is it the pastors doing? A peacemaking process, while helpful for personal and relational reconciliation, is not the approach to address failed governance, biblical disqualification, and a toxic leadership environment.. 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. Truth heals. I think he forgot Whose ministry it was. Sheesh. (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) If they built it, it is theirs to destroy. My last complaint. WHY NOW??? Please have your Passports Ready. It was engaging at times. I choose to stay through this pain because, for me, leaving would create a wound that would never really heal. I was recovering from the deep wounds and hurts from when we left when this all came rushing back in and opening old wounds. Let us examine ourselves for unconfessed sin and seek to live in fear of the Lord lest bitterness overtake us.. Your sister in Christ in Auburn, Indiana. Because TRANSPARENCY is neededand now ahe may be starting to feel safe. Most of my friends as well. While I am personally removed from the situation, my brother and sister-in-law attend a Harvest Church and there has been a lot of pain through all of this. [], Lost me at the private jet shared with Bill Hibel. Amy. It never dawned on me that no one from HBC would reach out. perfect response and reminiscent of what scripture teaches. Do you read the elder updates? 33Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. There were other things that caused us to leave also. Im also going to sign up for LWP. Because Jeff is still lying to peoples faces with a smug grin as recently as Saturday night. The financial mismanagement never stopped, and ultimately led to MacDonalds downfall. Also, for 2 years I felt my prayers didnt get past the ceiling. How dare you question her about why? Why? Youve blessed me when I heard you speak at a Harvest Womens event about 10 yrs ago, through your radio ministry and at an event you spoke at last year. Did you know that Satan and his minions come to Harvest? Why would we be any different? Criticism of MacDonald begun to surface on The Elephants Debt, a blog founded in 2012, run by Ryan Mahoney and Scott Bryant, former members era of Harvest Bible Church. The people of the church are those we feel we can trust and love. 1 Timothy 5:20: But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. SHERI PINE. out of fear you complied The harsh language of Harvests public excommunication of these individuals did receive pushback, and in 2014, MacDonald expressed regret at the language used, and announced that the church had reconciled with the elders. Pray for those still there trying to care for the confused and hurting hearts. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. It is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions and the people who protected him for years. We are wounded and grieving. God is faithful, and He is doing what needs to be done to protect His bride. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Instead, it was MacDonald and his inner circle that were making the decisions, unilaterally. Love my bible sisters. 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. I have my own hurt of how certain situations were handled with me through the 20s ministry Then soon after that, the 30s ministry, production ministry and even the womens ministry on multiple occasions. Stressful on him and his family. I thought something was off but had only my own suspicions to go on as we were told not to criticize. Have you sought the Lord in prayer and fasting?Exposing sin is not hurtful then you would be against every prophet in the Bible. 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. These patterns were present and recognized as early as 2012, and nothing was done about them. James is (was) a powerful force which could and did destroy people with his power and influence. I am ashamed to say that after being a member at Harvest for 8 years, that was the first real conversation I had had with an elder about the state of affairs of the church at that time. But a true Christian focuses on Christ and His Word. Im thankful you followed the Lords leading in these stressful and difficult circumstances. How important it is to pray pray pray and check on our leaders also of their growth in Christ and what our church mission is and to stay biblical, not political but biblical. The next day, Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger. The pastor later admitted being too intense in the classroom that day. 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. There is no timing to sharing pain. When I left my job I stayed at HBC for about another year before leaving entirely. Division and to take a part a ministry that was reaching and teaching people all over the world. Faith is Christ living. I have great empathy and sensitivity toward them. www. Another blind believer. Wow Nancy K, after all that has been said and done, seemingly over many years, it is startling to me that you would make such a commemtWow, Why? Again this is HER TRUTH! The fired senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel megachurch is contending, in a new lawsuit, that an attorney and accountants hired by the church took part in a "smear . The fallout has only just begun. One thing that has helped is recognizing seasons. I will only say that if it is right and important to address a culture of fear within the church, it is equally important to address the same for our country. Pastor James made it political when he compared the era of President Trump to the era of Stalin the era of Hitler. I then called an elder who was a friend and someone I trusted. As Gods word says it would. James ended up sending me a copy of the new approved blog post, and out of fear, I complied. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, I would love to chat and learn more of what you are doing. 