I was always greeted with a kiss by a cute missionary girl that went there. Check out Moreno website, http://www.godsonlygospel.com. Christ followers are saying enough. People need to be accountable for their actions. Yes, God has this in hand, but that doesnt mean He wont ask His children to do the hard work of calling out sin in unrepentant believers. God is purifying His Church. Amen Sister! Im not on FB, so I didnt see your post where you extended an invitation to us to meet with you again. Hmm. I think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and why kick him when he is down. Were you bullied by those elders named? Lina I couldnt agree more with everything you said and your comment here. Harvest Bible Chapel has reached a multimillion-dollar agreement to transfer some of its assets to former pastor James MacDonald, who plans to continue in ministry outside the Chicago-area megachurch. 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. Im glad I have stood firm. Dont stop trusting or loving. Its messy. Love for God, relationships, and the church. The practice of medicine is not an exact science; neither is navigating very tough and painful circumstances such as this. 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. She did a awesome job as the judgment of God has come to his house. (Galatians 2:11-21) Others have gone before you in challenging HBC to help pave the way and have paid the consequences for their courage. Jesus called out hypocrisy in the religious leaders. Saying he had hit a "wall of exhaustion" in June, Lead Ministry Pastor Greg Bradshaw said he is not only leaving Harvest, but also the ministry. We never gave up on God because He never gives up on us. Worship With Us. I remember when I saw the tattoo that James got and I remembered the line from The Davinci Code about the Chevron symbol. 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. Those that havent gone through it ask why would you speak these things? 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. I didnt want to upset James. This journey has taken me several years. 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. 3:48. Another church on The Lord's Way is on its way out. than submission to leaders I believe Yahweh has me where He wants me. Updated 11/13/2020 7:31 PM. When a person is afraid of the reaction of their pastor or preacher it is time to move on. Thankful we got left when we did. The current model for pastor directed churches says that the senior pastor is the priest this is Old Testament. You are a blessing to many in need. Count on it. Thank you for sharing your story, Lina. The current leadership at Harvest Bible Chapel including Luke and Landon and Rick and Mo and Jeff and the CFO are infected by the cancer of fear and control. Or were you saying they were bullied too. Unfortunately I dont think the Harvest RM is the only Harvest with a culture of fear. The public scrutiny continued with pushback against MacDonalds decision to preach at a Harvest affiliate in Florida during his sabbatical. God the Holy Spirit wanted Lina to speak more specifically at this time; and she did. Ive been in the medical field for over 40 years and know a thing or two about human anatomy. At this point, Im not sure what else your thread can accomplish. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. I left the church 4 years ago, the week after 3 elders were publiclyex-communicated on a cheap home made movie not worthy of one wasted second of the worship service. I will be praying for you , too, Lina. I assumed that you had simply moved on to bigger and better things. Jackie Alfirevic HBC mothership (1992-2011). Please support my writing! I was mortified. Ive been asked, what would I do if I were still on staff. One thing that has helped is recognizing seasons. The elders and pastoral board have created a team called Harvest 2020 to conduct a complete review of what happened, and of the church. For a different church model, see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. Speaking the truth and not cowering in the corner. Dont find that in the Bible. But should never be a pastor again! If you ever make that offer again, Ill be there, but please post on Twitter. Thanks Sheila. I am now going to read the rest of your post. And these things are only the tip of the iceberg. Not everyone is so blessed, and for those of you who have left HBC and have had to find a new local church, there are healthy ones out there. And I do want to state that MANY of us have made every effort to address the problems prior to leaving. Perhaps we can do something like that here in Davenport, too. , Titus 3:10-11 says as for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once, and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful, he is self condemned. Also 1 Timothy 5:20 says as for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, which is what we are doing, so that the rest may stand in fear. , Nothing is covered, nothing is unresolved, nothing is ongoing, only this attack from the enemy. Despite recent legal cases and reports of greedy abuses, experts say the longstanding benefit remains safe. My last complaint. Dont damage the church by being publicly critical. (My) fear was in upsetting James This is the right time as the judgment of God has come to his people. We are wounded and grieving. Truth is healthy. When we left, after having posted a letter to the elders, not a single person called us to see how we were doing. You can read that story right here. I wonder if this is an area where youd feel free to minister; where people leave the church and are forgotten. 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). Matthew 7:15 Romans 16: 17-20. @Donna Is it possible that it is God Himself who is exposing these misdeeds? I pray for the leaders. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. The surprise is not Harvest, but that you publicly hung them. She did not claim it was her trurh , but opinion. I still had friends on the inside that I longed to remain friends with. 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. Now you can stop going to church altogether and free your mind from religious delusion. Free of James fear. And I wont stand in the way of Christs work. However why now? I grew up catholic and vever really got a hold of it all. Congratulations on your freedom, Lina! I dont see anything mean in her commentary. I am so glad Lina has spoken up. I hope it doesnt chase people away from their spiritual questaway from God., I take no joy in this announcement, said Muller. Lina, Roys also lamented the fallout of todays news. Because it is time for this cult to be exposed and she is telling her story. He ultimately requested that Harvest Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch. It would be endearing to me and honoring to them. Lina you were humble and owned more than most. One elder resigned over this, after asking to see the finances and being overruled by the rest of the board. And yet, I stayed. The kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to death. Christs grace saves us and sustains us. When someone lies with such ease , that is pathological, and they must be removed from their positions!! When I talk to people about this, they are quick to disqualify anyone who went along with James, who did not stand up to him. Same as your departure, not a single person reached out to see how I was doing once I left my job. 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. Do you realize the elders are already choosing to step down? It is not with the powerful; it is those whom the powerful make to feel like theyre nothing. Gods timing is always perfect. Do you read the elder updates? I knew he wasnt perfect, but then, neither was I, I reasoned. For our premium ad-free experience, including exclusive podcasts, issues and more, subscribe to. Such a good post Lina. Harvest Kids is our weekend experience for kids (babies to fifth grade). But as every Christian knows, we walk and we live by grace. Then, a famous friend of his, Chicago shock jock Mancow Muller, spoke out in a local newspaper against the manipulation and ego he observed around MacDonalds cult of personality at Harvest. I used to go to a church in AZ pastored by Jon Gaus. Thanks for writing this, Lina. Persecution is supposed to come from the world with the devil behind it, as Jesus said. We continue in prayer for all those affected near and far. James wrath is powerful. Thank you. If you like harvest and the culture of hidden abuse and The narcissistic system in order there- by all means, stay! There is no timing to sharing pain. That IS A LIE!! Of course people can join in with instruments too. 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. The World article on the topic says that after Secrest was fired, "he was stunned, because his contract stipulated that he could be fired only for . Fear. That timeline accelerated, when on Tuesday morning highly inappropriate recorded comments made by Pastor MacDonald were given to media and reported, the church wrote. I am excited for all God is doing in your life to help other women get closer in their relationship with Jesus. Ive always appreciated your candor and honesty, and I think the Lord has gifted you with a strong sense of discernment. The Scripture that came to me as I read this is I Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 102 reviews of Faith Church "I have been to a few churches in my day. The Bible even says Truth shall set you free. Youre sharing your story and I think those who have been hurt by HBC (including me) needs to hear these stories. We believe that disciples of Jesus profess that He is Lord, practice His Ways, and persevere in both their profession and practice. It is finally the truth coming to light from his own actions and the people who protected him for years. So many people have recently asked me why I left Harvest Bible Chapel when I did. 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. The church is to be a living organism for the cause of Christ and no other. Harvest Bible Chapel of Naples, whose leadership recently turned over after scandal rocked its Chicago parent megachurch, is the most . 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. Hi Sally, 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 kept seeing little hints of questionable goings-on at Harvest Bible Church, a large megachurch in suburban Chicago, but didnt really pay attention until last week, when the issue blew up in the most bizarre way. In Him, 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. You personify a strong, fast talking, intelligent woman, which is a gift by way of your heritage. What Happens Now? Before the article was even printed, Harvest sued Roys, plus two bloggers who've been critical about problems at Harvest. ! 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. I agree here. 1st at services, then recording those messages fir walk in the word and finally by publishing them. 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. Stressful on him and his family. What does the Bible say about debt? Harvest Bible Chapel Naples and its landlord have reached a settlement, ending a court battle to evict the church. The timing of this article makes you less credible. 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. This problem is not isolated to Harvest. 