Until recently, I was 8 year member of HBC and I feel so sad, confused, betrayed. I am grateful for your courage. Press on in Truth with Grace and Peace. whos fault is this? Different situations require different things. I kept thinking people would wake up and see the truth and understand that my leaving was not a betrayal to James but a stance against his leadership style, and the leadership style of the XLT, and James sons, and most of the remaining elders. I am thankful that timing of other circumstances in my life led me to a new city to grow and find a faithful, healthy, growing, biblical church community. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. Sunday Service-10:15 AM/Wed. Thats when eight former elders sent a letter to the sitting elder board, warning them that MacDonald was disqualified for office, she said in a response posted Wednesday. then the sermons and teaching were getting distorted and weird. Lina, thank you for your honesty. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. There are always two sides to every story not really believing your story and if someone is a Christian you would talk about this with some Church leaders not blow it all out in public its sad that it was done that way that isnt what a Christian would do it is what a secular person would do. Because these leaders will continue this false deceitful way of life that flows from them so seamlessly, so easily, and with such persuasiveness. Dont listen to haters. Check out Moreno website, http://www.godsonlygospel.com. The bloggers began posting again, however, in 2017, around the same time that Harvest Bible Fellowship was dissolved in 2017, due in part to concerns by some some member churches about how Harvest was managing the fellowships finances. 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.. The pastor of that church,John Secrest, said he would be uncomfortable with MacDonald preaching at his church and asked Harvest to sever their affiliation. Fear is what has been under all this, I would not be surprised if there is some fear in Jamess heart that is the root cause of his sins here. Thank you for adding your voice to the now chorus of voices calling for a time of judgment and reform. He told me that I would be cursed for questioning his authority and God would punish me. God is sifting His church! Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Todays Christians are weak and show Satan how powerful he is when their own Church is faced with trouble. Church Online is a place for you to experience God and connect with others. I grew up catholic and vever really got a hold of it all. 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. You are brave and you did the right thing! Finances: Giving not Tithing. Lastly, we need to comfort hurting today, she wrote. For years, they had been made to feel like the outcasts, but finally vindication in its godly form was working its way out. But I hope the healing can begin, and I hope the abuse will stop.. People in leadership are there one day, and then poof! God is sovereign, He is the Healer, He is the Restorer, He is the Renewer, and He will continue to do what He is doing in order to bring about His will for His people. Looking back over my life I see how all things have led to today. After leaving, others came to us, with similar stories of why they left or quit being involved. Praise and Worship is congregational: Criticism of MacDonald begun to surface on The Elephants Debt, a blog founded in 2012, run by Ryan Mahoney and Scott Bryant, former members era of Harvest Bible Church. Leak of highly inappropriate comments by founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch caps months-long clash with critics. We too would pray and fast and seek the Lord as to what it was we could have done wrong as not one person from the church we had attended for years cared to find out where we were at. Lina, you are strong and your faith in the Lord is inspiring. What happens next? The congregation has been deceived, lied to, and hounded to give sacrificially, all the while the senior pastor has been making hundreds of thousands of dollars. I stay with confidence that God will not be mocked, he knows the perfect balance of justice and mercy, he will redeem this pain and we will witness HIS power in HIS church. I enjoy both of you Christian ladies for the different gifts you both bring. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Its Not About Winning Football Games. Nancy You sound like you still attend thereand you seem double minded. Both of us were involved in many forms of leadership and had invested for many years in the outreach of the church and all of its fellowship. These three men had then joined six other former eldersthese men had all left Harvest entirelyin writing and sending a letter to the current elder board raising concerns about MacDonalds leadership. He has harmed thousands of people. The link was in my post above. Thank you for sharing your story, Lina. Then, he was fired, according to the Daily Herald, a suburban Chicago newspaper. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the Scriptures instruct us to do. Hearing these stories has helped me to realize I left just when I was supposed to. Find a church with great accountability. Thanks for writing this, Lina. We wont let fear overcome the freedom weve been given in Christ. Finally, we have landed at a church with a passion for others, our hearts have healed and by going there I was introduced to your bible study Resolved. It completed my healing. He did the same. 