November 13, 2020
October 13, 2020
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, from Pastor James and Kathy MacDonald. It has been far too long since we connected, now more than 20 months. During this time, we have longed to contact you, expressing why you have not heard from us and how our Lord has been preparing us for the next phase of our calling.
Please allow me to update you by answering some of the questions we hear most frequently… [read more of this important update]
January 30, 2020
Starting with the launch of this website and the posting below of my two previous statements, I will begin to answer with documented refutation any future Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) statements concerning us. Preferable would be a joint statement that is more reflective of gospel grace when arbitration has concluded.
For those wishing to remain supportive but confused by HBC statements, we offer here a few words as assurance prior to resolution:
Please pray for accelerated progress in the Christian arbitration process, which could have been concluded already. We look forward to the arbitration panel’s separation of truth and error in a just manner, and so that healing can begin for all.
November 8, 2019
I was, am, and will remain very sorry for the careless and hurtful words that were illegally recorded and publicized. I immediately sent written apologies where appropriate, grieving what it revealed about the state of my heart at the time, as well as the hurt caused to those who trusted us to be a more consistent example of Christlikeness. I have no excuse and am truly sorry.
I confess to all who have followed my ministry, a regression into sinful patterns of fleshly anger and self pity that wounded co-workers and others. These sin issues had been points of growth and victory as expressed through my preaching and writing, but I fell back beginning in late 2016 and have only myself to blame. I wrestled with the stress I felt, the injustice I endured, etc. Yet, over time I have come to see only myself and my own relational failing in the mirror, and with grief and sorrow I ask your forgiveness.
As part of this, I have come to see my sin of handling pressure in a way that got things done, but neglected the priority of love and the presiding humility of serving others first. Letters have been sent to those the Holy Spirit has brought to mind, owning what is true without reference to what is false. We are looking to the Lord to keep my focus here as long as it takes in hopes of reconciliation with every willing heart.
November 26, 2019
On Thursday, November 21, Harvest Bible Chapel leaders announced results of their financial investigation. The study covered Elder and auditor-approved spending and compensation, all of which predate the involvement of those now speaking.
It is disappointing that Harvest would publicize their alleged findings while simultaneously seeking resolution of these issues through confidential Christian arbitration. Behind it all since the start are issues surrounding historic agreements related to the disposition of Walk in the Word and other matters connected with my departure. The Elder-imposed moratorium on communicating with us directly has excluded significant exculpatory information.
We began down the road of trusting God to be our defense (Psalm 37:5-6) through the bylaw-prescribed method of Christian arbitration, and we will not change paths now nor violate the rules of arbitration by speaking uncharitably about the actions of others. Truth will come to light in God’s time as we continue entrusting ourselves to Him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).