Gordon Zwirkoski, a former Harvest elder and the original director of HBF, told Roys that James MacDonald essentially wields ultimate authority at the church and cultivates a spirit of fear in the staff. Former Harvest employee Dave Jones says his church has welcomed dozens of Harvest refugees who show signs of spiritual abuse and are disillusioned.. And then unfortunately when we do speak up we get comments like yours saying why nowit seems Christians cant win either way. The higher the leadership level was, the more protective of James they were. Yet Jesus minces no words when He tells us we ARE to judge teachers by their *fruits* and expose evildoers (and leads by examplesee His very public chastisement of the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees in the Gospels). thanks, Lina, given your vast experience, It is ironic that the experience at Harvest should be seen as a culture of fear. 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. Sitting in the pews, I could not see how deep the cancer was at HBC. I do know that my faith will not be shaken. Your truth was not conceived in fasting or deep prayer and it sure isnt loving. Ive been asked, what would I do if I were still on staff. Its by an unbeliever, but wow, is it eye-opening. We left Harvest for, among other reasons, the bad theology and overall silliness of the womens ministry. I lost the bulk of my community virtually overnight. And I find it odd that someone would have an opinion on that. The assistant pastor just tried to deflect and justify the pastors actions. Nellie, be very, very careful! You have every right to speak up; and I respect you for doing so. I struggle with the fear of man myself. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, revealed material obtained under subpoena, called into Mancow Mullers Chicago-area radio show. You take feed back to heart and you use it as growth points. Right. The next day, Helmer resigned, citing MacDonalds pattern of uncontrolled anger. The pastor later admitted being too intense in the classroom that day. Elder boards are supposed to create this accountability in these situations, but in many cases these boards are no more than rubber stamps. The problem was not so much the pastor but the members that lived worldly. 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. Different situations require different things. While Harvest the pastor there for years had some good preaching. I do not think the solution is replacing the pastor and associates with a new administration. Harvest, which Roys says is $42 million in debt, is suing the Evangelical Christian Credit Union for not refinancing five of its mortgages. Blessings to you! Others had old wounds that had resurfaced and were hurting, having never felt closure to their stories. 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. Saying he had hit a "wall of exhaustion" in June, Lead Ministry Pastor Greg Bradshaw said he is not only leaving Harvest, but also the ministry. Rotate positions? I see Jesus in youfrom one member of the Body to another. When we left, after having posted a letter to the elders, not a single person called us to see how we were doing. Streaming Video Broadcast. Last November, Harvests new elders (all those who served under MacDonald stepped down) declared that their former pastor failed to meet the elder qualifications laid out in Scripture and could not return to their church. Specifically, I do mean the Machiavellian rule by fear and division that we are seeing. Elgin Quick Links Baptisms, February 19th Its like I seek mans favor as well, rather than the Lords. I enjoy both of you Christian ladies for the different gifts you both bring. Christs grace saves us and sustains us. 1 Song. I was brushed off. Dont find that in the Bible. So often, you would open your home to us. That is why we keep talking. Thank you for your courage. Swicegood released a statement saying that much of what has been alleged "is simply false, misleading and hateful." He added that the . Sign up for our newsletter: Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. When I asked questions at the Harvest I attended I was told to be careful what I read on the internet. 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 isnt about timing. I feared offending people. How do you know it wasnt done with fasting and with prayer? If hearing voices together of those who have truth helps, then now is the time to speak. Those are things we dont talk about often enough about. 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. Just because its a church building with leaders doesnt mean that Christ is leading it. Im replying after reading just your first few paragraphs. The unrest at Harvest began in the fall of 2013, when two elders were excommunicated and another was indirectly censured, Roys writes. Ezekiel 22:27 Structure: the structure of My Dream Church is based on the New Testament Body Of Christ Or were you saying they were bullied too. Why not start a different type of church that is not pastor directed? Even people who were very close to us turned silent. He is doing a new thing, and I will stand with my brothers and sisters in Christ and praise his Holy name through it all. And a few days later James MacDonalds sons, Luke and Landon MacDonald, also announced they are resigning. As an encouragement, from day 1, as you began your faith walk ministry, starting a Women of Power teaching ministry at Harvest, I have watched your character. Pastor James made it political when he compared the era of President Trump to the era of Stalin the era of Hitler. 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? In addition, what was shared now, may have been heard better now, then it would have been heard before Lina left Harvest. God wins the war. Some women were still in the middle of the trauma and were still currently attending Harvest. Maybe people could handle hearing it better now than then. Those who would shame someone for standing on the side of truth and grace have missed the mark. After telling us that the elder board always made every decision by full consent, we learned that the former head of the elder board found out about major church initiatives from his seat in the congregation. []. I pray your steps continue to be guided by our Lord! 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I believe this is God working to expose sin just as Jesus warned Luke 12:2-3 Please anchor in on John 7:24. We left a church where the pastor specifically told me, I am in charge! He said this while glaring at me and enunciating each word. My faith has been shaken by the situation at another Christian organization. Reflect about yourself and what steps you need to take to be healed and then to help others heal. The preacher has no support system to fall back on but must find a new church before the new hireling moves in. Nor do I want to be part of a fellowship where the whole counsel of God is not taught nor eschatology ever mentioned. 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. Our full Sunday service will be streamed here every week beginning at 9:30am, and will be available throughout the following week. It was both true in a sense and funny. 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. Speaking the truth and not cowering in the corner. Sounds like your faith in self is overwhelming only yourself! Im also going to sign up for LWP. It never dawned on me that no one from HBC would reach out. Whatever is wrong in Gods eyes He will bring someone to reveal it. @Ross, Were you able to access it? Then God led him to Harvest Bible Chapel. Looking sideways (practical love): We believe that disciples of Jesus profess that He is Lord, practice His Ways, and persevere in both their profession and practice. 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. Politics and religion have a great affect on society, and both must be monitored to protect the people. Horrified. I have wondered if Harvest Bible Chapel (the organization) is worth the cost its taken to try and save it? I am so happy that finally people are standing up and talk about it! This post reminds me of something that happened at my former church. I pray that God will heal those hurt by him and his abuse of authority. It is a shame to Christianity what is happening here. superstar pastors are always ,inevitably, trouble. Even when you get away that fear doesnt leave just because you physically left. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Were they unaware of what was happening behind the scenes? Jesus may be truly calling people to stay, and rebuild Harvest Bible Chapel. 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. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. Fear can lead to many sins. She is free to speak of her experience, nothing mean about that. What had these individuals done? I have only read the first few paragraphs of your post and needed to stop there to send this reply. I praise your decision to own your ministry outside of James. Five Uncomfortable Church Documentaries Still Worth Watching, Asbury Announces New Service ScheduleCampus Will Be Closed to the Public After Today, Eight Witnesses Testified Against Hillsong Founder Brian Houston in Court Case. Yes, I was there for ex-communication video. I applaud you for your courage to leave the church and let the fall out damage by James to you as a person and your career ministry, to be in Gods hands. Continually praying for healing, reconciliation and restoration for His church. blessings. Hidden things have come to light. Why would we be any different? OnFebruary 13, the elders announcedJames MacDonald had been fired. Because TRANSPARENCY is neededand now ahe may be starting to feel safe. 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