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The news came less than a week after another update from Julie Roys, a defendant in the lawsuit and the writer responsible for the World investigation, who has continued to release evidence against MacDonald and call for his resignation. Thank you for this. That night changed me. I am saddened by it. Shes not the only one there are many. The public scrutiny continued with pushback against MacDonalds decision to preach at a Harvest affiliate in Florida during his sabbatical. Life goes on people repent and grace is for everyone. And then unfortunately when we do speak up we get comments like yours saying why nowit seems Christians cant win either way. What had these individuals done? I wondered if you had become a full time missionary and if that was why you quit writing. It was both true in a sense and funny. A new believer has lost faith because of the shameful behavior of HBC leadership and all you can say is question the new believers truthfulness of his account? 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. He (the pastor) basically told us we would never work in ministry (volunteer or vocationally) because we didnt understand biblical authority. May God have mercy on his soul. I dont understand how anyone could watch that video and not immediately know that something was very, very wrong. Thats what happens to us as individuals and us as a collection of people. 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. "Following a lengthy season of review, reflection, and prayerful. I enjoy both of you Christian ladies for the different gifts you both bring. Sometimes being good will also mean being nice, but sometimes it will not. God used him mightily for many years and brought His salvation to thousands through this brother. I have always wondered why? Matthew 7:15 I left HBC Davenport 4 years ago because of the spiritual abuse that is happening there as well. 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. Thank you Yahweh. Thanks for being so honest. My mom, who doesnt attend HBC, says that the church is going to die because James was the bread and butter. Anil. The timing of this article makes you less credible. I didnt want to upset James. How about some GRACE !!! I see Jesus in youfrom one member of the Body to another. No one knows why. For me, I would like to apologize for not reaching out to you when I finally realized that you had left HBC. Maybe people could handle hearing it better now than then. All Rights Reserved | Website by Living Wth Power, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s, https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/, https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, Recommended Reads: Relevant Magazine on James MacDonald Allegedly Inappropriately Touching Anne Green. I think God has not lifted the veil on a lot of eyes for some reason. In our case we have been pulled away from our church as well because of how we have been treated for our daughters actions. You can read that story right here. The recognizing date of the exempt status is April, 1972. So often, you would open your home to us. Thanks for writing it. 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. Our full Sunday service will be streamed here every week beginning at 9:30am, and will be available throughout the following week. In Him, #justsaying #carryon, Youd have to read the blog. That the church went on and did not implode or hemorrhage members right then speaks to the prevalence of harmful ideas about authority and church leadership in evangelical circles. 3. Rather, God is shaking the junkall of our junkout of His Church. By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. There are dozens if not hundreds of witnesses against many Elders at Harvest all saying the same thing. In the midst of efforts to reconcile with longtime critics, Harvest Bible Chapel fired its founder and senior pastor James MacDonald for engaging in conduct contrary and harmful to the best interests of the church.. 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! 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. Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the Scriptures instruct us to do. I can think of hundreds of small things, and some rather large ones, that Ive compromised myself for. If so Id be in agreement but again- this is not a political post. Lina, thank you for your honesty. It takes a long time. . 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. For our premium ad-free experience, including exclusive podcasts, issues and more, subscribe to. As questions about how Harvest Bible Fellowship money was used ballooned, the pressure mounted. Truth is healthy. If you ever make that offer again, Ill be there, but please post on Twitter. Attempts to reconcile the situation failed due to the pastor believing he had done nothing wrong. Sometimes they will require being nice. Others wised up and slowly left. However why now? Now you can stop going to church altogether and free your mind from religious delusion. No church outside of the One True Church Christ began was given His authority to act on their own. Thank you Lina, Pastor James MacDonald preaches at Harvest Bible Chapel. Thank you for teaching even in the midst of giving your testimony. Muller, who has attended Harvest for five years and developed a friendship with MacDonald, wrote in a Daily Herald op-ed that hed seen the best the church had to offer: MacDonalds punchy sermons renewed Mullers faith, brought his family back into Christian community, and taught him the truth of the gospel. I think that was beautifully stated. God is good, truth always win. I thank you for your willingness to risk being misunderstood while offering your experience to help reduce the shame of others, who need a hand to hold, as they work through their own healing. I really doubt theyre sending texts and emails asking for money. Though MacDonald has been granted the rights to his Walk in the Word ministry, he and Harvest remain at odds. While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. The elders were given a paper that laid out their duties, that mostly consisted of protecting, encouraging, and blessing the senior pastor. That timeline accelerated, when on Tuesday morning highly inappropriate recorded comments made by Pastor MacDonald were given to media and reported, the church wrote. Nice, but sometimes it will not didnt get it done. to ask those! Article makes you less credible this all came rushing back in and opening old.... Religious delusion i felt my prayers didnt get it done. against many elders at Harvest Bible.! 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