harvest bible church scandal

Basically hes a figurehead who can be dismissed on the whim of any elder or his wife. 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. Superior to whom? According to Roys extensive research and interviews, changes didnt occur at Harvest; instead, questionable treatment and practices continued. Our full Sunday service will be streamed here every week beginning at 9:30am, and will be available throughout the following week. In addition to leading Harvest, MacDonald acquired a massive evangelical following through his books, Bible studies, and Walk in the Word radio program, with more than a million fans on Facebook. Your staying as long as you did part of the clarity and power youve experienced in communicating what youve seen. And for those that have not witnessed spiritual abuse, or worse yet experienced it personally, but are now hearing about it, this is your opportunity to ramp up your prayers for the Bride of Christ. Pastor James MacDonald preaches at Harvest Bible Chapel. These are the same elders that signed off on James filing the law suit against the Ryan Mahoney and his wife, Scott Bryant and his wife, and Julie Roys! If you know anything about abusive relationshipsHBC is in the honeymoon phase right now.look it up!! Hes a lemonade maker. For years, they had been made to feel like the outcasts, but finally vindication in its godly form was working its way out. I do not think the solution is replacing the pastor and associates with a new administration. I do have cds and dvd of contemporary Christian artists. Yes, there are a lot of hurting people at Harvest. Did they not find that video shocking? Free of James fear. This was encouraging to read and I hope others take it to heart. In effect, the senior pastor isthe church. The 60-year-old pastor called on his former church to confess its wrongs and correct the record. I praise your decision to own your ministry outside of James. 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. Thankful for the freedom you have found and are willing to speak up. 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. I pray shes wrong. Division and to take a part a ministry that was reaching and teaching people all over the world. But often they require speaking up when injustice is done. I have always wondered why? Its so very difficult but This is Gods battle and I only need to be obedient not the fixer. He says he gave about $1K in these 6 months, and regrets it. If you know anything about abuse it can take years to come forward. Everyone sat still as if he mentioned chocolate milk. Authority? I pray for the leaders. That is, so many think that the church is the pastors ministry and they dont adequately facilitate the ministry of believers. Once a preacher condemns other, that is the sign that he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. Sign up for our newsletter: The Church of Jesus Christ is not the organization or nonprofits we create, but the men and women that God calls and saves by the sacrifice of His Son. Truth heals. Finances: Giving not Tithing. We are stunned at the response of our pastor and a ministry leader who have declined to meet us as God directs us in Matthew 18. There the preacher has no real power at all. Pastor James MacDonald of the Chicago-based seven-multicampus Harvest Bible Church, issued an apology statement on Sunday saying that the board of the megachurch unanimously agreed to lift a discipline ban from three excommunicated elders. Based on just the first few paragraphs, I hear you! The church and its people helped create Pastor James He is not the only one involved it was a group effort. I do not believe your timing should be questioned. He has harmed thousands of people. Perhaps we can do something like that here in Davenport, too. For years, I kept believing the deception fed to the congregation by the elders. Yes Nellie, we are called to bring light on the darkness. Nellie, Your comments are without sound knowledge of the depth of this I am SO glad that Lina has allowed the grace of Christ to free her from the culture of fear that controls Harvest Bible Chapel, and I am impressed by her willingness to speak in such as grace-giving way that will speak freedom to others who are hurting from this. Why would we be any different? Christs grace saves us and sustains us. There were several close family deaths, lost our home, business and more. I have great empathy and sensitivity toward them. Show how we come together as one in the body of Christ! I love who you are and what you do. A new believer has lost faith because of the shameful behavior of HBC leadership and all you can say is question the new believers truthfulness of his account? I hope that the cleansing and purification will come to Davenport as well. The web page has a Contact button on the bottom and we can email. My mom, who doesnt attend HBC, says that the church is going to die because James was the bread and butter. And a few days later James MacDonalds sons, Luke and Landon MacDonald, also announced they are resigning. After leaving, others came to us, with similar stories of why they left or quit being involved. Amy. I hadnt realized that James had gotten a tattoo that week. It is important to bring light to this matter, help yourself and others heal and put a new song of praise and trust in Our God. Not everyone is so blessed, and for those of you who have left HBC and have had to find a new local church, there are healthy ones out there. Sometimes being good will require us to say harsh things. Agreed Sheila. Harvest numbers 13,000 attendees across seven locations, and the church began affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2015. It is a shame to Christianity what is happening here. I totally agree with you Patti. Wow. Pastor James MacDonald, of Harvest Bible Chapel, was given the boot last week by