Harvest Bible Chapel/James MacDonald
Because this was an ongoing investigation covering many months, the posts on this page are arranged in chronological order.
- James MacDonald/Harvest ·
Hard times at Harvest
This article first appeared in WORLD Magazine. Five years ago, Harvest Bible Chapel, a Chicago-area megachurch with multiple campuses and an average weekly attendance exceeding…
- Church Issues ·
Letter that Prompted Harvest Excommunication: “We are convinced that James . . . is not biblically qualified to be an elder”
Five years ago, eight former elders of Harvest Bible Chapel, including Dave Corning who had served as chairman of the elder board for 21 years,…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Elder Accuses Church Leaders of “Deceitfulness and Manipulation” and Attempting to “Run a Cult”
James MacDonald and the senior leaders of the Chicago-area megachurch, Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC), operate with “deceitfulness and manipulation,” and are attempting “to run a…
- Church Issues ·
Son of Former MBI President Joe Stowell Speaks of “Toxic,” “Unholy,” and “Dangerous” Culture at Harvest
At one time, three members of the Stowell family worked at James MacDonald’s Chicago-area mega-church, Harvest Bible Chapel. Joe Stowell, Sr., President of Cornerstone University and former…
- Church Issues ·
ICYMI: Julie Roys Discusses Journalism & James MacDonald on Doctrine & Devotion Podcast
Why would I write about serious sin in the church? Isn’t this just gossip, or dirty laundry that would be better to keep private? I…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Removes Walk in the Word From TV & Radio Amid Controversy
Popular radio preacher and megachurch pastor, James MacDonald, has announced he is pulling his Bible teaching program, Walk in the Word, from all radio and…
- Church Issues ·
Radio Interview on “The Common Good”: What Can We Learn from Harvest Scandal?
What can we learn from the current scandal concerning James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel? Yesterday, I had the privilege of discussing this important issue as…
- Church Issues ·
My Response to Harvest’s Lawsuit: Time to Confess, Repent, and Resign
For the past three months, I have wanted to respond to the allegations Harvest Bible Chapel and James MacDonald made in their baseless lawsuit against…
- Church Issues ·
Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel Naples Asks for His Church Back in Wake of James MacDonald Controversy
John Secrest, the founding pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel Naples, today announced that he wants his church back. In an email to his congregation, Secrest…
- Church Issues ·
Mancow Tells MacDonald to Man-Up
Well-known Chicago radio and TV personality, Mancow Muller, Friday urged Harvest Bible Chapel Pastor James MacDonald to “man-up” and own his sin in a very…
- Church Issues ·
In Chicago, Harvest Admits “Shortcomings” Concerning Firing Naples Pastor, but in Naples the Silence “is Deafening”
This weekend, the elders of Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) announced to the church’s Chicago-area campuses that the elders were owning their “failures” and getting “low…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest, Narcissism, and the Church: My Interview on WYLL’s “Common Good”
I had a great time yesterday talking with Brian From on “The Common Good” at WYLL/AM 1160. (Co-host Ian Simpkins was off because his wife…
- Church Issues ·
“Mortifying the Spin” in the Contemporary Church: A Podcast
Normally, I wouldn’t post a podcast on the same day that a special radio broadcast of mine is airing (see below). However, since many of…
- Seeking Truth ·
Seeking Truth: Radio Personality Mancow Muller Discusses His Faith, His Frustration with James MacDonald, & Why He Still Believes in the Church
It’s not very often that a former “shock-jock” confronts a nationally-known pastor for his sin on the front page of a Chicago daily newspaper. But…
- Church Issues ·
The Latest on Harvest Naples: A Lie, a Hack, and Who’s Running the Church?
