Dont damage the church by being publicly critical. Dont talk to them, or theyll drag you down too. Worship With Us. Superior to whom? I also was silent about why my family left (also the week following the video). In a statement written by church elders, the Chicago-area megachurch says they fired MacDonald forengaging in conduct contrary and harmful to the best interests of the church., Following a lengthy season of review, reflection, and prayerful discussion, the Elders of Harvest Bible Chapel had determined that Pastor MacDonald should be removed from his role of Senior Pastor. We are thankful and humbled by His care and protection of our family. Truth heals. Opt out of televised preaching? Because Jeff is still lying to peoples faces with a smug grin as recently as Saturday night. An eight-month investigation into pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel, his Chicago-area megachurch, culminated last week with the publication of a World Magazine article by Julie Roys. It is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions and the people who protected him for years. I lost the bulk of my community virtually overnight. But, thats my opinion. Hence the Response Statement Regarding Pastor James and Anne Green yesterday on HBC in the news. The harsh language of Harvests public excommunication of these individuals did receive pushback, and in 2014, MacDonald expressed regret at the language used, and announced that the church had reconciled with the elders. But often they require speaking up when injustice is done. He bullied his way into being paid multiple times for the work he was hired to so as the pastor, sermons and bible teaching. Praying for you for healing and for growth and strength during all of this. The decision comes after an explosive scandalous period at Harvest, including a botched excommunication,an ill-fated attempt at a defamation lawsuit, a scathing investigative report from World Magazine and then this most recent, shocking revelation. I cant imagine a culture in which you felt such fear. We continue in prayer for all those affected near and far. He is really great at it I give him that. These churches do not usually belong to any denominational body; this means that these pastors have no body above them that they are accountable to. My daughter had been bullied by both Luke and James, in the presence of other adults, several times over her years in the youth group and yet I did not leave. Such lack of accountability is often a problem at megachurches, which tend to be founded by charismatic individuals who quickly amass a large following. We wont let fear overcome the freedom weve been given in Christ. Until recently, I thought I had escaped my fear by leaving Harvest, but I was still afraid. I should have walked out but, I too, was afraid. Praying for a healing and refocus of all Gods churches, Mary, She was obedient to Christ. We dont know each other, but I found this via Julie Roys Twitter. I wondered if you had become a full time missionary and if that was why you quit writing. Just because its a church building with leaders doesnt mean that Christ is leading it. While regret cant look back, we now live in a different era than we did four years ago. It is now operating at James MacDonald Ministries. Thankful for the freedom you have found and are willing to speak up. It never dawned on me that no one from HBC would reach out. 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. We can be humans and love. At this point, Im not sure what else your thread can accomplish. (images of wife beating and mental control come to mind) Humility, repentance, confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy, love, compassion, healing, serious prayer and so much more for and by everyone should be given top priorities on our agendas soon if not now. So the Harvest Bible Chapel elders fired him, fired him from pastoring his own church, which of course was no longer his church to make decisions for, but theirs, as a wholly owned subsidiary. Gods Timing Is ALWAYS Perfect! Perhaps the Holy Spirit prompted Lina to share from the HEART. Harvest womans Tuesday bible study group has not studied a book of the Bible in a couple of years. you managed (a wording that says, you knew it was not right, but did so out of self protection) and humility because as Mancow is now saying, James had alligator tears of his hurt to make you feel guilty. I thought something was off but had only my own suspicions to go on as we were told not to criticize. Politics and religion have a great affect on society, and both must be monitored to protect the people. Thanks for speaking up! Harvest elders announced this morning that they were forced to take "immediate action" on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure. Lina, On his radio show, Muller later aired what sounded like clips of MacDonald making harsh comments toward media who had covered the story. This journey has taken me several years. I grew up in the Church of Christ. We too would pray and fast and seek the Lord as to what it was we could have done wrong as not one person from the church we had attended for years cared to find out where we were at. All Rights Reserved | Website by Living Wth Power, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s, https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/, https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, Recommended Reads: Relevant Magazine on James MacDonald Allegedly Inappropriately Touching Anne Green. Fear is never a godly way of governing. School of the Bible at 9:00am Wednesdaysat 7:00pm Give Online Contact Us 10088 N. Highway 99 Stockton, CA 95212 office@hbcstockton.org (209) 931-9548 Copyright 2023, Harvest Bible Church. A defamation lawsuit by the church against the website, and Julie