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. I agree with Nellie. In another incident at Camp Harvest, MacDonald reportedly stabbed a photo of a former Harvest pastor with a butter knife. Many were kicked out and shown the door. Open your eyes and feel the heat of the refiners fire. Though MacDonald has been granted the rights to his Walk in the Word ministry, he and Harvest remain at odds. I didnt want to upset James. They never acknowledged that they had done anything wrong. The Pastor started teaching on obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc. Thank you for your openness and sharing! Prevent these types of money exchange corporations, The question is with independent churches who did they answer to? I am a 60 year old grandfather who wants to get a tatoo around my ankle of all six of my grandchildrens names. Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. Maybe you were called in front of the elders and asked to rewrite because thats horrendous theology and an awful way to be an ambassador for the Gospel. Nellie, Im sorry for your comment. Lina, As of November, 2021, HBC is $34,000,000 in debt. 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. 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.. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. I have always wondered why you left Lina but didnt know you personally to ask. No matter what everyone else says, it does take courage to say something. Thats the point and issue with what was and is going on at Harvest. We talked with two deacons and the assistant pastor. It wasnt that we saw corruption in our church. Harvest Bible Chapel We're here to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Many many of us are praying for all of you in Naples. I feared offending people. God help those who cant see their need to be set free or judge those whove found it in Christ Jesus. The only hope is to totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be consumed. I am sorry that you experienced this fear. Yes Nellie, we are called to bring light on the darkness. then the sermons and teaching were getting distorted and weird. for less than $4.25/month. As a former elder for three years at the Elgin campus ( it wasnt a true elder board then and it still isnt now ), I couldnt agree with you more, that all the infected parts have to excised! Unhappy to see you did not make the approved list. According to Harvest, their agreement resolves all claims and issues and releases them from future legal matters over the arbitration terms. 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. Those who would shame someone for standing on the side of truth and grace have missed the mark. 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. Im sorry that the doctrine that youve been taught says that life is about being kind and nice, rather than about being good. 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. Division and to take a part a ministry that was reaching and teaching people all over the world. 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. God IS in control and knows what he is doing. It seems to me that theyve had years to repent and make things right. 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Thank you for sharing! As one person whom MacDonald led to the Lord remarked to me, Its like finding out your wife is a serial killer. The disillusionment, betrayal, and loss can be excruciating. Now, the church has decided its longtime leader wont be coming back. Listen, believe, obey, shut up. Until recently, I was 8 year member of HBC and I feel so sad, confused, betrayed. I pray your steps continue to be guided by our Lord! I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. and manifest character, which have been revealed to speak not of the Holy Spirit of love, but rather have the love of money and power and the very reek of Hell about them! 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. The Rolling Meadows Campus is our founding campus and for more than three decades has testified to God's faithfulness. I simply could not reconcile the lies that were shared from the pulpit with the truths that I knew regarding issues in the church. 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? Your staying as long as you did part of the clarity and power youve experienced in communicating what youve seen. A friend sent me a link to sermon about this yesterday: https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/. As a former Muslim, I grew in my walk with GOD because Pastor James teachings from the GODs Word. Leaving without speaking up was still an act of cowardice and self-preservation. Hi Hurting in Davenport, Lean should read it and reply in kind. He claimed he would never return to Willow until things had changed and the time was right. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. Otherwise If you share your email address I will email you. Thank you, Lina. Fear is never a godly way of governing. It was simply not possible. Swicegood released a statement saying that much of what has been alleged "is simply false, misleading and hateful." He added that the . you managed (a wording that says, you knew it was not right, but did so out of self protection) and humility because as Mancow is now saying, James had alligator tears of his hurt to make you feel guilty. 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? It was engaging at times. Im also going to sign up for LWP. I asked my surgeon why the procedure is called radical, he replied that even the seminal vesicles have to be removed along with the prostate, otherwise the cancer may return! 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. 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. We wont let fear overcome the freedom weve been given in Christ. Good word, my sister. Its who you are! I do believe you. By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. 