Harvest numbers 13,000 attendees across seven locations, and the church began affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2015. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. Why kick him and the church while their down Lina? It would be endearing to me and honoring to them. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Thank you for your response. For a different church model, see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. 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. We confronted him basically because of the way he had attacked a youth at the time and his mother for bringing up how the pastor was making this youth to feel. 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. 7. Its hard to step out alone but God always protects and brings darkness into the light to be seen. Laurie Newman, a Harvest member, told Christianity Today that she believes the church's current leaders, like Bradshaw, are "good people who want to lead the church the way God wants it to. Elder boards are supposed to create this accountability in these situations, but in many cases these boards are no more than rubber stamps. Thats what happens when I get older chronologically! This did not happen to James, he did this, by sinning repeatedly. Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the Scriptures instruct us to do. In any case, we had a final meeting with the pastor and his assistant pastor (who was his son-in-law) to tell them that I was leaving their church. Romans 16: 17-20. God the Holy Spirit wanted Lina to speak more specifically at this time; and she did. He says he gave about $1K in these 6 months, and regrets it. I left Harvest about a year before you did, and I also stayed, for the most part, silent out of the same fear you described. Witnesses say MacDonald was angry that the photo was still on display. When a person is afraid of the reaction of their pastor or preacher it is time to move on. These churches do not usually belong to any denominational body; this means that these pastors have no body above them that they are accountable to. I believe Yahweh has me where He wants me. James biggest issue was his condemnation of other preachers, he never mentioned them by name he knew better, but I knew who he was talking about. Just pray in a prayer closet to be still in the presence of Jesus. Good word, my sister. Vicki Stevenson, I have not read your blogs for some time but the Holy Spirit caused me to stop and read this post. What matters is truth be told. Nellie, be very, very careful! Within days of their statement, MacDonald offered a public apology, admitting to careless and hurtful words and a regression into sinful patterns of fleshly anger and self-pity that wounded co-workers and others.. Blessings to you! As a result, I was asked to meet with the elders, pull the blog piece and write a new one that James would first approve. Harvest Bible Church is a non-denominational, non-charismatic, evangelical Protestant church located in Northwest Houston in the Cypress community. Did you know that Satan and his minions come to Harvest? Although he denied stabbing the photo, MacDonald said, I may have put my knife up against it or into it.. Free of James fear. He was a very good speaker and teacher of the Bible but was forced to resign from our church a few years back. This young lady has done the work and is doing the work of the great physician. Our focus should be on Christ and Christ alone, not James MacDonald. 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. May the God of all comfort minister his comfort to them. 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. This post drips of mercy. I will not address any party affiliation. Thank you for being honest and speaking truth. 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. I was a woman ruled by fear. Ive been blessed by your teaching and Im wondering if I wouldnt have heard your teaching as much had you stayed longer at Harvest. Jesus may be truly calling people to stay, and rebuild Harvest Bible Chapel. 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. I am staying because with all the faults in the organization, the people of Harvest are my family. I volunteer in the childrens ministry and the youth ministry as well, pouring into children and youth. I dont know why, except that I just really wasnt getting the Word of God from the stage and I do mean stage. Harvest Bible Chapel We're here to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Persecution or hardship drew them close. If Harvest and James can answer that, without focusing merely upon what they do, it would be helpful. 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). Thank you for opening up your home so that hurting people could come together and share. Structure: the structure of My Dream Church is based on the New Testament Body Of Christ On his radio show, Muller later aired what sounded like clips of MacDonald making harsh comments toward media who had covered the story. Jesus is still the great healer and restorer. 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. Agreed Sheila. Because there are others that need to also be held responsible. 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. Your willingness to sit down over a cup of coffee in your home with women of God and get real about our hurts, our fears, our dreams, or whatever is going on in our lives. He told me that I would be cursed for questioning his authority and God would punish me. Or were you saying they were bullied too. You are speaking the minds of the many who did not stand up to James as they felt at the time, based on fear of public shame, and damage to career, to stick their heads in the sand and not speak up. Others lied to me directly for selfish gain. or is it the congregations fault for being weak and gullible? I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. I hate to be James because God judges leadership harsher than the regular sinner. Harvest womans Tuesday bible study group has not studied a book of the Bible in a couple of years. Once a preacher condemns other, that is the sign that he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing. If