Rocked by allegations of financial impropriety and abuse, Harvest Bible Chapel today announced that founding and senior pastor, James MacDonald, is taking an “indefinite sabbatical from all preaching and leadership in Chicago.” (MacDonald will continue to preach and teach from Harvest’s newest campus in Naples, Florida.) The church also announced it is launching a “peacemaking process,” which will seek to “identify and address our personal failures, sins, and errors in leadership.”
The announcement comes a week after Harvest dropped its lawsuit against me and four other defendants, following a judge’s refusal to keep all documents subpoenaed in the case private. It also comes about a month after my exposé in WORLD Magazine revealed allegations of financial mismanagement and a culture of deception and intimidation at the church.
[pullquote]”James will still run the gang from the prison. There needs to be an objective new appointment of EC (executive committee) . . . They are all pawns of James.”[/pullquote]According to an email elders sent to staff and members, Harvest will be partnering in the peacemaking process with two “highly respected ministries” modeled after a book by Ken Sande called, “The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict.” The email, however, did not name the specific ministries that will be brought in.The elders added that the church would reach out to individuals who “have complaints against us,” and would thoroughly examine the church’s financial and leadership policies and make “whatever changes necessary.” They also claimed that MacDonald had “recused himself fully from any direction of this peacemaking process.”
Former elder Earl Seals, who resigned from Harvest’s board in 2017, expressed dismay about today’s announcement. “James will still run the gang from the prison,” he said in a text to me. “There needs to be an objective new appointment of EC (executive committee) and even old elders like Mark Hopwood and (Mike) Dunwoody have to go. Even recently, Robert Jones stepped back onto the EC. They are all pawns of James.”
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Former campus pastor R.T. Maldaner, whose children were kicked out of Harvest Christian Academy because Maldaner planted a church near Harvest’s Elgin campus, had similar feelings. “I remain hesitant and cautious because James will soul search in Naples, while preaching to a people who haven’t figured out the disqualified nature of the man they have ‘leading them’ in the Word,” he said. “This decision perpetuates spiritual abuse in another geographical location and . . . is no good for the people at Harvest Naples, Chicago, or James himself.”
[pullquote]”I remain hesitant and cautious because James will soul search in Naples, while preaching to a people who haven’t figured out the disqualified nature of the man they have ‘leading them’ in the Word.”[/pullquote]In an addendum to the elder email, MacDonald wrote a short note admitting to battling “cycles of injustice, hurt, anger, and fear which have wounded others without cause.” He added that he has “carried great shame about this pattern” and added that he wants to address “these recurring patterns” and looks forward to a “welcomed time of sabbatical rest.”Dave Corning, who served as chairman of Harvest’s elder board for 21 years said MacDonald’s statement falls far short of the repentance he believes is required. Corning and seven other former elders wrote a letter to the elder board in 2013 accusing MacDonald of being disqualified for ministry because of serious character flaws. “Nothing has changed,” Corning said, “just trying to maneuver around the real issues. Not even close to repentance or godly sorrow. . . . Sad and very disappointing.”
The email concluded by stating that the “lead/campus pastors will continue to lead the day-to-day ministry of the church” and asked for peoples’ support.
The full text of the email is below. As I wrote last week, Harvest leaders and MacDonald have consistently lied and deceived, so I join those who are skeptical about this announcement. Given all that’s occurred, including a baseless lawsuit for which Harvest has still not apologized, what’s required now is not a “peacemaking process,” but confession, repentance, and resignations. There can be no true peace without it.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRbzUogtD0/
That Instagram states that on January 5th they knew he would already be preaching there for three months so nothing new under the sun Spin spin.
Unreal. You cannot make this stuff up. MacDonald has ZERO self awareness. Zilch. Nada. None. That See James Preach! poster (along with the mansion that one of his sycophants provided) is the fake-evangelical equivalent of him giving Chicago and anyone else across the country affiliated with Harvest the middle finger. This is all one big joke to him.
“want to devote my entire energy to understanding and addressing these recurring patterns”
Well maybe not my ENTIRE energy! .
This is not even a first step. There are MANY questions left unanswered. How can he take a sabbatical and yet continue to preach in Naples? A first great step would be to cease all preaching, return to Chicago and address the congregation. The elders and James need to be honest and transparent and respond to many tough questions being asked, not attempt a spin campaign in addition to the closer campaign. I have been a faithful servant of Christ at HBC for years, I am asking for light to be shed on very serious allegations. 1Tim speaks about allegations by the mouth of two or three witnesses, I believe we meet that criteria several times over.
