And the lies werent just shared by James. Im not on FB, so I didnt see your post where you extended an invitation to us to meet with you again. Thank you for speaking out, Lina! And I find it odd that someone would have an opinion on that. Let us pray God will send His Spirit upon us and cure us of this. 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. Be blessed Lina! Ive been asked, what would I do if I were still on staff. When we left, after having posted a letter to the elders, not a single person called us to see how we were doing. I simply could not reconcile the lies that were shared from the pulpit with the truths that I knew regarding issues in the church. Ill let the others fight that fight today. Although, it definetly planted a seed for me. Lina isnt hanging Harvest Bible Chapel. I havent seen the video but abuse of power at any level is sickening!! People in leadership are there one day, and then poof! Free of James fear. 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. Attempts to reconcile the situation failed due to the pastor believing he had done nothing wrong. Its like I seek mans favor as well, rather than the Lords. What she shared was the kindest message I have ever seen. Nellie, Your comments are without sound knowledge of the depth of this I am SO glad that Lina has allowed the grace of Christ to free her from the culture of fear that controls Harvest Bible Chapel, and I am impressed by her willingness to speak in such as grace-giving way that will speak freedom to others who are hurting from this. Sometimes being good will also mean being nice, but sometimes it will not. It is a shame to Christianity what is happening here. 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. Of course people can join in with instruments too. Sunday Service-10:15 AM/Wed. Rita, be encouraged. When you started, you (and others) mentioned the cult of personality that James benefitted from. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. I feel foolish for allowing myself to be misled for so long. In the wake of his departure, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability acknowledged serious concerns around spending and financial stewardship under MacDonald that resulted in the church losing its membership status. 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. I was a woman ruled by fear. I grew up in the Church of Christ. All of it. I was just starting out at Harvest in September of 2011. What should we be planning for, praying for, and what did Jesus teach about? 6. 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. I knew he wasnt perfect, but then, neither was I, I reasoned. I really doubt theyre sending texts and emails asking for money. I never understood why they saw him the way they do. Sign up for our newsletter: As were you, we were grieving and had to pray for help finding that new church. I questioned a particular sermon that clearly was unbiblical but no one else did. I think that this message has relevance to many situations today, including the present political situation. Typical gossips and power struggles are only the surface. 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. 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. The timing of this article makes you less credible. Jesus may be truly calling people to stay, and rebuild Harvest Bible Chapel. Dont damage the church by being publicly critical. At my former church, I reached the point where I couldnt, in good conscience, stay because of the amount of bull-headed spiritual abuse that was going on combined with covering-up of sexual abuse. I feel like I cant trust my own judgment any more. Biblical: submission to the Word in My Dream Church will be at a higher level It also had a church-planting network, Harvest Bible Fellowship (HBF), which MacDonald dissolved last year. No church is, because they are all filled with sinners like us. Im not sure it is saying tatoos are a sign of a decline in holiness, but the overall impression is any Christian who gets a tatoo wants to be cool and nothing about Jesus or the Gospel is cool. Sadly, this cancer has spread to other churches that were once part of the fellowship. Everything that is painful for everyone and anyone has been talked about endlessly for weeks. then the sermons and teaching were getting distorted and weird. 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. or is it the congregations fault for being weak and gullible? In our case we have been pulled away from our church as well because of how we have been treated for our daughters actions. I attended Harvest for five years, and left five years ago. Thank you, Lord, for Ephesians 6:13: But wait who is that lurking around the edges, his deeds the center of everyones interest in our church right now, salivating and gleeful that divisiveness and sin is healthy within the body of Christ? By then there were so many small things that werent so small and added up to big things that could have explained my leaving, but to me, that video was the tipping point. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, revealed material obtained under subpoena, called into Mancow Mullers Chicago-area radio show. God is sifting His church! That is, so many think that the church is the pastors ministry and they dont adequately facilitate the ministry of believers. May God be glorified through this. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. (Matthew 12:33-37). James MacDonald, founder of Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago, who was recently fired under a cloud of financial abuse, was allegedly being paid nearly a million dollars per year in regular salary, had access to approximately a million more in discretionary spending, and is currently owed $2.6 million in deferred compensation by the She is free to speak of her experience, nothing mean about that. Youve blessed me when I heard you speak at a Harvest Womens event about 10 yrs ago, through your radio ministry and at an event you spoke at last year. , The elders of Harvest stand behind [Pastor MacDonalds] character and integrity without reservation. The kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to death. Continually praying for healing, reconciliation and restoration for His church. Wounds take a great deal of time to heal and its appropriate to share them and warn others to avoid similar church abuse. 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. Harvest responded by suing both bloggers, their wives, and Julie Roys. A friend sent a link showing a video of a former Willow pastors return to that church to speak after leaving a decade ago for similar reasons as you left Harvest. When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. Many were kicked out and shown the door. I thought something was off but had only my own suspicions to go on as we were told not to criticize. 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. Let this awaken and take down other church leaders that have similar goals. Thoughts from a person looking in. I am sorry I am so late to discover this article but I had to respond to this comment. It permeates through the woman that you are. Open your eyes and feel the heat of the refiners fire. 