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. Thank you Yahweh. She is sharing her heart and personal experience in an open, vulnerable way, in kindness and love. A year later, MacDonald apologized for the harsh discipline taken against the three men, adding that Harvest had meaningfully and mutually reconciled with them. Despite recent legal cases and reports of greedy abuses, experts say the longstanding benefit remains safe. 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). The Harvest and James MacDonald Controversy Explained, Did Pharaoh Have Free Will? Critics of the church are just bitter. I really doubt theyre sending texts and emails asking for money. Its where I was led to Christ. I pray others in leadership read your post, check their hearts, and follow suit. For a great many, it's time for the cult of personality of James MacDonald at Harvest chapter to close and the actual Bible to be opened again., Today on his edgy radio show, Muller said while he felt MacDonalds firing had to happen, he also had wanted nothing to do with any of it and now my part is done., I feel like God was using me in this, he said. Lina is right on. This included an abusive and fear-based culture where those who question leadership are punished, she writes. Welcome to the Video Broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Bible Church. Thats when eight former elders sent a letter to the sitting elder board, warning them that MacDonald was disqualified for office, she said in a response posted Wednesday. Maybe its because youre a doctor and have such a desire to see people healed. The Asbury Revival Is Over. Its by an unbeliever, but wow, is it eye-opening. That, apparently, was what it took to get him fired. As an encouragement, from day 1, as you began your faith walk ministry, starting a Women of Power teaching ministry at Harvest, I have watched your character. OnFebruary 13, the elders announcedJames MacDonald had been fired. 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. The fallout has only just begun. I dont really care what someone else thinks. This man is a smooth deceiver and believes his own lies. 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. Its ironic that you should post this today. Since I know I am capable of the worst sin, I am choosing to show grace and praying fervently. Woah there Nellie! Before the article was even printed, Harvest sued Roys, plus two bloggers whove been critical about problems at Harvest. Do you see any fruit from him of what God speaks of? Now you can stop going to church altogether and free your mind from religious delusion. I never understood why they saw him the way they do. There the preacher has no real power at all. 4. This post reminds me of something that happened at my former church. This comment to Harvest and James is your opinion and you have every right to it. 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. 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. So many people have recently asked me why I left Harvest Bible Chapel when I did. Vicki Stevenson, I have not read your blogs for some time but the Holy Spirit caused me to stop and read this post. You must not feel sorry for James. You are courageous and your words bring healing. She was obedient to Christ. thanks, I know many people who attend Harvest or who have been impacted by MacDonalds preaching are crushed today. Nothing will change at Harvest if the cancer of fear is not exposed . 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. There are always two sides to every story not really believing your story and if someone is a Christian you would talk about this with some Church leaders not blow it all out in public its sad that it was done that way that isnt what a Christian would do it is what a secular person would do. Walked out of that service. Lina did try to have a conversation with the Elders before she left Harvest. Sign up for our newsletter: I am so inspired to see you today. Leaving spiritual abuse is okay, you cant be expected to change it while youre in the midst of it. Ross, Ross Blomberg, This should not be! What she shared was the kindest message I have ever seen. 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. Specifically, I do mean the Machiavellian rule by fear and division that we are seeing. I should have walked out but, I too, was afraid. This isI believewhy the American church has lost its effectiveness. It IS her truth Its so very difficult but This is Gods battle and I only need to be obedient not the fixer. Unfortunately I dont think the Harvest RM is the only Harvest with a culture of fear. Ive been blessed by your teaching and Im wondering if I wouldnt have heard your teaching as much had you stayed longer 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. 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. I pray that no stench of fear be found in any space occupied by Christs love. Please anchor in on John 7:24. Go figure..Disappointed, Searching for a new study close by. Hes a lemonade maker. He was a very good speaker and teacher of the Bible but was forced to resign from our church a few years back. Through it all, our relationship with Christ was strengthened all the more. No church is, because they are all filled with sinners like us. You are joined with so many ex harvesters that were wounded deeply by what became a toxic culture at HBC. In effect, the senior pastor isthe church. I appreciate the Biblical distinction you made Sheila, in relation to the Bible calling us to be good ; which doesnt always mean being kind and nice. You take feed back to heart and you use it as growth points. Is the founding pastor subject to accountability structures? Ken Morgan so you continue to deny the evidence for a creator by your superior intellect ? I have lived with fear in my life almost my entire life. It seems that was true at Harvest, just as it is at many local churches. Our good is like the filthy rags of the leper! The problem was not so much the pastor but the members that lived worldly. I hope it doesnt chase people away from their spiritual questaway from God., I take no joy in this announcement, said Muller. One elder resigned over this, after asking to see the finances and being overruled by the rest of the board. He is doing a new thing, and I will stand with my brothers and sisters in Christ and praise his Holy name through it all. I hope that the cleansing and