I appreciate your voice. Our full Sunday service will be streamed here every week beginning at 9:30am, and will be available throughout the following week. As were you, we were grieving and had to pray for help finding that new church. then the sermons and teaching were getting distorted and weird. Voices heard together make a difference. May Our Lord guide all of us and May His will be done above all else. 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. Lina, this took courage and Im glad you said it. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. It was engaging at times. No church is, because they are all filled with sinners like us. DeeperWalkInternational.org. In effect, the senior pastor isthe church. But dont shame others who speak up. 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. I was so dissappointed to hear that she left. The devil may win some battles, but we know God ultimately wins the war. Gosh, so many similarities with the HBC action. 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. 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. 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. Ive been where youre at, believing that its godly to keep trying to work it out, like family does. Can Bubble Tea Bring Gen Z into the Chinese Church. The flock are the casualties in all of this. Im far removed from this situation, but saddened by it nonetheless. A new believer has lost faith because of the shameful behavior of HBC leadership and all you can say is question the new believers truthfulness of his account? It is loving to tell the truth. In keeping with our past private statements to Harvests leadership and to our pastorsThe primary issue is not reconciliation or peacemaking, it is repentance, GCC elders said in a January 17 statement. Nellie, please dont be taken in by putting people on a pedestal (very sad.) The beloved drink is both an attraction and a generational divide. So much good was happening at Harvest, surely it must have Gods blessing. Goodthat you let a toxic place. God wins the war. And the lies werent just shared by James. He was a very good speaker and teacher of the Bible but was forced to resign from our church a few years back. These changes were never made, but the critics were silencedfor a time. Roys also lamented the fallout of todays news. Did you see the link to my web page. 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. Thank you for sharing and speaking truth Lina. I will not address any party affiliation. Thank you for sharing. It never dawned on me that it would open you up to attack. All why surrounding himself w/yes men. God is good and He will use those who make themselves available to Him. 12:18) as while working through this year-and-half-long process of transition. 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. The first one is in the magazine Relevant and looks at the allegations of Anne Green being inappropriately touched by James MacDonald. 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. Fear is never a godly way of governing. The question is with independent churches who did they answer to? But I lived this in the late 70s and early 80s the scandals of the then big preachers they fell down hard as well. Walked out of that service. What matters is truth be told. I think that this message has relevance to many situations today, including the present political situation. thanks, Even before the Garden of Eden seduction, he foresaw the need for The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Your leaving (however late you feel it was) was His provision for others, much like Joseph sent ahead to Egypt years ahead of his brothers and father. I would ask you the same question? 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. And where I live that mostly rules out every English speaking church there is! It was so hard not to be bitter, and it took a long time to want to be part of another church and not be so cautious. My heart breaks for the people that have been hurt by this on both sides. I dont understand how anyone could watch that video and not immediately know that something was very, very wrong. Fear can lead to many sins. I can only hope and pray that those that criticize you for speaking up now are MORE upset about the behavior of the leaders of the church! I have a love-hate relationship with Thanksgiving Day. This post drips of mercy. I am no one special here. The ungodly jockying for power and control is still an issue in all our churches. Harvest, an off-shoot of an eponymous megachurch in Illinois, was sued for. I, like you, am so thankful for how God has worked in me and my family through the ministries at Harvestincluding the teaching and selfless service of Lina, and so many others (some who have left, and some who chose to stay). 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. Thank you Lina, for opening the door of your life so that we can understand your experience. This isI believewhy the American church has lost its effectiveness. Jesus taught eternal love. Attempts to reconcile the situation failed due to the pastor believing he had done nothing wrong. Im thankful you and so many others I know have left with dignity and after a bit of healing have jumped back into churches where they are serving the Lord with all their hearts using the gifts God has given them so faithfully. On January 7, 2019, Harvest elders announced they decided to drop the lawsuit against Julie Roys and four other individuals. Politics and religion have a great affect on society, and both must be monitored to protect the people. I agree with Nellie. If you know anything about abusive relationshipsHBC is in the honeymoon phase right now.look it up!! What happens next? I believe you are mistaken. 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. God is faithful, and He is doing what needs to be done to protect His bride. 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. Is many people for years have tried to bring things to light privately. This is the right time as the judgment of God has come to his people. Unhappy to see you did not make the approved list. After leaving, others came to us, with similar stories of why they left or quit being involved. Connect With Us! I also managed to write an apology to James for the pain I had caused him. As painful as it is, all that has been hidden must be revealed. No one seems to be able to discern right from wrong anymore. May God have mercy on his soul. Those who step out of line are often dismissed. You are absolutely right about the fear! Find a church with great accountability. Jesus calls us to be GOOD. He did the same. Sign up for our newsletter: Because Jeff is still lying to peoples faces with a smug grin as recently as Saturday night. 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. That is who God truly cares about. And you will not lose true friends and sisters in Christ. than submission to leaders Lean should read it and reply in kind. Stressful on him and his family. In Him, Sign up for our newsletter: Precept Inductive Bible Study for Women. Thank you for displaying what an honest and vocal Godly woman can look like. I left HBC Davenport 4 years ago because of the spiritual abuse that is happening there as well. The only hope is to totally exposed and excise it so that all will not be consumed. Once a preacher condemns other, that is the sign that he is trying to avert attention from what he is doing. 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. But thats how it happens at Harvest, right? Can you please contact me from the Contact button on my web page here? Dont bad rap other churches? Hearing these stories has helped me to realize I left just when I was supposed to. Thank you Lina! We left Harvest for, among other reasons, the bad theology and overall silliness of the womens ministry. This woman sounds sincere. 1 Timothy 5:20 I love Dr. Dobsons admonition that while it is tempting to want to get out of a painful situation, often the only way out is through. I am sure that was very hard for her to share . perfect response and reminiscent of what scripture teaches. We talked with two deacons and the assistant pastor. My precious, from a far, friend who I have watched since your first speaking engagement 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. It helps to be able to talk about it instead of feeling like you have to hide it, or just deal with it. hi liz, not really looking for a vote here. Said it the need for the people, that is the right time as the judgment God! Right time as the judgment of God has come harvest bible church scandal His people saddened by nonetheless! 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