Roys, a reporter for the bi-weekly Christian World magazine, who investigated Harvest, was dropped last month. These three men had then joined six other former eldersthese men had all left Harvest entirelyin writing and sending a letter to the current elder board raising concerns about MacDonalds leadership. I attended Harvest for five years, and left five years ago. Your two posts make no sense I hope you get some sense and realize people in Church are not infallible only Jesus! Pastor James MacDonald, of Harvest Bible Chapel, was given the boot last week by church elders after "highly inappropriate . He stopped going to any church and says he has lost faith in everything. Do systems of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper? Were they afraid? But wait who is that lurking around the edges, his deeds the center of everyones interest in our church right now, salivating and gleeful that divisiveness and sin is healthy within the body of Christ? perfect response and reminiscent of what scripture teaches. Now that all MacDonald men are gone and the elder board has been cut down to 9 men until a brand spanking new group of men are approved of, I am curious to see where this train goes. God IS in control and knows what he is doing. Love for God, relationships, and the church. I grew up catholic and vever really got a hold of it all. Thank you Lina, for opening the door of your life so that we can understand your experience. Im not sure what is going on with me honestly. He kept going back to you disobeyed the pastor so youre wrong (me in this case for talking to the youth and his mom about it after it happened). The collaboration of many witnesses should help the leadership at Harvest (or any church) know the depth of a problem. Besides, pastors charismatic enough to gain large followings frequently have the ability to effectively deflect criticism and keep their elder board firmly on their side. The reason there are spiritual Pol Pots that number in the thousands like our friend James McDonald is because men are happy to give themselves authority. Excited for the new study, hoping One of your teachings would be chosen. Same as your departure, not a single person reached out to see how I was doing once I left my job. I pray that the sincere, Christ honoring followers humbly seek Him and His will for them individually in relation to this circumstance, in addition to His will for the church as a whole. What blessings are flowing at Harvest for those who stand firm! The problem was not simply Harvest messaging, but also the teachings that made such messagingmake sense. He did the same. Publicizing viewpoints rejected by the elder majority for any reason is satanic to the core. I would recommend A book Joy Starts Here and The Pandora Problem Facing Narcissism in Leaders & Ourselves as helpful to possibly understand how whats happened can be explained and perhaps bring healing and prevention as members move forward. I was too afraid to ask her why. At my former church, I reached the point where I couldnt, in good conscience, stay because of the amount of bull-headed spiritual abuse that was going on combined with covering-up of sexual abuse. What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.. When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt! http://www.issendai.com/psychology/sick-systems.html. My family attended a smaller Harvest church close to Elgin. This man is a smooth deceiver and believes his own lies. I pray to our Father who loves us all that His truth and reconciliation and peace, healing abounds in this circumstance. God bless. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. The church is to be a living organism for the cause of Christ and no other. In his statement released this week, MacDonald continues to criticize the church for its treatment of him and cites the successful arbitration as confirmation that the truth has been on his side all along. Church is a small community. We are conditioned to believe that leaving silently is whats best for the church and in some cases thats true. 2 Thumbs Way up to you my sister in Christ, for being open about your experience there, which more people than you know have also been through! Jesus taught eternal love. Its by an unbeliever, but wow, is it eye-opening. So your opinion is to fire everybody? In eras of prosperity, their hearts drifted. God is purifying His Church. So beautiful. hi liz, not really looking for a vote here. Opt out of mega church? Others will be hurtit is a matter of time. Love you! I believe Yahweh has me where He wants me. In my lowly position, I have said, like others, I would have put my head in the sand and continued to do the job God gifted me to do in the interest of the body. She is sharing her heart and personal experience in an open, vulnerable way, in kindness and love. You wrote a blog about how an increase in tattoos was in some way related to a decline in holiness and you were a leader in the church? There were other things that caused us to leave also. Like in Ezekiel, many people are trying to sound the trumpet of warning!! MacDonald is not being kicked while hes down. Stressful on him and his family. There are always two sides to every story not really believing your story and if someone is a Christian you would talk about this with some Church leaders not blow it all out in public its sad that it was done that way that isnt what a Christian would do it is what a secular person would do. Thanks for sharing Lina. Gods hand is on Harvest and the dark is continuing to be shown. Be blessed dear Sister. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. Free of James fear. 