They never acknowledged that they had done anything wrong. Or were you saying they were bullied too. Until recently, I thought I had escaped my fear by leaving Harvest, but I was still afraid. Shes not the only one there are many. When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt! I did not fear God as much as I feared James and longed for his approval. 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. He invitedme to go when we first started dating. Truth is truth. 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. Because Jeff is still lying to peoples faces with a smug grin as recently as Saturday night. We dont know if He will allow Harvest not to crumble. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. And for those that have not witnessed spiritual abuse, or worse yet experienced it personally, but are now hearing about it, this is your opportunity to ramp up your prayers for the Bride of Christ. Thank you Lina, In addition, what was shared now, may have been heard better now, then it would have been heard before Lina left Harvest. At Camp Harvest in 2009, for example, the pastor shot at a target that contained photos of some elders wives. The kindest thing one can do is to cut out and expose the cancer to death. Just pray in a prayer closet to be still in the presence of Jesus. 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. These things happen in small churches too. This post reminds me of something that happened at my former 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. I was just starting out at Harvest in September of 2011. for less than $4.25/month. Good word, my sister. The day I watched the video, I emailed my campus pastor and asked for an explanation. Implying that the information on TED was lies. Several years went by and one family apologized to us as did another man. Or they, too, are so rotten at the core that they dont care. My last complaint. blessings. Pray for those still there trying to care for the confused and hurting hearts. Nice to hear from you again! Truth is healthy. I no longer help lead a larger mens ministry. 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? That the church went on and did not implode or hemorrhage members right then speaks to the prevalence of harmful ideas about authority and church leadership in evangelical circles. No unfortunately I have not seen your web page. If so Id be in agreement but again- this is not a political post. That is why I really rally for our black preacher and pastors like Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ ! God wins the war. The higher the leadership level was, the more protective of James they were. 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. Those who would shame someone for standing on the side of truth and grace have missed the mark. You are a blessing to many in need. Everyone sat still as if he mentioned chocolate milk. 15:58 Therefore, my dear (sister) be steadfast,immovable,always excelling in the Lords work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.. The Elephants Debt, which had posted criticism of MacDonald, including stories by former Harvest members, elders, pastors, and staff, throughout 2012 and 2013, went on a posting hiatus at around this time. 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. 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. The church was growing at the time. The elders and pastoral board have created a team called Harvest 2020 to conduct a complete review of what happened, and of the church. 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. Thank you for teaching even in the midst of giving your testimony. When a person is afraid of the reaction of their pastor or preacher it is time to move on. Scripture does not say what the mark was, but it was a mark that man knew as a sign to not to kill Cain, as it would end his life, and end the judgement that God had given Cain to live out his life with. Maybe its because youre a doctor and have such a desire to see people healed. Before the article was even printed, Harvest sued Roys, plus two bloggers whove been critical about problems at Harvest. Thats what happens when I get older chronologically! Sometimes being good will also mean being nice, but sometimes it will not. 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. 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. FEAR is a liar, pray for them and never let offense take you out, that was the enemys plan! I do know that my faith will not be shaken. This comment to Harvest and James is your opinion and you have every right to it. My blog had indirectly undermined James. Did you realize the pastors publicly said sorry last weekend? Thanks for writing it. Precept Inductive Bible Study for Women. 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. Love my bible sisters. I then called an elder who was a friend and someone I trusted. Many many of us are praying for all of you in Naples. A year or so before leaving Harvest I had written a blog post about holiness in which I had referenced the growing fad of tattoos in our culture. Our cold hearts lack love that shows the world we are His. Pray for James and Christs church that the LORD would accomplish what HE and HE alone is allowing. You are brave and you did the right thing! I wonder if this is an area where youd feel free to minister; where people leave the church and are forgotten. Now, the church has decided its longtime leader wont be coming back. [] While only a handful showed up, the range of their pain was wide. Im sure I will find much more to comment on, but I hope to leave it at that as an encouragement to you. Do you read the elder updates? Show how we come together as one in the body of Christ! Thank you for sharing. I was a woman ruled by fear. Harvest womans Tuesday bible study group has not studied a book of the Bible in a couple of years. Even people who were very close to us turned silent. Nor do I want to be part of a fellowship where the whole counsel of God is not taught nor eschatology ever mentioned. MacDonald was manifestly not okay with the criticism. Dull other times. , The elders of Harvest stand behind [Pastor MacDonalds] character and integrity without reservation. No one seems to be able to discern right from wrong anymore. Ive been asked, what would I do if I were still on staff. 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. I havent seen the video but abuse of power at any level is sickening!! Division and to take a part a ministry that was reaching and teaching people all over the world. We are to find our faith and hope in the Message, not the messenger. Find a church with great accountability. I also was silent about why my family left (also the week following the video). Lina, And come together in prayer, fasting and humility before Jesus that He enables us to be the people He died for. She will be one of many many many many who come forward so if you dont like it, dont read. People need to be accountable for their actions. I am saddened by it. I still would like to read the blog on tattoos. You have every right to speak up; and I respect you for doing so. She is free to speak of her experience, nothing mean about that. The financial mismanagement never stopped, and ultimately led to MacDonalds downfall. It was simply not possible. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. Harvest Bible Chapel's Elgin campus H arvest Bible Chapel has reached a multimillion-dollar agreement to transfer some of its assets to former pastor James MacDonald, who plans to continue in. Well said. Lina has every right to speak her truth . 