Julie, thank you for your excellent work in exposing that which is done in darkness, among the body of Christ. I remember as a young pastor first hearing about James at a 2002 Moody Pastors Conference and reading his well written book on hermeneutics with an apologetic leaning and being blessed from his book. If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of God, and Proverbs, etc. And we already know the answer: the men are in charge no matter what and despite their failings and abuses. And it was a pretty tough meeting. Thanks! A man of God who just wanted to take a vacation with his family, has the right to use church money which is his only source of income. Yes, yeah, there were a number of people. Ed Stetzer was given a car by James MacDonald, along with a bunch of cash and other things that Roys documents in her reporting. It was really it was a painful meeting, it was a was an eye opening meeting as well though. You can imagine it wasnt it wasnt long before the elders were, you know, talking and I dont remember the timing exactly. So Rick had been there 29 plus years. James McDonald recently did a video with Ron Duitsman, as you said, former chairman of the elder board, where he claims this was all part of a campaign by Dallas Jenkins, whos a former executive leadership team member at Harvest. But the one letter that isnt published came from Sandy Song. And if he doesnt, what does that mean in terms of employment at Harvest Bible Chapel? That was a very common part of how Harvest approached things like that. But as, as these excerpts of James speaking as, as James did, to so many people knew that, that this was the way he really, really spoke and who he really was. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Then, referencing his arbitration with Harvest, in which he won about $2.5 million, along with all digital and physical assets of Walk in the Word, MacDonald writes: When we won the arbitration and regained access to our teaching ministry, it was in shambleslike a model plane that had flown so beautifully, being returned with report of a crash, when in reality an envious child had dashed it against the rocks just out of sight.. I dont see that as absolving James McDonald. I knew that there were hundreds of people, probably more, that were hurt that all this stuff happened. That didnt happen. Dan George served as an elder at Harvest Bible Chapel over a period of 10 years, actively serving on the elder board from 2010 through 2015, and rejoining the board in late 2018. James MacDonald, who was recently fired as senior pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel, is now facing an allegation of sexual misconduct by the church's former worship leader. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Makes me sad and understand why his life went out of control. And you know, told her that I would get it to the motherboard. I wasnt looking forward to that. And we were at an absolute stalemate. I wish Id never done it. Church, Ministry News Please dont read something into a story thats not there. Hes like the whole the whole thing was about resigning. On February 13, the elders announced James MacDonald had been fired . So I asked the other elders, I said, I need to repent. This is going amongst the elders now. And Stetzer is a huge, huge part of the crooked machine. H arvest Bible Chapel and founding pastor James MacDonald have announced that they plan to drop their lawsuit against The Elephant's Debt bloggers and Julie Roys after a court today denied. Okay thats what Gods word says. And they were praying in earnest this entire time. But he demanded that he be flown home on a private jet. . That would be my word to Ron Duitsman. That would be acceptable teaching. Theres 30 men in the room. I said, I will confess my transgression to the Lord, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. The elder board is still in the dark. The only joy in doing this is we would be obeying Gods word. Guest Bios Show Transcript Spiritual abuse has become an increasingly hot topic, as more and more stories of bully pastors and hyper-controlling, Guest Bios Show Transcript After years spent in an abusive church, how do you heal? I remember going home, my wife picked me up, I went home, and I just laid on the couch and looked at her. Again, she was the the wife of Dave Corning who was an elder at Harvest for over 20 years, and telling her stories, and one of her stories was you know about pictures of her being put up on a on a wall as a target practice for James McDonald and her seeing this shot up with a pellet gun. But this is a story that just is not going away. I think, how is it that we had the word of God sitting in front of us, which is pretty clear about what to do. The 8 Best Julie Roys Podcasts. And I was still on the board. Following allegations of years-long bullying and financial misconduct, the lead pastor and executive team of an Association of Related Churches (ARC) megachurch, Everyone was laughing and goading, like it was a