This is the mercy and grace of God. So your opinion is to fire everybody? I really think you hit the nail on the head when you said you realized something dark about yourself, that you had been a woman ruled by fearand I could identify with what you said since I had been that woman too. A defamation lawsuit by the church against the website, and Julie Roys, a reporter for the bi-weekly Christian World magazine, who investigated Harvest, was dropped last month. And where I live that mostly rules out every English speaking church there is! Nothing will change at Harvest if the cancer of fear is not exposed . Ive never been able to foster the same level of trust and thats the residual I wrestle with. 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. Lean should read it and reply in kind. None of the perpetrators of hate and satanism have fully repented, including James, his despicable henchmen and the elders. While regret cant look back, we now live in a different era than we did four years ago. But should never be a pastor again! She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! That night changed me. 6. It was engaging at times. 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). whos fault is this? Then the board announced its executive committee would be resigning over the next few months. 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. 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. We need to trust Him. FEAR is a liar, pray for them and never let offense take you out, that was the enemys plan! 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. @Ross, Were you able to access it? It seems to me that theyve had years to repent and make things right. Nellie, In other words, thatwasMacDonald in the recording. Perhaps my fear had its legitimate reasons. I am sorry for the pain. Those that have gone through it ask themselves, should I speak up?. Im replying after reading just your first few paragraphs. I dont see anything mean in her commentary. 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. Agreed Sheila. In Jesus precious name. Rather, God is shaking the junkall of our junkout of His Church. My family attended a smaller Harvest church close to Elgin. A year later, MacDonald apologized for the harsh discipline taken against the three men, adding that Harvest had meaningfully and mutually reconciled with them. In my lowly position, I have said, like others, I would have put my head in the sand and continued to do the job God gifted me to do in the interest of the body. And I find it odd that someone would have an opinion on that. Letting you know about this is one of the most loving things that Lina can do at this time so that others dont experience the pain that she went through. Since I know I am capable of the worst sin, I am choosing to show grace and praying fervently. The former Harvest Bible Fellowship leaders now at GCCwhich contains about 130 churches, more than half of which still have Harvest in their namesshare concerns about the churchs leadership and are looking for transparency and repentance from MacDonald. May Our Lord guide all of us and May His will be done above all else. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. Praying for you for healing and for growth and strength during all of this. 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. We are the Church! Others will be hurtit is a matter of time. Another blind believer. If hearing voices together of those who have truth helps, then now is the time to speak. DONT defend these people in any way!! The pastor also gets $1.2 million and a parcel of property in Crystal Lake, Illinois, as well the ministrys equipment, books, and digital resources, the church announced this week. No, I dont as well as many others. Some women were still in the middle of the trauma and were still currently attending Harvest. Do you think God approves of pastors who deliberately scam their congregation for years, use his name for money and abuse people for the Almighty Dollar? I have nothing bad to say about Harvest. Christ alone is to be worshipped. Christians! Yet Jesus was not the mission even though the pastor spoke of Jesus. Our full Sunday service will be streamed here every week beginning at 9:30am, and will be available throughout the following week. The ungodly jockying for power and control is still an issue in all our churches. The 60-year-old pastor called on his former church to confess its wrongs and correct the record. What are you authorized to do? Their letter covered MacDonalds self-promotionlove of moneydomineering and bullying abusive speech[and] outbursts of anger.. Once a preacher condemns other, that is the sign that he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing. It is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions and the people who protected him for years. Do You Really Have to Go to Church Every Sunday? The church has responded by hiring Lawrence Swicegood, the executive director of communications at Gateway Church, who was also hired by Harvest Bible Chapel when facing its scandal involving James MacDonald. 