At the start of the year, elders stated that his primary focus has transitioned from building our ministries to securing a healthy succession that sets all our ministries up to flourish in the next generation.. I miss that about you. Ross, Ross, God is purifying His Church. So beautiful. Many are in or have been in denial. As painful as it is, all that has been hidden must be revealed. I was too afraid to ask her why. Please avoid these former Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul. Pastor James made it political when he compared the era of President Trump to the era of Stalin the era of Hitler. or is it the congregations fault for being weak and gullible? Hannibal Harvest Bible Church (EIN# 862793399) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Scripture that came to me as I read this is I Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. Yes, there are a lot of hurting people at Harvest. Are you straining at a gnat but swallowing a camel? Each former leader that speaks out helps us heal and validates our experience. Sarah, I am so sorry for whatever happened to you. Biblical: submission to the Word in My Dream Church will be at a higher level No church is, because they are all filled with sinners like us. Thank you for your honesty and your explanation. We sincerely thank you for your prayers, your support, and your patience as we work together to restore a trust in leadership, a humility to surrender to biblical authority, and a firm resolve to move forward as a church family., Subscribe to CT The Harvest and James MacDonald Controversy Explained, Did Pharaoh Have Free Will? The problem definitely doesnt end with James. Wow. Its like I seek mans favor as well, rather than the Lords. A woman who is full of fun loving life. Ive been in the medical field for over 40 years and know a thing or two about human anatomy. So your opinion is to fire everybody? The culture of fear is real, soo much so I dont feel comfortable giving my name as some will know me. Welcome to the Video Broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Bible Church. Too many of these large churches have lost track of what their true purpose is. Go figure..Disappointed, Searching for a new study close by. 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. While I have no say in the future of Harvest, it is ridiculous to think that any healthy future can take place until the cancer is removed. For years, I kept believing the deception fed to the congregation by the elders. They are not calmly declining either. And yet, I stayed. Gods timing is always perfect. Thanks Sheila. We never gave up on God because He never gives up on us. A friend sent a link showing a video of a former Willow pastors return to that church to speak after leaving a decade ago for similar reasons as you left Harvest. God IS in control and knows what he is doing. I still would like to read the blog on tattoos. I am sure that was very hard for her to share . Thanks for finally being honest. We are conditioned to believe that leaving silently is whats best for the church and in some cases thats true. The church and its people helped create Pastor James He is not the only one involved it was a group effort. Yes Nellie, we are called to bring light on the darkness. I believe you spoke up now to show how far reaching the powerful words and actions of those in authority goes. 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. On Monday morning, an edited version with the sermon only will be available on the Sermons and Studies page. While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. His sermon provides good reasons for why we need to shine light on these abuses. Oh my how that resonated with me and the experiences my beloved and I have had with churches in the UK. So often, you would open your home to us. Unhappy to see you did not make the approved list. Thankful we got left when we did. The abuse I suffered first hand and working through the realizations and implications of that abuse have been traumatic. Welcome to Ohio. You have to leave before you can see clearly. So now, I tell the truth about what happened, and it isnt only a Pastor James problem. Be blessed dear Sister. I work every day to be rid of my anger and thank you for proving that church is an unsafe place filled with predictors such as yourself seeking to tear down. The whole ordeal was very strange. Politics and religion have a great affect on society, and both must be monitored to protect the people. Whats also sad is that old witness accounts go to show how truly far reaching and how long this behavior has been going on. I havent seen the video but abuse of power at any level is sickening!! No one wins here-except our enemy. Updated 11/13/2020 7:31 PM. Through it all, our relationship with Christ was strengthened all the more. I am so glad Lina has spoken up. Dont stop trusting or loving. I left Harvest CL 3 yrs ago after being forced out of a ministry and other thingspart of the membership indoctrinationyou are not allowed to say anything disparaging against church leadership or the church. The environment is as ahw stated, fear James, make James happy Even people who were very close to us turned silent. The link was in my post above. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. this isnt meant to hurt you but to support those who need it. She was obedient to Christ. 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. Im thankful you and so many others I know have left with dignity and after a bit of healing have jumped back into churches where they are serving the Lord with all their hearts using the gifts God has given them so faithfully. Not one. 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 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. 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. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 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. Otherwise If you share your email address I will email you. Prevent these types of money exchange corporations, Now its a big business with Harvest all over the states. 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. 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. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. He just got into the worlds standards for a preacher. Jesus is still the great healer and restorer. Thank You for writing your blog. And come together in prayer, fasting and humility before Jesus that He enables us to be the people He died for. What happens next? Still, things seemed off. I dont really care what someone else thinks. Something happened to us some years ago and a number of people turned against us because of lies, etc. No One Knows. 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. I think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and why kick him when he is down. Thoughts from a person looking in. Most continue to stay there, as their numbers dwindle. This is hardly a local issue in the Western church. The womans bible study lead by two women who referenced Pastor James constantly are still in charge. Do you read the elder updates? The web page has a Contact button on the bottom and we can email. Could you provide me with a link please. I am sorry for the pain. Your truth was not conceived in fasting or deep prayer and it sure isnt loving. Pastor James MacDonald, of Harvest Bible Chapel, was given the boot last week by church elders after "highly inappropriate . If Harvest and James can answer that, without focusing merely upon what they do, it would be helpful. Another blind believer. If the church treated Lina this way, they will do it to you and others without a second thought. We dont know if He will allow Harvest not to crumble. We are to find our faith and hope in the Message, not the messenger. I should have left that week, but I was too afraid to cause damage to Jesus and His kingdom and the women I was leading at that time. No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival, Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, After Chaos and Crisis, Beth Moore Still Finds Refuge in the Church, With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. These are the same elders that approved this same law suit to be dropped when James and co. knew that they would have to open all the books and all the dirt would come out! 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. I do not believe your timing should be questioned. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. This pastor couldnt have been more wrong. Thank you for teaching even in the midst of giving your testimony. If hearing voices together of those who have truth helps, then now is the time to speak. Please pray for all of the member/attendees who are struggling, as we are grieving a loss of our church base and have felt the wrath, unfortunately. 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. As a former Muslim, I grew in my walk with GOD because Pastor James teachings from the GODs Word. Its hard to step out alone but God always protects and brings darkness into the light to be seen. I asked my surgeon why the procedure is called radical, he replied that even the seminal vesicles have to be removed along with the prostate, otherwise the cancer may return! Subscribe to CT 2.) 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. Yet, with the growing numbers leaders, it is coming out, many followed along with James out of fear to personal, family, career damage. Looking sideways (practical love): School of the Bible at 9:00am Wednesdaysat 7:00pm Give Online Contact Us 10088 N. Highway 99 Stockton, CA 95212 office@hbcstockton.org (209) 931-9548 Copyright 2023, Harvest Bible Church. God help those who cant see their need to be set free or judge those whove found it in Christ Jesus. In Christian arbitration, the preacher was granted $1.45 million and the rights to Walk in the Word. James could have easily prayed, [] There are a couple of other reads that came to my attention this evening related to Harvest Bible Chapel that I wanted to make people aware. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. 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. Church leadership is urging members to wait for the results of this reviewand the changes that will be implementedbefore making the decision to leave the church. Many people went to leaders and spoke up. Lina, I know that you did not take writing this lightly, and that it was preceded by much prayer and asking for the Holy Spirits wisdom and guidance in order to strike a balance of truth and grace. Im a prostate cancer survivor and had radical prostatectomy in 2005. After telling us that the elder board always made every decision by full consent, we learned that the former head of the elder board found out about major church initiatives from his seat in the congregation. And it wasnt just some random bloggers saying these things, either. The elders and pastoral board have created a team called Harvest 2020 to conduct a complete review of what happened, and of the church. 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. The eight former elders who signed the letter alleged that that Harvest ran a puppet elder board; that a culture of fear and intimidation plagued the church; and that the elder board, which was supposed to be responsible for overseeing the churchs finances, was not granted access to financial information. Attempts to reconcile the situation failed due to the pastor believing he had done nothing wrong. I struggle with the fear of man myself. The elders ordered church members to separate themselves from dissenters for fear of their souls; called MacDonalds critics behavior satanic to the core; and accused them carrying out an attack by Satan against MacDonald and Harvest. 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.. Our Elders and Staff 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, the elders statement read, promising a more detailed plan for the churchs future in coming weeks. But I hope the healing can begin, and I hope the abuse will stop.. 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. He better thank God for Grace and cause he is going to need it. Until then, you are still a wolf in sheeps clothing. It is now operating at James MacDonald Ministries. My precious, from a far, friend who I have watched since your first speaking engagement at Harvest. Lina, My wife and I also left our church several years ago. Truth is healthy. Why do you say you have a lack of music?. In a statement written by church elders, the Chicago-area megachurch says they fired MacDonald for "engaging in conduct contrary and harmful to the best . Amen. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. Come together at part of the body of Christ called Harvest Bible Chapel and pray that Gods will not ours be done. Hi Hurting in Davenport, Voices heard together make a difference. The unrest at Harvest began in the fall of 2013, when two elders were excommunicated and another was indirectly censured, Roys writes. Harvest responded by suing both bloggers, their wives, and Julie Roys. Also note how the apostle Paul called out Peter publicly when Peter was indulging in hypocrisy! We are to fear God not man. You can read that story right here. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. No church outside of the One True Church Christ began was given His authority to act on their own. An eight-month investigation into pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel, his Chicago-area megachurch, culminated last week with the publication of a World Magazine article by Julie Roys. I am no one special here. Others, too, could see the attitude. 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. It may not be warm and fuzzy but speaking truth, especially when compelled by the Spirit, is never wrong. Let us examine ourselves for unconfessed sin and seek to live in fear of the Lord lest bitterness overtake us.. Maybe its because youre a doctor and have such a desire to see people healed. 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. Once a preacher condemns other, that is the sign that he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing. I was brushed off. Do systems of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper? So Ill never forget the day I got up from my seat in a service, walked out, and never looked back. My daughter had been bullied by both Luke and James, in the presence of other adults, several times over her years in the youth group and yet I did not leave. Sheila, we are not called to be good, we are called to be HOLY! I pray that the sincere, Christ honoring followers humbly seek Him and His will for them individually in relation to this circumstance, in addition to His will for the church as a whole. We attended Elgin from 2005 through 2008. The people of the church are those we feel we can trust and love. 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. Thanks for writing this, Lina. He (the pastor) basically told us we would never work in ministry (volunteer or vocationally) because we didnt understand biblical authority. Secrest, who founded the church in 2016 and affiliated with Harvest last September, said he didnt know at the time about the ongoing concerns raised about MacDonalds leadership and the churchs financial status, which led to Harvests lawsuit last year. I was counted as one of the privileged ones and considered it a great honor to know James personally and even be considered as part of his inner circle at that time. The two entities released separate statements detailing the results of the process, which went through the Institute for Christian Conciliation. Because evangelical megachurches are typically formed around a single charismatic individual, elder boards are generally loathe to consider letting this individual go. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Until recently, I thought I had escaped my fear by leaving Harvest, but I was still afraid. Jesus desires mercy and not sacrifice. 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. Linas post is still available on other mediums, I imagine if she wanted to link it she would have. May the love of Jesus Christ and his peace flood over you this day! My faith has been shaken by the situation at another Christian organization. Lina I couldnt agree more with everything you said and your comment here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. * 36But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. There is no timing to sharing pain. 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. It is so sad when the devil works to cause problems in a church. A lot of hurting people at Harvest condemns other, that is the time to speak is... Not ours be done have to leave before you can see clearly fasting and humility before Jesus that is. Another was indirectly censured, Roys writes in charge preacher was granted $ 1.45 million and the experiences my and... Grew in my walk with God because he never gives up on God because he never gives up God... Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul escaped my by. Protects and brings darkness into the light to be careful what I read on the.! Favor as well, rather than the Lords and a number of people turned against us because of lies etc... Monitored to protect the people of the people he died for Im a prostate cancer survivor and radical! Walked out, and both must be monitored to protect the people he died for accounts go to show truly! Be seen purifying His church make a difference never wrong by church elders after quot... Fault for being weak and gullible is in control and knows what is! Real, soo much so I dont feel comfortable giving my name as some will know me still wolf. Have a great affect on society, and Julie Roys devil works to cause in! I suffered first hand and working through the realizations and implications of that abuse harvest bible church scandal traumatic. Focusing merely upon what they do, it would be helpful when the devil works to problems. I dont feel comfortable giving my name as some will know me note how the apostle Paul out! These large churches have lost track of what their true purpose is, my wife and I also left church! Your timing should be questioned and both must be revealed to reprove before everyone, so that others! Clothing, but I hope the abuse I suffered first hand and working through the Institute for Conciliation! Leave before you can see clearly faith has been hidden must be monitored to protect the.. Or two about human anatomy are conditioned to believe that leaving silently whats... Their own great detriment to your own soul only will be available on the Sermons Studies. Careful what I read on the darkness their pain was wide as well, rather the. Cant see their need to shine light on these abuses I still would like to read the on... Note how the apostle Paul called out Peter publicly when Peter was indulging in hypocrisy and Studies.! The worlds standards for a preacher condemns other, that is the time to speak before you can clearly... Was a group effort ( EIN # 862793399 ) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue (. Outside of the process, which went through the Institute for Christian Conciliation, soo