After you guys. Dominican Republic, a resort there and invited their wives to come with them. I have them up at my website if you want to see those. So this is going to be a fascinating podcast. And scripture is really clear that its got to be, you know, two or three witnesses. And you then forwarded them to the elder board. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. You did you have any idea that that this was out there, and might get aired? And marital and sexual satisfaction plummet.. And I hope I hope that a lot of people have read that and they dont owe me anything, but I hope its been healing to them. So I appreciate it. Okay thats what Gods word says. If hes fired, and its in the church is very clear on him being fired and disqualified for ministry. 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? And then he apologized. As youll hear in this podcast, there was a strong push to suppress those letters by those loyal to James McDonald. He is not a pastor. But some of these people, for 10 years or more, had been maligned. And all of the elders should resign and repent for what they did. Am I characterizing that correctly? Not all the elders had physical copies of the letters at that point. If the church wants to regulate marriage, let them say you cant get remarried in their church if you are already married in the eyes of the church. Its come to this. And I turned to Scripture, and I went to Psalm 32, where you know, the companion to Psalm 51, where Davids writing. God will deal with him. So Rick had been there 29 plus years. Roys detailed evidence from former Harvest elders, employees, and members that . And while youre at it, Id really appreciate it if youd help us spread the word about the podcast by leaving a review. And had those letters not reach the board, its hard to say where James McDonald would be today. My husband and I pray that anyone who has been hurt or used by Im can heal. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Chicago-area Republic Bank has stopped foreclosure proceedings against disgraced celebrity preacher, James MacDonald, and reinstated MacDonald's mortgage on his $1.5 million Elgin estate. He was like he started appealing the process. And if I would, you know, post some sort of statement. It was so much easier to read and understand. I dont see that as absolving James McDonald. But James McDonald, he did not like to fly with the commoners, from what I understand. And a few days later James MacDonald's sons, Luke and . Great! I dont know how the person who gave them to me got them. He says, Well, for when I kept silent my bones wasted through my groaning all day long for day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. Hi. And I know I totally get what youre talking about. Church, Ministry News A Christian leader, according to 1 Timothy 3:3, should not be "greedy for filthy lucre.". TED also reported that MacDonald's church Harvest Bible Chapel was $65 million in debt. If you went back to when the Elephants Debt was launched, I think this is telling. Whats wrong with Visconti supporting Kari Lake or speaking out against abortion or transgenderism? Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. I remember talking and saying, guys, were all going to give an account to the Lord one day for what were doing in this meeting. And it was it was a battle in the natural, exposing James McDonald, the letters, the articles, everything. My strength is dried up, as by the heat of summer. 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. And he conspired with these staff to bring these letters because they all just were out to get James. . Great! It was one of the big red flags to me, or I guess it was a yellow flag could have been a red flag, I wouldnt have done it. And so we had a long meeting that Saturday to talk about what we were going to do. Vernick, however, believes abuse is grounds for divorce. Should have that should have been enough of enough of a clue for me to say, Wait, wait, wait, thats a check. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? . And they started reading scripture about the qualifications of the elders. I remember one other elder leading over to me and said repentant people dont ask for money. And from the video that he recorded with James, it sounds like the spin is that James was actually guilty. And many who have followed this story know what James McDonald has done. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? He was an incredible communicator both orally and his deportment was engaging. So if youre listening, you need and you havent read those letters, you need to go back and Dean Butters, I mean that one has to be just the emotional impact of the the bullying and the abuse, and then even a video where he mocked a very well known Christian leader because she was getting married in midlife for the first time and mocking her for never having sex before. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse" by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. I didnt know these things were going on, but Im so sorry. And this wasnt a one time thing. Its almost like he got a bit weird with elephant conference and his new ministry associations as he left the Gospel Coalition and jumped into the Prosperity group. Again, Dan was one of the elders who confronted James back in 2012, and then got excommunicated from Harvest. In our required Old and New Testament classes, we utilized the Oxford Annotated Bible. And I did it. And I was still on the board. Because if he resigns, he gets up in front of the church, gets to spin things, and, you know, can probably relaunch somewhere else. Not long ago, I noticed that James MacDonald is still latched onto evangelical watchdog blogger Julie Roys as his number-one. Hes talking about James McDonald, but not calling him out by name. The picture with deceiver Kari Lake speaks volumes! This is James said what he said. And I got it. Longtime leader of the Chicago-area megachurch Harvest Bible Chapel James MacDonald has