Mrs. Roys didn’t post Pastor James ’ letter of apology. I posted with a comment that included it but it seems she didn’t post my comment…
Define “hurt anger”
Julie..You added a comma… James notes “hurt anger”
Don’t proof read for this clown.
It seems that JM, knowing full well the true severity of what’s been going on at HBC, was cunning enough to plan an exit strategy in case the “Hail Mary” lawsuit fell through and the subpoenaed documents could not be sealed.
His own letter, and the Elders’ announcement, make it sound like JM will preach in Naples once in awhile, and that the Florida gig is temporary. But Osc’s Instagram link sure looks like something more permanent. It’s also telling that his original stated reason for wintering in Florida was a “writing sabbatical,” yet now he’s saying he’ll also take a break from writing.
So JM will likely formally resign from HBC Chicago, sell his Chicagoland mansion, and move full-time to that snazzy home in Naples. The seven main Chicago campuses will be split up, with his sons probably eventually getting the two largest churches. If any of them collapse under debt and/or sagging church attendance, he’s free and clear. Nicely played.
As to whether he will ever step down from preaching, that’s not going to happen of his own volition. Do not underestimate the addictive power of the pulpit, nor of many people’s desire just to be entertained. Consider how many other disgraced-yet-charismatic preachers have persisted in their “ministry,” and how many people have remained loyal no matter what.
His own letter was carefully written, and is not really an apology. “I am grieved that people I love have been hurt by me in ways they felt they could not express to me directly and have not been able to resolve” actually means “I’m sorry they’re upset and can’t get past it.” That’s not nearly enough, given what he’s done to people like Julie Roys.
Julie, I sure hope you’re still going to eventually publish another article based on the subpoenaed documents you obtained during the lawsuit.
I’ve been a member for a number of years and noticed that his sons have become more prominent, especially Luke. Nepotism at its best. Makes perfect sense why they canceled the Saturday night service in Elgin. I always assumed it was the N Aurora location that was siphoning off attendees for the Elgin Campus.
Sad for the congregation to which the wolf is being sent. Not only does MacDonald has very little self awareness, the elders are in deep and trying to extricate with minimal damage.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnynZENFzPO/
I understand Popi’s sympathy for the HBC Naples group. But I also wonder, in light of everything that’s gone on, including all the credible reporting, blogs, testimonies, and breaking news, how on earth anyone at HBC Naples could credibly claim to be ignorant about what kind of man they’re supporting with their attendance and tithes? It’s like I said above, some people just want to be entertained.
Same could be asked about the many people who will continue to attend HBC Chicago. Some may be ignorant until the doors actually close.
A number of years have already gone by (way before 2013), when Pastor James was already exhibiting his character disqualifications for pastor and elder member that we see today. The EC and Elder Board act(ed) as a stamp of approval for James for a very long time. Now, having the EC and Elder Board decide what needs to happen to repair the damage is simply a continuance of more bad and unbiblical decisions being made…and with the approval of James.
According to the Bible, James should not be preaching, but confessing. That applies to the EC and Elder Board also.
Willow, just recovering from their problems, has seen the Pastor and his two designated replacements leave, and the Elder Board resign. With God’s direction, they look to be on the right path.
Harvest’s management actions regarding James, the EC and Elder Board seem not to adhere to God’s command for those who sin and yet do not seek to confess their sins with a plan of confession. People of Harvest should decide with Godly wisdom where Harvest goes from here.
I am surprised and shocked to read these allegations about Dr. James McDonald. My husband would listen faithfully to him on Moody radio. As of this week, he wondered what happened to him. This is very sad to read. It is my prayer that Pastor McDonald can seek God’s face for forgiveness, and then reach out to others who were hurt and that reconciliation can take place with his ministry.
A truly repentant and godly person who has caused such injury to so many would resign as quietly as possible, sell the ostentatious mansion any true servant of the Lord would be ashamed to have indulged in purchasing and return the capital to help defray some of the church’s financial difficulties. And he would do so without a big fat financial deal as one might seek in leaving a business. He’s gotten empire building and the Lord’s work confused..
Should the article titles be corrected both here and on The Elephant’s Debt? The elders did not put James on sabbatical. They don’t really even have that kind of power or influence: “As part of the peacemaking process, Pastor James is taking an indefinite sabbatical from all preaching and leadership at our church in Chicago. He has recused himself fully from any direction of this peacemaking process, other than to participate when and how requested. He may continue preaching at Harvest Naples through some of the winter months and will be on sabbatical, pending the completion of the reconciliation process and a full report to the congregation.”
