The shakeup at Harvest Bible Chapel continued tonight as the sons of founder James MacDonald, who was fired last week, offered their resignations.
In his resignation letter, Lead Pastor Luke MacDonald said his “professional dream” had been “to one day grow to be the Senior Pastor of the church.” But he added that “conversations with elders and staff” had made it clear that he “should move forward to whatever God has next.”
Noting that his birth year and Harvest’s were the same, Landon MacDonald, executive pastor of student ministries, said he “always thought that something like that would be said at my funeral having served at Harvest my whole life.” Landon said his years at Harvest have been wonderful and that teaching the students at Harvest has been “a dream come true.” But he expressed that the the past few months have been “painful and heavy in ways I didn’t think possible.”
The resignations come after Harvest member Mark Banaszak wrote a letter on behalf of about 30 members, which was emailed to the elders. The letter specifically called for the resignations of Luke and Landon MacDonald. The letter also called for Rick Donald, assistant senior pastor, to resign.
The letter also asked for every elder who participated in the creation of the executive committee to resign immediately, as well as every elder who participated in the 2013 excommunication of three former elders. It then asked for the removal of the remaining elders over the next six months.
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The letter also called for the elimination of the executive committee, a group of four to five elders who make all the financial and legal decisions for the church. Additionally, it asked for a forensic accounting review of all the church’s financial transactions for the past 20 years.
The resignation letters and letter to the elders are below:
Luke MacDonald’s resignation letter:
Harvest,
I am resigning from my pastoral position at Harvest as of Tuesday, February 19th, effective immediately.
Pastoring at Harvest has been a delight. From my years in Niles as the youth pastor, through pastoring students in Rolling Meadows, and then to Vertical Worship and preaching on the weekends, there have been many great years. The conferences and Good Fridays and altar calls have been great, but the true joy has been the blessing of walking alongside so many wonderful individual people. We have been blessed to work alongside many talented and tireless servants. My professional dream has always been to one day grow to be the Senior Pastor of the church. Even after my parent’s ministry at Harvest ended, I was hopeful that with enough humility and time that could still happen. However, conversations with elders and staff over the past week have made it clear that we should move forward to whatever God has next for us.
I sincerely love the people of Harvest and will continue to pray that the church will find unity and fruit in a new season ahead. While we have no current future employment plans, we hope to serve the Lord again and would never choose an assignment that would hurt the church we have loved these many years. Thank you.
Pastor Luke + Kristen MacDonald
Landon MacDonald’s Resignation Letter:
To the Elders and people of Harvest Bible Chapel,
I have been at Harvest since I can remember. When I was a kid I treasured that my birth year and Harvest’s were the same. I always thought that something like that would be said at my funeral having served at Harvest my whole life. I started on the maintenance and security staff and served in plays and acting for Harvest Kids, the Worship team and then my favorite places – Harvest Students and Camp Harvest.
My time here has been wonderful and I have seen God work and move from small Senior trips with just a handful of students to arenas and the conference we just did for our students last weekend, which might be my favorite of any of them.
These past few months have been painful and heavy in ways I didn’t think possible, but through it all, my loving wife and the AWESOME people of Harvest have supported me. If it wasn’t for the Colossians 1:11 strength of God – I wouldn’t have made it this far. That said, my time at Harvest has come to a close. Its painful to say it and I never thought I would, but Bri and I have been in prayer for what seems like forever and God is leading us elsewhere. We don’t know where yet, but that is half the adventure.
This isn’t a spontaneous or emotional decision – it has become clear to us that we are not the best people to lead in this church moving forward. If desired, I am available by phone to answer any questions related to transition of responsibilities.
To the people of Harvest – your support and prayers kept us through until today -the sincerest thank you from my heart. Both to those who told me they were praying and those who just did it.
To the students of Harvest – leading and teaching you has been a dream come true. It never once felt like work, I always was stunned that I got paid to teach and lead you guys. To all students past and present, you and this ministry is the thing that I will miss the most.
I love Harvest and its people and I always will. Prayers are appreciated as Bri, Ezra, Violet, Julian and I move towards what’s next.