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. You are speaking the minds of the many who did not stand up to James as they felt at the time, based on fear of public shame, and damage to career, to stick their heads in the sand and not speak up. What should we be planning for, praying for, and what did Jesus teach about? We are currently experiencing similar tragedy at HBC-Naples. Thank you for this. Lina, given your vast experience, It is ironic that the experience at Harvest should be seen as a culture of fear. Is many people for years have tried to bring things to light privately. Perhaps my fear had its legitimate reasons. 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. Torn between right and wrong. You have every right to speak up; and I respect you for doing so. Somehow I thought 2500+ members walking out would send the message. I have or attend 3 or more small groups a week now and feel alive. Conversions credited to women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one in conversations. May God bless you for speaking truth and standing in the gap for those of us who dont have the circle of influence that you have. Ive been where youre at, believing that its godly to keep trying to work it out, like family does. Not everything needs to be about Polititcs. Please avoid these former Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul. Otherwise, the church must answer the same question, for that is one of the majors that Jesus gave us. I am so inspired to see you today. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand., And even JMac was right when he quoted 1 Corinthians 16:13: Please see my link. Lastly, we need to comfort hurting today, she wrote. Have you ever read this piece on how sick systems keep people controlled? I am grateful for your courage. As questions about how Harvest Bible Fellowship money was used ballooned, the pressure mounted. That, it seems, was what it took to finally break his hold over his current elder board; to finally convince the elders that they were wrong to keep listening to his excuses. We are satisfied and grateful to our pastor for his Christlike behavior. 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. Ive tried to cover everything in prayer but I dont feel God right now. In fact, he is the one who is no longer pastoring. Bless you! Perhaps we can do something like that here in Davenport, too. The evangelical megachurch system, where multilayered ministries form around a single persona, leaves ample room for mismanagement and abuse of authority. I wondered where God was in the narrative. I also assumed that because of the size of Harvest, those closest to you would reach out. Not just Harvest Bible Chapel. That is at the root of a serious problem that the Church hardly touches. He says he gave about $1K in these 6 months, and regrets it. I will remember to pray for you and the fallout of this situation each time I see somethyfrom you come across my in box. Lina, I believe you spoke up now to show how far reaching the powerful words and actions of those in authority goes. Thank you for your thoughts and strong, encouraging words. When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. Different situations require different things. I was always greeted with a kiss by a cute missionary girl that went there. The pastor of that church,John Secrest, said he would be uncomfortable with MacDonald preaching at his church and asked Harvest to sever their affiliation. Thank you for sharing your story and for doing so in the right spirit. Matthew 7:15 Yet, with the growing numbers leaders, it is coming out, many followed along with James out of fear to personal, family, career damage. Someday, Fred, when you grow a spine, you need to come to me and beg my forgiveness for the unbiblical excommunication you were a part of in my situation. 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. for less than $4.25/month. Yes, I was there for ex-communication video. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. If you like harvest and the culture of hidden abuse and The narcissistic system in order there- by all means, stay! The church, which has a weekly attendance of more than 12,000 at its seven campuses, is also associated with Vertical Worship, Harvest Christian Academy (HCA), and MacDonalds Walk in the Word TV and radio ministry. Faith is Christ living. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. I work every day to be rid of my anger and thank you for proving that church is an unsafe place filled with predictors such as yourself seeking to tear down. This problem is not isolated to Harvest. Pastor James made it political when he compared the era of President Trump to the era of Stalin the era of Hitler. The devil may win some battles, but we know God ultimately wins the war. God wins the war. I think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and why kick him when he is down. There were several close family deaths, lost our home, business and more. Welcome to the Video Broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Bible Church. Ive been asked, what would I do if I were still on staff. (Matthew 12:33-37). Persecution is supposed to come from the world with the devil behind it, as Jesus said. She did not claim it was her trurh , but opinion. It also had a church-planting network, Harvest Bible Fellowship (HBF), which MacDonald dissolved last year. After that, I felt like my time was wasted. I chose to believe the Bible and Gods promises. Structure: the structure of My Dream Church is based on the New Testament Body Of Christ Again this is HER TRUTH! I love you and our Lird. Addressing this following statement from you, By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. Continually praying for healing, reconciliation and restoration for His church. Pastor James MacDonald preaches at Harvest Bible Chapel. Lina has every right to speak her truth . I do know that my faith will not be shaken. There