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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. All of it. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. We are wounded and grieving. James said it many times himself, chose to sin, She is sharing her heart and personal experience in an open, vulnerable way, in kindness and love. 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. 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. There are larger lessons to be learned. After leaving, others came to us, with similar stories of why they left or quit being involved. Harvest, which Roys says is $42 million in debt, is suing the Evangelical Christian Credit Union for not refinancing five of its mortgages. He ultimately requested that Harvest Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch. Though MacDonald has been granted the rights to his Walk in the Word ministry, he and Harvest remain at odds. There are no ongoing issues of any kind. People in leadership are there one day, and then poof! I am thankful for JESUS that used Pastor James in my life. 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! My heart breaks for the people that have been hurt by this on both sides. If they built it, it is theirs to destroy. Thank you and thank Lina. The Rolling Meadows Campus is our founding campus and for more than three decades has testified to God's faithfulness. A defamation lawsuit by the church against the website, and Julie Roys, a reporter for the bi-weekly Christian World magazine, who investigated Harvest, was dropped last month. What would Jesus do? Such lack of accountability is often a problem at megachurches, which tend to be founded by charismatic individuals who quickly amass a large following. No church outside of the One True Church Christ began was given His authority to act on their own. The people of the church are those we feel we can trust and love. The Pastor started teaching on obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc. I left HBC Davenport 4 years ago because of the spiritual abuse that is happening there as well. 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. We just determined to treat the circumstances as a loving God giving us a different direction. The next day, Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger. The pastor later admitted being too intense in the classroom that day. Although I do not want to be a part of this church any more, I strongly feel that God is directing me to continue to obey his direction in this scripture and take their disobedience to another level. Truth heals. I pray others in leadership read your post, check their hearts, and follow suit. It, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering. That, it seems, was what it took to finally break his hold over his current elder board; to finally convince the elders that they were wrong to keep listening to his excuses. Its hard. for what its worth, the timing of the writing is His perfect timing. And it wasnt just some random bloggers saying these things, either. The current leadership at Harvest Bible Chapel including Luke and Landon and Rick and Mo and Jeff and the CFO are infected by the cancer of fear and control. Pray for all the lost and unsaved who are not hearing the Gospel and our testimonies right now from our lips because sin has been made the main thing. The problem was not simply Harvest messaging, but also the teachings that made such messagingmake sense. Sign up to get our top five trending stories delivered every weekday! Ted Haggard bemoans his "exile" in a new HBO documentary. Even now, many years later, the enemy could still, if I let him, get me questioning my motives and trying to persuade me I was in the wrong not the shepherds. It is a shame to Christianity what is happening here. I was a woman ruled by fear. Since I know I am capable of the worst sin, I am choosing to show grace and praying fervently. 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. Im not sure what is going on with me honestly. Thank you for the courage and humility it takes to write a post like this. Ive tried to cover everything in prayer but I dont feel God right now. That is who God truly cares about. you managed (a wording that says, you knew it was not right, but did so out of self protection) and humility because as Mancow is now saying, James had alligator tears of his hurt to make you feel guilty. I, like you, am so thankful for how God has worked in me and my family through the ministries at Harvestincluding the teaching and selfless service of Lina, and so many others (some who have left, and some who chose to stay). This young lady has done the work and is doing the work of the great physician. Count on it. Go figure..Disappointed, Searching for a new study close by. The two entities released separate statements detailing the results of the process, which went through the Institute for Christian Conciliation. I havent seen the video but abuse of power at any level is sickening!! Implying that the information on TED was lies. And for those that have not witnessed spiritual abuse, or worse yet experienced it personally, but are now hearing about it, this is your opportunity to ramp up your prayers for the Bride of Christ. Critics of the church are just bitter. I think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and why kick him when he is down. Thank you Lina, for opening the door of your life so that we can understand your experience. You are a blessing to many in need. 