Landon MacDonald
Letter to Elders written by Mark Banaszak:
As members of Harvest Bible Chapel, we firmly believe in the Mission Statement and the 5 pillars of our church. In keeping with 1 Timothy 1:5, the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. We also acknowledge the great contribution of our founding pastor in establishing the foundation which we now stand upon. Unfortunately, James’s actions along with the long-term failure of the elder board, leadership and various pastors to fulfill their biblical duties are the reason for this storm of devastation that has been brought upon our congregation. This church was not founded on James MacDonald nor any man and we must do our part to restore the church to its rightful founder, God.
The issues that have currently been identified as well as those to be discovered, must be addressed swiftly and in an open manner before the members of this church. There must not be any secrets that are hidden from the church body. Proverbs 28:13, whoever conceals his transgression shall not prosper, but he who confessed and forsakes them will obtain mercy”.
This small group who failed to execute their biblical responsibilities have allowed selfish, sinful and weak patterns of behavior to be tolerated and covered up at the highest levels within our church. The solution proposed at the February 16th Saturday evening service, which was consequently edited with major parts deleted from broadcast on Sunday February 17th, is not a thorough solution as it fails to address one of the largest questions, what has happened to our tithes and offerings? This proposed plan also allows many of those who are responsible for this storm to remain in positions of leadership within the church. To leave the church under the same leadership that is responsible for the current storm and determine the corrections needed is an afront to those who call Harvest their home. A large portion of our congregation finds this solution as presented, unacceptable. It is written in 1 Peter 5:2-4 that the elders are to “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly: nor as being lords over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock.” Also, it is written in Proverbs 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Today we are standing up for all the men, women and children who have been wronged by the elders, pastors and leaders of Harvest Bible Chapel. We are here to affirm in unity that it is our intent to remain diligent during this process. To ensure the body of Christ at Harvest Bible Chapel is returned to biblical governance and those responsible are removed from church leadership and where necessary held accountable for their actions. For Ephesians 5:11 says, take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead rebuke and expose them.
In keeping with the biblical requirements for elders and pastors, and the obvious failures that have been discovered, we believe that the following actions must be taken immediately to begin the restoration of our church, to remove those directly involved in these failures as well as prevent their influence in the process of returning our church to biblical governance. We ask that:
Rick Donald resign from the elder board and be placed on an indefinite sabbatical during the ongoing Harvest 2020 process and until such time as it can be determined his level of involvement/knowledge of the abuses that have taken place. First the obvious conflict of interest in being the best friend of James MacDonald for over 40 years. Also adding James’s right hand man for 30 years would call into question his objectivity and decision making during this process. Rick has observed this unbiblical behavior and pressured others to cover up this behavior. He has been as much a part of the culture of intimidation and manipulation in our church body as James. His actions or lack thereof as well as his conflicts of interest should disqualify him from remaining in any position of
leadership at Harvest Bible Chapel. During the sabbatical he should not be permitted to attend any of the Harvest campuses or to communicate with the leadership or elders in any manner.Luke MacDonald and Landon MacDonald should be removed from their leadership and ministry roles and they should be placed on indefinite sabbatical during the ongoing Harvest 2020 process and until such time as it can be determined their level of involvement/knowledge of the abuses that have taken place. Their obvious conflict of interest, being the sons of James, calls into question most if not all of their decisions. Having such a conflict of interest should prevent them from having any oversight or decision-making responsibilities at this time. During the sabbatical they should not be permitted to attend any of the Harvest campuses or communicate to with the leadership or elders in any manner.
With the acknowledgement of the restructuring and reduction of the elder board and leadership team we also call for the total elimination of the group known as the “Executive Committee,” and there be an amendment to the church bylaws to prevent any other similar group (s) from being formed that would allow for the circumventing of elder board responsibilities. The ongoing decision to only change the structure of this group is not a solution which is found to be acceptable.
It is written in 1 Timothy 5: 19-20 “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
We ask that elders currently serving, that participated in the 2013 excommunication of 3 former elders and the elders that participated in the 2015 establishment of the “Executive Committee” resign. Their actions ignored biblical standards and principles with the shunning and public slander of men who were being faithful to God’s word as well as facilitated the circumventing of the responsibility and oversight of the elder board. This lack of oversight facilitated the covered up of ungodly behaviors, financial mismanagement, potential embezzlement and illegal self-dealing by current and former church elders, pastors and leaders. We are also aware that there are pastors and leaders outside the elder board who have been complicit in these actions which contributed to this storm. It is expected that these individuals are held to account for their action or lack thereof and where necessary be removed from leadership if warranted.