“I am grieved that people I love have been hurt by me in ways they felt they could not express to me directly and have not been able to resolve.” That statement defies belief! Many of his actions have been addressed to JM directly over many years. How about being confronted in 2008, 2013, through TED???
Through this statement, JM illustrates he is nowhere near repentance for his lying, selfish, greedy, vindictive, bullying, and cruel ungodly behaviors.
Ms Roy —
You won. You took old information, talked to former and disgruntled employees and asked them “do you think anything has changed at Harvest?” (good journalism), you took Throckmorton’s “information” that he has been writing about for years and made it yours (and he’s a contributing writer for World magazine!!). I’m sure you’ve had a lot of clicks and attention for your “8 months of research” (a joke… it’s all old news). Congratulations. You can continue to write about this non-news ad-infinitum, as does your colleague Throckmorton. He’s created an ongoing job for himself rehashing stuff like this…very little truth. Now, you have the same “platform,” none of which is really news.
Pat yourself on the back.
No HBC, don’t wait until you get in front of select people and hear their complaints to confess to wrongdoing. By all means, do meet with, listen do, apologize to, and reconcile with those who have been wounded by you. But you don’t need to be told 1st what wrongs you did. The statement today should have included 1) we’ve fostered a toxic culture, 2) we have lied publicly and to our congregation every time a negative detail has come out, 3) we maliciously slandered (and falsified details in court) truth-tellers in public statements and in court.
Plain and simple, protecting the brand has been a higher priority than integrity.
Warning! The “peacekeepers” thing is smoke & mirrors. That process is used by abusive organizations to silence critics. It has a start, middle, & end. No matter what transpires, HBC will claim that the process is OVER and everyone’s grievances have been aired, resolved, and we must all move forward together in peace & harmony. The script has already been written.
Sunday morning, HBC Naples, 10:30 AM Eastern time:
“Good morning Naples!! It is sooo good to be among friends. This weather?! Like, Yeah! It’s like 10° up in Chicago where those schmucks are doing some kind of “peace making” meeting, ha ha! Oh, I’m just kidding, you know that. Hey, does my motorcycle jacket look cool, come on, you know it does! 800 bucks at Niemsn Marcus! …
“Well, I had an *interesting* week, ha ha, ….But I won’t bore you with that. Let’s jump in the God’s together: So, I’m on my private jet with my homeboys Steven Furtick, Fred Adams, and Mark Driscoll, and we’re heading out to Vegas, and God says to me, James, no lie, he says James, clear as a bell, ‘it is time for another capital campaign’… “
?
Is this something he actually said?? You have a time-stamp and quotation marks, so I am wondering. If so, can you provide a link (if the message was recorded)?
Reading Twitter dialogue between Paul Balcohe and Julie Roys, it’s clear that a sizeable chunk of the Christian community really doesn’t WANT to know the truth. So long as their own toast is buttered, so long as they’re part of the “in” crowd and powerful men like MacDonald are good to them personally, so long as they’re being entertained and/or are part of the show (which they confuse for being “spiritually nourished”), they are fine with the status quo. Victims should just keep their mouths shut and be ignored, don’t spoil it for the rest of us. It’s a rather self-centered attitude, and is a similar mentality to what enabled the Catholic scandals.
It’s also more than a little disingenuous when leaders of the church invoke clerical privileges when it suits them. But when they get caught, they (and their enablers) are quick to say “judge not, lest ye be judged” and “cast not the first stone.” Of course all are sinners, that’s just a straw man argument. The problem is when guys like MacDonald abuse their privileges, in the process hurting the Faith, and yet not only remain unrepentant, they keep doing it!
John 8:32 says “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” But does everyone really want to be free, or would a lot of people rather just be comfortable?
Paul eventually apologized for that. I’m sure he had genuinely never seen that side of James or heard any rumors about James in his music circle. It certainly wasn’t a good look for Paul though. He minimized the testimonies of victimized people for a while there.
As you rightly observed, it was a bad look. Glad to hear he apologized.
What is going to happen to the current pastor at Naples, John Secrest?
Pastor James:
I hope that the words you wrote are sincere and represent a change in your thoughts and actions moving forward. I have some concerns that I hope someone can address:
1) I feel that if you sincerely want to repair relationships and reconcile, you should return to us here in Chicago. To have you living in southwest Florida (January through March) isn’t helping. To repair this damage you need to face it directly, not from hundreds of miles away. I’m not a “pr-guy”, but this doesn’t look good.