As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) has told two different narratives to two different audiences concerning the recent firing…
- Church Issues ·
My Interview on The Drew Marshall Show: Lawsuits, Megachurches, & Why Investigative Journalism is a Holy Pursuit
I had a great time interviewing with Drew Marshall on his show, which is Canada’s most listened-to spiritual talk show. We talked about the accusations…
- Church Issues ·
In Subpoenaed Text, James MacDonald Admits Church Took Money From Harvest Bible Fellowship, But Admits No Fault
Did Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) steal money from Harvest Bible Fellowship (HBF)—its former church planting network of more than 150 independent churches? This question has…
- Church Issues ·
Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response
UPDATE: The elders of Harvest Bible Chapel have removed James MacDonald as a pastor and an elder “for engaging in conduct that the Elders believe is contrary and harmful to…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald is Fired: A Day to Mourn, to Pray, & to Plead for Revival
I woke up this morning to multiple texts informing me that James MacDonald had been fired from Harvest Bible Chapel. My first emotion was relief.…
- Church Issues ·
Chairman of Harvest’s Elder Board Resigns; Executive Committee to Resign Soon
Admitting that they had “collectively failed” to oversee the church properly, the five-member executive committee of elders at Harvest Bible Chapel tonight announced that they…
- Church Issues ·
Mancow Interview: Former Worship Leader at Harvest Accuses James MacDonald of Inappropriately Touching Her on Private Plane
This morning on Mancow Muller’s radio show on WLS/AM 890, Anne Green, a former worship leader at Harvest Bible Chapel, accused Harvest founder and senior…
- Church Issues ·
HBC Naples Interim Pastor States Cardinal Rule of Elders: “Never Share Dissension or Disagreement to the Church or Publicly”
Given that Harvest Bible Chapel is allowing its Naples campus to return to being an autonomous church, many have wondered why John Secrest, the founding…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald’s Sons Resign As Shakeup at Harvest Continues
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…
- Church Issues ·
Guest Post: Deciphering the Language of Harvest Bible Chapel
I recently read this insightful article by Wade Mullen, the director of the M.Div. program at Capital Seminary & Graduate School, and was so taken…
- Church Issues ·
Three Harvest Staff Do Not Confirm Sexual Abuse Claim Against James MacDonald, but Others Indicate Alleged Incident Was Well-Known
UPDATE: Sandy Song has written a response to this article, which is posted with permission at the bottom of this page. Three staff at Harvest…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Elder Dan George Offers Public Confession
Harvest Bible Chapel Elder Dan George today became the first leader at the church to publicly confess for his role in allowing and perpetrating sin…
- Church Issues ·
Former Harvest Elder Asks for Forgiveness and Posts Public Statement
Mike Dunwoody, who recently came off the elder board at Harvest Bible Chapel when it was reduced in size, called me last night to ask…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Recording Reveals Ungodly Evangelical “Celebrity Machine”
About two weeks ago, Mancow Muller aired vile, recorded comments by James MacDonald on his Chicago radio show on WLS/AM890. This shocked the Christian community…
- Church Issues ·
Former Harvest Employees Say James MacDonald Lived Large on Church’s Dime
In 2015, James MacDonald went on a worldwide missions trip that was so stressful, he needed a safari in South Africa to help him recover…
- Church Issues ·
Longtime Harvest Elder Steve Huston Resigns; Harvest Pastor Admits “Ungodly” Spending
Steve Huston, the former chairman of Harvest Bible Chapel’s executive committee–and one of the elders who appeared in a video in 2013 excommunicating former elders–has…
- Church Issues ·
ECFA Accreditation of Harvest, Despite Glaring Improprieties, Raises Concern
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) says its mission is “enhancing trust in Christ-centered churches and ministries.” Yet as I’ve reported on this blog…
- Church Issues ·
ECFA Finally Suspends Harvest Bible Chapel’s Accreditation
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) has suspended Harvest Bible Chapel‘s accreditation following my report last week about gross misappropriation of church funds to support…
- Church Issues ·
Classroom Videos Show James MacDonald Bullying Students & Disparaging Rival School
Many have asked me to release videos I have of James MacDonald berating students at Harvest Christian Academy (HCA) during his ill-fated and short-lived time as…
- Church Issues ·
The Lawsuit, The Sermon, The Selection of Elders: An Update On The Disappointing Developments at Harvest
When Harvest Bible Chapel fired James MacDonald nearly two months ago, I was cautiously optimistic. “God can rebuild something beautiful from these ashes,” I wrote.…
- Church Issues ·
Contributing Editor for Christianity Today Faces Conflict of Interest Questions After Accepting Car From James MacDonald
“Got me a 1971 Beetle,” announced Ed Stetzer on Facebook last April, adding that he and his daughter were planning to restore the classic Volkswagen…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry
Harvest Bible Chapel founder, James MacDonald, told three elders in 2013 that he’d “lose 1,000 sheep” before he’d reveal his salary. That’s according to former…
- Church Issues ·
Former Elders Say ECFA Ignored Their Warning Six Years Ago About Harvest’s Lack of Financial Controls
Last week, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) terminated Harvest Bible Chapel’s membership in its organization for “significant violations” of ECFA standards. Yet three…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Issues Public Apology
I just received the following email from the elders of Harvest Bible Chapel. I was not expecting an apology, but it is a welcome development…
- Church Issues ·
Is James MacDonald Planning a Comeback?