It is expected after a determined period of time, not to exceed 6 months, that the remaining elders are to resign and have no further role in determining the policies of the church as well as be prohibited from obtaining any leadership roll until such time as the congregation determines these men have proven themselves faithful and qualified for leadership roles at Harvest Bible Chapel.
As Paul says in Philemon 1:8-9, Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you do what is required, yet for loves sake I prefer to appeal to you. All financial transactions pertaining to Harvest Bible Chapel for the past 20 years be subject to a forensic accounting review by a group with no association or relationships to past or current leaders of Harvest. This audit is necessary as Harvest Bible Chapel is $42 million dollars in debt, even with two of our seven properties being gifted to us. This debt at a minimum indicates gross mismanagement and likely even theft and embezzlement. All current members of the churches financial team should be subject to a thorough vetting process and the current CFO should be called into account for these matters.
Harvest Bible Chapel pastors, elders and the Executive Committee members have conducted their activities in secret for over a decade. This lack of oversight and transparency must be addressed first and foremost during the Harvest 2020 process. All elder board and Harvest 2020 meetings must be made open to individuals appointed by the congregation with minutes of these meetings, (not “updates”), must be published on the HBC website. The establishment of the Harvest 2020 team which was done in secret and without input from the congregation must be opened to oversight by members appointed by the congregation. The belief that the proposed solutions for this crisis should be left to the current elders, pastors and leaders is tantamount to the “Fox guarding the hen house”.
In the strongest possible terms, we request that Rick Korte’s personal relationships with current and past elders, leaders and pastors be made public so that a determination can be made on his ability to serve as the leader of Harvest 2020 team without any conflicts of interest. We desire for to give Rick an opportunity to return biblical governance and accountability to our church. However, we have also learned many lessons and will no longer blindly have trust in our leaders until such a time as they have re-established that trust; which must begin with open communication, transparency, timely and thorough updated on the Harvest 2020 process. It is our expectation that the congregation will receive frequent updates as well as our questions being answered in a timely manner.
I exhort you leaders, as the church in Sardis was in Revelation 3:2-3, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works to be perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you”.
It is with the greatest hope we that press on to restore our church to the glory of God and stand on his promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14; “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”
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130 Responses
Marks letter to the elders is amazing! It’s a unsettling that this type of language didn’t come from Rick Korte Himself the night he introduced himself as leader of 2020. This letter should just be common sense type thinking for the elders at Harvest. Scary it is not! I hope every point of this letter by Mark is followed!
I wonder why Mr. Mark Banaszak thinks he represents the congregation of Harvest.
When and where did he post a notice for the meeting he must have held in order to write his letter of demands on behalf of the congregation? Why was I not notified of this meeting so that my opinions could be represented as well?
I do not agree with Mr. Mark Banaszak and as far as I can tell, I do not see much difference between
Mr. Manaszak’s single-boss-style of management and personal list of demands and the way Harvest has been managed.
Shame on you, Mr. Banaszak. I accuse you of dictating to me, bullying me into others thinking I agree with you, and imposing your demands upon Harvest without consulting me or asking me if you could represent me. And to this I would answer a resounding “No”.
James is this you? You gotta stop coming on to social media incognito. Marks proposal are well thought out and reasonable. Unlike the dictatorship you imposed on the church. Also can you ask Rick to resign? Thanks!
Really Don E Racer, You are out of touch with reality. Maybe you can find out where James and his family are going so you can follow them. However the rest of God’s people want a church for Christ and leaders who care for their people. Thank you Lord for bringing this injustice out and I pray for all those affected. Praise you Lord for you never change!
Oh, shoot. I thought Don was a parody account, like Megachurchpastor on Twitter. You’re right, it’s Doug or James. Not funny enough.
Change is hard. I would suggest you take a breath and read Mark’s letter slowly. Change is hard. Harvest will almost certainly fold if change does not happen. Your choice.
David- Change is hard, but for all the commenters here, allowing the *congregation* (i.e., NOT you or any of the haters here) to seek GOD’S WILL (i.e., not YOUR will; you are not God, believe it or not) is even harder for you.
Get yourself off your throne and stop standing in God’s way.
