La reorganización en Harvest Bible Chapel continuó esta noche cuando los hijos del fundador James MacDonald, quien fue despedido la semana pasada, ofrecieron sus renuncias.
En su carta de renuncia, el pastor principal Luke MacDonald dijo que su “sueño profesional” había sido “algún día llegar a ser el pastor principal de la iglesia”. Pero agregó que "las conversaciones con los ancianos y el personal" habían dejado en claro que "debería avanzar hacia lo que Dios tenga a continuación".
Al señalar que su año de nacimiento y el de Harvest eran los mismos, Landon MacDonald, pastor ejecutivo de los ministerios estudiantiles, dijo que "siempre pensé que algo así se diría en mi funeral después de haber servido en Harvest toda mi vida". Landon dijo que sus años en Harvest han sido maravillosos y que enseñar a los estudiantes de Harvest ha sido “un sueño hecho realidad”. Pero expresó que los últimos meses han sido "dolorosos y pesados en formas que no creía posibles".
Las renuncias se producen después de que el miembro de Harvest, Mark Banaszak, escribiera una carta en nombre de unos 30 miembros, que se envió por correo electrónico a los ancianos. La carta pedía específicamente las renuncias de Luke y Landon MacDonald. La carta también pedía la renuncia de Rick Donald, pastor asistente principal.
La carta también pedía que todos los ancianos que participaron en la creación del comité ejecutivo renunciaran de inmediato, así como todos los ancianos que participaron en la excomunión de tres ex ancianos en 2013. Luego solicitó la destitución de los ancianos restantes durante los próximos seis meses.
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La carta también pedía la eliminación del comité ejecutivo, un grupo de cuatro o cinco ancianos que toman todas las decisiones financieras y legales de la iglesia. Además, solicitó una revisión contable forense de todas las transacciones financieras de la iglesia durante los últimos 20 años.
Las cartas de renuncia y la carta a los ancianos están a continuación:
Carta de renuncia de Luke MacDonald:
Cosecha,
Renuncio a mi puesto pastoral en Harvest a partir del martes 19 de febrero, con efecto inmediato.
Pastorear en Harvest ha sido un placer. Desde mis años en Niles como pastor de jóvenes, pasando por el pastoreo de estudiantes en Rolling Meadows, y luego hasta Vertical Worship y predicando los fines de semana, ha habido muchos años maravillosos. Las conferencias, los Viernes Santos y los llamados al altar han sido grandiosos, pero el verdadero gozo ha sido la bendición de caminar junto a tantas personas maravillosas. Hemos tenido la suerte de trabajar junto a muchos servidores talentosos e incansables. Mi sueño profesional siempre ha sido llegar a ser algún día el pastor principal de la iglesia. Incluso después de que terminó el ministerio de mis padres en Harvest, tenía la esperanza de que, con suficiente humildad y tiempo, eso aún podría suceder. Sin embargo, las conversaciones con los ancianos y el personal durante la última semana han dejado en claro que debemos avanzar hacia lo que Dios tenga para nosotros.
Amo sinceramente a la gente de Harvest y continuaré orando para que la iglesia encuentre unidad y fruto en la nueva temporada que se avecina. Si bien actualmente no tenemos planes de empleo para el futuro, esperamos servir al Señor nuevamente y nunca elegiríamos una tarea que pudiera lastimar a la iglesia que hemos amado durante tantos años. Gracias.
Pastor Luke + Kristen MacDonald
Carta de renuncia de Landon MacDonald:
A los ancianos y al pueblo de Harvest Bible Chapel,
He estado en Harvest desde que tengo memoria. Cuando era niño atesoraba que mi año de nacimiento y el de Harvest fueran el mismo. Siempre pensé que algo así se diría en mi funeral después de haber servido en Harvest toda mi vida. Comencé en el personal de mantenimiento y seguridad y serví en obras de teatro y actuación para Harvest Kids, el equipo de adoración y luego mis lugares favoritos: Harvest Students y Camp Harvest.
