harvest bible church scandal
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. There is no timing to sharing pain. 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. The caller alleged (in vulgar terms) that Roys, the reporter, was having an affair with Christianity Todayseditor-in-chief Mark Galli, andmade a comment about bringing down former Christianity Today CEO down by remotely uploading child pornography onto his computers. 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. Thank you again, Thank you for your honest post. Thank you. I miss that about you. Looking back over my life I see how all things have led to today. I hope to become braver. 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. Speaking the truth and not cowering in the corner. Your truth was not conceived in fasting or deep prayer and it sure isnt loving. I am airing on the side of no. Im so sorry, and Im sorry for the comments here that are going to be painful for you. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. Harvest and MacDonald had a contentious separation last year, when he lost the position he held for 30 years over inappropriate comments and harmful conduct stemming from his legal battle with people investigating the church. Christians! Hmm. Harvest elders announced this morning that they were forced to take immediate action on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure. Churches Still Depend on Clergy Housing Allowance, No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival. Until recently, I was 8 year member of HBC and I feel so sad, confused, betrayed. The leader of that church, John Secrest, was blindsided by the news and asked Harvest elders to reconsider allowing MacDonald to preach there. I am surprised by your editorial on Harvest. thanks, I loved that about you. 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. Thank you, Lord, for Ephesians 6:13: Dull other times. I think God has not lifted the veil on a lot of eyes for some reason. Implying that the information on TED was lies. I should have walked out but, I too, was afraid. These are the last days! - October 16, 2020 The protracted dispute between Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) recently concluded through arbitration. 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. 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. James said it many times himself, chose to sin, I assumed that you had simply moved on to bigger and better things. People need to be accountable for their actions. I just knew I wasnt supposed to be there anymore. Congratulations on your freedom, Lina! 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. Study-7:00 PM. James MacDonald founded Harvest Bible Chapel in 1988. I will be praying for you , too, Lina. If you know anything about abusive relationshipsHBC is in the honeymoon phase right now.look it up!! Its where I was led to Christ. (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) I have wondered if Harvest Bible Chapel (the organization) is worth the cost its taken to try and save it? Elder boards are supposed to create this accountability in these situations, but in many cases these boards are no more than rubber stamps. Christs grace saves us and sustains us. I regret my own weaknesses, my love for the approval of others. Your mission and your ministry is beautiful and changing lives. Thanks for writing this, Lina. We dont know each other, but I found this via Julie Roys Twitter. He (the pastor) basically told us we would never work in ministry (volunteer or vocationally) because we didnt understand biblical authority. 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. Listen, believe, obey, shut up. Fear that your leaving would damage those you ministered to. 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.. I thought something was off but had only my own suspicions to go on as we were told not to criticize. I feel foolish for allowing myself to be misled for so long. 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. Specifically, I do mean the Machiavellian rule by fear and division that we are seeing. Find a church with great accountability. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Or share it. If you read the history and understand the public record of offenses at Harvest (with many more than the requisite two or three witnesses), you will understand why this is not only completely justified, but actually necessary to the restoration of healing and good order to Christs Body. Horrified. 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. 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. The decision comes after an explosive scandalous period at Harvest, including a botched excommunication,an ill-fated attempt at a defamation lawsuit, a scathing investigative report from World Magazine and then this most recent, shocking revelation. Start praying for Jesus to heal the entire body of which He Alone is the Head. 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!. 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. I would ask you the same question? Then the board announced its executive committee would be resigning over the next few months. For a different church model, see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. For me, it is because it is time for truth. Those that havent gone through it ask why would you speak these things? #justsaying #carryon, Youd have to read the blog. In the early 2000s, Harvest embarked on an ambitious expansion plan, aiming to form "10 churches in 10 years." Since then the church has opened locations in Elgin, Highland Park, Niles, Crystal. 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. It is those who live in fear. Churches should switch to a different model that is biblically aligned. Amen to that. I also assumed that because of the size of Harvest, those closest to you would reach out. He ultimately requested that Harvest Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch. Like the unsaved around us we fight for positions of prestige to lord it over one another. I believe Lina did do the best she could at the time. 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. Can you imagine how God feels when he sees his churches ( all denominations, we are in this together). According to Harvest, their agreement resolves all claims and issues and releases them from future legal matters over the arbitration terms. I left HBC Davenport 4 years ago because of the spiritual abuse that is happening there as well. Jesus is still the great healer and restorer. Your two posts make no sense I hope you get some sense and realize people in Church are not infallible only Jesus! This journey has taken me several years. In addition, what was shared now, may have been heard better now, then it would have been heard before Lina left Harvest. My heart breaks for the ones who will walk away from church and walk away from God. Everybody and anyone has an opinion about what should happen to and for Harvest whether this means the self-identified victims, or the buildings, or the leftover and future leadership well, everyone is entitled to an opinion about everyone and everything. I always wondered why you left but after reading The Elephants Debt I figured I knew why. Ive been asked, what would I do if I were still on staff. I would recommend A book Joy Starts Here and The Pandora Problem Facing Narcissism in Leaders & Ourselves as helpful to possibly understand how whats happened can be explained and perhaps bring healing and prevention as members move forward. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. They helped to create this culture of fear. Its who you are! 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. We believe that disciples of Jesus profess that He is Lord, practice His Ways, and persevere in both their profession and practice. Thank you for speaking out, Lina! When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. 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. The reason why people are coming out now or again is because finally due to being outed on a National Radio program something is finally being done. We confronted him basically because of the way he had attacked a youth at the time and his mother for bringing up how the pastor was making this youth to feel. I didnt want to upset James. 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. Agreed Sheila. Its about the hurting. Lina has every right to speak her truth . Jesus may be truly calling people to stay, and rebuild Harvest Bible Chapel. In a recorded video message, Bill Sperling, an elder, told the congregation that the elders concluded that there is a sinful pattern of inappropriate language, anger and domineering behavior. Look, Im sorry, but thats a bit late. In another incident at Camp Harvest, MacDonald reportedly stabbed a photo of a former Harvest pastor with a butter knife. No one wins here-except our enemy. I do not believe your timing should be questioned. I dont take joy in this situation, but I rejoice in the truth. Welcome to Ohio. It isnt about timing. 2.) He stopped going to any church and says he has lost faith in everything. Why would we be any different? So long that lawyers all wonder why I waited so long- but trauma takes time to recover from. You are joined with so many ex harvesters that were wounded deeply by what became a toxic culture at HBC. She will be one of many many many many who come forward so if you dont like it, dont read. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. (Galatians 2:11-21) Its hard no impossible- to do everything with the right motivation. We attended Elgin from 2005 through 2008. 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