jokeuntil it wasnt. . And there was just this push against a public rebuke. And again, Im going from memory, but also from what Ron Duitsman recently said. Anne Green, who is married, alleged that MacDonald touched her inappropriately on a private plane in 2005. So that we could live in freedom. Those are simply other examples of posts about controversial issues. And they said, I remember Dan telling me that that James slammed his fist on the table. Well, because Scripture says you do it in front of everybody. You know, while while I was an overseer, I didnt know it. Today the guys share their conversation with journalist, author, and speaker Julie Roys. Who were all shameless self promoters. She gave it to me to get to the elders. And you then forwarded them to the elder board. Ryan Visconti, the Arizona pastor platforming discredited celebrity preacher James MacDonald is attracting attentionnot just for his new partnership, but also his provocative social media posts about women and marriage. ARC is one of the largest church planting organizations in North America. What Happens Now? Its more of a social teaching of extreme patriarchal churches to protect and promote the power structure of who is God-ordained to be in charge. I mean his letter, not just talking about the abusive behavior of James, but the things he did with the money going on African safaris with the church money. And remember, a week before the decision had been made, in terms of not qualified as an elder and his employment would be over. Just saying a lot of vile things. How about that one? John MacArthur, for example, has preached, Scripture does not automatically permit divorce in the case of a physically abusive husband. Instead, MacArthur urges abused wives not to provoke any circumstances that will make your husband become violent. But if he continues to be abusive, The wife should remove herself from danger by fleeing the home if necessary.. And from the video that he recorded with James, it sounds like the spin is that James was actually guilty. There was a whole discussion about whether he was repentant and I said, I dont know, hes not repentant. Thats what meeting and when youre in a conference called and youre making a decision like that, every elder everybody on the meeting on the call had to make right had the voice be asked any question you have. My husband really appreciates James McDonalds preaching against my better judgement I told him about the new messagesso we have the Advent message from his Home Church network cast to the TV I had planned to leave the room so I didnt have to watch it I have to tell you he sounds sincere (without wax) I find the whole situation so heart breaking and confusing. . We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Think Ill go preach at my cat nowhe has huge ears & better discernment than those willfully cowering in the open cage of the corporate state-church. And there was a voicemail from one of the pastors at Harvest, in a really sort of pushing for me to sign that put my name to that. Malachi 2:16 has been harmfully interpreted & practiced based on twisted translations, Malachi 2 clearly talks about husbands dealing treacherously w their wives these husbands are the ones who hate and divorce 16 The man who hates and divorces his wife, says the Lord, the God of Israel, does violence to the one he should protect, says the Lord Almighty. When Christian leaders continue to teach that abuse does not constitute biblical grounds for divorce they are wrong, Vernick wrote. Tim, thanks I should have read before commenting and exactly! But by the middle of day, right, we were talking about how we were clearly going to have to have an elder board meeting that night. Only Gods opinion is what counts. But he said when he and Scott Phelps and Barry Slebaugh went into a meeting with James in the summer of 2012, asking for, whats your salary James? You disseminated down to the elders, and then that became really the sticking point for James, wasnt it? And I was muted on my phone. May 19, 2021 10:53 am 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." Load more But to also say, this was this was my fault, too. But its a story that needs to be toldand rememberedgiven that MacDonald is trying to relaunch his ministry in Chicago. And they started reading scripture about the qualifications of the elders. Jennifer Shame on you for reading scripture! And you know, Rick Donald was one of the people. So this is going to be a fascinating podcast. We dont know what it would look like tomorrow. Wow! Well, you know, we laugh about it. Leslie said: Julie Roys is a Christian investigative reporter who has called out some big names, and she has suffered for it. I followed his ministry for almost 2 decades. 