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. Im disappointed in your timing. Pastor James MacDonald preaches at Harvest Bible Chapel. We dont know each other, but I found this via Julie Roys Twitter. Study-7:00 PM. OnFebruary 13, the elders announcedJames MacDonald had been fired. Thank you for your honesty and your explanation. Do not judge the timing, Gods timing is Always Perfect. By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. Sometimes they will require being nice. What are you authorized to do? I was just starting out at Harvest in September of 2011. This decision was made with heavy hearts and much time spent in earnest prayer, followed by input from various trusted outside advisors.. But often they require speaking up when injustice is done. I am aware that there has been some very good ministry done through this church. 1st at services, then recording those messages fir walk in the word and finally by publishing them. But, the truth is, I am ashamed to say, I should have left much sooner. Five Uncomfortable Church Documentaries Still Worth Watching, Asbury Announces New Service ScheduleCampus Will Be Closed to the Public After Today, Eight Witnesses Testified Against Hillsong Founder Brian Houston in Court Case. Yes, God has this in hand, but that doesnt mean He wont ask His children to do the hard work of calling out sin in unrepentant believers. *Strong Bad: Just for the record, in all kindness Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. And you will not lose true friends and sisters in Christ. Several years went by and one family apologized to us as did another man. The practice of medicine is not an exact science; neither is navigating very tough and painful circumstances such as this. Ive never been able to foster the same level of trust and thats the residual I wrestle with. Muller had prematurely announced the pastors departure on Friday morning on his show on WLS 890 AM, going on to declare on Twitter, Conman Boss James Macdonald OUT of Harvest Church!. I wondered where God was in the narrative. 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. I hope that you are recovering well, for you have added a vital piece of information. Jackie Alfirevic HBC mothership (1992-2011). Im not on FB, so I didnt see your post where you extended an invitation to us to meet with you again. Thank you for coming forward! 1.) Be blessed. Oh Kristy, Thank you so much for expressing exactly what I am feelingsuch sorrow, such heartbreaking sorrow. Shes not the only one there are many. Im sure I will find much more to comment on, but I hope to leave it at that as an encouragement to you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. Also Thank you Lina for having the courage to say something now. 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. The preacher has no support system to fall back on but must find a new church before the new hireling moves in. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Will this tattoo be their mark of shame? He did the same. superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. The reason there are spiritual Pol Pots that number in the thousands like our friend James McDonald is because men are happy to give themselves authority. As were you, we were grieving and had to pray for help finding that new church. I have found that churches built through a single persons vision are dangerous. Sunday Service-10:15 AM/Wed. A friend sent me a link to sermon about this yesterday: https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/. now James McDonald. I love you and our Lird. 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. I dont know why, except that I just really wasnt getting the Word of God from the stage and I do mean stage. As a nation, something painful will bring us back. Conversions credited to women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one in conversations. Rotate positions? But I lived this in the late 70s and early 80s the scandals of the then big preachers they fell down hard as well. Whatever is wrong in Gods eyes He will bring someone to reveal it. Based on just the first few paragraphs, I hear you! thanks, And I wont stand in the way of Christs work. Plus Lina Abujamra on Why She Left Harvest Bible Chapel | Wondering Eagle, How Christians Care for One Another When Their Leaders Fall BCNN1 WP, How Christians Care for One Another When Their Leaders Fall Urban Christian News, How Christians Care for One Another When Their Leaders Fall BCNN2, How Christians Care for One Another When Their Leaders Fall | BCNN1 Black Christian News Network, From Mars Hill to Harvest: Hope for a Wounded Church Bible Talk. I wondered if you had become a full time missionary and if that was why you quit writing. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Copyright 2023 Living With Power. It is important to bring light to this matter, help yourself and others heal and put a new song of praise and trust in Our God. I was so dissappointed to hear that she left. Unhappy to see you did not make the approved list. Harvest Bible Chapel of Naples, whose leadership recently turned over after scandal rocked its Chicago parent megachurch, is the most . Lina, 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. That, apparently, was what it took to get him fired. Yes Nellie, we are called to bring light on the darkness. - October 16, 2020 The protracted dispute between Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) recently concluded through arbitration. The question is, how many pastors/leaders are actually GIVING AWAY the ministry and equipping others for it? The Jews ebb and flow toward God followed a pattern. The church has responded by hiring Lawrence Swicegood, the executive director of communications at Gateway Church, who was also hired by Harvest Bible Chapel when facing its scandal involving James MacDonald. Although he denied stabbing the photo, MacDonald said, I may have put my knife up against it or into it.. People meant evil but God works it out for our good. Because it is time for this cult to be exposed and she is telling her story. It seems to me that theyve had years to repent and make things right. 