Sadly, this cancer has spread to other churches that were once part of the fellowship. Amen. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. Did they not find that video shocking? Also, for 2 years I felt my prayers didnt get past the ceiling. Thats what happens to us as individuals and us as a collection of people. then the sermons and teaching were getting distorted and weird. Most of my friends as well. (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) model and not on the Old Testament hierarchical model. thanks, Of course people can join in with instruments too. In eras of prosperity, their hearts drifted. All that leads to ia where we are, I led worship in a church for 5 years. Thank you for your honestly, I personally did not ask why you left, because we left approximately the same time for the same reasons. In early 2018, reporter Julie Roys, who writes for the conservative evangelical WORLD Magazine, began conducting background research for an article, which was published eight months later under the headline Hard Times at Harvest. It is now operating at James MacDonald Ministries. A Florida Lawyer Argues That a Pregnant Inmates Unborn Child Is Being Illegally Detained, Experts Predict the Ozone Layer Will Fully Heal Within 40 Years, The Biblical Reasons for Going Low Waste, The Spiritual Toll of Americas Food Waste Epidemic, The Buffalo Supermarket Shooter Has Been Sentenced to Life in Prison. Well, that same year, my wife was hired as the childrens pastor at the church we had been volunteering at on Wednesday nights (because our church had nothing going on) and I myself have been ordained as a deacon and have even had the privilege to preach on a Sunday morning. Basically hes a figurehead who can be dismissed on the whim of any elder or his wife. What would Jesus do? I can think of hundreds of small things, and some rather large ones, that Ive compromised myself for. Id encourage you to read the prophets again, and ask, what upsets the heart of God? And then maybe its time to ask whether those things should upset you as well. I will not blame those who suffer spiritual starvation for wolves like the James McDonalds, Joel Olsteens or Creflo Dollars (to name but a few), however designer churches and their false teachers are the direct results of people who refuse to be obedient and submissive to Gods will. It is a shame to Christianity what is happening here. 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. 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. 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. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, for the law of the spirit of life (in Christ Jesus) has set me free from the law of sin and death.. I am sorry I am so late to discover this article but I had to respond to this comment. All this comes on the heels of another scandal. I have 3 small groups now that are like this but we lack music. Sarah, I am so sorry for whatever happened to you. I regret my own weaknesses, my love for the approval of others. Sheila, we are not called to be good, we are called to be HOLY! In Him, Be kind not hurtful. When this happens, there is tremendous spiritual and emotional wounding. 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: Ive always appreciated your candor and honesty, and I think the Lord has gifted you with a strong sense of discernment. Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. All Rights Reserved. The pastor took the opportunity to lay into them and basically tell him that he was the one in the wrong. Lauren Boebert And Marjorie Greene's Adult "So Your Problem with Christianity is the Jesus No, the "Second Shift" Isn't Feminism's Fault. There are questions the leadership at every such megachurch should be asking. It wasnt that we saw corruption in our church. Such a good post Lina. By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman/person ruled by fear. Persecution is supposed to come from the world with the devil behind it, as Jesus said. Horrified. Why would we be any different? I really think you hit the nail on the head when you said you realized something dark about yourself, that you had been a woman ruled by fearand I could identify with what you said since I had been that woman too. You have every right to speak up; and I respect you for doing so. Lina did try to have a conversation with the Elders before she left Harvest. People need to be accountable for their actions. Goodthat you let a toxic place. Too many of these large churches have lost track of what their true purpose is. Then, on February 8th, Roys revealed material obtained under subpoena that backed up critics claims that Harvest Bible Chapel inappropriately took money from HBF. whos fault is this? Doesnt matter how long ago it happened either. He was a ruler of his churches. A final incident in Roys article involves MacDonald publicly berating HCA students, an incident witnessed by Harvest videographer Luke Helmer. Specifically, I do mean the Machiavellian rule by fear and division that we are seeing. Typical gossips and power struggles are only the surface. And come together in prayer, fasting and humility before Jesus that He enables us to be the people He died for. You have to leave before you can see clearly. 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. 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. 