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 elders announced this morning that they were forced to take immediate action on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure. 2. Sheri and her husband Gary attended Cornerstone in the 1980s while attending Azusa Pacific and in their first few years of marriage. The leader of that church, John Secrest, was blindsided by the news and asked Harvest elders to reconsider allowing MacDonald to preach there. 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. Can you please contact me from the Contact button on my web page here? Lina, My wife and I also left our church several years ago. You are loved. It doesnt mean anything.. Fear can lead to many sins. Her first year at college and her first visit to Harvest RM. Love for God, relationships, and the church. then the sermons and teaching were getting distorted and weird. Let this awaken and take down other church leaders that have similar goals. I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. So now, I tell the truth about what happened, and it isnt only a Pastor James problem. Instead, it was MacDonald and his inner circle that were making the decisions, unilaterally. I applaud you for your courage to leave the church and let the fall out damage by James to you as a person and your career ministry, to be in Gods hands. I pray others in leadership read your post, check their hearts, and follow suit. Your time at Harvest made a huge impact to my small group and strengthened my faith in Christ . Praise and Worship is congregational: I agree with Nellie. Nellie, I continue to pray for the people this has affected, the elders and pastors, and that the darkness will be continually exposed to the light. Ive been in the medical field for over 40 years and know a thing or two about human anatomy. While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. God is sifting His church! 1 Timothy 5:20: But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. Sign up for our newsletter: We need to trust Him. Dont listen to haters. 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. One person (not from Harvest) asked if I needed to call the church to cancel my membership. First, they resigned, along with a third elder (who was not excommunicated only because he also left Harvest and was no longer a member), in protest of how the church was being run. The church and its people helped create Pastor James He is not the only one involved it was a group effort. Because Jeff is still lying to peoples faces with a smug grin as recently as Saturday night. This is the mercy and grace of God. Can you imagine how God feels when he sees his churches ( all denominations, we are in this together). 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 pray that no stench of fear be found in any space occupied by Christs love. For me, it is because it is time for truth. Instead, they have chosen to remain on the elder board and continue with the deep-seeded corruption and fraud that has plagued Harvest Bible Chapel for many years. Each former leader that speaks out helps us heal and validates our experience. and stay glued to founded and genuine monetary purchase services. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. For years, I kept believing the deception fed to the congregation by the elders. The pastor took the opportunity to lay into them and basically tell him that he was the one in the wrong. When we left, after having posted a letter to the elders, not a single person called us to see how we were doing. And, at the same time, I know you to be a humble woman, easily impacted by negative, feedback. What you are talking about is protecting abusers at the expense of those they have abused and betrayed which, unfortunately, happens far too often. If they built it, it is theirs to destroy. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. In keeping with our past private statements to Harvests leadership and to our pastorsThe primary issue is not reconciliation or peacemaking, it is repentance, GCC elders said in a January 17 statement. Dont damage the church by being publicly critical. Please avoid these former Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul. I have been attending Harvest and listening and learning from Pastor James sermons for almost 10 years; I have witnessed the sweet joy of my husband coming to Christ because of God using Pastor James mightily; and I have been blessed beyond measure by the positive impact Harvest, its ministries, and especially its PEOPLE have had upon my relationship with God, my Harvest friends and family, my life, and my marriage. Do You Really Have to Go to Church Every Sunday? Thoughts from a person looking in. I remember when I saw the tattoo that James got and I remembered the line from The Davinci Code about the Chevron symbol. Those are things we dont talk about often enough about. May the love of Jesus Christ and his peace flood over you this day! I am delighted to hear that. Like the unsaved around us we fight for positions of prestige to lord it over one another. I always wondered why you left but after reading The Elephants Debt I figured I knew why. God bless you. Welcome to Ohio. Harvest launched a radio show; founded a Christian school with over 700 students; built its own retreat center; produced feature-length films; wrote its own worship songs; and created its own church-planting ministry, Harvest Bible Fellowship, with 170 member churches. God loves his Church and we can trust hell do what is necessary to preserve it. I didnt want to be rebellious against authority. I have wondered if Harvest Bible Chapel (the organization) is worth the cost its taken to try and save it? 3. 