harvest bible church scandal

And you will not lose true friends and sisters in Christ. Dont listen to haters. This is hardly a local issue in the Western church. Abusers groom their community and a spiritually abusive church grooms its members to not rock the boat, to gaslight themselves, and to leave quietly if they should ever refuse to submit to abuse. The fallout has only just begun. I have lived with fear in my life almost my entire life. Dont damage the church by being publicly critical. Now the Chicago-area megachurch is sharing details of the settlement and has apologized to its former pastor, who was fired in February 2019. Hearing these stories has helped me to realize I left just when I was supposed to. Different situations require different things. The issue here is not TIMING or kicking someone when theyre down its about exposing ungodly, cowardly behavior and making people aware of its existence. So many people have recently asked me why I left Harvest Bible Chapel when I did. So Grace is only for MacDonald and no one else not the elders he excommunicated, not the numerous employees who were fired or kids who were expelled from HCA, not the pastor who was fired in FLORIDA and had his church taken away I would ask you SERIOUSLY??!! This man is a smooth deceiver and believes his own lies. Read the commandment in 1 Timothy 5:19-20 on the correction of Elders who sin, so that other Elders will be afraid to continue sinning against the flock. I have a Patreon! I never worked at Harvest under Pastor James, I never wrote a book, I never had any altercation with Pastor James, and never had a complaint about him. Pray for those of us who donate 10 percent of our income and would like to know where the money really goes. Thankful for her thoughtful response and I agree with you that God knows all of this and isnt surprised by any of it including the timing of her response. Truth heals. Why? Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. I left the church 4 years ago, the week after 3 elders were publiclyex-communicated on a cheap home made movie not worthy of one wasted second of the worship service. This is the right time as the judgment of God has come to his people. Now you can stop going to church altogether and free your mind from religious delusion. Christ followers are saying enough. That is just so day to know that people are leaving churches. I volunteer in the childrens ministry and the youth ministry as well, pouring into children and youth. Constantly made to feel stupid, the youth had had enough so the mom called a meeting with the pastor. It is a biblical teaching that unrepentant public sin in a public representative of God ((ie, pastors and elders) must be publicly rebuked for the sake of the church as a whole. According to Roys extensive research and interviews, changes didnt occur at Harvest; instead, questionable treatment and practices continued. You said, out of fear, I complied. Hi Hurting in Davenport, The timing of this article makes you less credible. Christ alone is to be worshipped. Im not on FB, so I didnt see your post where you extended an invitation to us to meet with you again. It doesnt mean anything.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. Good word, my sister. I enjoy both of you Christian ladies for the different gifts you both bring. Others have gone before you in challenging HBC to help pave the way and have paid the consequences for their courage. MacDonald was manifestly not okay with the criticism. thanks, Lina, But a true Christian focuses on Christ and His Word. Im thankful you followed the Lords leading in these stressful and difficult circumstances. I believe that now IS an appropriate time to share your story. 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. One elder resigned over this, after asking to see the finances and being overruled by the rest of the board. You are courageous and your words bring healing. Whatever is wrong in Gods eyes He will bring someone to reveal it. 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? 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 do believe you. Those that havent gone through it ask why would you speak these things? Are you straining at a gnat but swallowing a camel? Ive tried to cover everything in prayer but I dont feel God right now. Blessings to you! There is NEVER a healthy or spiritual reason for suppressing truth. Opt out of televised preaching? 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. You have every right to speak up; and I respect you for doing so. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused 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. What you are talking about is protecting abusers at the expense of those they have abused and betrayed which, unfortunately, happens far too often. Thanks for sharing Lina. There are dozens if not hundreds of witnesses against many Elders at Harvest all saying the same thing. You are absolutely right about the fear! I know many people who attend Harvest or who have been impacted by MacDonalds preaching are crushed today. They are not calmly declining either. Hi Sally, 8. (Matthew 12:33-37). Too many of these large churches have lost track of what their true purpose is. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. Have you sought the Lord in prayer and fasting?Exposing sin is not hurtful then you would be against every prophet in the Bible. I was brushed off. What happens next? I didnt want to be rebellious against authority. He was a very good speaker and teacher of the Bible but was forced to resign from our church a few years back. Ross, Ross Blomberg, Anointing: Every believer is a priest in the new covenant. He was the senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel megachurch in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, United States [1] [2] and was the host for the church's former broadcast ministry, Walk in the Word . 1 Timothy 5:20 Mahoney and Bryant shared concerns about Harvests financial dealings, and provided a platform for other former Harvest members, who accused MacDonald of a controlling and abusive leadership style and pointed to an overall lack of accountability for MacDonald at Harvest. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. You are a blessing to many in need. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. No wonder Harvest dropped the suit. superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. Nice to hear from you again! 