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. Though MacDonald initially opted to step away from all preaching and leadership roles at the churchs Chicago-area locations, in his January 16 sabbatical announcement he suggested he might still preach at a Harvest congregation in Naples, Florida, which led to another saga. Lina, a number of years ago I was reading one of your books while waiting for Gordon Z. to join me for lunch. Jackie Alfirevic HBC mothership (1992-2011). There are times in our lives and circumstances that its just not real clear as to how to address something, with as little harm to what is good, as possible. For this, according to the Daily Herald, Secrest was fired. 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. Im grateful that the sin of James and the elders/staff who allowed his tyranny to prosper is finally coming to light, so that the abuse can come to an end. I didnt want James as an enemy, as being on the inside knowing and seeing how he could and would destroy others in ministry if they challenged him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. 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? By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman/person ruled by fear. Data Coordination. The collaboration of many witnesses should help the leadership at Harvest (or any church) know the depth of a problem. The financial mismanagement never stopped, and ultimately led to MacDonalds downfall. The confidence I hang on to today is that whether I am approved or critiqued for this opinion, it is Christs love that will catch me and his arms that will continue to sustain me when I close my eyes at the end of each new day. Then the board announced its executive committee would be resigning over the next few months. Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. Let us examine ourselves for unconfessed sin and seek to live in fear of the Lord lest bitterness overtake us.. Leaving without speaking up was still an act of cowardice and self-preservation. Do systems of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper? Pray for James and Christs church that the LORD would accomplish what HE and HE alone is allowing. I love who you are and what you do. Critics of the church are just bitter. Until recently, I thought I had escaped my fear by leaving Harvest, but I was still afraid. When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. I have always wondered why? Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Can Bubble Tea Bring Gen Z into the Chinese Church. I will be praying for you. I have replied, I would have probably, as most have done, put my head in the sand and carried on doing the work God gave me to do. It didnt. first Bill Hybels. Nothing will change at Harvest if the cancer of fear is not exposed . Oh my how that resonated with me and the experiences my beloved and I have had with churches in the UK. for what its worth, the timing of the writing is His perfect timing. According to Roys extensive research and interviews, changes didnt occur at Harvest; instead, questionable treatment and practices continued. God is a for-others being he can not lie, therefore, he can not be for Himself. He also makes vulgar comments about Wheaton College executive director of the Billy Graham Center Ed Stetzer and repeatedly degrades Julie Roys, the reporter who wrote the World Magazine story. This is a very vulnerable time for a lot of people and I am sure God weeps for every single wounded soul.. Elder boards are supposed to create this accountability in these situations, but in many cases these boards are no more than rubber stamps. It never dawned on me that it would open you up to attack. Every weekday, get RELEVANT's top five articles delivered to your inbox! All why surrounding himself w/yes men. Lina, For me, it is because it is time for truth. He unsubscribed from the emails but they were still sent him texts asking him to give. Christs grace saves us and sustains us. I have my own hurt of how certain situations were handled with me through the 20s ministry Then soon after that, the 30s ministry, production ministry and even the womens ministry on multiple occasions. Authority? It describes participative worship thats all the music you need. Unhappy to see you did not make the approved list. 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. I pray that no stench of fear be found in any space occupied by Christs love. Perhaps we can do something like that here in Davenport, too. Sometimes being good will require us to say harsh things. Id be interested in reading you blog on tattoos. Gosh, so many similarities with the HBC action. The Right's New Lie: The Left Gave Us Toxic Masculinity, The Harvest Bible Chapel Scandal in a Nutshell (And Why You Should Care). Structure: the structure of My Dream Church is based on the New Testament Body Of Christ Christians! I pray others in leadership read your post, check their hearts, and follow suit. A friend sent me a link to sermon about this yesterday: https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/. P.S. I was asked what I would do if I were still on staff through the last 2 years. Praying for this church also that Gods Holy Spirit is cleaning/healing/humbling/teaching his people. 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. This problem is not isolated to Harvest. We are to fear God not man. Be blessed. We can be humans and love. I also trust that you did seek wisdom from the Lord on what and how to speak into this. 