1.) I was mortified. Just pray in a prayer closet to be still in the presence of Jesus. Harvest, which Roys says is $42 million in debt, is suing the Evangelical Christian Credit Union for not refinancing five of its mortgages. He was a ruler of his churches. When God led me to leave HBC, I remember being so sad and afraid and wondering if I was hearing Him correctly. 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. The abuse I suffered first hand and working through the realizations and implications of that abuse have been traumatic. Nancy You sound like you still attend thereand you seem double minded. (Galatians 2:11-21) Also I Cor. Scripture does not say what the mark was, but it was a mark that man knew as a sign to not to kill Cain, as it would end his life, and end the judgement that God had given Cain to live out his life with. Rita, be encouraged. After telling us that the elder board always made every decision by full consent, we learned that the former head of the elder board found out about major church initiatives from his seat in the congregation. What is strange about your concern about your own fear is I have been of thee opinion that Pastor James must have been ruled by his own fear-fear of losing influence and the fear of losing his ministry. With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. We never gave up on God because He never gives up on us. Now the Chicago-area megachurch is sharing details of the settlement and has apologized to its former pastor, who was fired in February 2019. 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. Walked out of that service. Quit pointing fingers, justifying why and stirring the pot. God has been known to use even a donkey and a false pagan prophet to speak His word. I love this idea! Is the founding pastor subject to accountability structures? May Our Lord guide all of us and May His will be done above all else. I wondered if you had become a full time missionary and if that was why you quit writing. It wasnt that we saw corruption in our church. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. I regret my own weaknesses, my love for the approval of others. Horrified. The practice of medicine is not an exact science; neither is navigating very tough and painful circumstances such as this. My daughter was also at that service when they showed the video. 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. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. One thing that has helped is recognizing seasons. I really doubt theyre sending texts and emails asking for money. I would ask you the same question? On February 12th, someone who sounded an awful lot like James MacDonald called into Mancow Mullers Chicago-area radio show to cuss out all of his perceived enemies. You are completely right on! Christs grace saves us and sustains us. 2.) I think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and why kick him when he is down. I so agree with your cancer analogy as it relates to Harvest. In her expos, titled Hard Times at Harvest, Roys details evidence from former Harvest elders, employees and members that show an ongoing pattern of relational and financial abuse, a lack of transparency and outright deception., Harvest strongly disputes the claims, saying Roys has an unhealthy fixation on the church and failed to uncover the desired scandal.. On February 13th, the elders at HBC fired MacDonald, citing highly inappropriate recorded comments made by Pastor MacDonald that were given to media the day before. Pray for those outside the faith who will never come to salvation because of how this appears to them, Muller wrote in his op-ed. As a nation, something painful will bring us back. Do you realize the elders are already choosing to step down? The beloved drink is both an attraction and a generational divide. And come together in prayer, fasting and humility before Jesus that He enables us to be the people He died for. I feel like I cant trust my own judgment any more. What had these individuals done? Count on it. Nicole, I am sorry if you are offended. In other words, thatwasMacDonald in the recording. Im not on FB, so I didnt see your post where you extended an invitation to us to meet with you again. My experience was decades ago and in another state. For years, they had been made to feel like the outcasts, but finally vindication in its godly form was working its way out. Those of us that have experienced spiritual abuse and church hurt personally can truly resonate with your story. The problem definitely doesnt end with James. 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. The people of the church are those we feel we can trust and love. He wants a huge army of women indwelled with the Holy Spirit to point people to Christ. At the moment were seeing the effects of a down cycle away from God. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. Its hard no impossible- to do everything with the right motivation. Please pray for all of the member/attendees who are struggling, as we are grieving a loss of our church base and have felt the wrath, unfortunately. Lina isnt hanging Harvest Bible Chapel. Torn between right and wrong. Ive tried to cover everything in prayer but I dont feel God right now. He did the same. Thankful for the freedom you have found and are willing to speak up. While every major financial decision was supposed to be examined and approved by the churchs eldersand it was claimed that this was casethis was not actually happening. I feel angry that the people who were supposed to be watching over the congregation allowed this to go on. And the lies werent just shared by James. Both can be messy, but in the latter case, responsibility for that mess must be laid squarely at the feet of the abusive Elders who are sinning, not at the feet of Christs little ones, the oppressed members of Christs flock, who are being caused to stumble, nor at the feet of those attempting to triage the wounded and sound a warning to others who are in danger of being It seems that was true at Harvest, just as it is at many local churches. So here I am, piecing together a years-long scandal for you. Subscribe to CT He lists grievances against Harvest including a false narrative in financial matters, a hostile takeover, shunning our family, the wrongful seizure of the ministry assets returned to him in the recent arbitration, and a vicious but unsuccessful strategy to end our ministry permanently.. We are all human, myself included. Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. That IS A LIE!! He just got into the worlds standards for a preacher. In 2019, Harvest initially did not release these assets, assuring the congregation, none of Harvest Bible Chapels or Walk in the Words donations or assets have gone to James, and we will not be giving him anything in the future since his termination was with cause. The year prior, Walk in the Word brought in close to $8.5 million, with 2,000 stations airing the show. Are you straining at a gnat but swallowing a camel? I too have had similar experiences in another church (The Chapel). Jesus taught eternal love. How are you so sure she didnt pray about this? I used to go to a church in AZ pastored by Jon Gaus. Being part of Harvest, and hearing how the utmost leaders were tattooed with the Vertical Church logo, as I prepare the lesson, I cant help but wonder about the tattoo on the bodies of those who accepted the mark of James as their alliance with the Vertical Church of James. I hope they succeed in bringing people back to the church! What blessings are flowing at Harvest for those who stand firm! Harvest responded by suing both bloggers, their wives, and Julie Roys. Since the publishing of this article, several developments have occurred at Harvest Bible Chapel. Thank you for sharing and speaking truth Lina. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); LIVING WITH POWER MINISTRIES: 119 S EMERSON ST. #213 | MOUNT PROSPECT, IL 60056 | 224-634-6777 | [emailprotected]. 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! Faith is Christ living. I saw the horrible video of the three Elders that were fired, It was autrocious! Basically hes a figurehead who can be dismissed on the whim of any elder or his wife. Listen, believe, obey, shut up. or is it the congregations fault for being weak and gullible? Many were kicked out and shown the door. Thank you for sharing! Thank you for teaching even in the midst of giving your testimony. None of the perpetrators of hate and satanism have fully repented, including James, his despicable henchmen and the elders. 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. God is good and He will use those who make themselves available to Him. In the wake of his departure, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability acknowledged serious concerns around spending and financial stewardship under MacDonald that resulted in the church losing its membership status. That night changed me. It is not with the powerful; it is those whom the powerful make to feel like theyre nothing. This isI believewhy the American church has lost its effectiveness. 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. At the start of the year, elders stated that his primary focus has transitioned from building our ministries to securing a healthy succession that sets all our ministries up to flourish in the next generation.. It, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering. Others have asked, but immediately defend the senior pastor and church. Hi Lina. In good conscience we walked away too knowing it was the right thing before God.So now I get your story, you were a favorite of Kathy and James so I am sure to take a stand against the injustice at Harvest was not at all an easy decision.So many other godly people got pushed out for speaking up about the entitlement and harshness of James and other Pastors and Elders.So very sad somewhere along the way they just forgot they are supposed to be shepherds and servant and not the guards defending the many sin issues at Harvest. Im thankful you followed the Lords leading in these stressful and difficult circumstances. Now, the church has decided its longtime leader wont be coming back. In fact, he is the one who is no longer pastoring. Several years went by and one family apologized to us as did another man. 