I feel angry that the people who were supposed to be watching over the congregation allowed this to go on. Harvest Kids is our weekend experience for kids (babies to fifth grade). The surprise is not Harvest, but that you publicly hung them. Harvest dropped the lawsuit; MacDonald took a leave of absence; Roys revealed that MacDonald had lied; and then, finally, MacDonald went on a public vulgar, slander-laced tirade against Roys and Christianity Today. Hidden things have come to light. [] While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. Throughout the week, there are opportunities for you to grow in your walk with Christ, to serve, and to connect with other people in the Rolling Meadows area. Worship With Us. Ted Haggard bemoans his "exile" in a new HBO documentary. Fear. The beloved drink is both an attraction and a generational divide. Doesnt matter how long ago it happened either. Sometimes they will require being nice. Others had old wounds that had resurfaced and were hurting, having never felt closure to their stories. The whole ordeal was very strange. I think that was his recruitment tactic. I believe that now IS an appropriate time to share your story. Leaving without speaking up was still an act of cowardice and self-preservation. And a few days later James MacDonalds sons, Luke and Landon MacDonald, also announced they are resigning. 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. Those are things we dont talk about often enough about. One person (not from Harvest) asked if I needed to call the church to cancel my membership. The culture of fear, intimidation, and secrecy has poisoned not just Rolling Meadows and its campuses, but also trickled down through the fellowship. 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! Thank goodness God is still God! I hate to be James because God judges leadership harsher than the regular sinner. The only thing I liked about that church was the worship, which was glorifying to the Lord. Could you provide me with a link please. Can Bubble Tea Bring Gen Z into the Chinese Church. 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. Thats what happens to us as individuals and us as a collection of people. Others have asked, but immediately defend the senior pastor and church. Thanks again, Lina, for being courageous in the midst of these difficult days. 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. 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. I havent seen the video but abuse of power at any level is sickening!! I appreciate your voice. It was your Study that helped me be obedient to God. Doing ministry you love. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. Hi Lina. I have found that churches built through a single persons vision are dangerous. Your mission and your ministry is beautiful and changing lives. Hes a lemonade maker. Even people who were very close to us turned silent. Be blessed Lina! MacDonald is not being kicked while hes down. I do have cds and dvd of contemporary Christian artists. Still, even I knew when enough was enough. 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. Please see my link. My family attended a smaller Harvest church close to Elgin. Finances: Giving not Tithing. Really? The elders and pastoral board have created a team called Harvest 2020 to conduct a complete review of what happened, and of the church. I never understood why they saw him the way they do. Do you see any fruit from him of what God speaks of? The church, which has a weekly attendance of more than 12,000 at its seven campuses, is also associated with Vertical Worship, Harvest Christian Academy (HCA), and MacDonalds Walk in the Word TV and radio ministry. Or were you saying they were bullied too. The recognizing date of the exempt status is April, 1972. Thank you Lina, Count on it. However why now? It seems to me that theyve had years to repent and make things right. , The elders of Harvest stand behind [Pastor MacDonalds] character and integrity without reservation. A peacemaking process, while helpful for personal and relational reconciliation, is not the approach to address failed governance, biblical disqualification, and a toxic leadership environment.. That is just so day to know that people are leaving churches. According to Roys extensive research and interviews, changes didnt occur at Harvest; instead, questionable treatment and practices continued. This journey has taken me several years. So your opinion is to fire everybody? But a true Christian focuses on Christ and His Word. 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. (Galatians 2:11-21) Those who step out of line are often dismissed. He went recently, saying the time had come. Be blessed. The abuse I suffered first hand and working through the realizations and implications of that abuse have been traumatic. Opt out of televised preaching? 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. 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.. | Photo: Harvest Bible Chapel Facebook The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has suspended Chicago-area megachurch Harvest Bible Church following the firing of its longtime pastor James MacDonald and amid ongoing revelations that the ministry had misappropriated funds. I do not believe your timing should be questioned. The question is with independent churches who did they answer to? Fear is dead life a remnant of Satan. Lina is right on. 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. In a statement written by church elders, the Chicago-area megachurch says they fired MacDonald forengaging in conduct contrary and harmful to the best interests of the church., Following a lengthy season of review, reflection, and prayerful discussion, the Elders of Harvest Bible Chapel had determined that Pastor MacDonald should be removed from his role of Senior Pastor. 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. Im one of the people who asked you to share why you left. If they built it, it is theirs to destroy. 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. 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. The Jews ebb and flow toward God followed a pattern. Before the article was even printed, Harvest sued Roys, plus two bloggers who've been critical about problems at Harvest. Still, things seemed off. Thank you and thank Lina. The Lord knows and he keeps the books. Thank you for your story Dr. Lina, and thank you for shedding light on your fears, and your full confidence in the Lord at the end of the day. It was engaging at times. Start praying to the Lord for healing. Sheri and her husband Gary attended Cornerstone in the 1980s while attending Azusa Pacific and in their first few years of marriage. Our cold hearts lack love that shows the world we are His. Im glad I have stood firm. The Lord has used you mightily before, during and after your exit from the toxic leadership at Harvest. I would ask you the same question? 12:18) as while working through this year-and-half-long process of transition. who we really love. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! My experience was decades ago and in another state. Harvest Bible Chapel has fired its founder and senior pastor James MacDonald following years of controversial behavior, financial scandal and allegations of bullying and intimidation. 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. Sitting in the pews, I could not see how deep the cancer was at HBC. Bless you! Wow Nancy K, after all that has been said and done, seemingly over many years, it is startling to me that you would make such a commemtWow, Why? and stay glued to founded and genuine monetary purchase services. I didnt want to be rebellious against authority. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s. 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. Do you not remember that God used His Chosen to reveal the sin of not only churches, in the New Testament, but also to Kings in Old Testament. Thank you for displaying what an honest and vocal Godly woman can look like. 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. How long before we wake up and show the world how Christians are not only different from the world but we are not of the world! In eras of prosperity, their hearts drifted. I hope to become braver. The small adult group was fun visited Moody church. This is a very vulnerable time for a lot of people and I am sure God weeps for every single wounded soul.. What matters is truth be told. you felt through James harvest mentality, you would be rebellious against authority if you stood up The financial mismanagement never stopped, and ultimately led to MacDonalds downfall. I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. Find a church with great accountability. I am aware that there has been some very good ministry done through this church. Pastor James made it political when he compared the era of President Trump to the era of Stalin the era of Hitler. Now, the church has decided its longtime leader wont be coming back. That night changed me. Thank you for all you do. Did you realize elders and pastors are personally apologizing g to people? Roys also lamented the fallout of todays news. 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. And even then, it often doesnt work because so many remain enthralled with the narcissist, or have tied their fortunes to them, that they simply cant or wont see the truth. The elders were given a paper that laid out their duties, that mostly consisted of protecting, encouraging, and blessing the senior pastor. 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. Did you know that Satan and his minions come to Harvest? Have you sought the Lord in prayer and fasting?Exposing sin is not hurtful then you would be against every prophet in the Bible. Hi Hurting in Davenport, Free of James fear. That IS A LIE!! I attended Harvest Bible Chapel for over 8 years and served as the Womens Ministry Director at the Rolling Meadows campus for three of those years (thats the flagship original campus by the way). No unfortunately I have not seen your web page. What is strange about your concern about your own fear is I have been of thee opinion that Pastor James must have been ruled by his own fear-fear of losing influence and the fear of losing his ministry. 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