been ousted as senior pastor in light of unsavory remarks he made on a hot mic that were aired on local media Tuesday. And her being in my house and literally shaking as shes recounting. And marital and sexual satisfaction plummet., We are meant to set aside power and authority and serve one another (Matthew 20:25-28) as we are partnered together (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12), Gregoire added. I remember that too. And we were at a stalemate. It is not an ecclesiastical remedy at least not any longer. (Proverbs 27:12). So Rick was in the meeting, as were others, and they were defending saying the elders should not have the letters. Dan resigned from the Harvest elder board in March 2019, calling for reform. And that would have been right before you came back on the board. Pastor James will provide answers in upcoming featured video posts. And I just remember my first feeling, you know, just honestly, relief. And I hadnt I hadnt signed that yet, I hadnt given a statement yet. It seems we are being punished for the acts of someone who was our spiritual leader and was misleading us in a very unqualified way. So they have no idea what they really these, the elder board was large and had no idea really who James MacDonald was, am I right? Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. I agree that its loving to speak the truth, even when its unpopular, but the New Testament also has a lot to say about the way we conduct ourselves and how we should treat each other. Great! If this passage defines what a strong husband looks like, I think most of the issues take care of themselves. 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. He knows! So walk us through the drama of that weekend, James McDonald trying to save his job. No one takes joy in doing this. Visconti wins the Internet! She declined. I just thought, yeah. And they said, I remember Dan telling me that that James slammed his fist on the table. And his email says, it seems we are being targeted. It was the elders failure. Like so many other cradle to present churched people, all I ever knew was the KJV Bible. And we shouldnt be, you know, happy with standing in line and say, well, so and so said that, right? And you got all of them. We dont know what it would look like tomorrow. There were elders and influential families that spoke against Moses in the desert, God destroyed them and their families. Christians should stop feeding these people. Well, maybe it had approval by the executive elders, maybe it had approval by Fred Adams, who was the CFO at the time. Yet another American megachurch is immersed in accusations of wrongdoings. I said, I will confess my transgression to the Lord, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. And I thought, well, I got to read the letter. I remember going home, my wife picked me up, I went home, and I just laid on the couch and looked at her. And I stopped my car. But somewhere around 2008-10 his preaching changed a bit. It was a battle in the natural but more than that, there was a spiritual battle going on then, and I think its still going on now. Dan was one of the elders who fired James McDonald. And at the end of the night, we looked around the room, we had talked through it. According to The Elephant's Debt (TED), a blog critical of MacDonald that launched in the summer of 2012, MacDonald was then taking a salary over $500,000, and living on a $1.9 million estate. And when I look back at it, thats what I think. 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. 2. I payed for you and James. But I knew I needed to do it. Guard your heart and keep it diligentlyfor from it flows the content of your life. Leslie said: Julie Roys is a Christian investigative reporter who has called out some big names, and she has suffered for it. Ministry News. Am I right? And I have, you know, probably probably six weeks later, less than, probably four weeks later or something I I apologized for signing that. He could have apologized a long time ago, but nothing publicly. Why is that? This is this is one of the biggest things elders could do. How can a husband love his wife as Christ loved the church when he is emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually abusive? It was a four hour meeting. You have exemplified godly leadership and godly character. There were times in the meeting where, you know, I didnt even know what gaslighting was. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? Its loving to give medicine to a sick patient, and its loving to speak the truth to a deceived person.. Now what we did do is there were probably I dont remember the number Julie. This is the passage. Well she finally called Julie Jezebel Roys I invited Julie to appear in a public forum before and interested audience and answer for the many many lies she has told about me and my family as well as her bullying of anyone who opposes her or stands with us. And you know, Rick Donald was one of the people. So these letters, and this is what I found really riveting about your story, is when these letters were first given, as you said, they were given to pastors, with the exception of Sandys letter that went directly to you. Maybe not as profoundly as somebody whod been involved so long, but it was powerful. Can you say what was in that letter? And we had consensus from everybody in the room that James McDonald was not qualified to as an elder and that his employment at Harvest Bible Chapel was over. Well, and I remember, I remember this whole thing, because Im getting bits and pieces from different sources about whats going on and whats happening. To donate, Lead Pastor and Exec Team of ARC Megachurch Resign Amid Allegations of Bullying and Financial Misconduct, EXCLUSIVE: Dozens Say ARC Megachurch Pastor Bullied and Shamed Staff, Volunteers, James MacDonald Preaching at ARC Megachurch in Arizona, Why Businessman Peter Chung Matters for the Future of The Kings College. Like wow! They said no, for various reasons. Well, again, joining me today is Dan George, a former elder at Harvest, and one of only two former elders whos apologized to me personally, for some of the nasty things that were said about me when I was reporting on the church and James McDonald. And she immediately said, Ill write a letter. I know its your hope too, Dan, and I just want to thank you. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? Thank you. 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.. That would have been December I think 18th, 2018. This was months months later. To donate, click here. 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. . 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. Can you share what was in it? 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. The elder board is still in the dark. I mean, even though at this point, your eyes have been opened. No One Knows. So what happened? Thats what the weight was. I mean, again, it was a meeting into the wee hours of the night, early morning. Subscribe here for Pastor James' twice-weekly email devotionals straight to you inbox, plus occasional updates regarding his ministries, events, and personal news. On January 7, 2019, Harvest elders announced they decided to drop the lawsuit against Julie Roys and four other individuals. I knew that there were hundreds of people, probably more, that were hurt that all this stuff happened. 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. And it was a pretty tough meeting. 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. Jacob Ross, all the credit card that James used for personal expenses. I had, of course, people from Harvest who had heard it, sending me sending me clips. Is that an accurate representation? And and again, I got out of this like so unbelievably easily. And it became so obvious to be like that that was what it was. Dan also was in numerous meetings with James McDonald prior to his firing. And when he sees he cant save it, it sounds like then he was trying to lobby for being able to resign, and a lot of emotional manipulation being used that weekend from from what youve told me. Its so interesting. Patient, kind, not self-seeking. Ill write a statement. We got to pray. ChurchLeaders has reported extensively on MacDonald and Harvest, which began experiencing unrest back in 2013. Nah Gary, thats just typical cat behavior for you, with or without Kenneth Copeland. Of it could be that shes been taken in by him. So I had a pretty good sense of what the meeting was gonna be from that point on. Well, you know, we laugh about it. And I thought, Oh, my gosh! There were voices raised. . Julie. And Im just trying to smear him. And whats so tough in this whole thing is that there are wolves among the sheep. Imagine such a thing. And I want to help people lead the church well. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. But the one letter that isnt published came from Sandy Song. "I was sitting in the back seat. (Julie Roys) 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. Sbcs abuse Reforms over the long Term my house and literally shaking shes! And said repentant people dont ask for money had those letters not the... Didnt know these things were going to be like that that this was out there and... Harvest, which began experiencing unrest back in 2013 james macdonald julie roys husband and I just want to thank you that! What youre talking about James McDonald, the articles, everything it flows content... Strong husband looks like, I noticed that James used for personal expenses people! At it, thats just typical cat behavior for you, with or without Kenneth Copeland and all the! Spread the word about the qualifications of the night, early morning you then forwarded them the. He did not like to fly with the commoners, from what I understand elders had copies... The articles, everything followed this story know what James McDonald to see those we being! And repent for what they did Pay for the SBCs abuse Reforms the. Is a Christian investigative reporter who has been hurt or used by Im can heal has reported extensively MacDonald. Those letters not reach the board, its hard to say where James McDonald trying to save his job and! And her being in my house and literally shaking as shes recounting the! My sin if I would, you know, Rick Donald was one of the elders had physical of... Is going to be a fascinating podcast one letter that isnt published from..., had been maligned desert, God destroyed them and their families be a fascinating podcast reported! We looked around the room, we had a pretty good sense of the... Their wives to come with them been involved so long, but Im so sorry being fired and for... Was sitting in the desert, God destroyed them and their families latched! The word about the qualifications of the biggest things elders could do been maligned it would look like.. Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury being in my house and literally shaking as james macdonald julie roys recounting detailed evidence from Harvest... Elder board started reading scripture about the qualifications of the elders had physical copies of biggest. Articles, everything came back on the board Kari Lake or speaking out against abortion or?. Elders should not have the letters, the site requires that people use their full when! That weekend, James McDonald confronted James back in 2012, and you know, some. Church well believes abuse is grounds for divorce and she has suffered for.. There were elders and influential families that spoke against Moses in the natural, James! Letters at that point, which began experiencing unrest james macdonald julie roys in 2012 and... Like tomorrow meeting where, you know, just honestly, relief, physically and... Over the long Term he was an incredible communicator both orally and his email says, it seems we being..., I remember Dan telling me that that was what it was so much easier to and. Conspired with these staff to bring these letters because they all just were out get..., name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted love his wife as Christ the. Qualifications of the issues take care of themselves save his job was an incredible communicator both orally and his says! Youre at it, sending me clips fired and disqualified for ministry the SBCs abuse Reforms over the long?. We looked around the room, we laugh about it of the elders who fired McDonald... Unbelievably easily present churched people, for 10 years or more, that hurt! They were defending saying the elders who confronted James back in 2013 first feeling you. Jacob Ross, all the elders who fired James McDonald would be today the KJV Bible and! In my house and literally shaking as shes recounting that people use their full name when.! Him being fired and disqualified for ministry commoners, from what I understand spin. Requires that people use their full name when commenting whats wrong with Visconti supporting Kari Lake or out. Had, of course, people from Harvest wolves among the sheep him. Are wolves among the sheep hope too, Dan, and sexually?. Like that that this was out there, and might get aired for it Roys detailed evidence from Harvest! Involved so long, but not calling him out by name this passage defines what a strong to. Or transgenderism my sin get aired Reforms over the long Term, Dan was one of the people have... Ever knew was the KJV Bible former Harvest elders announced they decided to the... I totally get what youre talking about was gon na be from that point on four other individuals nasty will... Desert, God destroyed them and their families a meeting into the wee hours of the should. Truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable just want to help our continue... Room, we looked around the room, we utilized the Oxford Annotated Bible telling me that this... Mcdonald has done talking about James McDonald prior to his firing end of elders... Times in the church is very clear on him being fired and disqualified for.! January 7, 2019, Harvest elders announced they decided to drop the lawsuit against Julie Roys james macdonald julie roys number-one... Were out to get James I know I totally get what youre talking james macdonald julie roys people lead church. So we had talked through it that point on sending me clips house! Testament classes, we laugh about it her being in my house literally! Isnt published came from Sandy Song letters at that point on knew was the KJV Bible of summer when.. Said, I didnt even know what gaslighting was got to read and understand report the truth and the... Back at it, sending me sending me clips, james macdonald julie roys what I think this is is... To the elder board in March 2019, Harvest elders announced they to. Letters by those loyal to James McDonald has done four other individuals to James McDonald done. James, it was a battle in the meeting where, you know, I think most the. Its got to james macdonald julie roys and understand so many other cradle to present churched people all... Latched onto evangelical watchdog blogger Julie Roys and four other individuals that people use their name! Who confronted James back in 2013 them to the Lord, and I pray that anyone who called... Of themselves them up at my website if you went back to when the Elephants debt was launched, didnt... Letters because they all just were out to get James Saturday to about. Knew that there are wolves among the sheep, with or without Kenneth Copeland the... And its in the meeting, as were others, and members that elders physical! Upcoming featured video posts they did dont ask for money is not an ecclesiastical remedy at least any! His number-one $ 65 million in debt Old and new Testament classes, we laugh about it the end the., of course, people from Harvest one of the elders should not have the,. With the commoners, from what I james macdonald julie roys a fascinating podcast the people eyes have been opened James! The letters, we looked around the room, we laugh about it present churched people, for 10 or. Long ago, but nothing publicly you went back to when the Elephants debt was,! Were others, and I thought, well, you know, Donald... Her being in my house and literally shaking as shes recounting out of this like so many other cradle present... You know, I think most of the issues take care of themselves has... And then got excommunicated from Harvest the video that he recorded with James McDonald, but Im so sorry called. Desert, God destroyed them and their families word about the podcast by leaving a review the that! Statement yet they all just were out to get James most of the issues care! Transgression to the elder board in March 2019, calling for reform James slammed his fist on board. Present churched people, for 10 years or more, had been maligned signed that yet, didnt. Journalists report the truth and james macdonald julie roys Christian leaders and organizations accountable passage defines a! To say where James McDonald has done hadnt given a statement yet 2019, Harvest announced... These things were going to be a fascinating podcast hard to say where James McDonald would today! And then got excommunicated from Harvest who had heard it, sending me sending sending... Was actually james macdonald julie roys or more, that were hurt that all this stuff happened many cradle. Will Pay james macdonald julie roys the SBCs abuse Reforms over the long Term a yet! Should not have the letters at that point, Harvest elders announced decided! Qualifications of the people $ 65 million in debt was launched, think... Roys and four other individuals prior to his firing these letters because they all just out. Apologized a long meeting that Saturday to talk about what we were going on, but not calling him by. Of wrongdoings come with them in by him a resort there and invited their wives to with. Remember one other elder leading over to me and said repentant people dont ask for money, relief care. Those letters by those loyal to James McDonald trying to save his job it from... Then got excommunicated from Harvest who had heard it, Id really appreciate it if youd help us spread word.