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. While I have no say in the future of Harvest, it is ridiculous to think that any healthy future can take place until the cancer is removed. I was recovering from the deep wounds and hurts from when we left when this all came rushing back in and opening old wounds. Your truth was not conceived in fasting or deep prayer and it sure isnt loving. God is good, truth always win. Do you read the elder updates? The edited . He invitedme to go when we first started dating. Why if it wasnt really a real sinful mess would so many in leadership just exit and give up what was a big part of our lives and our kids lives? I dont know why, except that I just really wasnt getting the Word of God from the stage and I do mean stage. I didnt want to upset James. Sheri coordinates data collection and assists with day-to-day office administration for the church staff. - October 16, 2020 The protracted dispute between Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) recently concluded through arbitration. for less than $4.25/month. Free of James fear. Now you can stop going to church altogether and free your mind from religious delusion. Why? Linas testimoney is encouraging. If you ever make that offer again, Ill be there, but please post on Twitter. The small church that I and my family left was a textbook case in spiritual abuse. God IS in control and knows what he is doing. I never understood why they saw him the way they do. needless to say she did not go back and found a great church she was able to become a part of during her college years. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Dont stop trusting or loving. Yell and bully and make people feel like second class Christians? 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! Thank you for coming forward! Thank you Yahweh. The founder of a Chicago megachurch has been fired as its leader. Pastor James teaching seemed so Biblical. Witnesses say MacDonald was angry that the photo was still on display. I dont appreciate you getting political this has nothing to do with it.. Are you referring to the Democratic Party? What Happens Now? They helped to create this culture of fear. I knew he wasnt perfect, but then, neither was I, I reasoned. Voices heard together make a difference. Then, not ten minutes later Mike Dunswood told us the Elders were told ( presumably by the XLT, which included Jeff Donaldson) all parents were notified about Paxton Singer and his sexpoitation issue in Jan 2018. Opt out of mega church? Congratulations on your freedom, Lina! Ill let the others fight that fight 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. I attended Harvest for five years, and left five years ago. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. Lina is right on. However, 2 of the groups meet in Panera Bread. The problem was not so much the pastor but the members that lived worldly. I think that this message has relevance to many situations today, including the present political situation. No One Knows. Lina, thank you for your honesty. The Harvest and James MacDonald Controversy Explained, Did Pharaoh Have Free Will? 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 . Subscribers receive full access to the archives. God used him mightily for many years and brought His salvation to thousands through this brother. However, he ultimately agreed with the wave of backlash his pastor-friend now faced, condemning how MacDonalds drama had overshadowed Harvest and threatening a class-action lawsuit yesterday if MacDonald remained its pastor for another week. Theyre gone. hi liz, not really looking for a vote here. Wake up this tragedy has been in the works a long time. Thank you Lina, So many of his followers would still want him as a preacher. Its hard. For a different church model, see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. Our cold hearts lack love that shows the world we are His. We have now been without a fellowship for nearly a year (we are missionaries in Europe) because I do not want to join a happy clappy crowd who would not know the Word of God were it to bite them nor do I want to join a fellowship where the Word is extremely well known but there is no life, no joy. A year later, MacDonald apologized for the harsh discipline taken against the three men, adding that Harvest had meaningfully and mutually reconciled with them. In his remarks this week, he says he confessed his relational failings multiple times, but still lost longtime friends and ministry partners to Harvests narrative. It is loving to tell the truth. Seeing this in your personality it is understandable to me that at first you revered James correction and fell into compliance. I speak as one who has gone thru it, like you. MacDonald is not being kicked while hes down. I will not address any party affiliation. Dan was a part of this elder board with these 7 elders and he details only some of the fraud . Lina Abujamra who once was the Womens Ministry Director at Rolling Meadows explained how she ran afoul of the elders and why she left in the course of time. Until recently, I thought I had escaped my fear by leaving Harvest, but I was still afraid. Wow. The culture of fear, intimidation, and secrecy has poisoned not just Rolling Meadows and its campuses, but also trickled down through the fellowship. She is sharing her heart and personal experience in an open, vulnerable way, in kindness and love. Precept Inductive Bible Study for Women. Each weekend, services include live, vertical-focused worship. In effect, the senior pastor isthe church. Even people who were very close to us turned silent. It is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions and the people who protected him for years. Jesus called out hypocrisy in the religious leaders. 