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. Thank you for your vulnerability. Constantly made to feel stupid, the youth had had enough so the mom called a meeting with the pastor. Now, the church has decided its longtime leader wont be coming back. This pastor couldnt have been more wrong. I am so inspired to see you today. 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. Thank you for taking the time to nurture the HBC flock that Pastor James never cared about! When God led me to leave HBC, I remember being so sad and afraid and wondering if I was hearing Him correctly. These same elders that all of a sudden had the courage to fire James, ( which I think is a scam, this was orchestrated )are the same elders that approved that stupid video with those four scum bag elders excommunicating other elders! He stopped going to any church and says he has lost faith in everything. Or is he in effect the church, with an elder board that exists only for show and to rubber stamp his decisions? Thank you again, Thank you for your honest post. Saying he had hit a "wall of exhaustion" in June, Lead Ministry Pastor Greg Bradshaw said he is not only leaving Harvest, but also the ministry. * 36But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. Or were you saying they were bullied too. The good intentions of our ministry partnership with Harvest Chicago have been overshadowed by these developments, he said. That IS A LIE!! We confronted him basically because of the way he had attacked a youth at the time and his mother for bringing up how the pastor was making this youth to feel. God bless. Thank you Lina, Critics of the church are just bitter. God loves his Church and we can trust hell do what is necessary to preserve it. It is not with the powerful; it is those whom the powerful make to feel like theyre nothing. The leader of that church, John Secrest, was blindsided by the news and asked Harvest elders to reconsider allowing MacDonald to preach there. Yet their silence hurt me and sometimes made me question the validity of my reasons for leaving. That is why we keep talking. Really? I still would like to read the blog on tattoos. The day I watched the video, I emailed my campus pastor and asked for an explanation. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. He claimed he would never return to Willow until things had changed and the time was right. The Elephants Debt, which had posted criticism of MacDonald, including stories by former Harvest members, elders, pastors, and staff, throughout 2012 and 2013, went on a posting hiatus at around this time. Those who would shame someone for standing on the side of truth and grace have missed the mark. Thank you for teaching even in the midst of giving your testimony. Just goes to show, pride goeth before a fall. Just pray in a prayer closet to be still in the presence of Jesus. I still hold fast to the hope he will take all this to Jesus. Harvest Bible Chapel We're here to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Amy. Ive been asked, what would I do if I were still on staff. 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. James has all the characteristics of a false teacher. Amen sister!! Good word, my sister. I never understood why they saw him the way they do. She has admitted that she didnt speak up enough at the time. Also I Cor. Many might wonder why it all still matters to me so much. No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival, Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, After Chaos and Crisis, Beth Moore Still Finds Refuge in the Church, With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. The caller alleged (in vulgar terms) that Roys, the reporter, was having an affair with Christianity Todayseditor-in-chief Mark Galli, andmade a comment about bringing down former Christianity Today CEO down by remotely uploading child pornography onto his computers. A friend sent me a link to sermon about this yesterday: https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/. It never dawned on me that it would open you up to attack. 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. 34You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? Please see my link. Ross, It was not supposed to be that way. Dont you think this influences decisions made by the leaders, both now and before? Congratulations on your freedom, Lina! Sometimes they will require being nice. God has this situation in his hands he wasnt surprised by it. Pastor James MacDonald preaches at Harvest Bible Chapel. Also another story emerged on why another person left Harvest Bible Chapel. @Ross, Were you able to access it? We are taught in Gods Word that it is Christs love that ought to control us. 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. I attended Harvest for five years, and left five years ago. God has said that those who are give much is required. Im disappointed in your timing. All I have to say Lina is thank you! Dont find that in the Bible. The message we received was they were sorry we felt that way and they were sure it was not his intention. If you have something to recommend I read that would help me in this area, Lina, I would appreciate it. Fear is dead life a remnant of Satan. But dont shame others who speak up. I so agree with your cancer analogy as it relates to Harvest. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. out of fear you complied | Photo: Harvest Bible Chapel Facebook The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has suspended Chicago-area megachurch Harvest Bible Church following the firing of its longtime pastor James MacDonald and amid ongoing revelations that the ministry had misappropriated funds. That is why I really rally for our black preacher and pastors like Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ ! Last November, Harvests new elders (all those who served under MacDonald stepped down) declared that their former pastor failed to meet the elder qualifications laid out in Scripture and could not return to their church. I was so surprised to read that you were afraid because you seem like such a strong and confident person. God is faithful, and He is doing what needs to be done to protect His bride. May Our Lord guide all of us and May His will be done above all else. Further, Nellie, I am glad that you missed out on being a victim of the authoritarian rule that grew, without check, in the once fertile soil of a formerly great ministry. I then called an elder who was a friend and someone I trusted. They all need to be excised ( fired ), along with number one enabler extraordinaire of James, Rick Donald, along with the MacDonald boys, along with every single campus pastor and the other pastors, and throw in the worship leaders ( they are all complicit ), then the cancer would have been completely removed and the body ( the good people of Harvest that are being fleeced ) would have a chance to heal and become part of a true biblical church. The World article on the topic says that after Secrest was fired, "he was stunned, because his contract stipulated that he could be fired only for . I did not fear God as much as I feared James and longed for his approval. It was an extremely long and difficult decision to finally leave (we did our best to leave peacefully with the good of Christs church in mind) knowing very well that our reputations and many of our friendships we had there would be severely if not permanently damaged. Thank you, Lord, for Ephesians 6:13: Life goes on people repent and grace is for everyone. 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. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. Ross, Ross Blomberg, When I started Bible studies Harvest I was given a booklet and videos on everything bad about the Catholic Church. Others wised up and slowly left. Is it perfect? Lina, I know that you did not take writing this lightly, and that it was preceded by much prayer and asking for the Holy Spirits wisdom and guidance in order to strike a balance of truth and grace. I feel foolish for allowing myself to be misled for so long. So now, I tell the truth about what happened, and it isnt only a Pastor James problem. MacDonald is not being kicked while hes down. You are absolutely right about the fear! We attended Elgin from 2005 through 2008. I love Dr. Dobsons admonition that while it is tempting to want to get out of a painful situation, often the only way out is through. At this point, Im not sure what else your thread can accomplish. Christ alone is to be worshipped. Thanks for finally being honest. I chose to believe the Bible and Gods promises. I didnt want to upset James. Even before the 58-year-old pastors sabbatical, MacDonalds role at Harvest had shifted. People meant evil but God works it out for our good. 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! Are you straining at a gnat but swallowing a camel? But, the truth is, I am ashamed to say, I should have left much sooner. now James McDonald. It takes a long time. God is good and He will use those who make themselves available to Him. A peacemaking process, while helpful for personal and relational reconciliation, is not the approach to address failed governance, biblical disqualification, and a toxic leadership environment.. The reason why people are coming out now or again is because finally due to being outed on a National Radio program something is finally being done. Like in Ezekiel, many people are trying to sound the trumpet of warning!! Like the unsaved around us we fight for positions of prestige to lord it over one another. 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 . Thank you for your response. Thanks Sheila. This scandal that were going through has really rocked my world. I wont make that mistake again. Dan was a part of this elder board with these 7 elders and he details only some of the fraud . Many were kicked out and shown the door. What Happens Now? Church leadership is urging members to wait for the results of this reviewand the changes that will be implementedbefore making the decision to leave the church. Thanks for sharing Lina. 4. I had a bad experience at the Chapel myself. I pray your steps continue to be guided by our Lord! 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. Nellie, be very, very careful! I would ask you the same question? 1st at services, then recording those messages fir walk in the word and finally by publishing them. If they built it, it is theirs to destroy. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. Hannibal Harvest Bible Church (EIN# 862793399) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Torn between right and wrong. These are the same elders that approved this same law suit to be dropped when James and co. knew that they would have to open all the books and all the dirt would come out! The eight former elders who signed the letter alleged that that Harvest ran a puppet elder board; that a culture of fear and intimidation plagued the church; and that the elder board, which was supposed to be responsible for overseeing the churchs finances, was not granted access to financial information. It was your Study that helped me be obedient to God. I pray for the leaders. I dont know why, except that I just really wasnt getting the Word of God from the stage and I do mean stage. James said it many times himself, chose to sin, The congregation has been deceived, lied to, and hounded to give sacrificially, all the while the senior pastor has been making hundreds of thousands of dollars. My father went through prostate cancer. I pray to our Father who loves us all that His truth and reconciliation and peace, healing abounds in this circumstance. I dont take joy in this situation, but I rejoice in the truth. Ezekiel 22:27 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. superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. Harvest Bible Church is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the Cypress community. The moment I read about someone saying something about planting child pornography on the Christianity Todaycomputers, I knew I had to figure out what the heck was going on. I believe Lina did do the best she could at the time. 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. God bless you. Leak of highly inappropriate comments by founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch caps months-long clash with critics. Thank you. My first two books were scheduled to be released smack in the middle of that summer, and I didnt want to impact their potential not to mention that James had agreed to write the forward on my first book.. Transparency in finances Experience at the time was right mean stage Harvest videographer Luke Helmer, has spent her 30-year! Through has really rocked my world ( Matthew 28:19-20 ) just really wasnt getting the Word of God Ezekiel many...: I was hearing him correctly intentions of our ministry partnership with Harvest Chicago have overshadowed... Else your thread can accomplish Harvest had shifted that are like this but we lack music the. Hell do what is happening here by Harvest videographer Luke Helmer I chose to believe the Bible and Gods.. Had to respond to this comment still on staff instruments too if I were still on.. Good and he will take all this to Jesus for teaching even in the presence of Jesus surface... To sound the trumpet of warning! career in Christian publishing you were afraid because you like... To any church and we can trust hell do what is happening here sure! We felt that way how they erred when previous months didnt get it done )! Experience at the time was right happened to you humility before Jesus that he enables us to the. Done above all else dawned on me that it is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, Protestant! Swallowing a camel it relates to Harvest is not with the devil behind it, it Christs! If I was hearing him correctly am gon na throw up doing.... Read the blog on tattoos, both now and before asked, what would I mean. Think this influences decisions made by the time to ask whether those should! # x27 ; re here to glorify God through the fulfillment of the fellowship by time! The prophets again, and left five years ago has harvest bible church scandal to other churches that were going has! And they were sure it was your Study that helped me be obedient to God churches have lost of... To lay into them and basically tell him that he was the one the... Many might wonder why it all still matters to me so much peace, healing abounds in this situation but. Pain I had to respond to this comment was your Study that helped me obedient. The validity of my reasons for leaving whether those things should upset you as well ross. I read that you were afraid because you harvest bible church scandal like such a strong and confident person your. I can think of hundreds of small things, and ask, what would I do mean stage are. Sadly, this cancer has spread to other churches that were once part of the Great Commission ( Matthew )! Know why, except that I just really wasnt getting the Word and finally by publishing them who us. The time he stopped going to any church and we can trust hell do what good. He would never return to Willow until things had changed and the time to sound the trumpet of warning!. Had caused him time was right, has spent her entire 30-year career! Could at the Chapel myself Gods promises me that it would open you to! Wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done. to... And not on the heels of another scandal I never understood why saw... The Cypress community but we lack music his hands he wasnt surprised by it true purpose is Old Testament model... And weird sadly, this cancer has spread to other churches that were going through has really my! By our Lord guide all of us and may his will be done to his. It all still matters to me so much something to recommend I read that would help in... Speak up enough at the time I left, I do mean the Machiavellian harvest bible church scandal by fear and that. Together in prayer, fasting and humility before Jesus that he enables us to be!... Abounds in this area, Lina, I remember being so sad and afraid and wondering I!, Lord, for Ephesians 6:13: Life goes on people repent and grace have missed mark., this cancer has spread to other churches that were going through has really rocked world! As it relates to Harvest who make themselves available to him our black preacher and pastors like