Don, or MacDonald… at least half the people here ARE the Harvest congregation. Your comments spew anger and contempt. In all gentleness we entreat you, stop raging lest you end up judged by God, which happened to Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26. Courageous priests confronted the king but he refused to listen. “While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.” (verse 19)
Don/James, are you out of your mind? Or did you just get involved in this mess. Try doing a little research and talking to members, because you are part of the problem. Denying facts shows a strong lack of discernment. Your welcome to leave if you go to Harvest, and find out where James is going, and continue to follow him. And just continue on in your ignorant bliss.
GREAT letter by Mark. I agree one hundred percent. The half measures and deck chair shuffling proposed by Rick Donald as well as his continued presence in leadership at Harvest are unacceptable. He needs to go immediately, and all the elders should go as well.
The church needs to start fresh with new leaders whom the people can trust, with new bylaws that keep the church from becoming another dictatorship.
Excellent Mark Banaszak:,,doing all that you have written will bring back trust and GODS blessing
Mark, Your letter is what my wife and I were waiting for! It is spot on! How can we organize a meeting with other Harvest members to push for the things in your letter? We have been members for 15+ years and have felt powerless over the past 8 weeks while watching (God’s) our church spiral what seems like out of control.
Agreed! Let’s take our church and give it back to Jesus. This is where it always belonged!
#weareharvest
All reasonable requests from Mark. I wish him success and support him! Let the congregation have their church back!
The letter from Mark Banaszak and the 30 members he’s representing is straight-up filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. My only regret is that Harvest made it near-impossible for members to put together something like that, until their sins became so egregious–and the public exposure so bright–that the only thing left for God-fearing Congregants to do was turn to each other and say, “We’ve GOT to so something about this!” Bravo, Mark. I hope to meet you someday. You have my deepest respect and gratitude.
Awesome except they should break the multisite up and every plant should go full independent, which is biblical. Multisite has so many issues stemming from the centrality of power and prestige. It truly creates a clergy and a laity.
Yes, absolutely. Financially, they have no choice. A couple campuses (owned by LLCs) may have to be cut altogether. Fine because they’re ~200. The premise of multi-site is flawed, i.e., everyone must hear from THIS preacher.
How can they do that when the campuses are all financed with other campuses as collateral?
According to most recent EOY statements (2017), only Elgin loan ($27 mil balance) is cross-collaterized. Cathedral is collateral in that loan.
Every plant already is fully independent with the possible exception of a few overseas churches. I’m part of a plant (11 years) and we have ALWAYS been FULLY independent of harvest Chicago. We are heartbroken for what is happening there, but saw it coming many years ago. We are thankful that the troubles in Chicago have nothing to do with us. Please understand that.
Karen, while church PLANTS may be independent (albeit filled with Chicagoland HBC DNA), there are numerous CAMPUSES in the Chicago area (+ Naples, FL until recently) that are a single church on multiple campuses. This includes Rolling Meadows, Elgin, Niles, Chicago Cathedral, Crystal Lake, Deerfield Road and Aurora. These are churches that people are saying should be given autonomy. But it’s not a simple task bc the finances are all enmeshed, tangled and hidden behind LLCs, etc.
God bless the broken road that leads us all back to you God!
Wow mark! I totally agree with you..your letter is straight to the point and not complicated and sounds completely transparent…if we’ve learned anything from this its that ..mans heart is desperately wicked ,who can know it ??? We all need accountability, that includes me also, I’m very Greatful to many people who have commented on this blog, and am very encouraged to see so many believers contending for The Faith…let’s keep up the Fight till Christ returns or we go home to be with Him.
Dan, First of all I want to say thank you for standing up last week. We really need people like you and Mark on the Harvest 2020 team along with other Holly Spirit filled believers! To His glory!
HBC leadership has consistently pointed to “a few former members/ employees”, as the one’s who are “disgruntled”.
However, it is NOT just former members/employees. I am current member and I am more than disgruntled – I am sad, disheartened, discouraged…and very angry.
We trusted the leadership of HBC to behave in a God honoring manner and they have failed miserably – for YEARS. It has become a broken record: major unbiblical decisions are made or behaviors excused, followed by “we made a mistake, but trust us, we fixed it” apology tour. It must end NOW. The congregation has had their eyes opened and will no longer passively accept the destruction of God’s Church and people by leaders who operate in secrecy and shadows.
The decisions made in the next 6 months will likely be the most important in our Church’s history, spelling a new beginning or painful failure. Mark, your email beautifully outlined a reasonable and well thought out plan to begin the authentic restoration of HBC. I sincerely pray HBC leadership will take your message seriously and act upon it.