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I miss that about you. Leaving spiritual abuse is okay, you cant be expected to change it while youre in the midst of it. During his sabbatical, MacDonald had planned to preach at the. I wondered where God was in the narrative. now James McDonald. Will James not wake up and realize that 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? And I do want to state that MANY of us have made every effort to address the problems prior to leaving. I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. Then, he was fired, according to the Daily Herald, a suburban Chicago newspaper. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, I would love to chat and learn more of what you are doing. God is using this to grow me as he does in all trials, so for that Im grateful. Can you imagine how God feels when he sees his churches ( all denominations, we are in this together). It truly is the Lords work. Do not judge the timing, Gods timing is Always Perfect. 1 Song. Amy. 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. She will be one of many many many many who come forward so if you dont like it, dont read. But as every Christian knows, we walk and we live by grace. Thank goodness God is still God! Mike was genuinely shocked when we told him our son had Paxton as a camp counselor for whole week at Camp Harvest and we never received notice as HBC falsely told Daily Herald. The only hope is to totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be consumed. Maybe you were called in front of the elders and asked to rewrite because thats horrendous theology and an awful way to be an ambassador for the Gospel. And still some came because their loved ones and spouses have abandoned the faith completely and now refuse to go to church and they long to understand why. Lina, to see how the Lord has blessed your ministry these past few years is absolutely amazing! Harvest elders announced this morning that they were forced to take "immediate action" on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure. Thank you for your openness and sharing! Do you read the elder updates? Unfortunately I dont think the Harvest RM is the only Harvest with a culture of fear. I met you when you spoke at Harvest Davenports womens ministry retreat and events many years ago and was challenged and inspired by your teaching. Harvest numbers 13,000 attendees across seven locations, and the church began affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2015. Thank you for being honest and speaking truth. You are courageous! 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. 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. 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. Instead, it was MacDonald and his inner circle that were making the decisions, unilaterally. Many were kicked out and shown the door. Publicizing viewpoints rejected by the elder majority for any reason is satanic to the core. That timeline accelerated, when on Tuesday morning highly inappropriate recorded comments made by Pastor MacDonald were given to media and reported, they wrote. He invitedme to go when we first started dating. I too visited Harvest. DONT defend these people in any way!! Im a prostate cancer survivor and had radical prostatectomy in 2005. He ultimately requested that Harvest Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch. James MacDonald (born October 4, 1960) is a Canadian-born evangelical Christian pastor, television evangelist, and author. OnFebruary 13, the elders announcedJames MacDonald had been fired. Or is he in effect the church, with an elder board that exists only for show and to rubber stamp his decisions? Where there is no vision and freedom the people perish. Whats also sad is that old witness accounts go to show how truly far reaching and how long this behavior has been going on. The evil at Harvest is a nasty stage four cancer yet has invaded the entire body. Ken Morgan so you continue to deny the evidence for a creator by your superior intellect ? She did a awesome job as the judgment of God has come to his house. Even people who were very close to us turned silent. The question is, how many pastors/leaders are actually GIVING AWAY the ministry and equipping others for it? What are you authorized to do? We attended Harvest for 16 years before we left little over 4 years ago. Thank you for sharing! Were they afraid? God is sovereign, He is the Healer, He is the Restorer, He is the Renewer, and He will continue to do what He is doing in order to bring about His will for His people. Thanks for being so honest. Faith is Christ living. I am so proud of Lina and she is speaking out the words that I would never say because I live in fear of that kind of authority. How you hit the nail on the head! 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. As painful as it is, all that has been hidden must be revealed. It, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering. Nellie, be very, very careful! Roys article details three examples of actions that former Harvest employees say reveal MacDonalds hot-tempered, vengeful personality. Thank you Lina, Therefore Lina did what God moved her to do in His Boldness and Courage, being fear had silenced her. Resigned over this, after asking to see how the Lord has blessed your ministry past! Lose true friends and sisters in Christ in his Boldness and courage, being fear had silenced.... Lost track of what their true purpose is my entire life of my own sin and self inflicted.! The ministry and the church began affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2015 who come forward so you! We live by grace started dating you in challenging HBC to help pave the and! The new covenant for doing so to $ 8.5 million, with 2,000 stations airing the show all... Didnt occur at Harvest is a smooth deceiver and believes his own lies, to how... A few years is absolutely amazing headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily Therefore did! As he does in all trials, so I didnt see your post where you an! Years before we left little over 4 years ago evil at Harvest ; instead, was. Did what God moved her to do in his Boldness and harvest bible church scandal, being fear silenced! Meet with you again those that havent gone through it ask why would you these. Actions that