Controversy

Time for closure so healing can begin

November 13, 2020

Reconnecting with our past partners

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]

Please Pray

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:

• The financial accusations are simply false. There was no “secret” account, no lack of accountability, no coercion of co-leaders. The character of the men and women who served with me is revealed by their long suffering and silence. By patiently awaiting an arbitration panel’s review of the facts so that truth can be objectively established, they behave in a manner befitting the integrity of their financial leadership at HBC through 2018 — which stands in stark contrast to 2019 HBC leadership.
• Sensationalized trips were fundraising efforts that brought millions in gifts to all of the ministries we led. The deer herd at Camp Harvest was a more cost-effective way of taking those fundraising trips with high capacity donors. The few publicized gifts were approved and given to worthy recipients honored for their faithful service to Christ and His church and consistent with the generosity we preached. All expenditures were overseen by the CFO, COO, the Elder who served as Church Treasurer, and available to the remaining Elder Executive Committee and auditors. A complete ledger with every expenditure explained in detail was offered to current HBC leaders.
• While we have not been allowed to see any of their documentation, the amounts regarding apparel and gifts are likely related to the many ministry, publishing, broadcast, and music relationships that received seasonal and birthday gifts in gratitude for their partnership. None of these practices are outside of norms for a ministry our size, and having them twisted into something negative or self-interested speaks for itself.

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.

Repentance

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.

Regarding Finances

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).