you have something to recommend I read that would help me in this area, Lina, I would appreciate it. Where there is no vision and freedom the people perish. We are the Church! This isI believewhy the American church has lost its effectiveness. I then called an elder who was a friend and someone I trusted. (Galatians 2:11-21) Be kind not hurtful. Those are things we dont talk about often enough about. After leaving, others came to us, with similar stories of why they left or quit being involved. The Harvest and James MacDonald Controversy Explained, Did Pharaoh Have Free Will? Somehow I thought 2500+ members walking out would send the message. Its about the hurting. These are the same elders who signed the letter of unconditional support for James, and then they fire him? The evil at Harvest is a nasty stage four cancer yet has invaded the entire body. Harvest Kids is our weekend experience for kids (babies to fifth grade). In his statement released this week, MacDonald continues to criticize the church for its treatment of him and cites the successful arbitration as confirmation that the truth has been on his side all along. Ive been in the medical field for over 40 years and know a thing or two about human anatomy. We dont know each other, but I found this via Julie Roys Twitter. I think he forgot Whose ministry it was. Others wised up and slowly left. Please support my writing! We just determined to treat the circumstances as a loving God giving us a different direction. Thank you for sharing your story and for doing so in the right spirit. Thank you Lina, Do systems of accountability exist in practice, or only on paper? But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. He is very likely not a brother in Christ. 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. It is not with the powerful; it is those whom the powerful make to feel like theyre nothing. You also restrained and could have said much more and didnt. The founder of a Chicago megachurch has been fired as its leader. Also, for 2 years I felt my prayers didnt get past the ceiling. It is so sad when the devil works to cause problems in a church. Now that all MacDonald men are gone and the elder board has been cut down to 9 men until a brand spanking new group of men are approved of, I am curious to see where this train goes. If you personally were not in a position to be damaged by James, do not judge those who were susceptible to the wrath damage of James. 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. "Following a lengthy season of review, reflection, and prayerful. This woman sounds sincere. What are you authorized to do? I will pray for healing in the hearts and lives of those affected by this tragedy. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. Please see my link. When we left, after having posted a letter to the elders, not a single person called us to see how we were doing. Thanks Sheila. 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. Lauren Boebert And Marjorie Greene's Adult "So Your Problem with Christianity is the Jesus No, the "Second Shift" Isn't Feminism's Fault. I am so glad Lina has spoken up. Hidden things have come to light. Pastor James teaching seemed so Biblical. Dan was a part of this elder board with these 7 elders and he details only some of the fraud . I dont take joy in this situation, but I rejoice in the truth. It helps to be able to talk about it instead of feeling like you have to hide it, or just deal with it. For me, I live with the regret of not taking advantage of the opportunity to come over and get to know you. If you know anything about abusive relationshipsHBC is in the honeymoon phase right now.look it up!! He grew the church from 18 members to more. How you hit the nail on the head! Nellie-What you might not know. Fear is never a godly way of governing. As Gods word says it would. With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. for what its worth, the timing of the writing is His perfect timing. I do not believe your timing should be questioned. The Jews ebb and flow toward God followed a pattern. I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. Matthew 7:15: Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 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. 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. Most continue to stay there, as their numbers dwindle. In eras of prosperity, their hearts drifted. I am excited for all God is doing in your life to help other women get closer in their relationship with Jesus. 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.. 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. I pray others in leadership read your post, check their hearts, and follow suit. Well said. Others, too, could see the attitude. 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 . Even now, many years later, the enemy could still, if I let him, get me questioning my motives and trying to persuade me I was in the wrong not the shepherds. Fear is a stupid liar and I praise God that Hes given us a spirit of a sound mind and Love!!! 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? After that, I felt like my time was wasted. I didnt want to upset James. The Lord knows and he keeps the books. I never attended HBC except for the one time when we visited several years ago and had to sit out in the foyer as the music was blasted out too loud. I know many people who attend Harvest or who have been impacted by MacDonalds preaching are crushed today. I do not think the solution is replacing the pastor and associates with a new administration. May God have mercy on his soul. (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) Churches Still Depend on Clergy Housing Allowance, No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival. The small church that I and my family left was a textbook case in spiritual abuse. The ungodly jockying for power and control is still an issue in all our churches. As happens in evangelicalism, Harvest effectively became its own denomination, with MacDonald at its head. 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.
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