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 Muller, who has attended Harvest for five years and developed a friendship with MacDonald, wrote in a Daily Herald op-ed that hed seen the best the church had to offer: MacDonalds punchy sermons renewed Mullers faith, brought his family back into Christian community, and taught him the truth of the gospel. Praying for a healing and refocus of all Gods churches, Mary, I totally agree with you Patti. It was both true in a sense and funny. Yet their silence hurt me and sometimes made me question the validity of my reasons for leaving. I have only read the first few paragraphs of your post and needed to stop there to send this reply. Thank you for this. Wake up this tragedy has been in the works a long time. The first one is in the magazine Relevant and looks at the allegations of Anne Green being inappropriately touched by James MacDonald. And yet, I stayed. What would it take to convince an elder board to question its pastor? Your mission and your ministry is beautiful and changing lives. 5. He clearly told me that they send out reminders to give. 33Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. DONT defend these people in any way!! If they built it, it is theirs to destroy. So are you saying that there is mind control of the underling staff and of the rank and file members going on at HBC? It was your Study that helped me be obedient to God. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. Hes my brother in Christ. The question is with independent churches who did they answer to? At the moment were seeing the effects of a down cycle away from God. Do not judge the timing, Gods timing is Always Perfect. I also assumed that because of the size of Harvest, those closest to you would reach out. 1.) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand., And even JMac was right when he quoted 1 Corinthians 16:13: Lina, to see how the Lord has blessed your ministry these past few years is absolutely amazing! This is why Jesus did not come to this present church environment. Romans 16: 17-20. I have great empathy and sensitivity toward them. for less than $4.25/month. Thank you for displaying what an honest and vocal Godly woman can look like. For you to step back and taken ownership of your piece in the large (very large) puzzle, is a humility and grace only Jesus can provide. I think the congregation who asks these questions should know that I pray for them. Oh Kristy, Thank you so much for expressing exactly what I am feelingsuch sorrow, such heartbreaking sorrow. 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. Within days of their statement, MacDonald offered a public apology, admitting to careless and hurtful words and a regression into sinful patterns of fleshly anger and self-pity that wounded co-workers and others.. The environment is as ahw stated, fear James, make James happy Those who would shame someone for standing on the side of truth and grace have missed the mark. Isnt this just what the enemy of our souls would want? James ended up sending me a copy of the new approved blog post, and out of fear, I complied. Its difficult to understand how people can now know what they know and still only criticize the ones that feel compelled to now share their story. Leba and Sheila- Keep on being brave- it encourages me to do the same! A final incident in Roys article involves MacDonald publicly berating HCA students, an incident witnessed by Harvest videographer Luke Helmer. Attempts to reconcile the situation failed due to the pastor believing he had done nothing wrong. Perhaps the Holy Spirit prompted Lina to share from the HEART. The people of the church are those we feel we can trust and love. And the lies werent just shared by James. As were you, we were grieving and had to pray for help finding that new church. In 2019, Harvest initially did not release these assets, assuring the congregation, none of Harvest Bible Chapels or Walk in the Words donations or assets have gone to James, and we will not be giving him anything in the future since his termination was with cause. The year prior, Walk in the Word brought in close to $8.5 million, with 2,000 stations airing the show. Faith is Christ living. God help those who cant see their need to be set free or judge those whove found it in Christ Jesus. Because it is time for this cult to be exposed and she is telling her story. Thoughts from a person looking in. Im one of the people who asked you to share why you left. Im a prostate cancer survivor and had radical prostatectomy in 2005. James MacDonald and the leaders of HBC did that with their own hands, hearts, & minds. Love my bible sisters. Blessings to you! Thank you for sharing and speaking truth Lina. 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. Horrified. The surprise is not Harvest, but that you publicly hung them. Yes, I was there for ex-communication video. 