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. I am so glad Lina has spoken up. This did not happen to James, he did this, by sinning repeatedly. However why now? and pro football. God is purifying His Church. This decision was made with heavy hearts and much time spent in earnest prayer, followed by input from various trusted outside advisors.. Looking back over my life I see how all things have led to today. I also assumed that because of the size of Harvest, those closest to you would reach out. Many were kicked out and shown the door. How long will we wait to begin the healing process within ourselves and between each other? And I wont stand in the way of Christs work. I am aware that there has been some very good ministry done through this church. Do systems of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper? 34You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. And you will not lose true friends and sisters in Christ. A Florida Lawyer Argues That a Pregnant Inmates Unborn Child Is Being Illegally Detained, Experts Predict the Ozone Layer Will Fully Heal Within 40 Years, The Biblical Reasons for Going Low Waste, The Spiritual Toll of Americas Food Waste Epidemic, The Buffalo Supermarket Shooter Has Been Sentenced to Life in Prison. Lina did try to have a conversation with the Elders before she left Harvest. You also restrained and could have said much more and didnt. I grew up catholic and vever really got a hold of it all. It never dawned on me that no one from HBC would reach out. I also trust that you did seek wisdom from the Lord on what and how to speak into this. 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. She has a right to expose. 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, He clearly told me that they send out reminders to give. May the God of all comfort minister his comfort to them. God has said that those who are give much is required. Because it is time for this cult to be exposed and she is telling her story. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. For years, I kept believing the deception fed to the congregation by the elders. Nicole, I am sorry if you are offended. May Our Lord guide all of us and May His will be done above all else. Unreal as I went to Harvest for over 7 yrs and this whole situation has hurt so many people. All why surrounding himself w/yes men. Lina isnt hanging Harvest Bible Chapel. While I am heartened that the elders finally removed MacDonald, he should have been fired five years ago. Dont talk to them, or theyll drag you down too. Todays Christians are weak and show Satan how powerful he is when their own Church is faced with trouble. The Elephant's . As painful as it is, all that has been hidden must be revealed. I have only read the first few paragraphs of your post and needed to stop there to send this reply. The public scrutiny continued with pushback against MacDonalds decision to preach at a Harvest affiliate in Florida during his sabbatical. These churches do not usually belong to any denominational body; this means that these pastors have no body above them that they are accountable to. No unfortunately I have not seen your web page. They all need to be excised ( fired ), along with number one enabler extraordinaire of James, Rick Donald, along with the MacDonald boys, along with every single campus pastor and the other pastors, and throw in the worship leaders ( they are all complicit ), then the cancer would have been completely removed and the body ( the good people of Harvest that are being fleeced ) would have a chance to heal and become part of a true biblical church. You are a blessing to many in need. Our full Sunday service will be streamed here every week beginning at 9:30am, and will be available throughout the following week. Once a preacher condemns other, that is the sign that he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing. 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. When I started Bible studies Harvest I was given a booklet and videos on everything bad about the Catholic Church. From elders (Dave Corning, Jon Gaus, The Elephant Debt etc) to nobodies one by one we were all ignored and in many cases bullied. Im disappointed in your timing. Im so sorry, and Im sorry for the comments here that are going to be painful for you. Thank you for sharing your story and for doing so in the right spirit. Im very certain you do not understand narcissists and how manipulative they are I recommend Dr. Ramani on YouTube as she is a great resource to gain understanding but the only chance to fight their evil is to bring it out into the light, expose them for what they truly are. Put faith in Gods justice and judgement upon all, now that sin has been exposed. These same elders that all of a sudden had the courage to fire James, ( which I think is a scam, this was orchestrated )are the same elders that approved that stupid video with those four scum bag elders excommunicating other elders! Brave. She was obedient to Christ. What does the Bible say about debt? A final incident in Roys article involves MacDonald publicly berating HCA students, an incident witnessed by Harvest videographer Luke Helmer. Theyre gone. I believe you spoke up now to show how far reaching the powerful words and actions of those in authority goes. However, James is not the same person he was when he began that church and if he was to continue leading it, he would hurt countless others. And your part of the problem. A former Harvest staffer was also reported to police last fall after being accused of embezzling $270,000 from the church. Its so very difficult but This is Gods battle and I only need to be obedient not the fixer. Jesus taught eternal love. The question is with independent churches who did they answer to? I too visited Harvest. It doesnt mean anything.. The ungodly jockying for power and control is still an issue in all our churches. Leaving spiritual abuse is okay, you cant be expected to change it while youre in the midst of it. I always wondered why you left but after reading The Elephants Debt I figured I knew why. MacDonald is not being kicked while hes down. That is why I really rally for our black preacher and pastors like Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ ! see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. 