Thank you so much Mark Banaszak! We needed this clarity and call to action. May God help us all to ‘strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die’.
100% on target. Only questions why put them on indefinite sabatical? Just terminate immediately. Do they still collect a paycheck on sabatical?
I believe it’s so they can’t flee and can be held responsible for their portion in this unfortunate mess.
Excellent letter Mark! I would add that removal of all 34 elders is warranted. Now maybe some of them have redeeming qualities & are not disqualified. But just in terms of PERCEPTION and any attempt to build TRUST going forward, it’s preferred to have a complete clean slate. I’m sure there are a dozen qualified people who never previously served in any capacity under the old regime that can do a fine job.
$42,000,000 IN DEBT, AS I JUST SIT HERE AND STARE AT THAT NUMBER IN FEAR FOR YOU ALL ONE HAS TO ASK THEMSELVES THIS: OVER THE TIME OF THIS SYSTEMS EXISTENCE HOW MANY TOTAL MILLIONS CAME IN…… $300 MILLION,$400 MILLION,$500 MILLION, $600 MILLION
IS THERE NOT ANYONE HERE THAT CAN SEE AN ETERNAL JUDGEMENT PROBLEM HERE…… ANYBODY WHO HAS EVER TAKEN A DOLLAR…. By the way either it is Gods money or it is not Gods money….. IF ONE DECIDES IT IS GODS and ALSO DECIDES THAT HE or SHE IS GOING TO PARTAKE OF SAID MONEY IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM , SUCH AS IN A WAGE, GIFT OR
MISAPPROPRIATION OF ANY MANNER AT ALL IS IN DANGER OF SEVERE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT…….. WHY YOU ASK….. BECAUSE YOUR AND MY SALVATION CAME AS A FREE GIFT AT THE GREATEST COST, FREELY WE HAVE RECEIVED, WE ARE TO FREELY GIVE AND PRESENT OUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE OUT OF OBEDIENCE AND LOVE FOR HIS SACRIFICE FOR US. I HUMBLY and FEARFULLY PUT FORTH THIS TO ANYONE GETTING EVEN A $1 , CEASE IMMEDIATELY, SEPARATE YOURSELF and HUMBLE THYSELF BEFORE HIM and REPENT and MOURN of the EVIL DEEDS , GET A JOB MAKING TENTS or SOMETHING WITH YOUR HANDS and SERVE HIM ALL THE REST OF THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE WITH JOY and GLADNESS that you were SPARED OF YOUR BLINDNESS…………..
HOW MANY POOR COULD BE FED WITH EVEN $1,000,000 or EVEN THE AMOUNT OF YOUR WAGE.
NOW, IF ANYBODY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS, THEN I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ONE THINKS IT IS NOT GODS MONEY AFTER ALL and is DECEIVED , NOT REALIZING THAT THE LORD JESUS SAID PLAINLY YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD and MAMMON WHICH IS THE WORLD SYSTEM YOU KNOW LIKE WORLDLY CORPORATIONS WITH BIG SHOT HIRELINGS CEO CFO COB s at the top.
WHICH REMINDS ME…… HAS ANYBODY READ THE 32 PAGES OF YOUR BYLAWS….. I DID
OH MY GOD , MY HEAVENLY FATHER HAVE MERCY ON US , WE’ WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU AND HAVE DONE THIS EVIL IN YOUR SIGHT, HAVE MERCY AS WE TURN FROM OUR SIN, FROM OUR UNBELIEF , OUR DISOBEDIENCE , OUR WORLDLY UNGODLINESS AND FROM TAKING YOUR NAME IN VAIN THINKING and SAYING THINGS AGAINST YOU WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE FOR YOU, THINGS SPOKEN at YOUR EXPENSE, FOR SAYING THINGS ARE YOU OR BY YOU WHEN THEY WERE NOT….
FORGIVE US NOW THAT WE MAY TURN AGAIN TO THEE , THAT WE MY KNOW YOU LIKE WE HAVE NEVER KNOWN YOU BEFORE , THAT WE MAY HEAR YOUR VOICE and BE LED OF YOUR SWEET HOLY SPIRIT, WE NOW BRING EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU …. EVERY VAIN THING , EVERY PROUD THING , EVEN EVERY HURTFUL THOUGHT , EVERYTHING TO YOU and ask you LORD to look upon our hearts and by your mercy you can set us free JESUS
So we hide not ourselves……..