2) I’m concerned about recent comments on Joyce Bartholomew’s instagram. She says you defended yourself well and that the media is one sided and “He is able to refute anything”. This was just 8 days ago. This does not sound like someone who is truly repentant.
3) If you are truly sorrowful and desire restoration to ruined relationships, please start by disclosing the whole truth. No more hiding behind statements of hurting 3rd parties. Just be honest. Give specific instances where you have lied and deceived the people in the church. Don’t minimize it. Answer our questions (without being screened ahead of time).
4) This needs to happen between you and us. There should not be the need to have the two groups of conciliators and organizational consultants come in to tell you what to do. If you desire to repent, you know what you need to do on your own. You have preached on it many times.
5) I am concerned about the harvest structure. I thought all 8 campuses were under the same elder board and same governing structure. If the elder and XLT came to a decision that you need a sabbatical and should not preach (in chicago), how come you are preaching (in naples)? Something doesn’t fit? Just because you are in a different state, your past sins aren’t left behind allowing you to just start over. Is harvest naples on its own now? That would be the only explanation that I could see, until you explain how this all works to us.
6) A direct accounting of all church funds really must be discussed and given to church members. As a church, leading people with integrity, there should be no reason to not disclose where the people’s money is going. (No pie charts with percents.) Exact dollar amounts need to be given. A good step could be to disclose all spending in 2018 and then an updated spending plan for 2019 showing decreased spending in areas that you feel should be changed. If everything is being done according to God’s Word, I truly do not know why you would want to hide the “books”. Even teacher salaries are public information (because tax dollars support their pay).
7) What happened with old leaders and staff? Some examples, Lindsay McCaul who led worship beautifully, quietly walked away. Pastor Joe Stowell and his sons, quietly left. What happened? You had public relationships with these people, so please make public restorations with them.
8) I think it may be best to suspend the “Closer Campaign” until all this is made right and repentance and reconciliation has been made. I believe that before the members give 29 million above the normal tithes, that things should be made right with all. I think this could go towards showing where your heart truly is.
9) Lastly, your two sons and employees of harvest should not be on the board of XLT, making these important recommendations and decisions. That is just too much conflict of interest. Would it be possible to bring in some of the godly men that know harvest from the past, such as Dave Corning, Joe Stowell, and others, to advise and give direction to Harvest. I believe that would build trust back up.
I am only looking for the truth so that the “C”hurch can start to rebuild and glorify Jesus again.
Thank you.
Another look…
One of the challenges in this disintegrating debacle has been the ones within myself. I lost my small group at HBC when this originally surfaced. I left the church, angry and to be honest, sinful in my thinking about what I wanted to see happen to JM (almost obessively reading blogs about how bad he was and what should happen). The next church I went to, the pastor smelled like the flock he was leading. He restored my faith in the church and a pastor. He was exactly what I was looking for….until he left due to personality conflicts and other things he felt “called” to pursue. I was devasted.
Now I see things like “smoke” machines at worship services and very little “meat”.
We all look for, I believe, things that represent Christ to be solid, trustworthy, biblical and different from the world we live. It’s just hard to see this stuff in the church, in the world and if I’m honest, in me. Currently, 90% of my “church” happens with my relationship with God during the week. I’ve learned from all this to not focus on man, not even circumstances, but God. I remember James saying once that Jesus is running the world on the throne, “with his feet up”. I trust that. I just don’t trust His people, or the part in me that’s capable of the same things.
All who follow MacDonald’s and HBC’s cycles of scandals over so many years have to really ask themselves this question: How is this recent announcement by HBC elders and MacDonald about MacDonald’s “indefinite sabbatical” from Chicago while continuing at Harvest Naples Campus any different from Roman Catholic hierarchy moving a pedophile priest from one parish to another where he will continue his criminal abuse???
It, is not. Both schemes come from the same darkest and evil place on this plane and beyond.
HBC’s pretentious, canning, manipulating, unapologetic, misleading, devious yet so pious statement is designed to fool gullible and ignorant and it will work with many. Unfortunately. HBC is acting as greedy and ruthless corporation and not a church. You act as one, you are one. This is further emphasized by their recent hiring of outside “two highly respected ministries” to do what they cannot and will not do and akin to a troubled corporation hiring outside consultants to save their business. None of this will work for none of this will remove disqualifying evil from the hearts of HBC elders so abundantly manifested in their dishonest, hurtful, arrogant and subterfuge oriented words and actions. All HBC elders should immediately repent, apologize and resign. All of them should never be allowed in any leadership function in any church, at least a real church.
