It was both true in a sense and funny. So here I am, piecing together a years-long scandal for you. I do believe you. The good intentions of our ministry partnership with Harvest Chicago have been overshadowed by these developments, he said. Study-7:00 PM. With my life and schedule, my friends are few and far between, and have always been aware that my saying anything publicly about Harvest or James would jeopardize those friendships that I still love and value so much. Praying for you for healing and for growth and strength during all of this. 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. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Its Not About Winning Football Games. Your studies are strong biblical studies. Several years went by and one family apologized to us as did another man. I hope that the cleansing and purification will come to Davenport as well. Dont find that in the Bible. I do know that my faith will not be shaken. And the truth of many at Harvest. Many might wonder why it all still matters to me so much. http://www.issendai.com/psychology/sick-systems.html. They helped to create this culture of fear. In the wake of his departure, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability acknowledged serious concerns around spending and financial stewardship under MacDonald that resulted in the church losing its membership status. It is not with the powerful; it is those whom the powerful make to feel like theyre nothing. Even people who were very close to us turned silent. Pastor James made it political when he compared the era of President Trump to the era of Stalin the era of Hitler. Your sincere desire to move us further in our relationship with Jesus Christ. 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? Stressful on him and his family. Speaking the truth and not cowering in the corner. He bullied his way into being paid multiple times for the work he was hired to so as the pastor, sermons and bible teaching. Each former leader that speaks out helps us heal and validates our experience. This problem is not isolated to Harvest. A year later, MacDonald apologized for the harsh discipline taken against the three men, adding that Harvest had meaningfully and mutually reconciled with them. Wake up this tragedy has been in the works a long time. Thank you for coming forward! In Jesus precious name. During his sabbatical, MacDonald had planned to preach at the. He went recently, saying the time had come. MacDonald took an indefinite sabbatical in January, following a tumultuous few months defending Harvest in a defamation lawsuit against its critics and in the aftermath of a World magazine investigation into mismanagement at the church. And where I live that mostly rules out every English speaking church there is! this isnt meant to hurt you but to support those who need it. 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]. Lina, you are strong and your faith in the Lord is inspiring. Thank you. Or is he in effect the church, with an elder board that exists only for show and to rubber stamp his decisions? I have been looking for a church like this for years. I was too afraid to ask her why. That timeline accelerated, when on Tuesday morning highly inappropriate recorded comments made by Pastor MacDonald were given to media and reported, the church wrote. God has said that those who are give much is required. Two years ago, MacDonald moved away from overseeing the Harvest Bible Fellowship, a global network of churches, which eventually separated from Harvest completely to form the Great Commission Collective (GCC). Despite recent legal cases and reports of greedy abuses, experts say the longstanding benefit remains safe. Thank you for being honest and speaking truth. 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). 2. Why do you say you have a lack of music?. Like you, Lina, Ive listened to people wounded by sin, power grabs and wrongdoing by Church leaders. Sports Betting Hits a New High: A Crisis in the Making? But thats how it happens at Harvest, right? 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. *For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Gordon Zwirkoski, a former Harvest elder and the original director of HBF, told Roys that James MacDonald essentially wields ultimate authority at the church and cultivates a spirit of fear in the staff. Former Harvest employee Dave Jones says his church has welcomed dozens of Harvest refugees who show signs of spiritual abuse and are disillusioned.. She put words to my feelings and I am truly blessed by them. As a result, I was asked to meet with the elders, pull the blog piece and write a new one that James would first approve. You said, out of fear, I complied. Gosh, so many similarities with the HBC action. When you are in a position where fear dictates the position you cannot speak out while under that. I hope they succeed in bringing people back to the church! Anil. As a former elder for three years at the Elgin campus ( it wasnt a true elder board then and it still isnt now ), I couldnt agree with you more, that all the infected parts have to excised! (Matthew 12:33-37). You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. The evangelical megachurch system, where multilayered ministries form around a single persona, leaves ample room for mismanagement and abuse of authority. Lina, given your vast experience, It is ironic that the experience at Harvest should be seen as a culture of fear. The question is, how many pastors/leaders are actually GIVING AWAY the ministry and equipping others for it? Nellie, Im sorry for your comment. Because she is helping expose evil and proving that is is deep and wide and on going. superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. This isI believewhy the American church has lost its effectiveness. This is why NOW. In any case, Im saddened to hear that this happened to James McDonald. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. Now that these differences with MacDonald have come to resolution, our focus and full attention are on the future of Harvest Bible Chapel, they said. @Ross, Were you able to access it? sheripine@cbcglendora.org. I never worked at Harvest under Pastor James, I never wrote a book, I never had any altercation with Pastor James, and never had a complaint about him. Five years ago, Harvest Bible Chapel, a Chicago-area megachurch with multiple campuses and an average weekly attendance exceeding 12,000, sent shock waves through the Christian community when it publicly excommunicated two former elders and indirectly censured a third. We attended Elgin from 2005 through 2008. As painful as it is, all that has been hidden must be revealed. I want to thank you for having the courage to add your testimony to the voices of those who have been abused by HBC. Not one. maybe its time for all of us to wake up. Data Coordination. He grew the church from 18 members to more. I believe you are mistaken. I too visited Harvest. Your willingness to sit down over a cup of coffee in your home with women of God and get real about our hurts, our fears, our dreams, or whatever is going on in our lives. Go figure..Disappointed, Searching for a new study close by. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. Isnt this just what the enemy of our souls would want? Last November, Harvests new elders (all those who served under MacDonald stepped down) declared that their former pastor failed to meet the elder qualifications laid out in Scripture and could not return to their church. This was encouraging to read and I hope others take it to heart. He stomped his questioners. My family attended a smaller Harvest church close to Elgin. Most continue to stay there, as their numbers dwindle. Lina I couldnt agree more with everything you said and your comment here. Based on just the first few paragraphs, I hear you! No one knows why. Fear is dead life a remnant of Satan. It seems that was true at Harvest, just as it is at many local churches. I volunteer in the childrens ministry and the youth ministry as well, pouring into children and youth. Why if it wasnt really a real sinful mess would so many in leadership just exit and give up what was a big part of our lives and our kids lives? The people of the church are those we feel we can trust and love. God is purifying His Church. So beautiful. Yes Nellie, we are called to bring light on the darkness. Does It Matter Where Your Clothes Come From? In another incident at Camp Harvest, MacDonald reportedly stabbed a photo of a former Harvest pastor with a butter knife. It is so sad when the devil works to cause problems in a church. I continue to pray for the people this has affected, the elders and pastors, and that the darkness will be continually exposed to the light. Hence the Response Statement Regarding Pastor James and Anne Green yesterday on HBC in the news. I had a bad experience at the Chapel myself. Please have your Passports Ready. (images of wife beating and mental control come to mind) 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. Pray for James and Christs church that the LORD would accomplish what HE and HE alone is allowing. Torn between right and wrong. | Photo: Harvest Bible Chapel Facebook The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has suspended Chicago-area megachurch Harvest Bible Church following the firing of its longtime pastor James MacDonald and amid ongoing revelations that the ministry had misappropriated funds. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. thanks, Thanks for being so honest. I thought something was off but had only my own suspicions to go on as we were told not to criticize. Driscoll, now MacDonald. By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. What should we be planning for, praying for, and what did Jesus teach about? The resources are pulpit curriculum and bible words to talk about. Everything is being talked about at great lengths regarding Harvest except for Who the body of Christ should be praying to, talking about and quoting. Lina, thank you for your honesty. The Pastor started teaching on obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc. I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. It all is about money to pay taxes and building and salaries. Two top Harvest Bible Chapel pastors today announced they're resigning, following a "season" of difficulty sparked by the termination and scandal involving disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald. Your sister in Christ in Auburn, Indiana. Ive never been able to foster the same level of trust and thats the residual I wrestle with. It would be endearing to me and honoring to them. I didnt want to be rebellious against authority. Many were intimidated, called names, called subversives. 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. In announcing MacDonalds termination, Harvest elders stated they are committed to fulfilling our fiduciary duty as the leadership of this congregation, knowing that at times the outcome may be misunderstood or emotionally painful. 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. Long story short he kicked my husband and I out of the church. From your first speaking engagement at Harvest, I have watched your ministry(ies) and have see you be a strong fast speaking, outgoing woman, by ethnic background, yet a humble servant of Christ who feels deeply the impact of wrongfulness. 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