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. This is a very vulnerable time for a lot of people and I am sure God weeps for every single wounded soul.. When this happens, there is tremendous spiritual and emotional wounding. The link was in my post above. The next day, Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger. The pastor later admitted being too intense in the classroom that day. Thank you for opening up your home so that hurting people could come together and share. God bless you. I have multiple thoughts. 5. So much good was happening at Harvest, surely it must have Gods blessing. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. I should have walked out but, I too, was afraid. Rotate positions? [] While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. Because evangelical megachurches are typically formed around a single charismatic individual, elder boards are generally loathe to consider letting this individual go. He says he gave about $1K in these 6 months, and regrets it. I was wrong in hindsight. Thanks for finally being honest. As a nation, something painful will bring us back. Harvest ousted Daniel Marquardt, Scott Phelps, and Barry Slabaugh in 2013 after they protested against . Doesnt matter how long ago it happened either. How do you know it wasnt done with fasting and with prayer? 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. Thank you Lina! 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). Then the board announced its executive committee would be resigning over the next few months. 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 think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and why kick him when he is down. How important it is to pray pray pray and check on our leaders also of their growth in Christ and what our church mission is and to stay biblical, not political but biblical. And the truth of many at Harvest. 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. 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. And these things are only the tip of the iceberg. who we really love. Lina Abujamra who once was the Womens Ministry Director at Rolling Meadows explained how she ran afoul of the elders and why she left in the course of time. This woman sounds sincere. And where I live that mostly rules out every English speaking church there is! Nor do I want to be part of a fellowship where the whole counsel of God is not taught nor eschatology ever mentioned. People need to be accountable for their actions. It was engaging at times. Also another story emerged on why another person left Harvest Bible Chapel. Otherwise If you share your email address I will email you. The issue here is not TIMING or kicking someone when theyre down its about exposing ungodly, cowardly behavior and making people aware of its existence. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. 7. 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. And you will not lose true friends and sisters in Christ. The Pastor started teaching on obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc. This is an extra difficult time for the members and regular attenders of Harvest Bible Chapel. God has said that those who are give much is required. 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.. I regret my own weaknesses, my love for the approval of others. The controversial founder and former pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel is barred from serving as pastor or elder of the popular evangelical Christian church ever again after an investigation. It truly is the Lords work. 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Truth is truth. In a statement, the elders apologized to MacDonald and the congregation for the ways they had failed to live at peace with all men, as far is it depends on you (Rom. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! Ive always appreciated your candor and honesty, and I think the Lord has gifted you with a strong sense of discernment. 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. Fear is why leaders did not speak up until now. In another incident at Camp Harvest, MacDonald reportedly stabbed a photo of a former Harvest pastor with a butter knife. Christs grace saves us and sustains us. Show how we come together as one in the body of Christ! When a person is afraid of the reaction of their pastor or preacher it is time to move on. When I left my job I stayed at HBC for about another year before leaving entirely. Why? Nicole, I am sorry if you are offended. The Right's New Lie: The Left Gave Us Toxic Masculinity, The Harvest Bible Chapel Scandal in a Nutshell (And Why You Should Care). Harvest Bible Chapel has owned its mistakes and endured to become a happier and healthier church, whose members recently pledged financially, in their walk/work for Christ, and in their. Same as your departure, not a single person reached out to see how I was doing once I left my job. 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. DIRECTIONS & INFO | . Do You Really Have to Go to Church Every Sunday? Fear that your leaving would damage those you ministered to. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, for the law of the spirit of life (in Christ Jesus) has set me free from the law of sin and death.. The link below provides comments from conservative scholars such as Richard Bauckham, William Lane Craig, Michael Licona, Craig Blomberg, and NT Wright on this issue: https://lutherwasnotbornagaincom.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/bombshell-how-historically-reliable-are-the-gospels-if-even-conservative-bible-scholars-believe-they-may-contain-fictional-stories/. | 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. Not everything needs to be about Polititcs. Thank you for this. Elgin Quick Links Baptisms, February 19th this isnt meant to hurt you but to support those who need it. Lina you were humble and owned more than most. We dont know each other, but I found this via Julie Roys Twitter. Gods heart, over and over again, is for those who are oppressed. Thanks for being so honest. They helped to create this culture of fear. WHY NOW??? Data Coordination. Prevent these types of money exchange corporations, Welcome to the Video Broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Bible Church. Updated 11/13/2020 7:31 PM. A final incident in Roys article involves MacDonald publicly berating HCA students, an incident witnessed by Harvest videographer Luke Helmer. I do pray that the entire senior leadership staff and elders who have participated in sheltering the truth for their own gain would be called out by the Lord. For me, it is because it is time for truth. Linas testimoney is encouraging. 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I dont know why, except that I just really wasnt getting the Word of God from the stage and I do mean stage. One person (not from Harvest) asked if I needed to call the church to cancel my membership. It never dawned on me that no one from HBC would reach out. On Tuesday, Chicago shock jock and one-time friend of MacDonaldMancow Muller aired a series of clips featuring someone who sounds like MacDonald making offensive comments. Praise and Worship is congregational: Is the founding pastor subject to accountability structures? Im disappointed in your timing. 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. 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? The fallout has only just begun. 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