church elders after "highly inappropriate . I know many people who attend Harvest or who have been impacted by MacDonalds preaching are crushed today. You must not feel sorry for James. Our family was kicked out of our church plant campus and everyone at the church was told not to talk to us because we were disobedient by speaking out against the things were were seeing. Everything is being talked about at great lengths regarding Harvest except for Who the body of Christ should be praying to, talking about and quoting. My family attended a smaller Harvest church close to Elgin. Different situations require different things. The womans bible study lead by two women who referenced Pastor James constantly are still in charge. Therefore, we are at our most open to hurt. My faith has been shaken by the situation at another Christian organization. On Tuesday, Chicago shock jock and one-time friend of MacDonaldMancow Muller aired a series of clips featuring someone who sounds like MacDonald making offensive comments. Blessings to you! The controversial founder and former pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel is barred from serving as pastor or elder of the popular evangelical Christian church ever again after an investigation. It doesnt mean anything.. If you read the history and understand the public record of offenses at Harvest (with many more than the requisite two or three witnesses), you will understand why this is not only completely justified, but actually necessary to the restoration of healing and good order to Christs Body. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. Not just Harvest Bible Chapel. I should have left that week, but I was too afraid to cause damage to Jesus and His kingdom and the women I was leading at that time. 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. Until then, you are still a wolf in sheeps clothing. Shes not the only one there are many. Thank you Lina, So many of his followers would still want him as a preacher. Fear is what has been under all this, I would not be surprised if there is some fear in Jamess heart that is the root cause of his sins here. The only hope is to totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be consumed. Its hard no impossible- to do everything with the right motivation. While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. Since the publishing of this article, several developments have occurred at Harvest Bible Chapel. Five years ago, Harvest Bible Chapel, a Chicago-area megachurch with multiple campuses and an average weekly attendance exceeding 12,000, sent shock waves through the Christian community when it publicly excommunicated two former elders and indirectly censured a third. I also was silent about why my family left (also the week following the video). When I talk to people about this, they are quick to disqualify anyone who went along with James, who did not stand up to him. In any case, we had a final meeting with the pastor and his assistant pastor (who was his son-in-law) to tell them that I was leaving their church. Also another story emerged on why another person left Harvest Bible Chapel. Gods Timing Is ALWAYS Perfect! Yes, I was there for ex-communication video. Even before the Garden of Eden seduction, he foresaw the need for The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Your leaving (however late you feel it was) was His provision for others, much like Joseph sent ahead to Egypt years ahead of his brothers and father. A former youth pastor for Harvest Bible Chapel in Aurora has been charged with the sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old boy on allegations he sought nude pictures of the boy and repeatedly. The link below provides comments from conservative scholars such as Richard Bauckham, William Lane Craig, Michael Licona, Craig Blomberg, and NT Wright on this issue: https://lutherwasnotbornagaincom.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/bombshell-how-historically-reliable-are-the-gospels-if-even-conservative-bible-scholars-believe-they-may-contain-fictional-stories/. 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. REALLY !! Go to the all church meetings? Dull other times. Again this is HER TRUTH! http://www.issendai.com/psychology/sick-systems.html. However why now? I was there when Ted launched. Others lied to me directly for selfish gain. She was obedient to Christ. Truth is truth. Please avoid these former Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul. I choose to stay through this pain because, for me, leaving would create a wound that would never really heal. James ended up sending me a copy of the new approved blog post, and out of fear, I complied. And then unfortunately when we do speak up we get comments like yours saying why nowit seems Christians cant win either way. Through it all, our relationship with Christ was strengthened all the more. And I find it odd that someone would have an opinion on that. Many many of us are praying for all of you in Naples. Unreal as I went to Harvest for over 7 yrs and this whole situation has hurt so many people. Did you see the link to my web page. This woman sounds sincere. * 36But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 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. I should have left that week, but I was too afraid to cause damage to Jesus and His kingdom and the women I was leading at that time. What she shared was the kindest message I have ever seen. So often, you would open your home to us. "Following a lengthy season of review, reflection, and prayerful. (images of wife beating and mental control come to mind) Ted Haggard bemoans his "exile" in a new HBO documentary. The collaboration of many witnesses should help the leadership at Harvest (or any church) know the depth of a problem. A friend sent me a link to sermon about this yesterday: https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/. Just pray in a prayer closet to be still in the presence of Jesus. I am a 60 year old grandfather who wants to get a tatoo around my ankle of all six of my grandchildrens names. He just got into the worlds standards for a preacher. Your willingness to sit down over a cup of coffee in your home with women of God and get real about our hurts, our fears, our dreams, or whatever is going on in our lives. Can you please contact me from the Contact button on my web page here? When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. 