As to James MacDonald he will continue to abuse and hurt unsuspecting and honest people through his “cycles” to which he vacuously alludes in his email and that will go on and on for MacDonald cannot and will not stop his predaceous abuse just as Roman Catholic priest abuser cannot and will not stop his for both are given over to it. What a shame and what a nauseating travesty.
This is a very timely article about pastors
https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2019/january-web-exclusives/pastor-why-are-you-hiding.html?share=GfNBjAIUmLc%2b%2boD5Lpm43yiiF7Ra%2bHcO
Probably the most self-aware thing MacDonald said in his letter was “For a long time I have felt unequal to all but the preaching task at Harvest.” He may have intended that to elicit sympathy, but if that’s truly the case-if he knew he was not capable of discharging all the duties of a pastor-then he must be held culpable for not taking steps to address that years ago.
But for all we know, this article could help explain MacDonald’s behavior, without excusing it. So while I stand by everything I’ve written thus far, and agree with 99% of what my fellow dissenters have written, it behooves us all to take a breath before we slide into the vitriol that is an all-too-common feature of social media.
For example, think twice before calling MacDonald or his ilk “demon-possessed,” “demonic,” or “satanic.” Those are very serious, loaded accusations meant only to injure. MacDonald himself has been guilty of hurling those terms at people he happens to dislike, so let’s not descend to that level.
So, they sent him to Florida. From Chicago. In the winter?
I’m sure that was effective….
Pastor James:
I hope that the words you wrote are sincere and represent a change in your thoughts and actions moving forward. I have some concerns that I hope someone can address:
1) I feel that if you sincerely want to repair relationships and reconcile, you should return to us here in Chicago. To have you living in southwest Florida (January through March) isn’t helping. To repair this damage you need to face it directly, not from hundreds of miles away. I’m not a “pr-guy”, but this doesn’t look good.
2) I’m concerned about recent comments on Joyce Bartholomew’s twitter. She says you defended yourself well and that the media is one sided and “He is able to refute anything”. This was just 8 days ago. This does not sound like someone who is truly repentant.
3) If you are truly sorrowful and desire restoration to ruined relationships, please start by disclosing the whole truth. No more hiding behind statements of hurting 3rd parties. Just be honest. Give specific instances where you have lied and deceived the people in the church. Don’t minimize it. Answer our questions (without being screened ahead of time).
4) This needs to happen between you and us. There should not be the need to have the two groups of conciliators and organizational consultants come in to tell you what to do. If you desire to repent, you know what you need to do on your own. You have preached on it many times.
5) I am concerned about the harvest structure. I thought all 8 campuses were under the same elder board and same governing structure. If the elder and XLT came to a decision that you need a sabbatical and should not preach (in chicago), how come you are preaching (in naples)? Something doesn’t fit? Just because you are in a different state, your past sins aren’t left behind allowing you to just start over. Is harvest naples on its own now? That would be the only explanation that I could see, until you explain how this all works to us.
6) A direct accounting of all church funds really must be discussed and given to church members. As a church, leading people with integrity, there should be no reason to not disclose where the people’s money is going. (No pie charts with percents.) Exact dollar amounts need to be given. A good step could be to disclose all spending in 2018 and then an updated spending plan for 2019 showing decreased spending in areas that you feel should be changed. If everything is being done according to God’s Word, I truly do not know why you would want to hide the “books”. Even teacher salaries are public information (because tax dollars support their pay).
7) What happened with old leaders and staff? Some examples, Lindsay McCaul who led worship beautifully, quietly walked away. Pastor Joe Stowell and his sons, quietly left. What happened? You had public relationships with these people, so please make public restorations with them.
8) I think it may be best to suspend the “Closer Campaign” until all this is made right and repentance and reconciliation has been made. I believe that before the members give 29 million above the normal tithes, that things should be made right with all. I think this could go towards showing where your heart truly is.
9) Lastly, your two sons and employees of harvest should not be on the board of XLT, making these important recommendations and decisions. That is just too much conflict of interest. Would it be possible to bring in some of the godly men that know harvest from the past, such as Dave Corning, Joe Stowell, and others, to advise and give direction to Harvest. I believe that would build trust back up.
I am only looking for the truth so that the “C”hurch can start to rebuild and glorify Jesus again.
Thank you.
We who call Harvest Bible Chapel our home and church family have been MORTALLY wounded. Please DO judge as you see fit and keep throwing salt and vinegar into our wounds with your comments, it always makes things better…We love the message, our messenger is flawed and call us sick but we want to forgive JMac…Those free from sin…cast the first stone.