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. When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. Thank you for taking the time to nurture the HBC flock that Pastor James never cared about! When this happens, there is tremendous spiritual and emotional wounding. I too had been a part of HBC both as a staff member and member of the church and was there in total over 15 years. I agree here. Why do you say you have a lack of music?. I am airing on the side of no. It was so hard not to be bitter, and it took a long time to want to be part of another church and not be so cautious. But when it happens for reasons like this we should be shouting it but unfortunately we dont always perceive the abuse for what it was/is until we are out of the situation. These changes were never made, but the critics were silencedfor a time. Amen sister!! Further, Nellie, I am glad that you missed out on being a victim of the authoritarian rule that grew, without check, in the once fertile soil of a formerly great ministry. In addition to leading Harvest, MacDonald acquired a massive evangelical following through his books, Bible studies, and Walk in the Word radio program, with more than a million fans on Facebook. Yet Jesus minces no words when He tells us we ARE to judge teachers by their *fruits* and expose evildoers (and leads by examplesee His very public chastisement of the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees in the Gospels). I havent seen the video but abuse of power at any level is sickening!! Ive always appreciated your candor and honesty, and I think the Lord has gifted you with a strong sense of discernment. Each weekend, services include live, vertical-focused worship. (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) Witnesses say MacDonald was angry that the photo was still on display. Were you bullied by those elders named? I dont know you personally but appreciate all you continue to teach me and countless others. Churches Still Depend on Clergy Housing Allowance, No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival. Pray for the church and the people! As Pastor James has said in the past, truth and time go hand-in-hand. No wonder Harvest dropped the suit. In the clips, the person who sounds like MacDonald talks about a plot to plant child pornography on Christianity Today CEO Harold Smiths computer. 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. Yet a week ago I posted on FB an invitation to open my house to anyone who needed to talk about their pain as it related to what was happening at Harvest. I also dont know why it took me five years to leave, but now Ive been at a true Bible preaching, Jesus exulting church, not too far from the RM campus. 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. Biblical: submission to the Word in My Dream Church will be at a higher level While Harvest the pastor there for years had some good preaching. I love this idea! Lina, The first one is in the magazine Relevant and looks at the allegations of Anne Green being inappropriately touched by James MacDonald. You take feed back to heart and you use it as growth points. Fear is dead life a remnant of Satan. I pray that no stench of fear be found in any space occupied by Christs love. I had a bad experience at the Chapel myself. My precious, from a far, friend who I have watched since your first speaking engagement at Harvest. Thank you. Truth is truth. There are dozens if not hundreds of witnesses against many Elders at Harvest all saying the same thing. Congratulations on your freedom, Lina! 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. Please avoid these former Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. James MacDonald (born October 4, 1960) is a Canadian-born evangelical Christian pastor, television evangelist, and author. The preacher has no support system to fall back on but must find a new church before the new hireling moves in. Thank you for your courage and for responding. 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. It helps to be able to talk about it instead of feeling like you have to hide it, or just deal with it. Thank you for this post. Too many of these large churches have lost track of what their true purpose is. He clearly told me that they send out reminders to give. It is a biblical teaching that unrepentant public sin in a public representative of God ((ie, pastors and elders) must be publicly rebuked for the sake of the church as a whole. According to Harvest, their agreement resolves all claims and issues and releases them from future legal matters over the arbitration terms. I will be praying for you. I pray your steps continue to be guided by our Lord! This past Sunday, Harvests elders and remaining pastors were in serious damage control mode. Until then, you are still a wolf in sheeps clothing. Ross, Ross, I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. No shame here for Lina. You personify a strong, fast talking, intelligent woman, which is a gift by way of your heritage. I have found that churches built through a single persons vision are dangerous. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. How dare you question her about why? Why? 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. Churches should switch to a different model that is biblically aligned. The problem definitely doesnt end with James. 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. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. She did a awesome job as the judgment of God has come to his house. Worship With Us. That is who God truly cares about. 1 Timothy 5:20 She is not trying to kick him while he is down. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. You too felt you had to leave Harvest and what was your point of conviction on having to leave the Church ,that we all sacrificed so much for! Such lack of accountability is often a problem at megachurches, which tend to be founded by charismatic individuals who quickly amass a large following. Nellie-What you might not know. 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