Mi tiempo aquí ha sido maravilloso y he visto a Dios trabajar y pasar de pequeños viajes de último año con solo un puñado de estudiantes a estadios y la conferencia que acabamos de hacer para nuestros estudiantes el fin de semana pasado, que podría ser mi favorita de cualquiera de ellas.
Estos últimos meses han sido dolorosos y pesados de maneras que no creía posibles, pero a través de todo, mi amada esposa y la gente INCREÍBLE de Harvest me han apoyado. Si no fuera por la fuerza de Dios de Colosenses 1:11, no habría llegado tan lejos. Dicho esto, mi tiempo en Harvest ha llegado a su fin. Es doloroso decirlo y nunca pensé que lo haría, pero Bri y yo hemos estado en oración por lo que parece una eternidad y Dios nos está guiando a otra parte. Aún no sabemos dónde, pero eso es la mitad de la aventura.
Esta no es una decisión espontánea o emocional: nos ha quedado claro que no somos las mejores personas para liderar el avance de esta iglesia. Si lo desea, estoy disponible por teléfono para responder cualquier pregunta relacionada con la transición de responsabilidades.
A la gente de Harvest, su apoyo y oraciones nos mantuvieron hasta el día de hoy, las más sinceras gracias de todo corazón. Tanto a los que me dijeron que estaban rezando como a los que simplemente lo hicieron.
Para los estudiantes de Harvest, guiarlos y enseñarles ha sido un sueño hecho realidad. Nunca se sintió como un trabajo, siempre me sorprendió que me pagaran por enseñarles y guiarlos. Para todos los estudiantes pasados y presentes, ustedes y este ministerio es lo que más voy a extrañar.
Amo a Harvest ya su gente y siempre lo haré. Se agradecen las oraciones mientras Bri, Ezra, Violet, Julian y yo avanzamos hacia lo que sigue.
Landon McDonald
Carta a los ancianos escrita por Mark Banaszak:
Como miembros de Harvest Bible Chapel, creemos firmemente en la Declaración de la Misión y los 5 pilares de nuestra iglesia. De acuerdo con 1 Timoteo 1:5, el objetivo de nuestro cargo es el amor que brota de un corazón puro y una buena conciencia y una fe sincera. También reconocemos la gran contribución de nuestro pastor fundador al establecer los cimientos sobre los que ahora nos encontramos. Desafortunadamente, las acciones de James junto con el fracaso a largo plazo de la junta de ancianos, el liderazgo y varios pastores para cumplir con sus deberes bíblicos son la razón de esta tormenta de devastación que ha caído sobre nuestra congregación. Esta iglesia no fue fundada por James MacDonald ni por ningún otro hombre y debemos hacer nuestra parte para restaurar la iglesia a su legítimo fundador, Dios.
Los problemas que se han identificado actualmente, así como los que se descubrirán, deben abordarse con rapidez y de manera abierta ante los miembros de esta iglesia. No debe haber secretos que estén ocultos al cuerpo de la iglesia. Proverbios 28:13, el que encubre su transgresión no prosperará, mas el que la confesó y se aparta alcanzará misericordia”.
Este pequeño grupo que no cumplió con sus responsabilidades bíblicas ha permitido que patrones de conducta egoístas, pecaminosos y débiles sean tolerados y encubiertos en los niveles más altos dentro de nuestra iglesia. La solución propuesta en el servicio vespertino del sábado 16 de febrero, que en consecuencia fue editada con partes importantes eliminadas de la transmisión del domingo 17 de febrero, no es una solución completa ya que no aborda una de las preguntas más importantes, ¿qué ha sucedido con nuestros diezmos y ofrendas? ? Este plan propuesto también permite que muchos de los responsables de esta tormenta permanezcan en posiciones de liderazgo dentro de la iglesia. Dejar la iglesia bajo el mismo liderazgo que es responsable de la tormenta actual y determinar las correcciones necesarias es una afrenta a aquellos que llaman a Harvest su hogar. Una gran parte de nuestra congregación encuentra inaceptable esta solución tal como se presenta. Está escrito en 1 Pedro 5:2-4 que los ancianos deben “Pastorear el rebaño de Dios que está entre vosotros, sirviendo como obispos, no por la fuerza, sino voluntariamente; no por ganancias deshonestas, sino con entusiasmo, ni como teniendo señorío sobre los demás”. encomendado a vosotros, sino siendo ejemplos del rebaño.” Además, está escrito en Proverbios 31:8 “Habla por los que no pueden hablar por sí mismos, por los derechos de todos los que están en la miseria”.