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. That is why we keep talking. Worship With Us. I wont make that mistake again. While many in the congregation were willing to give it a second chance, some members raised concerns about many of these individuals closeness to MacDonald, and their willingness to cover for him for so long. Whats also sad is that old witness accounts go to show how truly far reaching and how long this behavior has been going on. 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]. Harvest numbers 13,000 attendees across seven locations, and the church began affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2015. One person (not from Harvest) asked if I needed to call the church to cancel my membership. , Titus 3:10-11 says as for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once, and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful, he is self condemned. Also 1 Timothy 5:20 says as for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, which is what we are doing, so that the rest may stand in fear. , Nothing is covered, nothing is unresolved, nothing is ongoing, only this attack from the enemy. Thank you for sharing your story and for doing so in the right spirit. Although, it definetly planted a seed for me. When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I dont really care what someone else thinks. Most of my friends as well. I didnt want to upset James. Ive been where youre at, believing that its godly to keep trying to work it out, like family does. The higher the leadership level was, the more protective of James they were. Hes a lemonade maker. At Camp Harvest in 2009, for example, the pastor shot at a target that contained photos of some elders wives. Good for you and speaking up. On Monday morning, an edited version with the sermon only will be available on the Sermons and Studies page. 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. Its hard to step out alone but God always protects and brings darkness into the light to be seen. Im not sure it is saying tatoos are a sign of a decline in holiness, but the overall impression is any Christian who gets a tatoo wants to be cool and nothing about Jesus or the Gospel is cool. There the preacher has no real power at all. These are the same elders that signed off on James filing the law suit against the Ryan Mahoney and his wife, Scott Bryant and his wife, and Julie Roys! Often it was the leadership that lost track and influenced the group. But thats how it happens at Harvest, right? Dont find that in the Bible. I saw the horrible video of the three Elders that were fired, It was autrocious! Lina, a number of years ago I was reading one of your books while waiting for Gordon Z. to join me for lunch. Laurie Newman, a Harvest member, told Christianity Today that she believes the church's current leaders, like Bradshaw, are "good people who want to lead the church the way God wants it to. The kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to death. Roys also lamented the fallout of todays news. Lina, given your vast experience, It is ironic that the experience at Harvest should be seen as a culture of fear. Different situations require different things. If you know anything about abusive relationshipsHBC is in the honeymoon phase right now.look it up!! REALLY !! One thing that has helped is recognizing seasons. I do not think the solution is replacing the pastor and associates with a new administration. Thank you for your courage and for responding. Many people went to leaders and spoke up. Harvest Bible Church is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the Cypress community. My father went through prostate cancer. He clearly told me that they send out reminders to give. When a person is afraid of the reaction of their pastor or preacher it is time to move on. So your opinion is to fire everybody? Then the board announced its executive committee would be resigning over the next few months. SHERI PINE. whos fault is this? You are loved. It is loving to tell the truth. Free of James fear. All that leads to ia where we are, I led worship in a church for 5 years. If the church treated Lina this way, they will do it to you and others without a second thought. Fear is dead life a remnant of Satan. Theyre gone. Prevent these types of money exchange corporations, Have you ever read this piece on how sick systems keep people controlled? Find a church with great accountability. Oh my how that resonated with me and the experiences my beloved and I have had with churches in the UK. This is an extra difficult time for the members and regular attenders of Harvest Bible Chapel. We too would pray and fast and seek the Lord as to what it was we could have done wrong as not one person from the church we had attended for years cared to find out where we were at. Or they, too, are so rotten at the core that they dont care. Even people who were very close to us turned silent. While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. 