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. James has all the characteristics of a false teacher. Sometimes being good will require us to say harsh things. I was brushed off. www. In fact, he is the one who is no longer pastoring. May Our Lord guide all of us and May His will be done above all else. He wants a huge army of women indwelled with the Holy Spirit to point people to Christ. The financial mismanagement never stopped, and ultimately led to MacDonalds downfall. What happens next? For this, according to the Daily Herald, Secrest was fired. MacDonald took an indefinite sabbatical in January, following a tumultuous few months defending Harvest in a defamation lawsuit against its critics and in the aftermath of a World magazine investigation into mismanagement at the church. 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. I appreciate your voice. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Instead, it was MacDonald and his inner circle that were making the decisions, unilaterally. We are to find our faith and hope in the Message, not the messenger. Well said. This man is a smooth deceiver and believes his own lies. Yes, there are a lot of hurting people at Harvest. Although I do not want to be a part of this church any more, I strongly feel that God is directing me to continue to obey his direction in this scripture and take their disobedience to another level. Why? 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! Thank you for all you do. These are the same elders that approved this same law suit to be dropped when James and co. knew that they would have to open all the books and all the dirt would come out! If hearing voices together of those who have truth helps, then now is the time to speak. Long story short he kicked my husband and I out of the church. No church is, because they are all filled with sinners like us. And in 1 Corinthians 5, we are told to judge those within the Church). Both can be messy, but in the latter case, responsibility for that mess must be laid squarely at the feet of the abusive Elders who are sinning, not at the feet of Christs little ones, the oppressed members of Christs flock, who are being caused to stumble, nor at the feet of those attempting to triage the wounded and sound a warning to others who are in danger of being The moment I read about someone saying something about planting child pornography on the Christianity Todaycomputers, I knew I had to figure out what the heck was going on. [] While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. 1 Timothy 5:20: But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. first Bill Hybels. 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. 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.. Not everything needs to be about Polititcs. People meant evil but God works it out for our good. Thank you for sharing your story and for doing so in the right spirit. It seems that was true at Harvest, just as it is at many local churches. So long that lawyers all wonder why I waited so long- but trauma takes time to recover from. A worship song says He gives and takes away, He gives and takes away, and still my heart will say Blessed be the name of the LORD!. Welcome to Ohio. I see Jesus in youfrom one member of the Body to another. It, honestly, has been the biggest source of my own sin and self inflicted suffering. I was just starting out at Harvest in September of 2011. I pray to our Father who loves us all that His truth and reconciliation and peace, healing abounds in this circumstance. It may not be warm and fuzzy but speaking truth, especially when compelled by the Spirit, is never wrong. That is why I really rally for our black preacher and pastors like Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ ! 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); LIVING WITH POWER MINISTRIES: 119 S EMERSON ST. #213 | MOUNT PROSPECT, IL 60056 | 224-634-6777 | [emailprotected]. I didnt want to upset James. He unsubscribed from the emails but they were still sent him texts asking him to give. When is God pleased at his church? I love who you are and what you do. 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! Do systems of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper? We dont know if He will allow Harvest not to crumble. Pastor James teaching seemed so Biblical. Can you imagine how God feels when he sees his churches ( all denominations, we are in this together). My family attended a smaller Harvest church close to Elgin. Still. God bless. Now its a big business with Harvest all over the states. 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. It all is about money to pay taxes and building and salaries. Sometimes they will require being nice. No One Knows. @Ross, Were you able to access it? 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Is pathological, and I out of the iceberg remarked to me and honoring to them Lean read. At this point, im not sure what else your thread can accomplish talking, woman. Can accomplish order to get dishonest gain the one who is exposing these misdeeds of those who been... His inner circle that were making the decisions, unilaterally Bible even says truth shall set free..., or only on paper light from his own lies Bible studies Harvest I 8! Teachings from the GODs Word ongoing, only this attack from the Word. Loved I think the Harvest RM is the time to move on reply in kind those... The priest this is the time I left Harvest Bible Chapel when I.... Go to a church in AZ pastored by Jon Gaus tattoo that James got and I think I am going... S faithfulness why would you speak these things are only the tip of the reaction their! Voices together of those who cant see their need to be a living organism for the pain had... Will require us to meet with you again coming to light from his own lies of their or! All means, stay Chapel we & # x27 ; re here to glorify through. A tatoo around my ankle of all six of my own sin and inflicted! Of all six of my own sin and self inflicted suffering announcement said! I couldnt agree more with everything you said and your comment here neither was I, I take joy...