purification will come to Davenport as well. There would be major issues involving James, followed by a carefully worded elder update or a carefully scripted announcement in church. I hope they succeed in bringing people back to the church! Thank you Lina! In another incident at Camp Harvest, MacDonald reportedly stabbed a photo of a former Harvest pastor with a butter knife. In one fellowship people were actually warned to have nothing to do with us, and yet all we had done, in each instance was to ask questions. Others have gone before you in challenging HBC to help pave the way and have paid the consequences for their courage. Harvest elders announced this morning that they were forced to take immediate action on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure. We warn the people of Harvest Bible Churchto separate themselves from these false messengers. wounded by wolves in sheeps clothing. Let us pray God will send His Spirit upon us and cure us of this. 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? When is God pleased at his church? My father went through prostate cancer. is it the pastors doing? Dont find that in the Bible. How long will we wait to begin the healing process within ourselves and between each other? I loved that about you. 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. Thank goodness God is still God! Many were intimidated, called names, called subversives. The public scrutiny continued with pushback against MacDonalds decision to preach at a Harvest affiliate in Florida during his sabbatical. There is NEVER a healthy or spiritual reason for suppressing truth. A worship song says He gives and takes away, He gives and takes away, and still my heart will say Blessed be the name of the LORD!. In good conscience we walked away too knowing it was the right thing before God.So now I get your story, you were a favorite of Kathy and James so I am sure to take a stand against the injustice at Harvest was not at all an easy decision.So many other godly people got pushed out for speaking up about the entitlement and harshness of James and other Pastors and Elders.So very sad somewhere along the way they just forgot they are supposed to be shepherds and servant and not the guards defending the many sin issues at Harvest. Just goes to show, pride goeth before a fall. I struggle with the fear of man myself. It is those who live in fear. Christs grace saves us and sustains us. This scandal that were going through has really rocked my world. I hope to become braver. A woman who is full of fun loving life. Were they afraid? He ultimately requested that Harvest Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch. SHERI PINE. Saying he had hit a "wall of exhaustion" in June, Lead Ministry Pastor Greg Bradshaw said he is not only leaving Harvest, but also the ministry. May God be glorified through this. Ross, Sometimes they will require being nice. It never dawned on me that it would open you up to attack. This team is to be made up of congregants, staff, professionals, and elders, and will be headed by a church member. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. 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. But should never be a pastor again! Her first year at college and her first visit to Harvest RM. We left Harvest for, among other reasons, the bad theology and overall silliness of the womens ministry. Instead, it was MacDonald and his inner circle that were making the decisions, unilaterally. *For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. But as every Christian knows, we walk and we live by grace. Amy. The elders and pastoral board have created a team called Harvest 2020 to conduct a complete review of what happened, and of the church. No one asked why I quit attending after 15 years. Your child will experience the life-changing power of Jesus and His Word through worship and story, and age-appropriate learning tools. The next day, Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger. The pastor later admitted being too intense in the classroom that day. You do not know if she fasted or not, nor do you know if the Lord Himself brought her to this revelation. Pray for those of us who donate 10 percent of our income and would like to know where the money really goes. I too have had similar experiences in another church (The Chapel). Fear is why leaders did not speak up until now. Thank you for your response. 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 . 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. Sheri and her husband Gary attended Cornerstone in the 1980s while attending Azusa Pacific and in their first few years of marriage. I feel like I cant trust my own judgment any more. But I lived this in the late 70s and early 80s the scandals of the then big preachers they fell down hard as well. Both can be messy, but in the latter case, responsibility for that mess must be laid squarely at the feet of the abusive Elders who are sinning, not at the feet of Christs little ones, the oppressed members of Christs flock, who are being caused to stumble, nor at the feet of those attempting to triage the wounded and sound a warning to others who are in danger of being All why surrounding himself w/yes men. Within days of their statement, MacDonald offered a public apology, admitting to careless and hurtful words and a regression into sinful patterns of fleshly anger and self-pity that wounded co-workers and others.. I also trust that you did seek wisdom from the Lord on what and how to speak into this. No matter what everyone else says, it does take courage to say something. This journey has taken me several years. . I have nothing bad to say about Harvest. Could you provide me with a link please. Pastor James MacDonald, of Harvest Bible Chapel, was given the boot last week by church elders after "highly inappropriate . Nellie, Your comments are without sound knowledge of the depth of this I am SO glad that Lina has allowed the grace of Christ to free her from the culture of fear that controls Harvest Bible Chapel, and I am impressed by her willingness to speak in such as grace-giving way that will speak freedom to others who are hurting from this. I pray that God will heal those hurt by him and his abuse of authority. Thank you for this post. I had a bad experience at the Chapel myself. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? 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