So true David and I would add the Ekklesia, His Body, will not be ruled by any “religious system” of men called an Oganization, Institution, Collective, Or Sect. His Body will not have an earthly priesthood called the Clergy acting as “intermediaries” in the place of His Beloved Son. Being compensated to rule over His sheep which the Institutional Church has come to call “the laity,” in effect dethrones the Lord Jesus. Establishing such an arrangement of things is to describe Babylon the Great. The traditional Church in the West especially, runs things using the same principles as any commercial enterprise only with less transparency. Hebrews is quite clear, He will not be found in “the camp” of the religious system. The command is clear, “ come out of her.” If the supreme object in view is Christ I believe He will not be found where man is king but in the wilderness. More and more many are leaving these Organizations to journey to Him and then find others on the same journey. He is Way, the Truth and the Life, not the system of men. “This is eternal life that you would know me,” not your organization or a different one down the street. “Come unto me,” not your resident clergyman. Thank God for the true pastors and shepherds in our midst but Biblically, these are giftings, not Positions, Titles, Official Offices. HBC are you going to re-organize under another system with a different professionally paid staff and operate like a business? After five decades in the system I discovered you are either a servant of Christ and free, OR you become a prisoner of an Organization— doing both is mixture, leaven and that always has a bad outcome. Praying for you all. Seek Him.
Video from a former member of Harvest Bible Chapter under James Macdonald
VIDEO
https://youtu.be/L4lpYgAjG0Q
My Response:
These filthy Reprobates who make merchandise of the unlearned. 2 Peter 2:3… I’ve never been to Harvest but I’ve seen James Macdonald’s disgusting beggar video that screams hypocrisy promoting unbiblical social gospel and encourages Pathological Altruism. Please see link below. Please take a moment to read Blog of my personal testimony of 50 years of attending church (literally hundreds, Black churches, Korean, Mega, Evangelical, Baptist, AOG, TV ministries YouTube ,all over the United States and around the world) a thoroughly documented experience in the fraudulent 501C3 building operations, including even the private enterprises and foreign operations calling themselves churches that are run by mostly Jesuit influenced Seminary trained apostate CEOs calling themselves pastors. We have recently completed an 800 page Ebook with over 2,000 source based references to substantiate every detail and we also include solid King James Bible referenced doctrine that has completely been removed from every church operation. We will send a free copy of our Ebook to anyone who requests a copy by emailing us in link attached or people can purchase the $0.99 Ebook on Amazon direct. Or people can simply read through the Blogs attached in links below to glean information that is essential in understanding what’s happening today in these churches. I begin with first hand accounts of my days going back to our home church of Calvary Temple in Denver Colorado when Charles E Blair was arrested on SEC violations in 1975-6, 17 counts of securities fraud and still only a fraction was ever repaid of the millions parishioners lost to Blair’s Ponzi scheme. This is only a drop in the ocean of what is going on in churches today. I detail it in my Blog. One of my favorite to date is me on the phone with Kenneth Copeland ministries asking to speak to Kenneth about how my seed faith money of over $80,000. in multiple ministries including his, wasn’t working out very well as we were losing our home. Or my years in Viet Nam to learn the extent of the Vatican’s infiltration etc. Praise God I have now been homechurching and fellowshipping in small groups the same way I did in the underground church movement while living in Vietnam and visiting China. I’m now retired and have committed my life to exposing the Apostate Church and Charlatans that are fleecing the flock. Thank you.
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-don-go-to-church-from-blood-bought.html
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2019/02/social-gospel-is-not-only-not-biblical.html
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/06/who-are-you-amir-tsarfati-my-brother-in.html
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/12/an-open-letter-of-rebuke-to-stones.html
#1. You lost all credibility when you stated
King James Version
#2. Of you were close to losing your home why would you give $80,000 to anyone let alone Kenneth Copeland.
If you would read your Bible correctly you would know that prosperity teachers use of seed faith is unbiblical.
I disagree on one point.
The King James Version is a very apt translation when refuting the evils of KING JAMES. It cuts to the marrow Heb 4:12 KJV and is devoid of the modern translations Orwellian Doublespeak such as the ESV which has been besmirched and forever saddled with the unconscionable acts of KING JAMES.
i.e. the word WHORE has been supplanted with the more politically correct ‘prostitute.’ In my opinion, the word whore cuts right to the bone.
