzo and pited the poor "them" who continued to nurture their babies in kindness and love and all that other "biblical baggage!!"

Unforturnately it still lingers heavy in our church even after many of the spiritually superior "us" people ended up leaving the church.
Posted by: Cal at July 16, 2005 10:14 AM

This comment has been deleted by request.
Posted by: abailie at August 2, 2005 12:17 PM

Adam,

I hope you haven't taken heat for telling the truth.

I think it is pertinent information. The Ezzos have a documentable pattern of leaving a trail of pain and broken relationships in their wake. This is NOT the way it ought to be, and it IS appropriate for pastors and parents to know this, considering that the Ezzos are teaching on the subjects of high moral virtue and parenting.

You had earlier indicated that only one daughter attends your church, and I was not questioning that! I was only trying to make absolutely certain that you intended to convey that BOTH of daughters were limiting their contact with their parents. I am so sorry to make you feel that I questioned your truthfulness when the opposite was actually the case.

Hope that clarifies!

Posted by: Kathy at August 4, 2005 01:26 PM

I new the Garcias (Amy Garcia, was Amy Ezzo) when they used to live in southern california. And I know a few people that still keep in touch. I am not going to share private information, but I DO know the garcias have a personal website about their family (http://www.***********.com). I don't think the ezzos even KNOW how many grandchildren they have. From what I have heard, they haven't even met them all. How those 2 people can teach about parenting, with their family in such a state, I don't even know. John MacArthur should have booted ezzo a long time before he did!
Posted by: aft at August 23, 2005 03:23 PM

Hi, A Few Talents!

Thanks for sharing that information. I do believe it is relevant to the discussion. However, out of respect for this family's privacy, I've chosen to edit out their family website url. Thanks for understanding. . .
Posted by: TulipGirl at August 24, 2005 10:46 PM

It's a shame to see that Gary Ezzo is still at it. My husband and I were involved in ministry with him at Lakes Region Christian Church and were the first ones to bring a Matthew 18 against him. At the time there was no resolution, so we left the church. Soon after, he was asked to leave. God's truth will always prevail!
Posted by: Candy at September 30, 2005 01:29 PM

I can't find anyone named Adam Bailie listed under pastoral staff at Grace Community Church's website. Is anyone sure that he is a pastor there?

Thank you.

Posted by: Marie at October 5, 2005 02:14 PM

I am not sure how recent the above quote from Adam Bailie is; but I just checked Grace Community Church's website. This man, Adam Bailie is not listed as one of the staff members of the church. Perhaps your information needs to be verified on this issue.
Thanks for the Body of Christ,
Jim Welch, Pastor
Victory Baptist Church of Montrose, CO
Posted by: Jim Welch, Pastor at October 27, 2005 01:49 PM

Marie and Pastor Welch,

Welcome! I'm glad y'all have joined in the discussion. I find it interesting that you've commented on the same concern of the credibility of the above statement.

It fully appears to reflect the current situation in regards to Grace Church and Gary Ezzo, however it is not an "official" statement.

One of the "official" statements is this one authored by Phil Johnson.

Grace Church provides a profile of Adam Bailie on their website.

What are your thoughts on Gary Ezzo's ongoing pattern of church discipline, and the concerns of the elders from several churches about a lack of repentance?

Posted by: TulipGirl at October 27, 2005 07:18 PM

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