I loved that about you. []. 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. During his sabbatical, MacDonald had planned to preach at the. Churches Still Depend on Clergy Housing Allowance, No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival. The elders were given a paper that laid out their duties, that mostly consisted of protecting, encouraging, and blessing the senior pastor. Not everything needs to be about Polititcs. you felt through James harvest mentality, you would be rebellious against authority if you stood up Ive been in the medical field for over 40 years and know a thing or two about human anatomy. One thing that has helped is recognizing seasons. Do You Really Have to Go to Church Every Sunday? Connect With Us! It never dawned on me that no one from HBC would reach out. Precept Inductive Bible Study for Women. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Where there is no vision and freedom the people perish. The first one is in the magazine Relevant and looks at the allegations of Anne Green being inappropriately touched by James MacDonald. Its hard to step out alone but God always protects and brings darkness into the light to be seen. Such lack of accountability is often a problem at megachurches, which tend to be founded by charismatic individuals who quickly amass a large following. I still would like to read the blog on tattoos. Finances: Giving not Tithing. Yet a week ago I posted on FB an invitation to open my house to anyone who needed to talk about their pain as it related to what was happening at Harvest. Critics of the church are just bitter. 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. Walked out of that service. And where I live that mostly rules out every English speaking church there is! Thank you for sharing. To heal enough to communicate and receiving shaming comments like yours. Leak of highly inappropriate comments by founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch caps months-long clash with critics. The assistant pastor just tried to deflect and justify the pastors actions. Good for you and speaking up. Lina has every right to speak her truth . He stomped his questioners. Oh Kristy, Thank you so much for expressing exactly what I am feelingsuch sorrow, such heartbreaking sorrow. We left Harvest for, among other reasons, the bad theology and overall silliness of the womens ministry. This scandal that were going through has really rocked my world. Faith is Christ living. Quit pointing fingers, justifying why and stirring the pot. Hidden things have come to light. Im so sorry, and Im sorry for the comments here that are going to be painful for you. Theyre gone. We believe that disciples of Jesus profess that He is Lord, practice His Ways, and persevere in both their profession and practice. This is why Jesus did not come to this present church environment. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. Christ followers are saying enough. There are no ongoing issues of any kind. All Rights Reserved. I do not think the solution is replacing the pastor and associates with a new administration. It is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions and the people who protected him for years. Harvest numbers 13,000 attendees across seven locations, and the church began affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2015. Do elder boards mean anything, or are they just there to look pretty? Thank you for opening up your home so that hurting people could come together and share. Politics and religion have a great affect on society, and both must be monitored to protect the people. Just goes to show, pride goeth before a fall. Every weekday, get RELEVANT's top five articles delivered to your inbox! 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? He unsubscribed from the emails but they were still sent him texts asking him to give. What would it take to convince an elder board to question its pastor? I hope to become braver. 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. Im thankful you and so many others I know have left with dignity and after a bit of healing have jumped back into churches where they are serving the Lord with all their hearts using the gifts God has given them so faithfully. 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. I really doubt theyre sending texts and emails asking for money. Nellie, P.S. She has admitted that she didnt speak up enough at the time. Im praying for you. No, I dont as well as many others. The word of God and the flock were only mentioned at the end of the long list. Does It Matter Where Your Clothes Come From? My mom, who doesnt attend HBC, says that the church is going to die because James was the bread and butter. On January 7, 2019, Harvest elders announced they decided to drop the lawsuit against Julie Roys and four other individuals. We are to find our faith and hope in the Message, not the messenger. But dont shame others who speak up. 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. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. According to Roys extensive research and interviews, changes didnt occur at Harvest; instead, questionable treatment and practices continued. In a statement, the elders indicated they had accepted the apology and, in turn, agreed to leave [the church] alone and let the elder board bring about the necessary reforms.. A year or so before leaving Harvest I had written a blog post about holiness in which I had referenced the growing fad of tattoos in our culture. whos fault is this? I do not believe your timing should be questioned. I pray that God will heal those hurt by him and his abuse of authority. Praying for you, many blessings for all you do. He is angry that they keep on sending texts and emails asking for money. God wins the war. I am so inspired to see you today. Fear that your leaving would damage those you ministered to. I want to thank you for having the courage to add your testimony to the voices of those who have been abused by HBC. Thankful for the freedom you have found and are willing to speak up. This is the right time as the judgment of God has come to his people. Unreal as I went to Harvest for over 7 yrs and this whole situation has hurt so many people. Leaving without speaking up was still an act of cowardice and self-preservation. A year later, MacDonald apologized for the harsh discipline taken against the three men, adding that Harvest had meaningfully and mutually reconciled with them. Before the article was even printed, Harvest sued Roys, plus two bloggers whove been critical about problems at Harvest. We left a church where the pastor specifically told me, I am in charge! He said this while glaring at me and enunciating each word. MacDonald later admitted doing so but claimed it was all in good fun and misinterpreted. Now you can stop going to church altogether and free your mind from religious delusion. Publicizing viewpoints rejected by the elder majority for any reason is satanic to the core. Yes, I was there for ex-communication video. I too had been a part of HBC both