Maybe you could better spend your energy sharing the love of Jesus with a lost soul?
Excellent letter by Mark, is there a way to place our name to this document.
Glad to see Luke go. He was only a shade away from his father. I’ve been a witness to more bullying, belittling, and obscene behaviour from Luke Macdonald than James. Shouting, swearing, demeaning and cruel things said to and about students in the ministry. When I was an intern for student min he used to pee in cups in the office during meetings. Lots of strange behavior like this no doubt led to the Paxton Singer situation and subsequent cover up.
The disease of harvest is that man was above God. The gospel helped them get what they needed, and so they pressed it into a vice, mangled, deformed, and squeezed it until money came out. Shame on them, for the irreparable damage they have caused to the faith as a whole, to individual congregants, and to myself personally.
The only greater shame would be if this group of serial abusers, lovers of money, manipulating charlatans, and crooked backed ‘pastors’ went on to some other state to start a new brand of gospel perversion, which is why many of us are hoping Mancow will release the rest of the audio he has.
You reap what you sow, and for many who have been witness to these behaviors for the last 25+ years, it is long overdue for the MacDonalds to harvest the destruction, pain, and brokenness they have sown into the congregating.
In 2013 the elder board went as far as labeling three dissenting elders as “from satan” for questioning the abuse and mismanagement of the church.
Now the three main abusers, the Macdonald ‘”executive pastors” are walking away scot-free. Even Jeff Donaldson, in that charade of a Q&A last Wednesday, said “the elder board never said James was disqualified”
Give me a break. Three elders, honorable men, were from satan at the drop of a hat. The MacDonalds destroyed lives and tried to bury it and cover it with fear and intimidation until the stink of their fesrering rot couldn’t be hidden anymore. They shouldn’t come out smelling like roses. The elder board should DISQUALIFY these spiritual abusers, whether they resigned or not.
Mike, one problem with non-denominational churches is that there is no accountability to anyone above the local church level, which as we have seen in living color, is not always an effective model for oversight.
If a pastor was found to be in the same types of sin and was ordained by the PCA or some other denominatinoal body, they could disqualify the pastor and then he would be disqualified from the congregations that are part of the denomination that ordained him. HBC could say that James and Luke and Landon are “disqualified”, but it doesn’t really mean anything other than “they can’t pastor here.” Yes, they should do this, but it wouldn’t really have any teeth.
Yes, ever higher levels of accountability and ecclesiastical authority have worked wonders for fragmenting, apostatizing mainline denominations and the pederasty-riddled Catholic church. Come on.
The people in the pews fund the church, and the people in the pews do the vetting of the teaching they receive. If your pastors and elders are untrustworthy or negligent, that’s the end of the story. They leave or you leave. If all that remains is a building full of tares, it’s simply not a church. Let it go.
Heartbreaking, all of it. Praying every day, and grateful for many good things we received at Harvest when we went there. Sounds like wise people with the right priorities are getting traction. They may see some amazing, hopeful things come out of this mess, even if it looks a lot different than before.
Good word!
To the People of Harvest,
Is it time for a petition to consider the 30 men who signed the letter to the “elders” to replace the 30 men who signed their unconditional support to a one James McDonald?!?
#TheseThirtySurelyHave MoreDiscernment&DesireToDo WhatIsRightThanTheOtherThirty
#UnderstatementOfTheCentury
Amen Mike! As I believe they had something to gain by not bringing the truth to light .
Funny how Julie deletes comments that support James! No wonder this blog seems anti MacDonald!
Comments supportive of the MacDonald empire are allowed and appear here occasionally. Perhaps they are only occasional because they have so few defenders remaining?
What specific comments would you be referring to?
No doubt. I actually worked at Harvest from 2013-2019 and I think James deserved to get fired and the work culture especially was a mess, but I have tried to comment on here and TED multiple times in all this just trying to point out some things that are just taken as fact that aren’t really true but never gets posted. TED is really guilty of this. Which is funny to me because they accuse James of being a message manipulator but when i asked them why they weren’t allowing my comments all they said was, “well James does the same thing.” The whole thing is a cluster on all sides from Harvest, James, Julie and TED.