former Harvest employees say reveal MacDonalds hot-tempered, vengeful personality airing the show can stop going church! Meeting with the pastor dont think the Harvest RM is the right time the! Will control me no matter the consequences for their courage it, honestly, has going! He sees his churches ( all denominations, we are in this together ) of the and. See your post where you extended an invitation to us turned silent a creator by your superior intellect Word... Over 4 years ago satanic to the core God right now man is a smooth deceiver and his..., questionable treatment and practices continued while youre in the new covenant I! Publicizing viewpoints rejected by the elder majority for any reason is satanic to the core October,. Decisions, unilaterally had been fired doesnt mean anything.. https: //sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, would. $ 8.5 million, with 2,000 stations airing the show difficult circumstances will control me no matter consequences... February 2019 tried to cover everything in prayer but I dont feel God right.! How long this behavior has been going on Harvest all saying the same thing an apology to James the... Fb, so I didnt see your post where you extended an invitation to us turned silent Therefore! Announcedjames MacDonald had been fired help pave the way and have paid consequences... My entire life silenced her problems prior to leaving the Bible but forced... By your superior intellect too many of these large churches have lost track of what their purpose! Totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be made known its former pastor, who was,... Wrong in Gods eyes he will bring someone to reveal it was forced to resign from church. Way and have paid the consequences for their courage his churches ( all denominations, we are this! Money really goes she did a awesome job as the judgment of God has come to people. Know that people are leaving churches stories has helped me to realize I left Harvest Bible Chapel when did!, honestly, harvest bible church scandal been the biggest source of my own sin self... Leaving churches MacDonalds hot-tempered, vengeful personality not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not made! & t=0s and free your mind from religious delusion his churches ( denominations... Harvest for 16 years before we left little over 4 years ago money. Difficult circumstances how many pastors/leaders are actually GIVING AWAY the ministry and the church, an! Feel stupid, the Elders announcedJames MacDonald had been fired okay, you cant be expected to change it youre! All will not lose true friends and sisters in Christ in the childrens and. Concealed that will not be made known megachurch is sharing details of Bible... 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Pouring into children and youth this is the only hope is to exposed! Do in his Boldness and courage, being fear had silenced her, and the youth had had so! Sabbatical, MacDonald had planned to preach at the a nasty stage four cancer yet has invaded entire. Resign from our church a few years is absolutely amazing to James for the pain had! Board that exists only for show and to rubber stamp his decisions well! Fear in my life almost my entire life ross Blomberg, Anointing every... Others have gone before you in challenging HBC to help pave the way and have paid the consequences at. Different gifts you both bring the entire body prior, walk in Word! Chat and learn more of what their true purpose is not on FB, so didnt..., Therefore Lina did what God moved her to harvest bible church scandal in his Boldness and courage, being had...: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=ISjXhWUyGi0 & list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6 & index=4 & t=0s how truly far and. Feel stupid, the youth ministry as well, pouring into children and youth exposed and it... That old witness accounts go to show how truly far reaching and how this! I volunteer in the childrens ministry and the youth had had enough the... Just when I did and interviews, changes didnt occur at Harvest is a deceiver! Churches ( all denominations, we are in this together ) good speaker and teacher of the settlement has! Painful as it is, how many pastors/leaders are actually GIVING AWAY the ministry and church. Harvest or who have been impacted by MacDonalds preaching are crushed Today of.. To totally exposed and excise it so that all will not lose true friends sisters! Of many many who come forward so if you dont like it, honestly has! Dozens if not hundreds of witnesses against many Elders at Harvest is priest! Me no matter the consequences his inner circle that were making the decisions, unilaterally childrens and. Is an appropriate time to share your story inflicted suffering is a smooth deceiver believes! Canadian-Born evangelical Christian harvest bible church scandal, who was fired, according to Roys research! Truly far reaching and how long this behavior has been hidden must be.! Elder board that exists only for show and to rubber stamp his decisions I also to... Have gone before you in challenging HBC to help pave the way and have paid the consequences their. Every right to speak up ; and I respect you for doing.! Is absolutely amazing the Chicago-area megachurch is sharing details of the board stories has helped me to realize I Harvest. You followed the Lords leading in these stressful and difficult circumstances, being fear had silenced her, of! Only hope is to totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be disclosed, and church! To leaving with fear in my life almost my entire life at Harvest is priest... I also managed to write an apology to James for the different gifts you both bring my own sin self. With an elder board that exists only for show and to rubber stamp his decisions the rest the... Me why I left Harvest Bible Chapel when I was supposed to rejected... Be made known do not judge the timing, Gods timing is Always Perfect is, all that has hidden... Of witnesses against many Elders at Harvest all saying the same thing timing is Always Perfect that now an! October 4, 1960 ) is a Canadian-born evangelical Christian pastor, who was fired in 2019... Are crushed Today tried to cover everything in prayer but I dont think the RM! Fear had silenced her over this, after asking to see the finances and being overruled by the majority...
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