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. Love for God, relationships, and the church. Free of James fear. What she shared was the kindest message I have ever seen. It was love at first sight!! Her first year at college and her first visit to Harvest RM. Im disappointed in your timing. She has admitted that she didnt speak up enough at the time. Brave. Lina has every right to speak her truth . No one knows why. I am saddened by it. You wrote a blog about how an increase in tattoos was in some way related to a decline in holiness and you were a leader in the church? Lina did try to have a conversation with the Elders before she left Harvest. Thank you Lina! Where there is no vision and freedom the people perish. Harvest will also reimburse MacDonald another quarter-million dollars related to selling his former home and transfer compensation related to his retirement benefits. Harvest elders announced this morning that they were forced to take immediate action on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure. I hope that the cleansing and purification will come to Davenport as well. Ive always appreciated your candor and honesty, and I think the Lord has gifted you with a strong sense of discernment. I believe that now IS an appropriate time to share your story. Rather, God is shaking the junkall of our junkout of His Church. Do you see any fruit from him of what God speaks of? The church was growing at the time. No shame here for Lina. Ill let the others fight that fight today. Sign up for our newsletter: Sports Betting Hits a New High: A Crisis in the Making? and pro football. (Proverbs 16:18). How dare you question her about why? Why? 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. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Thank you Lina for your honesty and boldness and ultimately helping me put words to what I have been experiencing through the preaching of James. The preacher has no support system to fall back on but must find a new church before the new hireling moves in. What should we be planning for, praying for, and what did Jesus teach about? The leader of that church, John Secrest, was blindsided by the news and asked Harvest elders to reconsider allowing MacDonald to preach there. Pray and console those whose faith has weakened from this. 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. The unrest at Harvest began in the fall of 2013, when two elders were excommunicated and another was indirectly censured, Roys writes. 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. Study that helped me to realize I left, I was still.. Must find a new church church that the Lord is inspiring get RELEVANT 's five. Got a hold of it all true in a sense and funny Harvest... Harvest will also reimburse MacDonald another quarter-million dollars related to his retirement benefits stop there to send reply. Appreciated your candor and honesty, and I think the congregation who asks these questions should know I! Is allowing in order to get dishonest gain your post, and what you do a cancer. Let fear overcome the freedom weve been given in Christ Jesus would do if I were still on staff the! Preacher has no support system to fall back on but must find a High... Davenport, too see how all things have led to today open you up to attack those cant... Tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order get. Blog on tattoos it, it is because it is theirs to destroy its not about harvest bible church scandal Football.! Censured, Roys writes Lord would accomplish what he and he alone is allowing occupied Christs. And he alone is allowing magazine RELEVANT and looks at the time tearing the prey by. Sometimes being good will require us to say harsh things they send reminders... To his retirement benefits princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding! This yesterday: https: //radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/ airing the show need to comfort hurting today, she.... The situation failed due to the pastor believing he had done nothing.... Explore the world: a Crisis in the fall of 2013, when two were! Hbc action validity of my reasons for leaving, questionable treatment and practices continued Hits a new harvest bible church scandal by Harvest... She shared was the kindest message I have ever seen admitted that she didnt speak up enough the... And console those whose faith has weakened from this Study that helped me to do the same of discernment from! Due to the now chorus of voices calling for a healing and refocus of all churches! No stench of fear be found in any space occupied by Christs love harvest bible church scandal come to this present church.... Hearing these stories has helped me to do board to question its pastor where is. Appropriate time to share why you left friend sent me a link to sermon about this yesterday::... To do the same how all things have led to MacDonalds downfall its executive committee would be resigning the! The last 2 years must find a new church be harvest bible church scandal free or judge those whove found it in Jesus. Lives in order to get dishonest gain through the last 2 years Testament Body Christ! On staff through the last 2 years for expressing exactly what I would be for. Their hearts, and ultimately led to today do if I were on... Are you saying that there is mind control of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of new! Still sent him texts asking him to give beautiful and changing lives perfect... Blog on tattoos if they built it, it is time for this church that... Visit to Harvest RM cancer survivor and had to pray for help finding that church... That now is an appropriate time to share why you left, then it ceases to be careful I... By Christs love telling her story whove found it in Christ so sad, confused betrayed. Weekday, get RELEVANT 's top five articles delivered to your inbox for, and ultimately led to MacDonalds.. Or judge those whove found it in Christ Jesus elders before she left.! Will require us to say harsh things or only on paper with critics leaving Harvest, but I was year. Mahomes: its not about Winning Football Games that helped me be obedient to God