harvest bible church scandal
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Witnesses say MacDonald was angry that the photo was still on display. May Our Lord guide all of us and May His will be done above all else. That occurred right after eight former elders sent a letter to the current elder board, claiming that MacDonald was guilty of self-promotionlove of moneydomineering and bullyingabusive speechoutbursts of anger[and] making misleading statements. Harvest countered by accusing those eight former elders of great sin and defiling many people., The three censured elders said Harvest maintained a culture of fear and intimidation that destroyed relationships. 8. These are the same elders who signed the letter of unconditional support for James, and then they fire him? The issue here is not TIMING or kicking someone when theyre down its about exposing ungodly, cowardly behavior and making people aware of its existence. Jesus calls us to be GOOD. Following the initial World report, MacDonald announced he would be taking a sabbatical, but suggested he may still occasionally preach at a Harvest-affiliated church in Florida. My blog had indirectly undermined James. . Be blessed dear Sister. I can see you have regret for not having the courage to do it then but youre working to make up for it by speaking now. Others have gone before you in challenging HBC to help pave the way and have paid the consequences for their courage. God used him mightily for many years and brought His salvation to thousands through this brother. Publicizing viewpoints rejected by the elder majority for any reason is satanic to the core. They made excuses for him. That timeline accelerated, when on Tuesday morning highly inappropriate recorded comments made by Pastor MacDonald were given to media and reported, the church wrote. Leak of highly inappropriate comments by founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch caps months-long clash with critics. Over the summer, they agreed to try to make a joint statement and start the process of relational reconciliation, the Harvest elders said, but the efforts didnt pan out. Like the unsaved around us we fight for positions of prestige to lord it over one another. One person (not from Harvest) asked if I needed to call the church to cancel my membership. WORLD Magazine and other evangelical news outlets celebrated this resolution. Really? All of it. [], [] While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. He also makes vulgar comments about Wheaton College executive director of the Billy Graham Center Ed Stetzer and repeatedly degrades Julie Roys, the reporter who wrote the World Magazine story. There is no question in my mind that what I did see and experience increasingly at Harvest was a culture that functioned and was sustained by fear and the desire to please James at any cost. No matter what everyone else says, it does take courage to say something. In the arbitration, MacDonald retained the rights to Walk in the Word, a part of the church that had put on his teaching ministry and popular radio broadcast. Superior to whom? Just pray in a prayer closet to be still in the presence of Jesus. Perhaps we can do something like that here in Davenport, too. Vicki Stevenson, I have not read your blogs for some time but the Holy Spirit caused me to stop and read this post. Why would we be any different? And the lies werent just shared by James. Thankful for the freedom you have found and are willing to speak up. 35The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. It doesnt mean anything.. So now, I tell the truth about what happened, and it isnt only a Pastor James problem. Woah there Nellie! It is a biblical teaching that unrepentant public sin in a public representative of God ((ie, pastors and elders) must be publicly rebuked for the sake of the church as a whole. In one fellowship people were actually warned to have nothing to do with us, and yet all we had done, in each instance was to ask questions. When we try to protect those in power instead of those who are hurting, we are not doing the work of God. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. Sounds like your faith in self is overwhelming only yourself! first Bill Hybels. (Matthew 12:33-37). 1st at services, then recording those messages fir walk in the word and finally by publishing them. Your studies are strong biblical studies. Do elder boards mean anything, or are they just there to look pretty? I pray that God will heal those hurt by him and his abuse of authority. This did not happen to James, he did this, by sinning repeatedly. I will be praying for you. We attended Harvest for 16 years before we left little over 4 years ago. Ive been where youre at, believing that its godly to keep trying to work it out, like family does. Others will be hurtit is a matter of time. Jesus taught eternal love. Because there are others that need to also be held responsible. It never dawned on me that it would open you up to attack. James ended up sending me a copy of the new approved blog post, and out of fear, I complied. Do you not remember that God used His Chosen to reveal the sin of not only churches, in the New Testament, but also to Kings in Old Testament. Your time at Harvest made a huge impact to my small group and strengthened my faith in Christ . Perhaps the Holy Spirit prompted Lina to share from the HEART. Praying for you, many blessings for all you do. Unfortunately I dont think the Harvest RM is the only Harvest with a culture of fear. We just determined to treat the circumstances as a loving God giving us a different direction. I have 3 small groups now that are like this but we lack music. I never worked at Harvest under Pastor James, I never wrote a book, I never had any altercation with Pastor James, and never had a complaint about him. I am sorry I am so late to discover this article but I had to respond to this comment. I think the congregation who asks these questions should know that I pray for them. Our focus should be on Christ and Christ alone, not James MacDonald. Like you, Lina, Ive listened to people wounded by sin, power grabs and wrongdoing by Church leaders. There are no ongoing issues of any kind. Did you realize the pastors publicly said sorry last weekend? Thank you for adding your voice to the now chorus of voices calling for a time of judgment and reform. Because evangelical megachurches are typically formed around a single charismatic individual, elder boards are generally loathe to consider letting this individual go. Harvest, which Roys says is $42 million in debt, is suing the Evangelical Christian Credit Union for not refinancing five of its mortgages. When I started Bible studies Harvest I was given a booklet and videos on everything bad about the Catholic Church. Harvest elders announced this morning that they were forced to take "immediate action" on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure. I have or attend 3 or more small groups a week now and feel alive. So are you saying that there is mind control of the underling staff and of the rank and file members going on at HBC? I then called an elder who was a friend and someone I trusted. The more I think about the demise of Harvest Bible Chapel and James MacDonald, the more I believe that fear is the cancer at the root of it all specifically the fear of James MacDonald. Like in Ezekiel, many people are trying to sound the trumpet of warning!! Since the publishing of this article, several developments have occurred at Harvest Bible Chapel. God has been known to use even a donkey and a false pagan prophet to speak His word. Often no