Just picturing it: First James (Don ERacer) posts his comment; then an hour later Kathy (don’t remember her fake name) posts her comment about her sweet boys Luke and Landon; then Luke/Landon have Kathy delete her comment so that they can claim that Julie Roys deleted it….but that doesn’t exactly work, because “Don ERacer” doesn’t want to delete his comment, and “aB’s” comment remains, so…..hey guys, you are just providing amusement to the thinking person who is reading through the comments
aB well she didn’t delete your comment. Say what you have to say….
I see no remorse, accountability or apology from Luke or Landon. They are not resigning because they want to. They are resigning because of their actions and the actions of their father.
Pride go before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Certainly these three men are living in pride and accept no responsibility for their sinful behaviors.
The Macs are the Bernie Madoffs of the church. They will have to live w/ what they done for the rest of their lives and generations to come. “The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Numbers 14:18 ESV
Amen.
The Harvest scandal could soon blowup into an indictment on the American church unless there is honest repentance and accountability in the church. With the amount of anger and confusion erupting (some legitimate and some questionable), Mt. Harvest is about to spew doubt and mistrust in many churches. Greater still is the Lord’s judgement (Revelation 2).
I agree Steve, but this could also become a story that proves the church – the people in the seats, not the people clinging to their salaries, power, and position – is against all of this.
The story needs to be, in the end, that the people loved Jesus so much and were so jealous for his name that they rose up against the unbiblical principalities and powers that were bringing dishonor to the church and seeking the fame of their own names, and that they collectively cried out to God for forgiveness and in repentance they returned to him, determined to know nothing but Christ and him crucified.
The story in the end could be how the MacDonalds and their inner circle scuttled the ship and brought shame on the church, or it could be how Harvest was purified by a desire for the supremacy of God over everything it does in the hearts of the people. Here’s hoping it becomes the latter, for the fame of His name.
Very well put, Martin.
Thank you for sharing.
Yes. You want more IRS involvement? This is how you get more IRS involvement. Megachurch Harvest cooks the books for years.
At this point, churches of a certain size should have to file the same forms any non-profit does. We could browse on CharityNavigator to find a church that is fiscally responsible.
To everyone looking to sign on to this letter, I will update everyone once we, decide on how to proceed in a biblical manner. We seek only glory for God in this matter. If that cannot be achieved we will not proceed.
I agree with most of what Mark wrote, just wondering how long Mark and the 30 other members have been there.
Being there for over 27 years i have seen the best and worst of most of the people in charge.
The financial i definitely agree with
Elders leadership i definitely agree with
Some of the pastoral staff are the most GODLY people i know.
I think there should be a open town hall type meeting.
Just a thought from someone simple
I don’t think a letter by a 30 church members would have any effect on their decision making process. But I think Mancow has some information that the church doesn’t want released which enables him to make demands forcing the elders to make drastic changes on the church.
Next that need to go NOW:
Jeff Donaldson
Rick Donald
ALL Campus Pastors (Greg Bradshaw, Mohan Zachariah, etc.)
Andi Rozier – covered for James
Todd Rukes – covered for Luke and James
Dan Sumpter – covered for Luke and James
Phillip Matthews – IT guy (what has he covered up if it’s not already too late?)
Honestly do not think Mo needs to go. He has admitted his failures and has personally asked for forgiveness – not a statement he has read but from the heart. You could see how much he has been broken from this. Is he guilty of remaining quiet? Yes. He himself has admitted it, but I think of all the campus pastors that should stay it should be him.
If he indeed admitted to letting things go on AS IS by his silence, then he is complicit…he took the money and now that things have hit the fan he wants a pass??? He is then no longer above reproach and has disqualified himself as a shepherd or elder….he can serve but not as a leader in the CHURCH…..as my nephew always says actions have consequences.
True.
Jim I understand what you’re saying, I like Mo , but he stood by and did nothing while Jmac and his crew steamrolled, slandered, berated and lied about people..
People who are parts of the body of Christ …real live people, with feelings and families….I dont think any man worth his salt would take it well if someone stood idly by while his wife or Children or anyone he loved was being mistreated…I know I wouldnt…and I won’t.
Silence is compliance.
Well put, Dan.
Yes I think Moe should stay he is a great pastor and has humbled himself
Yeah I agree. Mo is working hard to make things right. I will be all in if they retained him at Niles!
Wasn’t Zachariah MacDonald’s go-get-it-done man?