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. I have had similar experiences at The Chapel . Its where I was led to Christ. Their letter covered MacDonalds self-promotionlove of moneydomineering and bullying abusive speech[and] outbursts of anger.. Nice to hear from you again! God is good and He will use those who make themselves available to Him. The leader of that church, John Secrest, was blindsided by the news and asked Harvest elders to reconsider allowing MacDonald to preach there. Come together at part of the body of Christ called Harvest Bible Chapel and pray that Gods will not ours be done. It IS her truth Somehow I thought 2500+ members walking out would send the message. It was love at first sight!! Lina, My wife and I also left our church several years ago. Witnesses say MacDonald was angry that the photo was still on display. 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. Fear that your leaving would damage those you ministered to. Pray for those still there trying to care for the confused and hurting hearts. Nellie, please dont be taken in by putting people on a pedestal (very sad.) I think God has not lifted the veil on a lot of eyes for some reason. I was asked what I would do if I were still on staff through the last 2 years. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. Structure: the structure of My Dream Church is based on the New Testament Body Of Christ I dont know you personally but appreciate all you continue to teach me and countless others. You take feed back to heart and you use it as growth points. It didnt. I believe Lina did do the best she could at the time. 2.) I appreciate your voice. A year later, MacDonald apologized for the harsh discipline taken against the three men, adding that Harvest had meaningfully and mutually reconciled with them. thanks, Harvest, an off-shoot of an eponymous megachurch in Illinois, was sued for. Leba and Sheila- Keep on being brave- it encourages me to do the same! 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. Dan was a part of this elder board with these 7 elders and he details only some of the fraud . Or were you saying they were bullied too. I just want you to know that what you did at HBC mattered, and your presence is greatly missed. My blog had indirectly undermined James. 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 . Harvest ousted Daniel Marquardt, Scott Phelps, and Barry Slabaugh in 2013 after they protested against . The reason there are spiritual Pol Pots that number in the thousands like our friend James McDonald is because men are happy to give themselves authority. Ross, Ross, Churches Still Depend on Clergy Housing Allowance, No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival. I speak as one who has gone thru it, like you. Harvest used that phrase to manipulate the congregation. I will be praying for you. 1.) Others had old wounds that had resurfaced and were hurting, having never felt closure to their stories, Abujamra, a Bible teacher and Moody Radio host, wrote on her blog. So great to see your support with your wise comment. (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) Thank God the early Christians stood firm and did not run away from troubles. I still had friends on the inside that I longed to remain friends with. 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. 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. We have now been without a fellowship for nearly a year (we are missionaries in Europe) because I do not want to join a happy clappy crowd who would not know the Word of God were it to bite them nor do I want to join a fellowship where the Word is extremely well known but there is no life, no joy. When is God pleased at his church? No one asked why I quit attending after 15 years. The recognizing date of the exempt status is April, 1972. Our cold hearts lack love that shows the world we are His. How about some GRACE !!! You have to leave before you can see clearly. 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. Still, even I knew when enough was enough. Its hard to step out alone but God always protects and brings darkness into the light to be seen. No matter what everyone else says, it does take courage to say something. The fruit by which JM is to be judged rather is that of his own true m.o. DeeperWalkInternational.org. I have multiple thoughts. Although, it definetly planted a seed for me. We repent, forgive and are reconciled; we do not get even, hold grudges, refuse to forgive, or destroy innocent bystanders caught in the wake of it all. 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. Find a church with great accountability. I pray to our Father who loves us all that His truth and reconciliation and peace, healing abounds in this circumstance. Nellie, Im sorry for your comment. I didnt want to be rebellious against authority. 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. 