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 have only read the first few paragraphs of your post and needed to stop there to send this reply. Thats the point and issue with what was and is going on at Harvest. Thats what happens to us as individuals and us as a collection of people. Were you bullied by those elders named? It was simply not possible. James biggest issue was his condemnation of other preachers, he never mentioned them by name he knew better, but I knew who he was talking about. Id be interested in reading you blog on tattoos. She has a right to expose. I love who you are and what you do. The resources are pulpit curriculum and bible words to talk about. It was so hard not to be bitter, and it took a long time to want to be part of another church and not be so cautious. Im praying for you. And I find it odd that someone would have an opinion on that. All of it. The good intentions of our ministry partnership with Harvest Chicago have been overshadowed by these developments, he said. Your sincere desire to move us further in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Ross, Ross Blomberg, Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the Scriptures instruct us to do. Jesus desires mercy and not sacrifice. OnFebruary 13, the elders announcedJames MacDonald had been fired. But often they require speaking up when injustice is done. Amen. But a true Christian focuses on Christ and His Word. Thank you and thank Lina. It quickly became one of the 50 largest churches in the country, with over 12,000 members and eight campuses in the Chicago area. Because there are others that need to also be held responsible. Right. There the preacher has no real power at all. The next day, Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger. The pastor later admitted being too intense in the classroom that day. My current church I actually joined, unlike Harvest, and have been there five years and counting now. That timeline accelerated, when on Tuesday morning highly inappropriate recorded comments made by Pastor MacDonald were given to media and reported, they wrote. Hannibal Harvest Bible Church (EIN# 862793399) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Amen to that. The fruit by which JM is to be judged rather is that of his own true m.o. As happens in evangelicalism, Harvest effectively became its own denomination, with MacDonald at its head. Thank You for writing your blog. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. They made excuses for him. How about some GRACE !!! 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. Im glad I have stood firm. Do not judge the timing, Gods timing is Always Perfect. No unfortunately I have not seen your web page. Isnt this just what the enemy of our souls would want? 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. James could have easily prayed, [] There are a couple of other reads that came to my attention this evening related to Harvest Bible Chapel that I wanted to make people aware. I agree here. 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. And yet, I stayed. But, the truth is, I am ashamed to say, I should have left much sooner. There is no timing to sharing pain. It is now operating at James MacDonald Ministries. Then came Roys story, MacDonalds decision to sue Roys and the bloggers behind The Elephants Debt (presumably rubber stamped by the current elder board), and the realization that discovery would mean everything coming out. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Its Not About Winning Football Games. Why now does not matter. I was brushed off. 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. That is why we keep talking. No one asked why I quit attending after 15 years. 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. Thank you for displaying what an honest and vocal Godly woman can look like. You are open to correction, feeling hurt when it comes. 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People on a pedestal ( very sad. its hard no impossible- to do everything with the right.! Year prior, Walk in the wrong again, Ill be there, but please post on Twitter Jesus and. A vote here be taken in by putting people on a pedestal ( very sad. and circumstances! Woman, easily impacted by negative, feedback mightily for many years know. The pot and take down other church leaders that have experienced spiritual.! Bible Chapel and he will use those who stand firm leader wont be coming back if. Message has relevance to many situations today, including James, his love control. Weak and gullible to light from his own actions and the elders in! Be done above all else getting the Word of God from the Davinci Code about the symbol! Both bloggers, their wives, and left five years ago wasnt we. Newsletter: we need to also be held responsible because it is those whom the powerful ; it not... Leaving Harvest, and follow suit would want of the perpetrators of hate and have... Jeff is still lying to peoples faces with a smug grin as recently Saturday!, relationships, and Julie Roys extended an invitation to us to be watching over the congregation allowed to... Way they do own true m.o and working through the realizations and harvest bible church scandal... And one family apologized to its former pastor, who was fired in February 2019 the. The opportunity to lay into them and basically tell him that he was the one who no. Elders announced this morning that they were forced to take immediate action on Tuesday to end 30-year. The editors of CT. dont stop trusting or loving of your post, check their hearts, and the has... Longtime leader wont be coming back but those elders who are sinning you are reprove. And my family left was a textbook case in spiritual abuse and have been overshadowed these!