Is recently-fired Harvest Bible Chapel founder, James MacDonald, planning a comeback? Yesterday, Barry Bowen at The Christian Sentinel speculated that he is, noting that on…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Bible Chapel Announces it’s Shutting Down Walk in the Word
Harvest Bible Chapel today announced it is shutting down Walk in the Word—the Bible teaching broadcast ministry of recently-fired Harvest founder, James MacDonald. In an…
- Church Issues ·
Former Counselor Accuses Harvest of Failing to Report Abuse & Threatening Him
A former counseling pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel said former and current church staff failed to report at least one incident of suspected sexual exploitation…
- Church Issues ·
Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders
Chicago radio personality, Mancow Muller, says disgraced megachurch pastor, James MacDonald, asked him to find a hitman to kill someone. MacDonald’s former bodyguard is making…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald & Target of His Alleged Murder Plot Make Video Espousing Love; More Disturbing Stories
The alleged murder plot by disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, just got stranger. Earlier this week, I reported allegations that MacDonald plotted to kill his…
- Christian Media ·
Announcing The Roys Report Extra: A Follow-up Podcast on Crusading Bloggers
Many of you have expressed that you’d like to hear more on blogging and publicly confronting sin in the church than the one hour of The…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Confirms Pastor Failed to Report Abuse, Yet Accepts Explanation That He Thought He Had Reported It
Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) this week published an update confirming an allegation I published in May that HBC Aurora Pastor Craig Steiner failed to report…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Signals Return to Ministry In Facebook Post
UPDATE: Greg Bradshaw, Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) lead ministry pastor, says James MacDonald has filed for arbitration against the church. Bradshaw says “among the things…
- Church Issues ·
Moody Cancels Vertical Worship as People Question Connection to James MacDonald & Harvest
UPDATE: R.T. Maldaner and his wife, Sarah, have written a statement in response to the information in this article pertaining to them. It is posted…
- Church Issues ·
Women Say Harvest ‘Soul Care’ Protected Abusive Husbands, But Not Abused Wives, Part One
(Helping report and write this story was a friend and colleague, Patti Townley-Covert. You’ll find her bio at the end of this article.) “It felt…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Pastor Who Failed to Report Suspected Child Abuse Resigns
A Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) pastor who failed to report an incident of suspected child abuse involving former Harvest Student Pastor Paxton Singer resigned today. The…
- Church Issues ·
Women Say Harvest Protected Abusive Husbands, Not Abused Wives, Part Two
In late March, I reached out to Brian White, then the executive director of Great Commission Collective (GCC), urging him to investigate how churches and…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Bible Chapel Naples Is Getting Kicked Out of Its Virtually Rent-Free Building
In January, Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) Naples kicked its founding pastor, John Secrest, out of its church. Now, some eight months later, HBC Naples is…
- Church Issues ·
Chicago-based Megachurch Welcomes James MacDonald Into Fellowship
Last week, New Life Covenant Church invited disgraced former pastor, James MacDonald, to speak at its men’s retreat. And today, the multi-site megachurch reportedly welcomed…
- Church Issues ·
Elders at Harvest Formally Disqualify James MacDonald From Ministry
The Elders at Harvest Bible Chapel today formally disqualified former pastor, James MacDonald, from ministry, saying his behavior did not meet the qualifications for an…
- Church Issues ·
RESTORE Chicago Video: Lina AbuJamra’s Powerful “Letter of Forgiveness Over Church Hurt”
Before I began investigating Harvest Bible Chapel, I had no idea the depth of pain and devastation inflicted on people by abusive pastors. But as…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Issues “My Repentance” on Facebook
Disgraced former Harvest Bible Chapel pastor, James MacDonald, today posted his “repentance” on Facebook, saying he was sorry for “careless and hurtful words that were…
- Church Issues ·
Video: An Unmistakable Move of God to Purify His Church
In the past 24 months, journalists and bloggers have exposed rampant abuse and corruption in the evangelical church—from James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel to…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Report Shows “Massive…Governance Failure,” Allowing James MacDonald to Misuse Millions
Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) suffered “a massive corporate governance failure,” which enabled former senior pastor, James MacDonald, to “extensively” misuse millions in church funds “for…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Responds to Harvest Report: Claims He’s Innocent of Misusing Church Funds
Disgraced former Harvest Bible Chapel pastor, James MacDonald, today responded to damning evidence that he misused millions of dollars of church funds by asserting his…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Sues Fellow Believer Again–This Time It’s Mancow
Barely a month after issuing a public “repentance,” and apologizing for a lawsuit he called “fearful and defensive,” disgraced, former Harvest Bible Chapel senior pastor,…
- Church Issues ·
Owners of Buildings Leased to Harvest Bible Chapel Under Scrutiny & May Owe Hundreds of Thousands in Property Tax
For the past four years, two limited liability companies (LLCs) that own and lease buildings to Harvest Bible Chapel have escaped paying hundreds of thousands…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Launches New Ministry & Home Church Network
About a year after being fired from Harvest Bible Chapel for conduct “harmful to the best interests of the church,” disgraced former pastor, James MacDonald,…
- Evangelicalism ·
John MacArthur Warned Moody Years Ago About James MacDonald, Emails Reveal
Eight years ago, prominent author and pastor, John MacArthur, strongly warned the Moody Bible Institute about its association with now-disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald. This…
- Church Issues ·
Guest Post: One Year Later—A Look Behind the Mask of James MacDonald
This post is written by Dan George, a former elder at Harvest Bible Chapel, who resigned last February and offered a public confession for what…
- Evangelicalism ·
James MacDonald’s Home Listed for $1.9 Million; Possibly Moving to West Coast
The upscale home of disgraced former pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, James MacDonald, has just been privately listed for $1.9 million, according to recently obtained…
- Church Issues ·
Former Harvest CIO Charged with Felony Theft
Former Harvest Bible Chapel Chief Information Officer, Jeffery Parham, has been charged with four counts of felony theft for allegedly stealing more than $262,000 from…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Announces Return to Pulpit with 8-Part Series at Calvary Chapel South Bay
Disgraced Pastor James MacDonald last night announced that he’ll be returning to the pulpit on March 22 with an 8-part series at Calvary Chapel South…
- Church Issues ·
Mancow’s Lawyer Files Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit by James MacDonald; Calls Suit a “Vindictive Fishing Expedition”
James MacDonald’s defamation lawsuit against his former confidant and friend, WLS-AM Radio Host Mancow Muller, is “no more than a vindictive fishing expedition” to relieve…
- COVID ·
Willow Creek & Harvest Bible Chapel Receive Millions in COVID Relief Funds
Willow Creek Community Church and Harvest Bible Chapel—two churches rocked by recent scandals—have received millions in COVID relief funds. According to a list released by…
- Church Issues ·
Opinion: Foreclosure on James MacDonald’s Estate Sends Sobering Message
Republic Bank’s recent foreclosure on the estate of disgraced pastor, James MacDonald, is sending a sobering message. Wealth is fleeting. Rebellion has consequences. And God’s…
- Church Issues ·
Students Subjected to Hazing at Camp Run by Harvest Bible Chapel
Students attending a camp run by the Chicago-area megachurch, Harvest Bible Chapel, were subjected to hazing that included humiliating “punishments” and something called the “Icy…
- Church Issues ·
Harvest Bible Chapel & James MacDonald Settle Arbitration & Agree to Keep Details Confidential
Disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, and Harvest Bible Chapel have settled their months-long arbitration, and both parties have agreed to a Protective Order, keeping the…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Suspends New Home Church Network
Seven months after launching a Home Church Network (HcN) for those who “struggle to get to church or to stay in church,” former celebrity pastor,…
- Church Issues ·
Two Top Pastors at Harvest Bible Chapel Resign Following “Season” of Difficulty
Two top Harvest Bible Chapel pastors today announced they’re resigning, following a “season” of difficulty sparked by the termination and scandal involving disgraced celebrity pastor,…
- Evangelicalism ·
Harvest Discloses Multi-Million Dollar Settlement with James MacDonald
Harvest Bible Chapel today disclosed that it gave all digital and physical assets of Walk in the Word—including $1.2 million and a parcel of land—to…
- Church Issues ·
Willow Creek Hires Former Harvest Pastor Ed Ollie to Replace Popular Pastor at North Shore Campus
Willow Creek Community Church has just announced it has hired former Harvest Bible Chapel Chicago Cathedral Pastor Ed Ollie as the next pastor of Willow…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Accuses Harvest of Stealing $6.6 Million & Running “Campaign to Destroy My Reputation”