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. This is an extra difficult time for the members and regular attenders of Harvest Bible Chapel. By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. That is at the root of a serious problem that the Church hardly touches. Harvest Bible Chapel has owned its mistakes and endured to become a happier and healthier church, whose members recently pledged financially, in their walk/work for Christ, and in their. It seems that was true at Harvest, just as it is at many local churches. Be blessed Lina! Im disappointed in your timing. If you ever make that offer again, Ill be there, but please post on Twitter. DeeperWalkInternational.org. James MacDonald, founder of Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago, who was recently fired under a cloud of financial abuse, was allegedly being paid nearly a million dollars per year in regular salary, had access to approximately a million more in discretionary spending, and is currently owed $2.6 million in deferred compensation by the I was always greeted with a kiss by a cute missionary girl that went there. *For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 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. The sin that has taken place does not negate the awesome work that God has done, and it pains my heart to hear people act as if it does. His sermon provides good reasons for why we need to shine light on these abuses. Ezekiel 22:27: Her princes [leaders] within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. Leba and Sheila- Keep on being brave- it encourages me to do the same! You can read that story right here. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, revealed material obtained under subpoena, called into Mancow Mullers Chicago-area radio show. Though MacDonald has been granted the rights to his Walk in the Word ministry, he and Harvest remain at odds. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, I would love to chat and learn more of what you are doing. Its ironic that you should post this today. Thankful we got left when we did. Most continue to stay there, as their numbers dwindle. Hannibal Harvest Bible Church (EIN# 862793399) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service (IRS). And these things are only the tip of the iceberg. You also restrained and could have said much more and didnt. Fear is a stupid liar and I praise God that Hes given us a spirit of a sound mind and Love!!! The leader of that church, John Secrest, was blindsided by the news and asked Harvest elders to reconsider allowing MacDonald to preach there. MacDonald defended the decision to sue fellow believers in an opinion piece published inChristianity Today,which also published criticism of MacDonald. Im not sure what is going on with me honestly. With so much gaslighting going on and public take-downs of those who would speak truth to power, and your investment in the church industrial complex, I can imagine how difficult it wouldve been to speak out publicly at the time of your leaving. In fact, even though there is no patents or rights given to the Bible every man-made church that has plagiarized, promoted or used the Bible without the expressed consent of Jesus Himself or the authority of His church begin their ministries as thieves. I am so happy that finally people are standing up and talk about it! The Lord knows and he keeps the books. Vicki Stevenson, I have not read your blogs for some time but the Holy Spirit caused me to stop and read this post. Many were kicked out and shown the door. God is purifying His Church. Two top Harvest Bible Chapel pastors today announced they're resigning, following a "season" of difficulty sparked by the termination and scandal involving disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald. Did you know that Satan and his minions come to Harvest? All I have to say Lina is thank you! 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. We are the Church! Others, too, could see the attitude. That, apparently, was what it took to get him fired. Good for you and speaking up. So Ill never forget the day I got up from my seat in a service, walked out, and never looked back. The elders ordered church members to separate themselves from dissenters for fear of their souls; called MacDonalds critics behavior satanic to the core; and accused them carrying out an attack by Satan against MacDonald and Harvest. The people of the church are those we feel we can trust and love. That is who God truly cares about. The Harvest and James MacDonald Controversy Explained, Did Pharaoh Have Free Will? Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! I share a lot of the same feelings. The Jews ebb and flow toward God followed a pattern. Perhaps my fear had its legitimate reasons. For me, I would like to apologize for not reaching out to you when I finally realized that you had left HBC. Can you imagine how God feels when he sees his churches ( all denominations, we are in this together). Thank you for sharing and speaking truth Lina. Churches Still Depend on Clergy Housing Allowance, No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival. Harvest Bible Chapel has reached a multimillion-dollar agreement to transfer some of its assets to former pastor James MacDonald, who plans to continue in ministry outside the Chicago-area megachurch. Thank you for having the courage to write what you did and for your ministry Lina. Because Jeff is still lying to peoples faces with a smug grin as recently as Saturday night. There are larger lessons to be learned. - October 16, 2020 The protracted dispute between Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) recently concluded through arbitration. I believe my continued presence wouldve required me to openly protest in every Sunday service because to remain silent through the service wouldve done injustice to the victims and passively shown support for the authoritarian leaders who refused to repent. For this, according to the Daily Herald, Secrest was fired. It is so sad when the devil works to cause problems in a church. This is a very vulnerable time for a lot of people and I am sure God weeps for every single wounded soul.. Thank you for your courage. Yes, God has this in hand, but that doesnt mean He wont ask His children to do the hard work of calling out sin in unrepentant believers. The Lord has used you mightily before, during and after your exit from the toxic leadership at Harvest. 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There are dozens if not hundreds of witnesses against many Elders at Harvest all saying the same thing. The culture of fear, intimidation, and secrecy has poisoned not just Rolling Meadows and its campuses, but also trickled down through the fellowship. Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.. Does It Matter Where Your Clothes Come From? How are you so sure she didnt pray about this? Lastly, we need to comfort hurting today, she wrote. Be very careful Azaelea. The elders were given a paper that laid out their duties, that mostly consisted of protecting, encouraging, and blessing the senior pastor. 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. I have since moved on and seen God do some pretty amazing God-sized miracles in my life and ministry (evidently, God does work outside of the walls of Harvest Bible Chapel!). 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. As a nation, something painful will bring us back. Thank you for your honestly, I personally did not ask why you left, because we left approximately the same time for the same reasons. . It isnt about timing. and pro football. I believe this is God working to expose sin just as Jesus warned Luke 12:2-3 Nellie, As a result, I was asked to meet with the elders, pull the blog piece and write a new one that James would first approve. I loved that about you. He better thank God for Grace and cause he is going to need it. None of the perpetrators of hate and satanism have fully repented, including James, his despicable henchmen and the elders. The word of God and the flock were only mentioned at the end of the long list. All this comes on the heels of another scandal. This is the mercy and grace of God. Lauren Boebert And Marjorie Greene's Adult "So Your Problem with Christianity is the Jesus No, the "Second Shift" Isn't Feminism's Fault. I follow Jesus in His Strength the best I can in the light He has given me. Maybe people could handle hearing it better now than then. I am now going to read the rest of your post. Now, the church has decided its longtime leader wont be coming back. Sheri and her husband Gary attended Cornerstone in the 1980s while attending Azusa Pacific and in their first few years of marriage. Start praying for Jesus to heal the entire body of which He Alone is the Head. Praying for you for healing and for growth and strength during all of this. It is loving to tell the truth. Do not judge the timing, Gods timing is Always Perfect. I am saddened by it. Sign up to get our top five trending stories delivered every weekday! Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. 1 Timothy 5:20 Publicizing viewpoints rejected by the elder majority for any reason is satanic to the core. It, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering. Hi Hurting in Davenport, My heart breaks for the people that have been hurt by this on both sides. 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. perfect response and reminiscent of what scripture teaches. Our cold hearts lack love that shows the world we are His. No church is, because they are all filled with sinners like us. wounded by wolves in sheeps clothing. Harvest, which Roys says is $42 million in debt, is suing the Evangelical Christian Credit Union for not refinancing five of its mortgages. The Scripture that came to me as I read this is I Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 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. This cancer must be excised and as often as is the case in cancer treatment, months of treatment must be involved for health to take place. Hi Sally, Dont you think this influences decisions made by the leaders, both now and before? They helped to create this culture of fear. 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. and manifest character, which have been revealed to speak not of the Holy Spirit of love, but rather have the love of money and power and the very reek of Hell about them! Lina is right on. Persecution is supposed to come from the world with the devil behind it, as Jesus said. Because she is helping expose evil and proving that is is deep and wide and on going. Gods hand is on Harvest and the dark is continuing to be shown. Nellie, be very, very careful! Its very important that people share their stories. The kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to death. Do you see any fruit from him of what God speaks of? Well said Lina. It all is about money to pay taxes and building and salaries. Precept Inductive Bible Study for Women. Leaving without speaking up was still an act of cowardice and self-preservation.

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