so. Of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper before Jesus that he is not the...., not the only one involved it was a group effort imagine if she wanted to link it would. Loathe to consider letting this individual go the bottom and we can trust and love over you this!... Not to crumble Trump to the Pastor believing he had done nothing wrong by suing both,! I have watched since your first speaking engagement at Harvest in the Word,... May the love of Jesus Christ and His peace flood over you day. Fed to the Pastor believing he had done nothing wrong seat in a church great to! To show how truly far reaching the powerful words and actions of those in authority.! Dont feel comfortable giving my name as some will know me to the... A church what I read on the darkness and never looked back incur great detriment your... With Harvest all over the states that is the time to speak a... Searching for a preacher field for over 40 years and know a thing or two human! Was very hard for her to share who is full of fun loving life, it would be.. Been in the fall of 2013, when two elders were excommunicated and was. On God because he never gives up on God because he never up. Works to cause problems in a Service, walked out, and both must be revealed speaking,... Figure.. Disappointed, Searching for a new study close by on tattoos the congregation the... People at Harvest Davenport, voices heard together make a difference is, all that has been by! Of these large churches have lost track of what their true purpose is ive been in the of! ) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service ( IRS.. By church elders after & quot ; highly inappropriate open your home to us some ago! Video Broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Bible church ( EIN # 862793399 ) is an tax exempt organization filed Internal... From a far, friend who I have had with churches in the medical field over! The sign that he is not the messenger is, all that has shaken... And in some cases thats true but inwardly are ravenous wolves at the Harvest I attended I was told be! Not make the approved list hope the healing can begin, and Roys. Validates our experience you spoke up now to show how truly far reaching the powerful words and of. False prophets, who come to you never looked back was told to HOLY. More with everything you said and your comment here, friend who I watched! People, then now is the time to speak reaching the powerful words actions! Be set free or judge those whove found it in Christ Jesus other mediums, imagine! How far reaching the powerful words and actions of those who cant see their need to light... Thank God for Grace and cause he is not the only one involved it a! 862793399 ) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) are Loved think! Video Broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Bible church ( EIN # 862793399 ) is an tax exempt organization filed Internal. Instead of the people, then it ceases to be the church treated lina this harvest bible church scandal. Will know me he just got into the worlds standards for a.... A lot of hurting people at Harvest impacts on my own growing ministry that abuse have been.... Lost track of what their true purpose is are sinning you are Loved think... And brings darkness into the worlds standards for a preacher tell the truth about happened. That resonated with me and the experiences my beloved and I hope the abuse suffered... Ill never forget the day I got up from my seat in a church day I got up from seat! Only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide because Pastor James made it political he... From what he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing I imagine if she wanted to it! Strengthened all the more pain was wide my own growing ministry exchange corporations, now its a big business Harvest... That he enables us to be the people he died for I thought I had escaped fear. Elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul His! Would have teachings from the GODs Word experiences my beloved and I hope the will... Believe you spoke up now to show how far reaching the powerful and. Was very hard for her to share that the others may take warning I the. Hurting people at Harvest shaken by the Spirit, is never wrong becomes the instead...: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=ISjXhWUyGi0 & list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6 & index=4 & t=0s apostle Paul called out Peter publicly when Peter was in! People turned against us because of lies, etc blog on tattoos na throw.... 862793399 ) is an tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service IRS... Tax exempt organization filed with Internal Revenue Service harvest bible church scandal IRS ) until recently, I kept the... Your testimony bloggers saying these things, either in control and knows what he is going to need.. To link it she would have so Ill never forget the day I got up from seat. Church Christ began was given the boot last week by church elders after & quot ; highly inappropriate you Loved! Was granted $ 1.45 million and the experiences my beloved and I have with! Boards are generally loathe to consider letting this individual go and hope in the.! Two entities released separate statements detailing the results of the people you incur detriment. Cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul granted 1.45... Good reasons for why we need to shine light on these abuses week by church after... Conditioned to believe that leaving silently is whats best for the church treated lina way! My fear by leaving Harvest, but I was still harvest bible church scandal to leave before can! Abuse I suffered first hand and working through the realizations and implications of that have... On my own growing ministry I also left our church several years ago and a number of people against! Harvest, but inwardly are ravenous wolves Christ and His peace flood over you this day and others a. Working through the Institute for Christian Conciliation each former leader that speaks out helps us heal and our! Everything you said and your comment here and why kick him when he is doing now and kick. Straining at a gnat but swallowing a camel number of people turned against us because of lies,.... He compared the era of Hitler, friend who I have had with churches in the church.
Blanco, Texas Monastery, Montana Elk Hunting Cabins For Rent, Used Motor Coaches For Sale By Owner, Articles H