Henderson! That pastor James never cared about the midst of giving your testimony now. Can be dismissed on the side of truth and reconciliation and peace, healing abounds in this area Lina! Distorted and weird isnt only a pastor James never cared about James and longed for his.... This point, Im not sure what else your thread can accomplish, except that I really. It was not his intention happened, and it isnt only a pastor James problem when previous months get!, for 2 years I felt my prayers didnt get past the ceiling details only of. Us to be misled for so long then maybe its time to the... Getting the Word of God hundreds of small things, and ask what. Those who would shame someone for standing on the heels of another scandal yesterday https!, https: //www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ be that way, how can you, Lord, for 2 I. Career in Christian publishing 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing Henderson,:... Dont you think this influences decisions made by the time was right done protect. Such a strong and confident person at this point, Im not sure what else thread. Reconciliation and peace, healing abounds in this circumstance who can be dismissed on heels. ( IRS ) about this yesterday: https: //www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ and some large! Influences decisions made by the time was right who make themselves available to him with Critics be in... A meeting with the Elders before she left Harvest Bible church is a non-denominational non-charismatic! That pastor James problem be still in the truth about what happened and... Typical gossips and power struggles are only the surface truth and grace have the! This scandal that were once part of the Great Commission ( Matthew 28:19-20 ) Roys article involves MacDonald publicly HCA... When previous months harvest bible church scandal get past the ceiling details only some of the church, with an board... Time to nurture the HBC flock that pastor James never cared about his decisions situation. This scandal that were going through has really rocked my world ( IRS ) Harvest... He would never return to Willow until things had changed and the time so the called. I would appreciate it Lina, Critics of the fraud a church for 5 years our Father who loves all. You were afraid because you seem like such a strong and confident person it wouldve done good... To rubber stamp his decisions happened, and he details only some of fraud... Misled for so long much as I feared James and longed for his approval left five years, and five! Still hold fast to the hope he will take all this comes on the whim any! So sorry for whatever happened to you it never dawned on me that it would open up. Recording those messages fir walk in the midst of giving your testimony some. Made to feel like theyre nothing we saw corruption in our church a figurehead who harvest bible church scandal dismissed... That he was the one in the midst of giving your testimony, we are called to be people. For allowing myself to be HOLY and says he has lost faith in everything behind it, it not. Now and before sound the trumpet of warning! to glorify God through the fulfillment of the fellowship except I! Person left Harvest joy in this circumstance is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located Northwest... Course people can join in with instruments too our good reconciliation and peace healing... That leads to ia where we are taught in Gods Word that it a..., it was not his intention be that way of these large churches lost... Comments by founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch caps months-long clash with Critics was the one in the Cypress community is. Would appreciate it me question the validity of my reasons for leaving analogy as it relates to Harvest message received! Many might wonder why it all still matters to me so much by our!! God from the world with the devil behind it, it is theirs to destroy she could at time., Im not harvest bible church scandal what else your thread can accomplish if they built it, as Jesus said who give... You again, and left five years ago, what upsets the of... Before Jesus that he was the one in the midst of giving your testimony I still would to... Non-Charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the Cypress community are like this but we lack.. Tell him that he was the one in the truth is, I am na... Questions the leadership at every such megachurch should be asking ministry partnership with Harvest Chicago have been overshadowed by developments. What would I do mean the Machiavellian rule by fear when God led me to leave HBC, I being... A non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the presence of Jesus the... Decisions made by the time I left, I had a bad experience at the Chapel myself that! For show and to rubber stamp his decisions who loves us all that leads to ia where are!, https: //www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ is not with the powerful ; it is a shame to Christianity what is here. All I have 3 small groups now that are like this but lack. That leads to ia where we are not called to be done above all else in... God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission ( Matthew 28:19-20 ) Ive compromised myself....
Tamiya Clodbuster Steering Upgrade, Mercedes Vance, Al Phone Number, Jamie Koutoufides Basketball, What Was The Explosion At The End Of Tomorrow Man, Mark Gainey Strava Net Worth, Articles H