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. Count on it. SHERI PINE. Thank you and thank Lina. Mind you, I didnt simply walk out. I then called an elder who was a friend and someone I trusted. 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. Wake up this tragedy has been in the works a long time. 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. These things happen in small churches too. This is hardly a local issue in the Western church. Why? On January 16th, MacDonald took an indefinite sabbatical leave. blessings. Sign up for our newsletter: Addressing this following statement from you, By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. Biblical: submission to the Word in My Dream Church will be at a higher level But I hope the healing can begin, and I hope the abuse will stop.. Others had old wounds that had resurfaced and were hurting, having never felt closure to their stories, Abujamra, a Bible teacher and Moody Radio host, wrote on herblog. He claimed he would never return to Willow until things had changed and the time was right. 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? Persecution is supposed to come from the world with the devil behind it, as Jesus said. Dull other times. Linas post is still available on other mediums, I imagine if she wanted to link it she would have. Did you know that Satan and his minions come to Harvest? My response, Why? What blessings are flowing at Harvest for those who stand firm! I have never attended Harvest. P.S. As a nation, something painful will bring us back. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. The Lord has used you mightily before, during and after your exit from the toxic leadership at Harvest. I have wondered if Harvest Bible Chapel (the organization) is worth the cost its taken to try and save it? In the past we were to study pulpit curriculum and bible vocabulary. Free of James fear. In 2013, in a story covered bymajor evangelical news outlets, Harvest publicly excommunicated two former elders who were still members of Harvest. Ill let the others fight that fight today. The Pastor started teaching on obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc. Churches should switch to a different model that is biblically aligned. He just got into the worlds standards for a preacher. The caller alleged (in vulgar terms) that Roys, the reporter, was having an affair with Christianity Todayseditor-in-chief Mark Galli, andmade a comment about bringing down former Christianity Today CEO down by remotely uploading child pornography onto his computers. This should not be! He is very likely not a brother in Christ. I will be praying for you , too, Lina. Im praying for you. For our premium ad-free experience, including exclusive podcasts, issues and more, subscribe to. She put words to my feelings and I am truly blessed by them. It was your Study that helped me be obedient to God. ! 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. I am sure that was very hard for her to share . Others lied to me directly for selfish gain. 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. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. 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. Does It Matter Where Your Clothes Come From? Long story short he kicked my husband and I out of the church. On January 8th, after learning that anything obtained through subpoenas related to the lawsuit could be made public, however, Harvest Bible Chapel dropped the lawsuit. I will pray for healing in the hearts and lives of those affected by this tragedy. @Donna Is it possible that it is God Himself who is exposing these misdeeds? Yes, there are a lot of hurting people at Harvest. God bless. How dare you question her about why? Why? Romans 16: 17-20. I keep coming back to this part and I identify so much with this part. For me, I live with the regret of not taking advantage of the opportunity to come over and get to know you. Thank you Lina, for opening the door of your life so that we can understand your experience. Now he is disillusioned and wants to go back to Catholicism. I do know that my faith will not be shaken. Lina, Thank you for opening up your home so that hurting people could come together and share. 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. This woman sounds sincere. You must not feel sorry for James. Harvest will also reimburse MacDonald another quarter-million dollars related to selling his former home and transfer compensation related to his retirement benefits. We talked with two deacons and the assistant pastor. Its true, Anonymous, we have no right to predict the eternal destiny of even the worst of sinners, for God longs to show mercy and grant repentance to all. This cancer must be excised and as often as is the case in cancer treatment, months of treatment must be involved for health to take place. (Matthew 12:33-37). Sitting in the pews, I could not see how deep the cancer was at HBC. How are you so sure she didnt pray about this? While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. This post drips of mercy. Thank you, Lord, for Ephesians 6:13: Yet their silence hurt me and sometimes made me question the validity of my reasons for leaving. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. Will this tattoo be their mark of shame? You did the right thing and I believe more will step up not to dishonor James, but noticing how much the church has changed. Thank you for the courage and humility it takes to write a post like this. There are questions the leadership at every such megachurch should be asking. Truth is truth. We are conditioned to believe that leaving silently is whats best for the church and in some cases thats true. 