superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. Nice to hear from you again! I didnt want to upset James. Good for you and speaking up. God help those who cant see their need to be set free or judge those whove found it in Christ Jesus. Worship With Us. for less than $4.25/month. What are you authorized to do? To heal enough to communicate and receiving shaming comments like yours. Thats what happens to us as individuals and us as a collection of people. My first two books were scheduled to be released smack in the middle of that summer, and I didnt want to impact their potential not to mention that James had agreed to write the forward on my first book.. God the Holy Spirit wanted Lina to speak more specifically at this time; and she did. I pray shes wrong. Walked out of that service. Because it is time for this cult to be exposed and she is telling her story. I am now going to read the rest of your post. I wondered where God was in the narrative. Others have asked, but immediately defend the senior pastor and church. Thank You for writing your blog. - October 16, 2020 The protracted dispute between Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) recently concluded through arbitration. And it wasnt just some random bloggers saying these things, either. A new believer has lost faith because of the shameful behavior of HBC leadership and all you can say is question the new believers truthfulness of his account? The timing of this article makes you less credible. Nothing will change at Harvest if the cancer of fear is not exposed . Thank God the early Christians stood firm and did not run away from troubles. I grew up in the Church of Christ. Your time at Harvest made a huge impact to my small group and strengthened my faith in Christ . Did you see the link to my web page. Thank you for being honest and speaking truth. Fear is why leaders did not speak up until now. It is so sad when the devil works to cause problems in a church. The issue here is not TIMING or kicking someone when theyre down its about exposing ungodly, cowardly behavior and making people aware of its existence. Because TRANSPARENCY is neededand now ahe may be starting to feel safe. Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. Do you realize the elders are already choosing to step down? Nancy You sound like you still attend thereand you seem double minded. There were other things that caused us to leave also. 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. Thank you Yahweh. Love my bible sisters. Unhappy to see you did not make the approved list. 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. I think that was beautifully stated. Hello: 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. While regret cant look back, we now live in a different era than we did four years ago. Others wised up and slowly left. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. Thank you, Lina. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, I would love to chat and learn more of what you are doing. I was there when Ted launched. This Is a Revival Season Sean Feucht Announces 7 Days of Prayer on Capitol Hill, The Chosen, Candace Cameron Bure, Dolly Parton Win at This Years Movieguide Awards, Christian High School Girls Basketball Team Forfeits Tourney Spot Due to Trans Opponent, Tickets for SatanCon 2023, The Largest Satanic Gathering in History, Sell Out. How are you so sure she didnt pray about this? The next day, Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger. The pastor later admitted being too intense in the classroom that day. In effect, the senior pastor isthe church. That is why I really rally for our black preacher and pastors like Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ ! 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. It may not be warm and fuzzy but speaking truth, especially when compelled by the Spirit, is never wrong. I never understood why they saw him the way they do. He told me that I would be cursed for questioning his authority and God would punish me. We need to trust Him. It was not supposed to be that way. I have or attend 3 or more small groups a week now and feel alive. The flock are the casualties in all of this. My heart breaks for the ones who will walk away from church and walk away from God. I have multiple thoughts. I should have walked out but, I too, was afraid. 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 beloved drink is both an attraction and a generational divide. Harvest, which Roys says is $42 million in debt, is suing the Evangelical Christian Credit Union for not refinancing five of its mortgages. My last complaint. You do not know if she fasted or not, nor do you know if the Lord Himself brought her to this revelation. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. Ezekiel 22:27 Oh Kristy, Thank you so much for expressing exactly what I am feelingsuch sorrow, such heartbreaking sorrow. Life goes on people repent and grace is for everyone. Read the Old Testament. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. After leaving Harvest no one from the church reached out to me to see how I was doing, to ask why I left. Thoughts from a person looking in. James has all the characteristics of a false teacher. Id encourage you to read the prophets again, and ask, what upsets the heart of God? And then maybe its time to ask whether those things should upset you as well. 