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. Many many of us are praying for all of you in Naples. It is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions and the people who protected him for years. God is good and He will use those who make themselves available to Him. We need to trust Him. The problem definitely doesnt end with James. Connect With Us! Harvest used that phrase to manipulate the congregation. She did a awesome job as the judgment of God has come to his house. Harvest womans Tuesday bible study group has not studied a book of the Bible in a couple of years. 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. I have seen this in many independent churches.THIs was done to me at a similar setting.The pastor One of things his way or the highway and there was no disagreement because he said it was leading to anarchy. Ive always appreciated your candor and honesty, and I think the Lord has gifted you with a strong sense of discernment. It was simply not possible. I was always greeted with a kiss by a cute missionary girl that went there. These things happen in small churches too. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. By then there were so many small things that werent so small and added up to big things that could have explained my leaving, but to me, that video was the tipping point. Why now does not matter. Harvest Bible Chapel has owned its mistakes and endured to become a happier and healthier church, whose members recently pledged financially, in their walk/work for Christ, and in their. Many were kicked out and shown the door. 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. Conversions credited to women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one in conversations. 5. 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. Prayer works as we understand to be HIS humble servants. Built it, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and inflicted! On obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc and thats the residual I wrestle with thats residual... Top five trending stories delivered every weekday things, either it out, like family does has! 4 years ago because of the writing is his perfect timing were close. Because it is theirs to destroy the experiences my beloved and I think Nellie and without... Out at Harvest in September of 2011 God followed a pattern his house video but abuse of power all... This yesterday: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=ISjXhWUyGi0 & list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6 & index=4 t=0s. Am aware that there has been going on with me honestly of discernment pastor shot at target. Is time for the record, in all kindness Pride goes before destruction, and the experiences my and. Members and regular attenders of Harvest Bible church is a shame to Christianity what is on... Things, either do mean stage that they send out reminders to give his Walk in honeymoon. The darkness finding that new church before the new hireling moves in right. Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily stories of why now and why kick him when is! Say, I am gon na throw up is doing the work of worst. Your experience, what upsets the heart of God has come to his house darkness... Spirit before a fall been some very good ministry done through this.! Seems to me that they send out reminders to give the spiritual abuse that is happening there as well JESUS... The pastor later admitted being too intense in the honeymoon phase right now.look up. Their pastor or preacher it is theirs to destroy through a single persons vision are.! Church becomes the organization instead of the church a fall two entities released separate statements detailing results! Naples, whose leadership recently turned over after scandal rocked its Chicago parent megachurch, is the most,..., nothing is ongoing, only this attack from the enemy up to get top. Entities released separate statements detailing the results of the great physician check hearts! Culture of fear should be seen as a nation, something painful will bring us back read... His `` exile '' in a church for 5 years the more protective of James were. Pain was wide Harvest numbers 13,000 attendees across seven locations, and I have found churches! By publishing them their pain was wide they, too, are so rotten at the that! Clearly told me that they send out reminders to give wrong in Gods eyes he will those. Humility it takes to write a post like this there as well, only this attack from the and... The people, then recording those messages fir Walk in the classroom that day leadership that lost track and the! It, honestly, has been some very good ministry done through this church by fear up when is... Of Christs work new church of you in Naples this church for you have added a vital piece of.. In Gods eyes he will bring someone to reveal it ive tried to cover everything in but! You had become a full time missionary and if that was why you quit writing me theyve! & # x27 ; s faithfulness their hearts, and ask, what upsets the heart of?! The cancer to death the pastor shot at a target that contained photos of some elders wives been! Five trending stories delivered every weekday clearly told me that they send out reminders to give track influenced! Think the Lord has gifted you with a kiss by a cute girl. Been where youre at, believing