Disgraced pastor, James MacDonald, yesterday posted—and hours later deleted—a statement accusing Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) of stealing $6.6 million from MacDonald’s former broadcast ministry, Walk…
- Church Issues ·
James MacDonald Posts Videos Asserting Innocence; Files Lawsuit Against Attorney Hired by Harvest
Disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, has filed a lawsuit accusing a Chicago attorney and accountants hired by Harvest Bible Chapel of engaging in a “smear…
- Church Issues ·
Mancow Blames James MacDonald for “Soured” Relationship with WLS; Vows to Countersue
Chicago radio personality Mancow Muller says disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, “soured” Muller’s relationship with his employer, WLS-AM, by suing Muller and WLS parent company,…
- Church Issues ·
Former Harvest Members Alarmed by Return of Luke MacDonald; Warn of Bullying & Bizarre Behavior
Luke MacDonald describes himself as a pastor who’s excited to share “Good News in the Neighborhood”—a slogan he’s emblazoned on an entire merchandise line of…
- Church Issues ·
Final Staff Letter about James MacDonald Released: “He Views Humiliating and Belittling People as a Normal Way…”
Disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, created a “culture of fear” at Harvest Bible Chapel where “loyalty” was “prioritized over righteousness.” MacDonald also viewed “humiliating and…
- evangelical industrial complex ·
Luke MacDonald Says High-Profile Christians Paul Baloche & Dave Stone Endorse His Ministry
Luke MacDonald has a track record of alleged abusive and bizarre behavior, and reportedly authored deceptive communications while working as an executive pastor at Harvest…
- Evangelicalism ·
Top 10 Stories of 2020
Already, people are talking about 2021 as a time of reckoning for the evangelical church. But 2020 was a reckoning, as well, with scandal after…
- Ministry Finances & Governance ·
Megachurches Receive Second Round of PPP Loans
Megachurches and ministries—including some rocked by controversy and scandal—are receiving a second round of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans. In January, Harvest Bible…
- Evangelicalism ·
Indiana Church Hires James MacDonald’s Former Right-Hand Man after Harvest’s Endorsement
To some former Harvest Bible Chapel insiders, Rick Donald was not just James MacDonald’s right-hand man; he was also his “hatchet man” or “smiling assassin.”…
- Evangelicalism ·
James MacDonald Sends Email Asking for Money; Responds to Inquiry with Degrading Insults
According to an independent audit of Harvest Bible Chapel, disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, siphoned off millions in church funds to support his lavish lifestyle. But according…
- Evangelicalism ·
James MacDonald Continues Tirade; Defends Using Hashtag “#JRgossipsl**”
Disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, continued his tirade against me and The Roys Report on Tuesday, repeatedly calling me “#JRgossipslut” and asserting that I am…
- Spiritual Abuse ·
Opinion: Harvest Leader Needs to Repent for Maligning Truth-tellers
It’s been more than two years since Harvest Bible Chapel fired James MacDonald for “engaging in conduct . . . harmful to the best interests…
- Evangelicalism ·
“Evangelicalism’s PR Guru” Appears in Post with Mark Driscoll & James MacDonald
Mark DeMoss, a man described by Christianity Today as “Evangelicalism’s PR Guru” and a former Liberty University trustee, is apparently spending time with two men…
- Christian Media ·
Kirk Cameron Platforms Disgraced Pastor James MacDonald on TBN Show
Christian actor Kirk Cameron on Monday featured disgraced pastor James MacDonald as a guest on Cameron’s TBN Takeaways program on “biblical illiteracy.” MacDonald was fired…
- Ministry Finances & Governance ·
Cufflinks, Taxidermy, Ritzy Hotel Stays: James MacDonald and The Ethics of Gift Giving
“It has been said, ‘Show me a person’s checkbook and I can tell you what he cares about.’” – Social Action, 1964 James MacDonald, the…
- Leadership ·
Landon MacDonald to Lead Arizona Megachurch Despite Allegations of Abuse When at Harvest Bible Chapel
An Arizona megachurch has hired Landon MacDonald as a lead pastor, despite allegations MacDonald bullied and abused those in his care while pastoring at Harvest…
- Evangelicalism ·
James MacDonald Preaching at ARC Megachurch in Arizona
Despite being disqualified from public ministry by his former megachurch for a “pattern of sinful behavior,” James MacDonald is preaching at Generation Church—an Association of…
- Education ·
Ed Stetzer Named Dean of Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology
Prominent evangelical scholar, author, and missiologist, Ed Stetzer, is leaving his position as executive director of Wheaton College’s The Billy Graham Center to become dean…
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