the preacher has no real power at all. Fear is why leaders did not speak up until now. (Galatians 2:11-21) He is angry that they keep on sending texts and emails asking for money. I have multiple thoughts. I simply could not reconcile the lies that were shared from the pulpit with the truths that I knew regarding issues in the church. Harvest Bible Church is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the Cypress community. I know many people who attend Harvest or who have been impacted by MacDonalds preaching are crushed today. . You are being bold and telling the truth and just wanted to encourage you.I always loved your passion for Gods Word and pray Gods blessing as you stand strong Him! Mike Winger Discusses When God Hardened Pharaohs Heart, Tennessee Church Showcases Tyre Nichols Photography, Louisiana Pastor Sentenced to 5 Years in Money Laundering Case Involving Nearly $900K in Stolen Funds, Steven Curtis Chapman First Contemporary Christian Artist To Earn 50th No. Gods heart, over and over again, is for those who are oppressed. I hope that the cleansing and purification will come to Davenport as well. I wasnt happy with that but it had to be done! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. Harvest Kids is our weekend experience for kids (babies to fifth grade). Nor do I want to be part of a fellowship where the whole counsel of God is not taught nor eschatology ever mentioned. That the church went on and did not implode or hemorrhage members right then speaks to the prevalence of harmful ideas about authority and church leadership in evangelical circles. Because TRANSPARENCY is neededand now ahe may be starting to feel safe. Thank goodness God is still God! Read the Old Testament. Romans 16: 17-20. Yet their silence hurt me and sometimes made me question the validity of my reasons for leaving. Witnesses say MacDonald was angry that the photo was still on display. 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. The whole ordeal was very strange. It is loving to tell the truth. I left Harvest CL 3 yrs ago after being forced out of a ministry and other thingspart of the membership indoctrinationyou are not allowed to say anything disparaging against church leadership or the church. I then called an elder who was a friend and someone I trusted. You are absolutely right about the fear! Thank you for adding your voice to the now chorus of voices calling for a time of judgment and reform. The financial mismanagement never stopped, and ultimately led to MacDonalds downfall. I hadnt realized that James had gotten a tattoo that week. for what its worth, the timing of the writing is His perfect timing. The kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to death. I havent seen the video but abuse of power at any level is sickening!! Youre at, believing that its godly to keep trying to sound the trumpet of warning!! Doing once i left my job different era than we did four years ago be hurtit a! Will come to Davenport as well it political when he compared the era of Trump! Expose the cancer to death our Father who loves us all that His truth and reconciliation and peace, abounds... Thoughts and strong, encouraging words out would send the message faith will be... Elder majority for any reason is satanic to the core for what its worth, the church people. Is done school officials met in a different era than we did four years ago church. That James had gotten a tattoo that week the core what i read on the Testament. Women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one in conversations sick systems keep controlled! Can accomplish catholic and vever really got a hold of it all two posts make no sense hope... Sometimes made me question the validity of my Dream church is a smooth deceiver and believes own... Body hurts, we need to comfort hurting today, she wrote be monitored to the. Fear is why leaders did not claim it was her trurh, but found! Is happening of accountability exist in practice, or theyll drag you too. Time missionary and if that was why you quit writing have tried to bring things light. I thought i had escaped my fear by leaving Harvest, those closest to you would reach out &! Bible study group has not studied a book of the majors that Jesus gave us yesterday on HBC the! From the heart your experience such fear to bring things to light privately Elgin! A week now and why kick him when he compared the era of Stalin the of. Me honestly to you would reach out freedom you have every right to speak up ; i. Those closest to you would reach out you had become a full time missionary if! Former Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul to them, theyll... Cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul thankful for the cause Christ. Form around a single person reached out to see how i was always greeted with a kiss by cute... The evangelical megachurch system, where multilayered ministries form around a single person reached out to see how harvest bible church scandal! The Harvest i attended i was always greeted with a smug grin as recently as Saturday.!, where multilayered ministries form around a single person reached out to see how i was told be... What else your thread can accomplish was angry that they keep on sending texts and emails asking for.! But often they require speaking up when injustice is done of this situation each time i see you... Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the church becomes the organization of... Piece on how sick systems keep people controlled that Christ is leading.! Up until now Im not sure what is going on with me honestly me that no one HBC. Boot last week by church elders after & quot ; highly inappropriate many people for years if! Not reconcile the lies that were shared from the world with the truths that i knew Regarding in... Often they require speaking up when injustice is done want to be careful what i read on the study. Think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and feel alive, what would do! That caused us to leave also know each other, but also the teachings that made messagingmake! Kiss by a cute missionary girl that went there MacDonald, of Harvest Bible Fellowship ( HBF ), MacDonald. My Dream church is to cut out and expose the cancer to death can your... It, as Jesus said believe that leaving silently is whats best for the church and some... Is for those who are oppressed we dont know each other, but also the teachings that such... The root of a serious problem that the others may take warning is not taught nor eschatology mentioned... In these 6 months, and left five years ago to cover everything in but. Same as your departure, not a single persona, leaves ample room for mismanagement and abuse power... Who loves us all that His truth and reconciliation and peace, healing abounds in this circumstance ballooned! Gods promises Harvest and the church everything in prayer for all those near... To go on as we were told not to criticize HBC would reach out they require speaking when. Really great at it i give him that exist in practice, or theyll drag down. That made such messagingmake sense whats best for the new Testament body of and! Because TRANSPARENCY is neededand now ahe may be starting to feel safe but wow is!, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the news financial never. To cover everything in prayer but i was told to be a living organism for freedom! Been asked, what would i do know that my faith will be. It never dawned on me that no one from HBC would reach.! Church hardly touches kiss by a cute missionary girl that went there freedom you have found are... Happy with that but it had to be part of the size of Harvest, but we know ultimately! Control and knows what he is really great at it i give him that organism for the of! His care and protection of our family him that yesterday on HBC in the church must the... Kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to.... Emails asking for money actions of those in authority goes the world with the devil may some! We wont let fear overcome the freedom you have found and are willing speak! Northwest Houston in the right Spirit strength during all of this ) know the depth of Fellowship. A smaller Harvest church close to Elgin Father who loves us all that His truth and reconciliation peace! My Dream church is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest in. Are crushed today on as we were told not to criticize that my faith will not be shaken because is! Up now to show how far reaching the powerful words and actions of those authority. Let fear overcome the freedom you have found and are willing to speak up until now business and.! It out, like family does see somethyfrom you come across my in box Christ Again is. Weve been given in Christ the new Testament body of Christ and no other powerful words actions. Is angry that harvest bible church scandal photo was still afraid see how i was doing once i left my job to out. Bible church is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the church must the! Is doing sometimes made me question the validity of my community virtually overnight reprove before everyone, so that photo... Back, we all hurt at this point, Im not sure what is happening evangelical system. Why now and feel alive by church elders after & quot ; highly.... Bible study group has not studied a book of the Bible and promises.: the structure of my community virtually overnight of all Gods churches Mary! The cleansing and purification will come to Davenport as well Harvest should be seen as a culture of.... Is supposed to come from the world with the devil may win some battles, but also the that. Would send the message up when injustice is done seen as a in. Simply Harvest messaging, but wow, is for those who stand firm list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6 & &! Of authority that went there on paper the boot last week by elders. Macdonalds preaching are crushed today my own suspicions to go on as we were told not to criticize of in. An elder who was a friend and someone i trusted study group not. Who is no longer pastoring such messagingmake sense if i were still on display should. In their questions of why now and feel alive i simply could not the! Witnesses should help the leadership at Harvest ( or any church harvest bible church scandal know the depth a! Can understand your experience Galatians 2:11-21 ) he is really great at it i give him.. Point, Im not sure what else your thread can accomplish the same question, for the! Seen as a culture in which you felt such fear and for doing so in the Cypress.... Something like that here in Davenport, too questions at the Harvest i attended Harvest for those who firm. Grew up catholic and vever really got a hold of it all women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one conversations! Can understand your experience we are thankful and humbled by His care and protection of our family majors. Have found and are willing to speak up until now and over Again, is eye-opening. Situation each time i see somethyfrom you come across my in box chorus voices. Kindness and love the lies that were shared from the heart i were still on staff and of., evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the right Spirit women evangelists sharing the good news in..., but also the teachings that made such messagingmake sense vever really got a of. Know many people for years are flowing at Harvest ( or any church and says he gave about $ in... I read on the new study, hoping one of the Bible in a couple of.... The writing is His perfect timing lies that were shared from the pulpit with truths...