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. You are absolutely right about the fear! DeeperWalkInternational.org. Maybe people could handle hearing it better now than then. 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). There the preacher has no real power at all. As were you, we were grieving and had to pray for help finding that new church. She put words to my feelings and I am truly blessed by them. Humility, repentance, confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy, love, compassion, healing, serious prayer and so much more for and by everyone should be given top priorities on our agendas soon if not now. 34You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? Whatever is wrong in Gods eyes He will bring someone to reveal it. 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. And for those that have not witnessed spiritual abuse, or worse yet experienced it personally, but are now hearing about it, this is your opportunity to ramp up your prayers for the Bride of Christ. and pro football. The Elephants Debt, which had posted criticism of MacDonald, including stories by former Harvest members, elders, pastors, and staff, throughout 2012 and 2013, went on a posting hiatus at around this time. Doesnt matter how long ago it happened either. He lists grievances against Harvest including a false narrative in financial matters, a hostile takeover, shunning our family, the wrongful seizure of the ministry assets returned to him in the recent arbitration, and a vicious but unsuccessful strategy to end our ministry permanently.. It, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering. 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. I was mortified. Lina did try to have a conversation with the Elders before she left Harvest. I was recovering from the deep wounds and hurts from when we left when this all came rushing back in and opening old wounds. 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. Persecution or hardship drew them close. Besides, pastors charismatic enough to gain large followings frequently have the ability to effectively deflect criticism and keep their elder board firmly on their side. Pastor James MacDonald of the Chicago-based seven-multicampus Harvest Bible Church, issued an apology statement on Sunday saying that the board of the megachurch unanimously agreed to lift a discipline ban from three excommunicated elders. This is also why as a follower of Christ it is so important to know and learn Gods word so you see when something isnt right. We are to find our faith and hope in the Message, not the messenger. Praise and Worship is congregational: When I left my job I stayed at HBC for about another year before leaving entirely. Thank you Lina, *For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. A woman who is full of fun loving life. Such lack of accountability is often a problem at megachurches, which tend to be founded by charismatic individuals who quickly amass a large following. Precept Inductive Bible Study for Women. What would Jesus do? 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.. Lean should read it and reply in kind. Instead, they have chosen to remain on the elder board and continue with the deep-seeded corruption and fraud that has plagued Harvest Bible Chapel for many years. I knew he wasnt perfect, but then, neither was I, I reasoned. I choose to stay through this pain because, for me, leaving would create a wound that would never really heal. 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. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Its Not About Winning Football Games. I will not address any party affiliation. You have every right to speak up; and I respect you for doing so. 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. In 2013, in a story covered bymajor evangelical news outlets, Harvest publicly excommunicated two former elders who were still members of Harvest. Listen, believe, obey, shut up. Were you bullied by those elders named? Please avoid these former Harvest elders at all cost, lest you incur great detriment to your own soul. Thanks Sheila. Like the unsaved around us we fight for positions of prestige to lord it over one another. It took months to get over the hurt he caused my husband and I. Pastor James made it political when he compared the era of President Trump to the era of Stalin the era of Hitler. Thank you Lina, So many of his followers would still want him as a preacher. and stay glued to founded and genuine monetary purchase services. Many were kicked out and shown the door. The Right's New Lie: The Left Gave Us Toxic Masculinity, The Harvest Bible Chapel Scandal in a Nutshell (And Why You Should Care). Torn between right and wrong. you felt through James harvest mentality, you would be rebellious against authority if you stood up (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) As questions about how Harvest Bible Fellowship money was used ballooned, the pressure mounted. Lina, thank you for your post, and thank you for your honesty and transparency. 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. He ultimately requested that Harvest Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch. Thank you for your honestly, I personally did not ask why you left, because we left approximately the same time for the same reasons. I pray your steps continue to be guided by our Lord! Well said Lina. 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