1) Julie Roys. And there is one thing we know about Satan. Rick, Donald actually had talked to me after the meeting and said, how much that meant to James. So quick to forgive and people were giving me hugs the next night. Now what we did do is there were probably I dont remember the number Julie. But somewhere around 2008-10 his preaching changed a bit. Theres still one more thing I want to ask about. Our marriage improved incredibly after we both agreed that neither one of us was Jesus. I mean, I got exonerated rather quickly. Its phrased to make you feel morally superior. That this was all a plot by him that he was vengeful, towards James McDonald. Had they reached all the elders at this point? So I mean, again, this was round. Julie Roys October 8, 2020. Welcome to The Roys Report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. He scared me in bible college I wanted nothing to do with him. And I got it. to anyone whos been a part of, of what went on. He was in the many meetings leading up to McDonalds termination. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. . There would be no Roys Report without Judson University. Sandy talked about over the years, other staff members coming to her after meeting with James McDonald in tears, just crushed. If you hear that from the pulpit, or you hear that up front, I think, if Im sitting, if Im sitting in the seat, I think well, how fast can I get to my car and confess everything that just the Holy Spirit just brought to mind? Ministry News. Charles, Five of the six have been published. And so when they started arguing the process, I was just like, Oh, my gosh, thats what were just gonna talk about the process. The Roys Report has over 78 articles dedicated to MacDonald and/or HBC, many of which were written by Roys. And what happened and all the backroom meetings, private conversations and phone calls leading up to that fateful event? And if I can give you a context, where I was in my thought process, in that. Im not positive on that. That was you, wasnt it? Pastor Platforming James MacDonald Says Strong Women with Weak Husbands Become 'Toxic' By Julie Roys December 22, 2022 5:39 pm CST 26 Comments Pastor Ryan Visconti of Generation Church in Mesa, Arizona, is attracting attention for his partnership with James MacDonald and provocative social media posts. Not everybody had the physical letters, but we talked through what was in the letters. And I know its cost you personally. Tell me about that meeting and what he did. The picture with deceiver Kari Lake speaks volumes! Think of the godly ones youve known and thank God for them. According to his email, MacDonald has been able to hire a small staff and encouraged people to sign up for his Home Church Networkvideo messages for people to use in a home church. I totally get the emotion that you must have felt because I felt it, too. to Rick Donald. He further claims Harvests elders crafted false accusations against him as a pure act of vindictiveness to cover the churchs looting of his former broadcast ministry, Walk in the Word. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. You know, Ive been here the whole time. Can you say what was in that letter? I mean just absolutely devastating stories and, and feeling the pain. Like wow! And and that would be my word to James McDonald. Why did you think it was important to own not just who James McDonald was, and not just point the finger at him. And Dean Butters letter came in that way as well. You cant unconditionally support anybody. This is the most used and abused (pun intended) argument. Jesus help us. The headlines really heated up after the December 2018 publication of "Hard Times at Harvest," a lengthy expos by investigative journalist Julie Roys. I called him. And I did it. And everyone who stayed just drank the Kool-Aid. For narcissists, attracting attention is the point. So thats, thats February 5, 2019. And marital and sexual satisfaction plummet.. But he said even the way said that he said, we got out of that meeting, we looked at each other. I am so sorry to report that he has not changed. And the things that were done to them after they left. The leaders in our church spoke like KJ era British people when they prayed, I always wondered why. Yeah, I can share some of it. No One Knows. And its to warn people, right? And that was a big question. And then you know, you would categorize these things. Despite being disqualified from public ministry by his former megachurch for a "pattern of sinful behavior," James MacDonald is preaching at Generation Churchan Association of Related Churches (ARC) megachurch in Mesa, Arizona. But according to a recent email by MacDonald, hes a victim of defamation by an envious childand needs your money to rebuild.. I at least heard of it from somebody by that point. . Whether he was going to resign or have an opportunity to resign or, you know, terminate his employment was to be determined at that point. However, MacDonald texted me an invitation to appear with him in a public forum to answer for the many many lies Ive reportedly written about him. I dont believe God makes mistakes when creating us a certain sex. Ron Duitsman, Chairman of the Board, who agreed to fire James, now appears to be out there, saying that after James got fired, that the elders were were spinning what happened in a false way. Right? Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? I still dont understand all sides of the transgender issue, but can say 2 things: 1. And I was still on the elder board, we shrunk the elder board that next week down to nine men. And youre going to hear all about what happened in those meetings and the strong arm tactics that McDonald used to try and get his way. First he used to walk up and down the isles and second it was a bit more exegetical than primarily exhortation based and those dynamics flipped. These were people bringing charges against an elder. Youre, youre characterizing it correctly. And with that opening, I felt like it was confirmed. But James McDonald, he did not like to fly with the commoners, from what I understand. And he says he refuses to read it and says hes not going to mislead the congregation. And when I read that, I just shook my head. Its a reference to sex magik and the leaders have given a hat tip to their god right in the church name. Yeah. Because it was still a time when many elders were not admitting any of the wrongs that they had done. Hes a deceiver. But the other letters, my understanding is they came in, and youre in a meeting with the other elders. Yeah, yeah. Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel filed a lawsuit this month against two ex-members and former Moody Radio host Julie Roys, accusing them of spreading false information about the . Yet another American megachurch is immersed in accusations of wrongdoings. I didnt, I didnt argue with him. . We can put it up on the Harvest site, and Ill read it to the congregation on Saturday night. It does. According to anindependent auditof Harvest Bible Chapel, disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, siphoned off millions in church funds to support his lavish lifestyle. I think of a few things Julie. And so I felt relief. Divorce sadly acknowledges the truth. And then out of the blue, I get slapped with a lawsuit from James McDonald before I published anything. Hed been the senior pastor the whole time. This is a story that directly contradicts what MacDonald published in recent videos and statements on his webpage. And many who have followed this story know what James McDonald has done. The elder board of Harvest Bible Chapel formally apologized to independent journalist Julie Roys and several former members, months after joining founder James MacDonald in a defamation lawsuit accusing them of publishing false information about the church's management and finances last fall. Rick Donald said that that would make us the judge, the elders, if we had the letter. So he did that. The pastor of the largest church in Minnesota (around 23,000 average . Gary Weigel, if you total all the expenses including vet bills, it might be more than a tithe. And then saying, I need a private jet to fly me home. And learn how MacDonald almost escaped being exposedand how six scathing letters that revealed MacDonalds true nature almost failed to reach the elder board. Also, in addition to those, you have the letter that was written by eight former elders at Harvest, who brought them in 2012, to the elder board, and within 24 hours, were excommunicated for bringing charges against James McDonald. And it became so obvious to be like that that was what it was. And he said, you know, James Macdonald had requested that I come out to a meeting and he had requested Mike Dunwoody and one other elder Mark Hopwood was a longtime elder from Elgin that we would all join them for a meeting at seven oclock on that Thursday night. And and Im still feeling it and Im still hearing from people. Because they stood up to James or they just tried to walk away quietly because they couldnt they couldnt stomach what was going on any any longer. Jacob Ross, all the credit card that James used for personal expenses. And I just felt this incredible weight. I appreciate elders (Hebrews 13:17). I payed for you and James. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. So lets move on to these letters. Not saying anything about the about the men in the room, but that becomes unwieldy. And and its sad to me other than when they did finally, the former elders apologize for the lawsuit that was brought against me. And I stopped my car. No, Julie Roys did not open the hood on James MacDonald, although she in her own hubris would like her audience to think that. Judson is a top ranked Christian university providing a caring community and an excellent college experience. I followed up with this text but Julie did not respond immediately to my request for a comment. I just knew the Lord made it clear I had to do it. That this was all a plot by him that he was vengeful, towards James McDonald. Is that an accurate representation? She also previously hosted a national talk show on the Moody Radio Network, called Up for Debate, and has worked as a TV reporter for a CBS affiliate. 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