The Pastor started teaching on obeying your authority and not questioning authority etc. Dont find that in the Bible. When the Church becomes the organization instead of the people, then it ceases to be the Church. That is, so many think that the church is the pastors ministry and they dont adequately facilitate the ministry of believers. He has harmed thousands of people. No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival, Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, After Chaos and Crisis, Beth Moore Still Finds Refuge in the Church, With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. Dont you think this influences decisions made by the leaders, both now and before? It is those who live in fear. It is not with the powerful; it is those whom the powerful make to feel like theyre nothing. first Bill Hybels. The news came less than a week after another update from Julie Roys, a defendant in the lawsuit and the writer responsible for the World investigation, who has continued to release evidence against MacDonald and call for his resignation. The World article on the topic says that after Secrest was fired, "he was stunned, because his contract stipulated that he could be fired only for . We are all human, myself included. whos fault is this? All I have to say Lina is thank you! It may not be warm and fuzzy but speaking truth, especially when compelled by the Spirit, is never wrong. Shes not the only one there are many. I believe you are mistaken. I was recovering from the deep wounds and hurts from when we left when this all came rushing back in and opening old wounds. I think that this message has relevance to many situations today, including the present political situation. Im so sorry, and Im sorry for the comments here that are going to be painful for you. But the truth needs to be out there. These same elders that all of a sudden had the courage to fire James, ( which I think is a scam, this was orchestrated )are the same elders that approved that stupid video with those four scum bag elders excommunicating other elders! Let us examine ourselves for unconfessed sin and seek to live in fear of the Lord lest bitterness overtake us.. The problem was not simply Harvest messaging, but also the teachings that made such messagingmake sense. Dont stop trusting or loving. Pray for those outside the faith who will never come to salvation because of how this appears to them, Muller wrote in his op-ed. How are you so sure she didnt pray about this? Until then, you are still a wolf in sheeps clothing. Thanks for being so honest. Dont talk to them, or theyll drag you down too. Instead, they have chosen to remain on the elder board and continue with the deep-seeded corruption and fraud that has plagued Harvest Bible Chapel for many years. 102 reviews of Faith Church "I have been to a few churches in my day. I will be praying for you , too, Lina. All Rights Reserved | Website by Living Wth Power, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjXhWUyGi0&list=PLud2nIxx0IAT58I8QPBdfrOz8bFMQQcd6&index=4&t=0s, https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/, https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/, Recommended Reads: Relevant Magazine on James MacDonald Allegedly Inappropriately Touching Anne Green. Church is of the world. Still, things seemed off. She has a right to expose. Lina, given your vast experience, It is ironic that the experience at Harvest should be seen as a culture of fear. Data Coordination. Lina, thank you for your honesty. Harvest womans Tuesday bible study group has not studied a book of the Bible in a couple of years. People in leadership are there one day, and then poof! There are no ongoing issues of any kind. Such lack of accountability is often a problem at megachurches, which tend to be founded by charismatic individuals who quickly amass a large following. He went recently, saying the time had come. 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. And even then, it often doesnt work because so many remain enthralled with the narcissist, or have tied their fortunes to them, that they simply cant or wont see the truth. Nancy You sound like you still attend thereand you seem double minded. During his sabbatical, MacDonald had planned to preach at the. I love who you are and what you do. Thank you for sharing and speaking truth Lina. 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. Harvest will also reimburse MacDonald another quarter-million dollars related to selling his former home and transfer compensation related to his retirement benefits. I have only read the first few paragraphs of your post and needed to stop there to send this reply. Fear is a stupid liar and I praise God that Hes given us a spirit of a sound mind and Love!!! Theres a difference between stirring the pot and exposing false teachers as the Scriptures instruct us to do. As were you, we were grieving and had to pray for help finding that new church. My response, Why? Brave. Finances: Giving not Tithing. see My Dream Church https://sites.google.com/site/mydreamchurch/. One elder resigned over this, after asking to see the finances and being overruled by the rest of the board. Its hard. Nellie, you know what Lina went through in prep for this how? Congratulations on your freedom, Lina! One thing that has helped is recognizing seasons. But are they? Thank you. Everyone sat still as if he mentioned chocolate milk. He was a ruler of his churches. Because there are others that need to also be held responsible. No One Knows. This young lady has done the work and is doing the work of the great physician. Pray and console those whose faith has weakened from this. How you hit the nail on the head! Mahoney and Bryant shared concerns about Harvests financial dealings, and provided a platform for other former Harvest members, who accused MacDonald of a controlling and abusive leadership style and pointed to an overall lack of accountability for MacDonald at Harvest. But He is in control of everything and if He wants HBC to continue, it will continue. Thank you for this. He told me that I would be cursed for questioning his authority and God would punish me. I didnt know you personally, but was a part of and benefited from the many programs that you offered through womens ministry. No one wins here-except our enemy. God wins the war. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. James has all the characteristics of a false teacher. I think Nellie and others are genuine in their questions of why now and why kick him when he is down. Many are in or have been in denial. 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. Jesus is still the great healer and restorer. Our enemy loves this. With so much gaslighting going on and public take-downs of those who would speak truth to power, and your investment in the church industrial complex, I can imagine how difficult it wouldve been to speak out publicly at the time of your leaving. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Why not start a different type of church that is not pastor directed? I never understood why they saw him the way they do. The womans bible study lead by two women who referenced Pastor James constantly are still in charge. I didnt want James as an enemy, as being on the inside knowing and seeing how he could and would destroy others in ministry if they challenged him. wounded by wolves in sheeps clothing. I dont know you personally but appreciate all you continue to teach me and countless others. Quit pointing fingers, justifying why and stirring the pot. Perhaps the Holy Spirit prompted Lina to share from the HEART. Oh my how that resonated with me and the experiences my beloved and I have had with churches in the UK. I was asked what I would do if I were still on staff through the last 2 years. I was mortified. This past Sunday, Harvests elders and remaining pastors were in serious damage control mode. I too visited Harvest. Lina, I didnt want to be rebellious against authority. She put words to my feelings and I am truly blessed by them. The collaboration of many witnesses should help the leadership at Harvest (or any church) know the depth of a problem. A friend sent me a link to sermon about this yesterday: https://radical.net/sermon/kingdom-community/. I can see you have regret for not having the courage to do it then but youre working to make up for it by speaking now. By the time I left, I had discovered something dark about myself: I was a woman ruled by fear. The public scrutiny continued with pushback against MacDonalds decision to preach at a Harvest affiliate in Florida during his sabbatical. 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!) Church is a small community. The surprise is not Harvest, but that you publicly hung them. There are questions the leadership at every such megachurch should be asking. My last complaint. I didnt want to risk any negative impacts on my own growing ministry. Thank you Lina! Biblical: submission to the Word in My Dream Church will be at a higher level "Following a lengthy season of review, reflection, and prayerful. We can be humans and love. I love this idea! 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. Therefore, we are at our most open to hurt. 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. Driscoll, now MacDonald. Thats when eight former elders sent a letter to the sitting elder board, warning them that MacDonald was disqualified for office, she said in a response posted Wednesday. I have lived with fear in my life almost my entire life. A former youth pastor for Harvest Bible Chapel in Aurora has been charged with the sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old boy on allegations he sought nude pictures of the boy and repeatedly. Everything that is painful for everyone and anyone has been talked about endlessly for weeks. We did not want to cause a split or damage the cause of Christ, so we quietly left. I do have to laugh though. What blessings are flowing at Harvest for those who stand firm! When is God pleased at his church? I will be praying for you. He is very likely not a brother in Christ. While regret cant look back, we now live in a different era than we did four years ago. Others had old wounds that had resurfaced and were hurting, having never felt closure to their stories, Abujamra, a Bible teacher and Moody Radio host, wrote on her blog. You also restrained and could have said much more and didnt. I too have had similar experiences in another church (The Chapel). We talked with two deacons and the assistant pastor. Until recently, I was 8 year member of HBC and I feel so sad, confused, betrayed. He stopped going to any church and says he has lost faith in everything. Through it all, our relationship with Christ was strengthened all the more. (It wouldve done no good to tell them how they erred when previous months didnt get it done.) Thankful we got left when we did. I hate to be James because God judges leadership harsher than the regular sinner. 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). Thank you for adding your voice to the now chorus of voices calling for a time of judgment and reform. Thanks for speaking up! Linas post is still available on other mediums, I imagine if she wanted to link it she would have. 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