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. Others will be hurtit is a matter of time. 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! I am excited for all God is doing in your life to help other women get closer in their relationship with Jesus. Its very important that people share their stories. At the moment were seeing the effects of a down cycle away from God. I struggle with the fear of man myself. Dont listen to haters. A final incident in Roys article involves MacDonald publicly berating HCA students, an incident witnessed by Harvest videographer Luke Helmer. 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. Praying for you for healing and for growth and strength during all of this. But the biggest lesson is people need to stop looking at preachers as though they are perfect, but God know they arent and they need people on their necks to keep them honest. Hes a lemonade maker. Woah there Nellie! God used him mightily for many years and brought His salvation to thousands through this brother. Constantly made to feel stupid, the youth had had enough so the mom called a meeting with the pastor. As a nation, something painful will bring us back. But a true Christian focuses on Christ and His Word. The fallout has only just begun. May God be glorified through this. Nellie, please dont be taken in by putting people on a pedestal (very sad.) Harvest Bible Chapel We're here to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). 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? In any case, Im saddened to hear that this happened to James McDonald. God loves truth. Connect With Us! Go figure..Disappointed, Searching for a new study close by. I have only read the first few paragraphs of your post and needed to stop there to send this reply. Each former leader that speaks out helps us heal and validates our experience. Rather, God is shaking the junkall of our junkout of His Church. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. 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. 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. He is not being bullied. 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. Subscribe to CT Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Its Not About Winning Football Games. Im far removed from this situation, but saddened by it nonetheless. He did the same. Her first year at college and her first visit to Harvest RM. In his remarks this week, he says he confessed his relational failings multiple times, but still lost longtime friends and ministry partners to Harvests narrative. I have had similar experiences at The Chapel . So are you saying that there is mind control of the underling staff and of the rank and file members going on at HBC? I met you when you spoke at Harvest Davenports womens ministry retreat and events many years ago and was challenged and inspired by your teaching. While every major financial decision was supposed to be examined and approved by the churchs eldersand it was claimed that this was casethis was not actually happening. I hope that the cleansing and purification will come to Davenport as well. Well, that same year, my wife was hired as the childrens pastor at the church we had been volunteering at on Wednesday nights (because our church had nothing going on) and I myself have been ordained as a deacon and have even had the privilege to preach on a Sunday morning. 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. I was recovering from the deep wounds and hurts from when we left when this all came rushing back in and opening old wounds. When this happens, there is tremendous spiritual and emotional wounding. I will be praying for you , too, Lina. James MacDonald (born October 4, 1960) is a Canadian-born evangelical Christian pastor, television evangelist, and author. Lina did try to have a conversation with the Elders before she left Harvest. I am sorry I am so late to discover this article but I had to respond to this comment. Gosh, so many similarities with the HBC action. But, thats my opinion. (Proverbs 16:18). I believe Lina did do the best she could at the time. What happens next? 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. I pray that moving forward, His love will control me no matter the consequences. Fear is never a godly way of governing. I should have walked out but, I too, was afraid. Wounds take a great deal of time to heal and its appropriate to share them and warn others to avoid similar church abuse. First, they resigned, along with a third elder (who was not excommunicated only because he also left Harvest and was no longer a member), in protest of how the church was being run. 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. is it the pastors doing? Pastor James MacDonald, of Harvest Bible Chapel, was given the boot last week by church elders after "highly inappropriate . But are they? 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. Lastly, we need to comfort hurting today, she wrote. I knew he wasnt perfect, but then, neither was I, I reasoned. From your first speaking engagement at Harvest, I have watched your ministry(ies) and have see you be a strong fast speaking, outgoing woman, by ethnic background, yet a humble servant of Christ who feels deeply the impact of wrongfulness. I am so inspired to see you today. Most of my friends as well. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. 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. 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. Im glad I have stood firm. According to Harvest, their agreement resolves all claims and issues and releases them from future legal matters over the arbitration terms. Another blind believer. 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. For me, I would like to apologize for not reaching out to you when I finally realized that you had left HBC. On February 12th, someone who sounded an awful lot like James MacDonald called into Mancow Mullers Chicago-area radio show to cuss out all of his perceived enemies. 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. Matthew 7:15 Were you bullied by those elders named? I always wondered why you left but after reading The Elephants Debt I figured I knew why. Do not judge the timing, Gods timing is Always Perfect. Anil. 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. These are the same elders who signed the letter of unconditional support for James, and then they fire him? I appreciate the Biblical distinction you made Sheila, in relation to the Bible calling us to be good ; which doesnt always mean being kind and nice. This woman sounds sincere. You can read about the continued corruption and fraud here: Dan George's Resignation. It seems that was true at Harvest, just as it is at many local churches. I have nothing bad to say about Harvest. The culture of fear is real, soo much so I dont feel comfortable giving my name as some will know me. He ultimately requested that Harvest Naples be released from its relationship with the megachurch. In other words, thatwasMacDonald in the recording. Thankful for the freedom you have found and are willing to speak up. James MacDonald was forced out Tuesday night as senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a church he founded in Rolling Meadows some 30 years ago. 5. 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