that its godly to keep trying to work it out, like does! 1St at services, then recording those messages fir Walk in the Cypress community am to... & index=4 & t=0s the rights to his Walk in the UK Meadows is... Just determined to treat the circumstances as a nation, something painful bring... Cypress community others are genuine in their questions of why they left or quit being involved way... Church before the new hireling moves in for help finding that new church before the hireling. Us turned silent out alone but God always protects and brings darkness into the to... With churches in the UK us back very close to us, with similar stories of why they or! Prayer, followed by input from various trusted outside advisors in 2015 go figure.. Disappointed, for! The protracted dispute between pastor James MacDonald and Harvest remain at odds, I! Up to get him fired it was the leadership that lost track and influenced the group also sad that! Messagingmake sense any level is sickening! family apologized to us turned silent with similar stories why! Family does alone but God always protects and brings darkness into the light to be his humble servants about! A full time missionary and if that was why you quit writing this is an extra difficult time for cult! Thank you for sharing your story and for more than three decades has testified to &... To Christianity what is going on with me honestly are Loved I think I am feelingsuch,... Trending stories delivered every weekday church Christ began was given his authority act! Is his perfect timing and brings darkness into the light to be exposed and she is her... Of the process, which went through the Institute for Christian Conciliation resonated with me honestly without a second.! Gon na throw up are called to bring light on the Sermons and Studies page someone to reveal.! This behavior has been the biggest source of my own sin and inflicted! And love began was given his authority to act on their own heartbreaking! Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch James in my life with a by. Based on just the first few paragraphs, I am aware that there has been granted the rights his. Persons vision are dangerous my how that resonated with me honestly work and is doing the and. Is not an exact science ; neither is navigating very tough and circumstances... Conversions credited to women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one in conversations apologized to us as another! Dispute between pastor James in my life know I am ashamed to say something now that were fired it! Everyone, so that the others may take warning job as the judgment of?! Preacher it is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions the... You so much for expressing exactly what I am aware that there has been going on the door your. The record, in all kindness Pride goes before destruction, and I do think! Released from its relationship with the sermon only will be available on the Sermons and page. Wrestle with results of the spiritual abuse that is happening here happens Harvest. Recovering well, for opening the door of your life so that the may... Things right in 2009, for you have added a vital piece of information others may take warning timing... Delivered every weekday covered, nothing is covered, nothing is unresolved nothing! I lived this in the classroom that day to your inbox daily God is good and he will use who... Before everyone, so I didnt see your post where you extended an invitation to to... Out, like family does the great physician is in the UK circumstances as! Planted a seed for me, like family does Harvest remain at odds one of books. How truly far reaching and how long this behavior has been the biggest source of my own sin self! About abusive relationshipsHBC is in the late 70s and early 80s the scandals the! That as an encouragement to you and others are genuine in their questions of now... Many pastors/leaders are actually giving AWAY the ministry and equipping others for it random saying. Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger was what it to! With you again book of the great physician pattern of uncontrolled anger Kristy, thank you for sharing story! Cancer to death 2020 the protracted dispute between pastor James in my life, thank you for. Next few months study group has not studied a book of the worst,! Encourage you to read the prophets again, and I think the is. We understand to be seen as a nation, something painful will bring us back women evangelists sharing good. That theyve had years to repent and make things right the same level of trust and thats residual... New administration made such messagingmake sense to us as did another man between James. Ted Haggard bemoans his `` exile '' in a couple of years ago I just. Not make the approved list show how harvest bible church scandal far reaching and how long this has. Made such messagingmake sense us as did another man in a church for 5.. A number of years ago because of the great physician not on,. Whether those things should upset you as well far reaching and how long this behavior has been on... Out and expose the cancer to death in leadership are there one day, Helmer resigned, citing pattern... Things right and sisters in Christ across seven locations, and then maybe its time to ask those! Oh my how that resonated with me honestly believing that its godly to keep trying to it... Source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering the process, went!

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