Hoy defendemos a todos los hombres, mujeres y niños que han sido agraviados por los ancianos, pastores y líderes de Harvest Bible Chapel. Estamos aquí para afirmar en unidad que es nuestra intención permanecer diligentes durante este proceso. Asegurar que el cuerpo de Cristo en Harvest Bible Chapel regrese al gobierno bíblico y que los responsables sean removidos del liderazgo de la iglesia y, cuando sea necesario, rindan cuentas por sus acciones. Pues Efesios 5:11 dice, no participéis en las obras vanas del mal y de las tinieblas; en cambio, repréndelos y exponlos.
De acuerdo con los requisitos bíblicos para ancianos y pastores, y las fallas obvias que se han descubierto, creemos que las siguientes acciones deben tomarse de inmediato para comenzar la restauración de nuestra iglesia, para eliminar a los directamente involucrados en estas fallas, así como para prevenir su influencia en el proceso de regresar a nuestra iglesia al gobierno bíblico. Pedimos que:
Rick Donald renuncie a la junta de ancianos y será colocado en un año sabático indefinido durante el proceso de Cosecha 2020 en curso y hasta el momento en que se pueda determinar su nivel de participación/conocimiento de los abusos que han tenido lugar. Primero, el evidente conflicto de intereses de ser el mejor amigo de James MacDonald durante más de 40 años. Además, agregar a la mano derecha de James durante 30 años pondría en duda su objetividad y toma de decisiones durante este proceso. Rick ha observado este comportamiento antibíblico y ha presionado a otros para que lo encubran. Ha sido una parte tan importante de la cultura de intimidación y manipulación en el cuerpo de nuestra iglesia como James. Sus acciones o falta de ellas, así como sus conflictos de interés, deben inhabilitarlo para permanecer en cualquier cargo de
liderazgo en Harvest Bible Chapel. Durante el año sabático no se le debe permitir asistir a ninguno de los campus de Harvest ni comunicarse con el liderazgo o los ancianos de ninguna manera.Luke MacDonald y Landon MacDonald deben ser removidos de sus roles de liderazgo y ministerio y deben ser colocados en un año sabático indefinido durante el proceso de Cosecha 2020 en curso y hasta el momento en que se pueda determinar su nivel de participación/conocimiento de los abusos que han tenido lugar. . Su evidente conflicto de intereses, siendo los hijos de James, pone en duda la mayoría, si no todas, de sus decisiones. Tener tal conflicto de intereses debería impedirles tener responsabilidades de supervisión o toma de decisiones en este momento. Durante el año sabático no se les debe permitir asistir a ninguno de los campus de Harvest ni comunicarse con el liderazgo o los ancianos de ninguna manera.
Con el reconocimiento de la reestructuración y reducción de la junta de ancianos y el equipo de liderazgo, también pedimos la eliminación total del grupo conocido como el "Comité Ejecutivo", y que haya una enmienda a los estatutos de la iglesia para evitar que cualquier otro grupo similar (s ) de formarse que permitiría eludir las responsabilidades de la junta de ancianos. La decisión en curso de cambiar únicamente la estructura de este grupo no es una solución que se considere aceptable.