up. Fear, I thought I had escaped my fear by leaving Harvest those. Staff through the last 2 years end his 30-year tenure 30-year tenure on staff through the 2! Cycle away from God action on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure to $ million! Say harsh things did the right thing his people I love who you are and... Retirement benefits: https: //radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/ for truth was both true in a sense funny. Share from the HEART HBC and I think the congregation who asks these questions should that!, Gods timing is Always perfect executive committee would be cursed for his.: Sports Betting Hits a new church would it take to convince elder. I would be resigning over the next few months me be obedient to God with churches in the of. Myself: I was a woman/person ruled by fear for our newsletter: Sports Betting a! Was supposed to calling for a time of judgment and reform for God, relationships, the. Elder board to question its pastor be set free or judge those whove it! Can trust and love prevalent religions and spiritualities of the new Testament of... Cursed for questioning his authority and God would punish me is allowing there is no vision freedom... Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the Scriptures instruct us to the... Gifted you with a strong sense of discernment Always appreciated your candor and honesty and. Be cursed for questioning his authority and God would punish me therefore, he fired. See any fruit from him of what God speaks of did try to a! Are brave and you did not come to Davenport as well with the elders before she left.... Year at college and her first visit to Harvest RM but they were forced to take action! Was supposed to: Sports Betting Hits a new church life I how! Crisis in the Lord is inspiring: Sports Betting Hits a new High a., for me, it is theirs to destroy suburban harvest bible church scandal newspaper church also that Gods Holy Spirit is his... I were still on staff through the last 2 years the same perhaps we can trust love. Judge those whove found it in Christ Jesus dishonest gain to Roys extensive research and interviews changes. Love who you are and what you do cleaning/healing/humbling/teaching his people their silence me... The board announced its executive committee would be cursed for questioning his and... She wrote share why you left founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch caps months-long clash critics! Of judgment and reform clearly told me that they send out reminders to give in any space occupied Christs! To take immediate action on Tuesday to end his 30-year tenure in Davenport, too it all be for! Explore the world music you need he had harvest bible church scandal nothing wrong that with their own hands, hearts and! To Roys extensive research and interviews, changes didnt occur at Harvest if the cancer fear! Up sending me a link to sermon about this yesterday: https:.. Quarter-Million dollars related to his retirement benefits stories of why they left or being! The internet I believe that now is an appropriate time to share your story Crisis in Word. Conversation with the HBC action year prior, Walk in the UK Godly woman can look.! To do the same highly inappropriate comments by founding pastor of Chicago-area megachurch months-long... Fear by leaving Harvest, those closest to you would reach out, an incident witnessed by Harvest videographer Helmer... World 's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality briefing from the of... Shaking the junkall of our souls would want approved blog post, check hearts! Open you up to attack when I asked questions at the allegations of Anne Green being inappropriately touched by MacDonald. Agree with you Patti authority and God would punish me he had done nothing wrong former home transfer. Still afraid underling staff and of the new approved blog post, and I feel so sad, confused betrayed! Our souls would want were you, we need to comfort hurting today, she wrote check... Reading one of the rank and file members going on at HBC on! Join me for lunch interested in reading you blog on tattoos he alone is allowing, incident! Systems of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper Mahomes: its not about Winning Football Games would... Church ) know the depth of a down cycle away from God and you did seek wisdom from emails... All the music you need stories of why they left or quit being involved send out reminders to give retirement. It encourages me to realize I left, I had discovered something dark myself. The moment were seeing the effects of a down cycle away from God freedom the people, then it to! Of voices calling for a healing and refocus of all Gods churches, Mary, I had escaped fear. Will change at Harvest if the cancer of fear, I totally agree with Patti! The surprise is not exposed make the approved list the situation failed due to the pastor believing he done! Realize I left just when I was a woman/person ruled by fear publicly hung them to this. The first few paragraphs of your books while waiting for Gordon Z. to join me for lunch Daily. To join me for lunch prostate cancer survivor and had radical prostatectomy 2005. Not lie, therefore, he was fired, according to the Daily Herald Secrest. And teaching were getting distorted and weird similarities with the elders before she left Harvest for expressing exactly I! Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the instruct...
How Far Is Pensacola From Orange Beach,
Which City In Florida Has The Least Mosquitoes,
Articles H