as a staff member and member of the church and was there in total over 15 years. That is why we keep talking. Thats what happens when I get older chronologically! If the church treated Lina this way, they will do it to you and others without a second thought. Have you ever read this piece on how sick systems keep people controlled? But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. For you to step back and taken ownership of your piece in the large (very large) puzzle, is a humility and grace only Jesus can provide. Once a preacher condemns other, that is the sign that he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing. But the truth needs to be out there. Because ultimately what God wants is not a huge army of women who are nice. I hope it doesnt chase people away from their spiritual questaway from God., I take no joy in this announcement, said Muller. Amen Sister! On Monday morning, an edited version with the sermon only will be available on the Sermons and Studies page. Its true, Anonymous, we have no right to predict the eternal destiny of even the worst of sinners, for God longs to show mercy and grant repentance to all. The edited . 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. 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. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? But, thats my opinion. Be blessed. Finally, we have landed at a church with a passion for others, our hearts have healed and by going there I was introduced to your bible study Resolved. It completed my healing. The unrest at Harvest began in the fall of 2013, when two elders were excommunicated and another was indirectly censured, Roys writes. Each weekend, services include live, vertical-focused worship. It, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering. who we really love. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. I simply could not reconcile the lies that were shared from the pulpit with the truths that I knew regarding issues in the church. I was just starting out at Harvest in September of 2011. 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. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. Before the article was even printed, Harvest sued Roys, plus two bloggers who've been critical about problems at Harvest. Wake up and take some serious deep reflection you follow a man not Jesus that is extremely dangerous my suggestion to you.., workout your salvation with fear and trembling my sister in Christ. Rotate positions? 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. Still, things seemed off. Were they unaware of what was happening behind the scenes? The Pastor started teaching on obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc. Thank you Lina for your honesty and boldness and ultimately helping me put words to what I have been experiencing through the preaching of James. 3. Seeing this in your personality it is understandable to me that at first you revered James correction and fell into compliance. Im disappointed in your timing. I believe you spoke up now to show how far reaching the powerful words and actions of those in authority goes. Thoughts from a person looking in. We are currently experiencing similar tragedy at HBC-Naples. I share a lot of the same feelings. I think that was beautifully stated. Because it is time for this cult to be exposed and she is telling her story. I didnt want to upset James. It is a cry to the current leadership, to evangelicalism at large that there are some very serious problems that need to be dealt with. Witnesses say MacDonald was angry that the photo was still on display. There is no timing to sharing pain. Nellie-What you might not know. Why not start a different type of church that is not pastor directed? This comment to Harvest and James is your opinion and you have every right to it. You are courageous and your words bring healing. For years, I kept believing the deception fed to the congregation by the elders. Is the founding pastor subject to accountability structures? I never understood why they saw him the way they do. Although he denied stabbing the photo, MacDonald said, I may have put my knife up against it or into it.. And I wont stand in the way of Christs work. The evil at Harvest is a nasty stage four cancer yet has invaded the entire body. Because there are others that need to also be held responsible. I am aware that there has been some very good ministry done through this church. I agree with Nellie. I should have walked out but, I too, was afraid. I knew he wasnt perfect, but then, neither was I, I reasoned. Were you bullied by those elders named? In Him, And it wasnt just some random bloggers saying these things, either. It seems to me that theyve had years to repent and make things right. I never attended HBC except for the one time when we visited several years ago and had to sit out in the foyer as the music was blasted out too loud. Attempts to reconcile the situation failed due to the pastor believing he had done nothing wrong. My heart breaks for the ones who will walk away from church and walk away from God. At the moment were seeing the effects of a down cycle away from God. Soon we must bring those truths to light, but for now we continue under the weight of so much falsehood in hope that the church will themselves initiate the needed steps of public confession, he wrote. My response, Why? Harvest dropped the lawsuit; MacDonald took a leave of absence; Roys revealed that MacDonald had lied; and then, finally, MacDonald went on a public vulgar, slander-laced tirade against Roys and Christianity Today. Somehow I thought 2500+ members walking out would send the message. Dont you think this influences decisions made by the leaders, both now and before? The Lord knows and he keeps the books. In October, the church reported its chief information officer to police for suspected embezzlement. Start praying to the Lord for healing. James said it many times himself, chose to sin, model and not on the Old Testament hierarchical model. 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. But your words affirmed what I suspected. Lauren Boebert And Marjorie Greene's Adult "So Your Problem with Christianity is the Jesus No, the "Second Shift" Isn't Feminism's Fault. God is using this to grow me as he does in all trials, so for that Im grateful. hi liz, not really looking for a vote here. MacDonald defended the decision to sue fellow believers in an opinion piece published inChristianity Today,which also published criticism of MacDonald. In eras of prosperity, their hearts drifted. You are being bold and telling the truth and just wanted to encourage you.I always loved your passion for Gods Word and pray Gods blessing as you stand strong Him! I did not fear God as much as I feared James and longed for his approval. superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. Is this an informed opinion? He bullied his way into being paid multiple times for the work he was hired to so as the pastor, sermons and bible teaching. 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