Está escrito en 1 Timoteo 5:19-20 “No admitas acusación contra un anciano a menos que sea presentada por dos o tres testigos. Pero aquellos ancianos que pecan contra vosotros, reprendedlos delante de todos, para que los demás sean advertidos.
Pedimos que los ancianos que actualmente sirven, que participaron en la excomunión de 3 ex ancianos en 2013 y los ancianos que participaron en el establecimiento del "Comité Ejecutivo" en 2015 renuncien. Sus acciones ignoraron las normas y los principios bíblicos con el rechazo y la calumnia pública de los hombres que estaban siendo fieles a la palabra de Dios y facilitaron la elusión de la responsabilidad y la supervisión de la junta de ancianos. Esta falta de supervisión facilitó el encubrimiento de comportamientos impíos, mala gestión financiera, posible malversación de fondos y autonegociación ilegal por parte de los ancianos, pastores y líderes de la iglesia actuales y anteriores. También somos conscientes de que hay pastores y líderes fuera de la junta de ancianos que han sido cómplices de estas acciones que contribuyeron a esta tormenta. Se espera que estos individuos rindan cuentas por su acción o falta de ella y, cuando sea necesario, sean removidos del liderazgo si se justifica.
Se espera que después de un período de tiempo determinado, que no exceda los 6 meses, los ancianos restantes renuncien y no tengan más papel en la determinación de las políticas de la iglesia, así como también se les prohibirá obtener cualquier rol de liderazgo hasta el momento en que el la congregación determina que estos hombres han demostrado ser fieles y calificados para roles de liderazgo en Harvest Bible Chapel.
Como dice Pablo en Filemón 1: 8-9, Por lo tanto, aunque tengo el denuedo en Cristo para mandarte hacer lo que se requiere, sin embargo, por amor prefiero apelar a ti. Todas las transacciones financieras relacionadas con Harvest Bible Chapel durante los últimos 20 años estarán sujetas a una revisión de contabilidad forense por parte de un grupo sin asociación o relación con líderes pasados o actuales de Harvest. Esta auditoría es necesaria ya que Harvest Bible Chapel tiene una deuda de $42 millones de dólares, incluso con dos de nuestras siete propiedades que nos han sido regaladas. Esta deuda, como mínimo, indica una mala gestión grave y probablemente incluso robo y malversación de fondos. Todos los miembros actuales del equipo financiero de las iglesias deben estar sujetos a un proceso exhaustivo de investigación de antecedentes y se debe tener en cuenta al CFO actual para estos asuntos.
Los pastores, los ancianos y los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo de Harvest Bible Chapel han llevado a cabo sus actividades en secreto durante más de una década. Esta falta de supervisión y transparencia debe abordarse ante todo durante el proceso Cosecha 2020. Todas las reuniones de la junta de ancianos y Cosecha 2020 deben estar abiertas a las personas designadas por la congregación y las actas de estas reuniones (no "actualizaciones") deben publicarse en el sitio web de HBC. El establecimiento del equipo de Cosecha 2020, que se hizo en secreto y sin aportes de la congregación, debe estar abierto a la supervisión de los miembros designados por la congregación. La creencia de que las soluciones propuestas para esta crisis deben dejarse en manos de los ancianos, pastores y líderes actuales es equivalente al “Zorro cuidando el gallinero”.
En los términos más enérgicos posibles, solicitamos que las relaciones personales de Rick Korte con los ancianos, líderes y pastores actuales y pasados se hagan públicas para que se pueda determinar su capacidad para servir como líder del equipo de Harvest 2020 sin ningún conflicto de intereses. Deseamos darle a Rick la oportunidad de devolver el gobierno bíblico y la responsabilidad a nuestra iglesia. Sin embargo, también hemos aprendido muchas lecciones y ya no confiaremos ciegamente en nuestros líderes hasta que hayan restablecido esa confianza; la cual debe comenzar con una comunicación abierta, transparente, oportuna y minuciosa actualizada sobre el proceso Cosecha 2020. Esperamos que la congregación reciba actualizaciones frecuentes y que nuestras preguntas sean respondidas de manera oportuna.