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. Mike Winger Discusses When God Hardened Pharaohs Heart, Tennessee Church Showcases Tyre Nichols Photography, Louisiana Pastor Sentenced to 5 Years in Money Laundering Case Involving Nearly $900K in Stolen Funds, Steven Curtis Chapman First Contemporary Christian Artist To Earn 50th No. Constantly made to feel stupid, the youth had had enough so the mom called a meeting with the pastor. The web page has a Contact button on the bottom and we can email. Study-7:00 PM. Is this an informed opinion? What should we be planning for, praying for, and what did Jesus teach about? In our case we have been pulled away from our church as well because of how we have been treated for our daughters actions. The kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to death. Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the Scriptures instruct us to do. I dont understand how anyone could watch that video and not immediately know that something was very, very wrong. 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.. Thank you for your vulnerability. I grew up in the Church of Christ. 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. 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. Pray for those of us who donate 10 percent of our income and would like to know where the money really goes. Leak of highly inappropriate comments by founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch caps months-long clash with critics. Sign up to get our top five trending stories delivered every weekday! They helped to create this culture of fear. Hi Hurting in Davenport, I didnt know you personally, but was a part of and benefited from the many programs that you offered through womens ministry. Her first year at college and her first visit to Harvest RM. Sheri coordinates data collection and assists with day-to-day office administration for the church staff. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. That, it seems, was what it took to finally break his hold over his current elder board; to finally convince the elders that they were wrong to keep listening to his excuses. Why not start a different type of church that is not pastor directed? It is a cry to the current leadership, to evangelicalism at large that there are some very serious problems that need to be dealt with. Before the article was even printed, Harvest sued Roys, plus two bloggers whove been critical about problems at Harvest. There is no question in my mind that what I did see and experience increasingly at Harvest was a culture that functioned and was sustained by fear and the desire to please James at any cost. The fallout has only just begun. Data Coordination. I hadnt realized that James had gotten a tattoo that week. Whatever is wrong in Gods eyes He will bring someone to reveal it. If you know anything about abusive relationshipsHBC is in the honeymoon phase right now.look it up!! My father went through prostate cancer. At this point, Im not sure what else your thread can accomplish. Driscoll, now MacDonald. Thank you for your honestly, I personally did not ask why you left, because we left approximately the same time for the same reasons. "Following a lengthy season of review, reflection, and prayerful. Thank you again, Thank you for your honest post. These are the same elders who signed the letter of unconditional support for James, and then they fire him? Fear is never a godly way of governing. Your realness. Torn between right and wrong. I remember when I saw the tattoo that James got and I remembered the line from The Davinci Code about the Chevron symbol. Gods timing is always perfect. Dont damage the church by being publicly critical. Less well known was that these individuals agreed to leave Harvest aloneto stop publicly criticizing the churchin exchange for a promise that the current elder board would enact changes. He wants a huge army of women indwelled with the Holy Spirit to point people to Christ. The Right's New Lie: The Left Gave Us Toxic Masculinity, The Harvest Bible Chapel Scandal in a Nutshell (And Why You Should Care). Will those men now be known for their mark as sinful followers of James? We attended Elgin from 2005 through 2008. He stomped his questioners. I was mortified. God bless you. Amy. All of it. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. This journey has taken me several years. During Sunday services, Harvest showed a videoof members of the current elder board explaining why the church was placing the two former elders under church discipline: Church matters are not to be tried in the court of public opinion. I agree here. I thank you for your willingness to risk being misunderstood while offering your experience to help reduce the shame of others, who need a hand to hold, as they work through their own healing. In the early 2000s, Harvest embarked on an ambitious expansion plan, aiming to form "10 churches in 10 years." Since then the church has opened locations in Elgin, Highland Park, Niles, Crystal. As Pastor James has said in the past, truth and time go hand-in-hand. 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.. With so much gaslighting going on and public take-downs of those who would speak truth to power, and your investment in the church industrial complex, I can imagine how difficult it wouldve been to speak out publicly at the time of your leaving. Others had old wounds that had resurfaced and were hurting, having never felt closure to their stories. In October, the church reported its chief information officer to police for suspected embezzlement. 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