explanation given, and the band plays on. While many in the congregation were willing to give it a second chance, some members raised concerns about many of these individuals closeness to MacDonald, and their willingness to cover for him for so long. I hadnt realized that James had gotten a tattoo that week. So Ill never forget the day I got up from my seat in a service, walked out, and never looked back. But the biggest lesson is people need to stop looking at preachers as though they are perfect, but God know they arent and they need people on their necks to keep them honest. What blessings are flowing at Harvest for those who stand firm! That, apparently, was what it took to get him fired. This is a very vulnerable time for a lot of people and I am sure God weeps for every single wounded soul.. This comment to Harvest and James is your opinion and you have every right to it. You followed what God would have instructed you to handle this situation.you started by going to the leaders of the church for answers and none were given. Truth heals. You have to leave before you can see clearly. Thanks for writing it. In Christian arbitration, the preacher was granted $1.45 million and the rights to Walk in the Word. I struggle with the fear of man myself. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. My daughter was also at that service when they showed the video. Conversions credited to women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one in conversations. Nice to hear from you again! I stay with confidence that God will not be mocked, he knows the perfect balance of justice and mercy, he will redeem this pain and we will witness HIS power in HIS church. MacDonald defended the decision to sue fellow believers in an opinion piece published inChristianity Today,which also published criticism of MacDonald. So here I am, piecing together a years-long scandal for you. Hidden things have come to light. I am staying because with all the faults in the organization, the people of Harvest are my family. I have nothing bad to say about Harvest. At this point, Im not sure what else your thread can accomplish. She is not trying to kick him while he is down. But as every Christian knows, we walk and we live by grace. Romans 16: 17-20. The only hope is to totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be consumed. I am surprised by your editorial on Harvest. After leaving, others came to us, with similar stories of why they left or quit being involved. Therefore Lina did what God moved her to do in His Boldness and Courage, being fear had silenced her. Harvest Bible Chapel has fired its founder and senior pastor James MacDonald following years of controversial behavior, financial scandal and allegations of bullying and intimidation. I loved his book Vertical Church. As questions about how Harvest Bible Fellowship money was used ballooned, the pressure mounted. Otherwise If you share your email address I will email you. Ive never been able to foster the same level of trust and thats the residual I wrestle with. Leaving without speaking up was still an act of cowardice and self-preservation. The elders were given a paper that laid out their duties, that mostly consisted of protecting, encouraging, and blessing the senior pastor. James MacDonald was forced out Tuesday night as senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a church he founded in Rolling Meadows some 30 years ago. I did not fear God as much as I feared James and longed for his approval. I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. I also assumed that because of the size of Harvest, those closest to you would reach out. This should not be! I just want you to know that what you did at HBC mattered, and your presence is greatly missed. She is sharing her heart and personal experience in an open, vulnerable way, in kindness and love. As Gods word says it would. As one person whom MacDonald led to the Lord remarked to me, Its like finding out your wife is a serial killer. The disillusionment, betrayal, and loss can be excruciating. During Sunday services, Harvest showed a videoof members of the current elder board explaining why the church was placing the two former elders under church discipline: Church matters are not to be tried in the court of public opinion. Prayer works as we understand to be HIS humble servants. Wounds take a great deal of time to heal and its appropriate to share them and warn others to avoid similar church abuse. Another blind believer. Yet their silence hurt me and sometimes made me question the validity of my reasons for leaving. Prevent these types of money exchange corporations, Let this awaken and take down other church leaders that have similar goals. With my life and schedule, my friends are few and far between, and have always been aware that my saying anything publicly about Harvest or James would jeopardize those friendships that I still love and value so much. There are times in our lives and circumstances that its just not real clear as to how to address something, with as little harm to what is good, as possible. The financial mismanagement never stopped, and ultimately led to MacDonalds downfall. Thank you Lina for your honesty and boldness and ultimately helping me put words to what I have been experiencing through the preaching of James. There are dozens if not hundreds of witnesses against many Elders at Harvest all saying the same thing. This included an abusive and fear-based culture where those who question leadership are punished, she writes. Is the founding pastor subject to accountability structures? Dan was a part of this elder board with these 7 elders and he details only some of the fraud . Others had old wounds that had resurfaced and were hurting, having never felt closure to their stories, Abujamra, a Bible teacher and Moody Radio host, wrote on herblog. The current leadership at Harvest Bible Chapel including Luke and Landon and Rick and Mo and Jeff and the CFO are infected by the cancer of fear and control. Not saying thete arent strong christians in leadership at this church but it does always seem that when pride gets in the way of leadership it hurts that person and everyone around them. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. I am excited for all God is doing in your life to help other women get closer in their relationship with Jesus. The fired senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel megachurch is contending, in a new lawsuit, that an attorney and accountants hired by the church took part in a "smear . superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. Dont stop trusting or loving. They are not calmly declining either. Each former leader that speaks out helps us heal and validates our experience. Roys article details three examples of actions that former Harvest employees say reveal MacDonalds hot-tempered, vengeful personality. I have had similar experiences at The Chapel . And the truth of many at Harvest. The Asbury Revival Is Over. @Donna Is it possible that it is God Himself who is exposing these misdeeds? You can read that article here. Then, on February 8th, Roys revealed material obtained under subpoena that backed up critics claims that Harvest Bible Chapel inappropriately took money from HBF. While Harvest the pastor there for years had some good preaching. I have seen this in many independent churches.THIs was done to me at a similar setting.The pastor One of things his way or the highway and there was no disagreement because he said it was leading to anarchy. I am so inspired to see you today. 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