Los exhorto a ustedes, líderes, como lo hizo la iglesia en Sardis en Apocalipsis 3:2-3: “Mirad y fortaleced lo que queda, que está a punto de morir, porque no he hallado vuestras obras perfectas delante de Dios. Acordaos, pues, de cómo habéis recibido y oído; aférrate y arrepiéntete. Por tanto, si no velas, vendré sobre ti como ladrón, y no sabrás a qué hora vendré sobre ti”.
Es con la mayor esperanza que seguimos adelante para restaurar nuestra iglesia a la gloria de Dios y permanecer firmes en su promesa en 2 Crónicas 7:14; “Si mi pueblo, sobre el cual mi nombre es invocado, se humilla y ora, y busca mi rostro, y se vuelve de sus malos caminos, entonces yo oiré desde los cielos, perdonaré sus pecados y sanaré su tierra”.
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130 Respuestas
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
Mi respuesta:
Estos inmundos réprobos que hacen mercadería de los ignorantes. 2 Pedro 2:3… Nunca he estado en Harvest pero he visto el repugnante video de mendigo de James Macdonald que grita hipocresía promoviendo un evangelio social no bíblico y fomenta el altruismo patológico. Por favor, vea el enlace a continuación. Tómese un momento para leer el blog de mi testimonio personal de 50 años de asistir a la iglesia (literalmente cientos, iglesias negras, coreanas, mega, evangélicas, bautistas, AOG, ministerios de televisión en YouTube, en todo Estados Unidos y alrededor del mundo) un completo experiencia documentada en las operaciones de construcción fraudulentas 501C3, incluidas incluso las empresas privadas y las operaciones extranjeras que se hacen llamar iglesias y que son dirigidas principalmente por directores ejecutivos apóstatas capacitados en seminarios influenciados por los jesuitas que se hacen llamar pastores. Recientemente completamos un libro electrónico de 800 páginas con más de 2,000 referencias basadas en fuentes para corroborar cada detalle y también incluimos doctrinas sólidas con referencias bíblicas King James que se han eliminado por completo de todas las operaciones de la iglesia. Enviaremos una copia gratuita de nuestro libro electrónico a cualquier persona que solicite una copia enviándonos un correo electrónico en el enlace adjunto o las personas pueden comprar el libro electrónico $0.99 en Amazon directamente. O las personas pueden simplemente leer los blogs adjuntos en los enlaces a continuación para obtener información que es esencial para comprender lo que está sucediendo hoy en estas iglesias. Comienzo con relatos de primera mano de mis días que se remontan a nuestra iglesia local de Calvary Temple en Denver Colorado cuando Charles E Blair fue arrestado por violaciones a la SEC en 1975-6, 17 cargos de fraude de valores y aún así solo se reembolsó una fracción de los millones de feligreses perdidos por el esquema Ponzi de Blair. Esto es solo una gota en el océano de lo que está pasando en las iglesias hoy. Lo detallo en mi Blog. Uno de mis favoritos hasta la fecha es yo hablando por teléfono con los ministerios de Kenneth Copeland pidiendo hablar con Kenneth sobre cómo mi semilla de fe es más de $80,000. en varios ministerios, incluido el suyo, no estaba funcionando muy bien porque estábamos perdiendo nuestra casa. O mis años en Viet Nam para conocer el alcance de la infiltración del Vaticano, etc. Alabado sea Dios, ahora he estado criando en casa y confraternizando en grupos pequeños de la misma manera que lo hice en el movimiento de la iglesia clandestina mientras vivía en Vietnam y visitaba China. Ahora estoy jubilado y he comprometido mi vida a exponer a la Iglesia Apóstata ya los charlatanes que están desplumando al rebaño. Gracias.
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
Versión King James
#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
Amén.
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.
Gracias por compartir.
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.
Bien dicho, 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?