*For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Truth is truth. I am delighted to hear that. It was your Study that helped me be obedient to God. The good intentions of our ministry partnership with Harvest Chicago have been overshadowed by these developments, he said. It helps to be able to talk about it instead of feeling like you have to hide it, or just deal with it. Truth heals. 8. 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. I continue to pray for the people this has affected, the elders and pastors, and that the darkness will be continually exposed to the light. Thank you for your honesty and your explanation. The small adult group was fun visited Moody church. The only hope is to totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be consumed. 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. 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. It is a really strange thing when persecution comes from the pastor and elders. I am so happy that finally people are standing up and talk about it! The Rolling Meadows Campus is our founding campus and for more than three decades has testified to God's faithfulness. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. and pro football. Hes a lemonade maker. I remember when I saw the tattoo that James got and I remembered the line from The Davinci Code about the Chevron symbol. The devil may win some battles, but we know God ultimately wins the war. 1 Timothy 5:20 This is not an endorsement of the culture at Harvest because its total trash, but you cant blame them for you bad theology choices. [], [] While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. Not just Harvest Bible Chapel. I have had similar experiences at The Chapel . A defamation lawsuit by the church against the website, and Julie Roys, a reporter for the bi-weekly Christian World magazine, who investigated Harvest, was dropped last month. I simply could not reconcile the lies that were shared from the pulpit with the truths that I knew regarding issues in the church. In a recorded video message, Bill Sperling, an elder, told the congregation that the elders concluded that there is a sinful pattern of inappropriate language, anger and domineering behavior. Look, Im sorry, but thats a bit late. Often no explanation given, and the band plays on. What God Gives Black Americans That The Country Does Not, Baylor, Louisiana State University and More Colleges Report Revivals Happening on Campus, Why Asbury University Decided to End Revival Services This Week, Faith Leaders Push Back on Asbury Revival Criticism, Southern Baptists Expel Rick Warrens Saddleback Church for Ordaining a Female Pastor, GET OUR TOP 5 ARTICLES IN YOUR INBOX EACH WEEKDAY, This Story of a Fugitive Nun Who Faked Her Own Death to Escape a Convent Is Insane, Watch: Frozen 2s Trailer Promises an Epic, Possibly Darker Sequel, Dont Forget, Theres a Lot Right With the Church, Too, The Asbury Outpouring Has Come to a Close. Those are things we dont talk about often enough about. One thing that has helped is recognizing seasons. I hate to be James because God judges leadership harsher than the regular sinner. 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. Continually praying for healing, reconciliation and restoration for His church. You are Loved I think I am gonna throw up. My faith has been shaken by the situation at another Christian organization. Gods Timing Is ALWAYS Perfect! I have nothing bad to say about Harvest. Someday, Fred, when you grow a spine, you need to come to me and beg my forgiveness for the unbiblical excommunication you were a part of in my situation. 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. 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. Sunday Service-10:15 AM/Wed. So many people have recently asked me why I left Harvest Bible Chapel when I did. At the moment were seeing the effects of a down cycle away from God. And you will not lose true friends and sisters in Christ. WHY NOW??? Rita, be encouraged. 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. This is a very vulnerable time for a lot of people and I am sure God weeps for every single wounded soul.. We are taught in Gods Word that it is Christs love that ought to control us. Voices heard together make a difference. I was so dissappointed to hear that she left. Everybody and anyone has an opinion about what should happen to and for Harvest whether this means the self-identified victims, or the buildings, or the leftover and future leadership well, everyone is entitled to an opinion about everyone and everything. So your opinion is to fire everybody? (Matthew 12:33-37). Harvest will also reimburse MacDonald another quarter-million dollars related to selling his former home and transfer compensation related to his retirement benefits. When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt! Harvest Kids is our weekend experience for kids (babies to fifth grade). For me, I live with the regret of not taking advantage of the opportunity to come over and get to know you. Doing ministry you love. Because TRANSPARENCY is neededand now ahe may be starting to feel safe. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. The Asbury Revival Is Over. What Can Christians Do About Climate Change? 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. Did you realize elders and pastors are personally apologizing g to people? It seems to me that theyve had years to repent and make things right. Mike was genuinely shocked when we told him our son had Paxton as a camp counselor for whole week at Camp Harvest and we never received notice as HBC falsely told Daily Herald. God is purifying His Church. So beautiful. MacDonald defended the decision to sue fellow believers in an opinion piece published inChristianity Today,which also published criticism of MacDonald. For a different church model, see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. - October 16, 2020 The protracted dispute between Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) recently concluded through arbitration. I am so proud of Lina and she is speaking out the words that I would never say because I live in fear of that kind of authority. The abuse I suffered first hand and working through the realizations and implications of that abuse have been traumatic. Not one. While regret cant look back, we now live in a different era than we did four years ago. 2 Thumbs Way up to you my sister in Christ, for being open about your experience there, which more people than you know have also been through! While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. May God have mercy on his soul. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. And I find it odd that someone would have an opinion on that. sheripine@cbcglendora.org. Nothing will change at Harvest if the cancer of fear is not exposed . And it wasnt just some random bloggers saying these things, either. God is sifting His church! 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! Just pray in a prayer closet to be still in the presence of Jesus. 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. I dont appreciate you getting political this has nothing to do with it.. Are you referring to the Democratic Party? Sometimes they will require being nice. DONT defend these people in any way!! Nellie, Im sorry for your comment. 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. Will James not wake up and realize that 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? I have never attended Harvest. 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. Too many of these large churches have lost track of what their true purpose is. I am so glad Lina has spoken up. That is at the root of a serious problem that the Church hardly touches. 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. I do not think the solution is replacing the pastor and associates with a new administration. After that, I felt like my time was wasted. They are not calmly declining either. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. I believe you are mistaken. But I lived this in the late 70s and early 80s the scandals of the then big preachers they fell down hard as well. Id like to think its the fear of man spoken about in the Bible but I think it often goes beyond that. I praise your decision to own your ministry outside of James. blessings. Like you, Lina, Ive listened to people wounded by sin, power grabs and wrongdoing by Church leaders. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. Churches should switch to a different model that is biblically aligned. Whats also sad is that old witness accounts go to show how truly far reaching and how long this behavior has been going on. Church is of the world. Dont you think this influences decisions made by the leaders, both now and before? Jesus is still the great healer and restorer. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? 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. No one wins here-except our enemy. 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. I attended Harvest for five years, and left five years ago. Many were kicked out and shown the door. I totally agree with you Patti. This is why NOW. James ended up sending me a copy of the new approved blog post, and out of fear, I complied. 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. This journey has taken me several years. 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. 3:48. The 60-year-old pastor called on his former church to confess its wrongs and correct the record. God is faithful, and He is doing what needs to be done to protect His bride. Lina did try to have a conversation with the Elders before she left Harvest. He bullied his way into being paid multiple times for the work he was hired to so as the pastor, sermons and bible teaching. Ezekiel 22:27: Her princes [leaders] within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. Let this awaken and take down other church leaders that have similar goals. 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. Sarah, I am so sorry for whatever happened to you. The Lord has used you mightily before, during and after your exit from the toxic leadership at Harvest. 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. Romans 16: 17-20. Thank you Lina, So many of his followers would still want him as a preacher. As happens in evangelicalism, Harvest effectively became its own denomination, with MacDonald at its head. These are the same elders who signed the letter of unconditional support for James, and then they fire him? We are conditioned to believe that leaving silently is whats best for the church and in some cases thats true. I think God has not lifted the veil on a lot of eyes for some reason. And then unfortunately when we do speak up we get comments like yours saying why nowit seems Christians cant win either way. There would be major issues involving James, followed by a carefully worded elder update or a carefully scripted announcement in church. , 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. Persecution is supposed to come from the world with the devil behind it, as Jesus said. 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. Faith is Christ living. The preacher has no support system to fall back on but must find a new church before the new hireling moves in. No church is, because they are all filled with sinners like us. No, I dont as well as many others. The fired senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel megachurch is contending, in a new lawsuit, that an attorney and accountants hired by the church took part in a "smear . I just knew I wasnt supposed to be there anymore. 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. Thanks again, Lina, for being courageous in the midst of these difficult days. Wake up and take some serious deep reflection you follow a man not Jesus that is extremely dangerous my suggestion to you.., workout your salvation with fear and trembling my sister in Christ. Read the commandment in 1 Timothy 5:19-20 on the correction of Elders who sin, so that other Elders will be afraid to continue sinning against the flock. God is purifying His Church. These being the facts of my simple, uncomplicated, and naive experience as an attendee and member of Harvest, the last several weeks of revelations, discoveries, denial, anger, grief, victims, conjecture, embarrassment, hurt, stories, gossip, cover-ups, accusations, defensiveness, lawsuits, maliciousness, divisiveness, blame, threats, and even some name-calling as of late I have begun to realize that those of us who are just the congregation, the blessed and appreciative recipients of the God-given talents of all those involved in running and ministering Harvest, we are now in the painful position reminiscent of children involved in the divorce of parents, both(ALL!) I never worked at Harvest under Pastor James, I never wrote a book, I never had any altercation with Pastor James, and never had a complaint about him. I lost the bulk of my community virtually overnight. In the clips, the person who sounds like MacDonald talks about a plot to plant child pornography on Christianity Today CEO Harold Smiths computer. When we try to protect those in power instead of those who are hurting, we are not doing the work of God. But thats how it happens at Harvest, right? 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. superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. Welcome to the Video Broadcast ministry of Cornerstone Bible Church. As painful as it is, all that has been hidden must be revealed. I do not believe your timing should be questioned. Unreal as I went to Harvest for over 7 yrs and this whole situation has hurt so many people. Pray for the church and the people! Of course people can join in with instruments too. She has admitted that she didnt speak up enough at the time. You must not feel sorry for James. I hope to become braver. Thank you and thank Lina. We warn the people of Harvest Bible Churchto separate themselves from these false messengers. The decision comes after an explosive scandalous period at Harvest, including a botched excommunication,an ill-fated attempt at a defamation lawsuit, a scathing investigative report from World Magazine and then this most recent, shocking revelation. Love you! I have wondered if Harvest Bible Chapel (the organization) is worth the cost its taken to try and save it? Goodthat you let a toxic place. Many might wonder why it all still matters to me so much. This decision was made with heavy hearts and much time spent in earnest prayer, followed by input from various trusted outside advisors.. He is angry that they keep on sending texts and emails asking for money. She did not claim it was her trurh , but opinion. I pray that no stench of fear be found in any space occupied by Christs love. It seems to have so many cracks in the structure. It was both true in a sense and funny. . Ken Morgan so you continue to deny the evidence for a creator by your superior intellect ? But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 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. The more I think about the demise of Harvest Bible Chapel and James MacDonald, the more I believe that fear is the cancer at the root of it all specifically the fear of James MacDonald. Ezekiel 22:27 Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Leba and Sheila- Keep on being brave- it encourages me to do the same! He is very likely not a brother in Christ. I wasnt happy with that but it had to be done! Not saying thete arent strong christians in leadership at this church but it does always seem that when pride gets in the way of leadership it hurts that person and everyone around them. Even people who were very close to us turned silent. 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 However, 2 of the groups meet in Panera Bread. It may not be warm and fuzzy but speaking truth, especially when compelled by the Spirit, is never wrong. 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. Several years went by and one family apologized to us as did another man. 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