I was at work. 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. It is grounds for separation but not divorce., This view is popular in fundamentalist Christian circles. And this was a spiritual battle. 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. I said, again, please dont do it just because Im asking you. You dont know how I got ahold of them. ( was spent) That seems pretty straightforward. I know a lot of people look at this. Tragically . If not, youre probably looking at what Paul latter in the chapter describes as an immature child. And I know I totally get what youre talking about. No one takes joy in doing this. That this wasnt just James failure. He has always been a total its all about me. And you know, told her that I would get it to the motherboard. In our required Old and New Testament classes, we utilized the Oxford Annotated Bible. In that same meeting that same Thursday night, he argued, the elders shouldnt have the letters. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. I did not. Great! Hi. Also, make sure you subscribe to The Roys Report on Apple podcasts or Google podcasts. I dont know how many people had heard of it. How come church leaders and male congregants are always beating up the women with this particular Scripture but no one ever (to my knowledge) addresses the husbands responsibility to love their wives as Christ loved the church? Dan was one of the elders who fired James McDonald. That this was all a plot by him that he was vengeful, towards James McDonald. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. ChurchLeaders has reported extensively on MacDonald and Harvest, which began experiencing unrest back in 2013. Ed Stetzer was given a car by James MacDonald, along with a bunch of cash and other things that Roys documents in her reporting. But it was at this point that I started to reach out to Harvest and really seeking their comment on some of the things that I had heard. And I was still on the board. My strength is dried up, as by the heat of summer. Because if he resigns, he gets up in front of the church, gets to spin things, and, you know, can probably relaunch somewhere else. The Lord made it really clear. But I had all I had all the letters by that point. You can review it. 2. There were times in the meeting where, you know, I didnt even know what gaslighting was. Maybe not as profoundly as somebody whod been involved so long, but it was powerful. We did not hurry. It was in the very, very early days of its launch. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. But it was dark. Jesus help us. We knew I needed to do it. And you got all of them. There was just an absolute refusal to rebuke him publicly. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. And man, if you go back and listen to this morning, morning show I I just, I remember turning on the radio and hearing this, you know, Old MacDonald had a call, e-i, e-i, o This young man had put together it only Mancow can can deliver something the way that he does. You know, while while I was an overseer, I didnt know it. Subscribe here for Pastor James' twice-weekly email devotionals straight to you inbox, plus occasional updates regarding his ministries, events, and personal news. 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. And as people rotated through, there were newer people on the board, and they wouldnt have really had a lot of access to to James McDonald. Ive listened to the entire recording. He also advertised an upcoming GrampCampan overnight retreat providing training and tools for grandparents to connect with their grandkids. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! And I sat and prayed. His support of Kari Lake shows that he supports her lies. But James McDonald, he did not like to fly with the commoners, from what I understand. 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. Hes not qualified. So then James McDonald flies in, right? 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? Dr. John Street, the head of counseling at MacArthurs The Masters University, takes a harder line. And with that opening, I felt like it was confirmed. I agree. She wanted me to look at 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. SMH. Yeah. And by the meeting that night, the executive committee came to the elder board with a unanimous recommendation, per the bylaws, that James McDonalds employment should be terminated for cause at that point. Tell Harvest Church board hows the fruit now? Right? And I hadnt I hadnt signed that yet, I hadnt given a statement yet. Also, if youre in the market for a car, I encourage you to check out my friends at Marquardt of Barrington. (God) says, the prudent see danger and take refuge. 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? Its impossible to take evangelicals seriously. So Rick was in the meeting, as were others, and they were defending saying the elders should not have the letters. But for us not to act would be unbelief. Im sad for his fall. My spouse and I and many others went to college with James in the eighties in Canada. And I remember being in the meeting thinking, I cant believe were arguing about this. So at the end of the night, no one got the letters. It was a Wednesday or Thursday night on the Rolling Meadows campus. Think of the godly ones youve known and thank God for them. Thank you. 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 see that as just simply implicating a larger group and a conspiracy to use church money for stuff that was never intended. Am I right? But to tell people they have to stay in a situation of violence, trauma and harm, or return to it, this is not a core tenet of Christianity. And I checked my voicemail. I was thrown out of the church we gave our lives to by a group of rogue leaders, MacDonald writes. "I was sitting in the back seat. And I remember a comment being made. Dan also was in numerous meetings with James McDonald prior to his firing. And I dont know whether it was Rick Donald, who was was talking at that point about he had the letters, and didnt think that the elders should read all of them. But he starts arguing process. And by that time Harvest was 30, in its 31st. The fruit which was souls coming to Christ was enormous. Divorce is a civil remedy that is necessary when there is abuse, physical, emotional, financial, or even when people are incompatible. She gave it to me to get to the elders. And my wife, my wife and I looking at each other and going are we really doing this? And I listened to it. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Thanks for for standing up for what was right. . And this is this was this was hard, but at the end of the night, we talked through it, we shared things from the letters. Whoever said the dumbest thing had to take off an, Despite being disqualified from public ministry by his former megachurch for a pattern of sinful behavior, James MacDonald is preaching at Generation. But some of these people, for 10 years or more, had been maligned. The ministry is growing, we should expect to be attacked. June 17, 2021 James MacDonald, the former megachurch pastor who's been embroiled in scandal and controversy for several years, is lashing out against independent journalist Julie Roys. I called him. What really caused Harvest Bible Chapel to fire James McDonald? And everyone who stayed just drank the Kool-Aid. 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. Julie Roys lives for her anti gospel, anti authority, man hating bias - even partnering with shock jocks like Mancow Muller or worse. And they started reading scripture about the qualifications of the elders. One, its impossible, and were gonna get killed, were gonna get slaughtered on that. Its loving to give medicine to a sick patient, and its loving to speak the truth to a deceived person.. So quick to forgive and people were giving me hugs the next night. So he did that. They discuss the role of journalism as it relates to local churches and prominent leaders, and her her current work investigating Harvest Bible Chapel and Pastor James MacDonald. And a few days later James MacDonald's sons, Luke and . Jared Prayed for you just now. . There was a spirited discussion of the letters and who should be able to read the letters. Yeah Cynthia. Were supposed to approve this budget, and we dont even have a line item. #JRgossipslut #JRcancerinChristsbody. You could tell where it was headed probably. Dan currently is an executive and leadership coach and the founder of Front Seat Leadership. Mine havent offered any blessings, but at least they havent eaten my extremities while I sleep. You do that, and hope that the person will repent, and that they will turn and that therell be restoration. Plus, the school offers more than 60 majors, great leadership opportunities and strong financial aid. Christian counselor and author, Leslie Vernick, took exception to Viscontis post. If you read his letter, he was going to publish his letter. Yeah, I got sued, but the case got dropped. 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. And we already know the answer: the men are in charge no matter what and despite their failings and abuses. 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. I dont see that as absolving James McDonald. it's time for the cult of personality of James MacDonald at Harvest chapter to close and the actual Bible to be opened . Guest Bios Show Transcript Many times, those who have experienced spiritual abuse are retraumatized when they try to speak about whats happened. And from the video that he recorded with James, it sounds like the spin is that James was actually guilty. to Rick Donald. If hes ok with lying it places doubt on the gospel. To donate, click here. I think of the timing, I think it was earlier that day, that I actually I sent I had sent Sandys letter out, because Sandy sent, she addressed her letter to the elder board. But over there, you know, I, you know, six, seven people who had read the letters, probably more than that by the time, and we talked about what was in the letters. Roys detailed evidence from former Harvest elders, employees, and members that . We dont know what it would look like tomorrow. It was positioned as an attack because the ministry was growing and those people were bitter, etc. The pastor of the largest church in Minnesota (around 23,000 average . You can imagine it wasnt it wasnt long before the elders were, you know, talking and I dont remember the timing exactly. In a recent Instagram story, Visconti, pastor of Generation Church in Mesa, claimed abuse is not a biblical justification for divorce. And in an Instagram post on November 21 that received 5,621 likes Visconti wrote: A weak woman with a strong husband will become a strong woman. Ministry News. The Roys Report is a Christian media outlet, reporting the unvarnished truth about what's happening in the Christian community so the church can be reformed and restored. And what happened in all the backroom meetings, private conversations, and phone calls leading up to that fateful event? MacDonald is a successful American religious entrepreneur. 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. It was a heated discussion about letters and who should have the letters who should read the letters, etc., that night. I just knew the Lord made it clear I had to do it. God does not value the sanctity of marriage more than the safety and sanity of individuals in that marriage.. And I just felt this incredible weight. 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 to give you the flavor of the meeting, when I walked in the room, and we all greeted each other, we were in the former executive pastors office around an oval table, and James McDonald sitting across from me. In this episode of The Roys Report, former Harvest elder, Dan George, joins Julie to tell the real story of MacDonalds firing. The airing accelerated the timeline. I followed up with this text but Julie did not respond immediately to my request for a comment. She keeps demanding I tithe to her and she will ask god to bless me. And in case you dont know, Dan Marquardt was one of three former elders at Harvest, who stood up to James McDonald in 2013, and was excommunicated as a result. 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. . So you werent part of the lawsuit. 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. 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. 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. Rather, its helping those in bondage find freedom. The text included the hashtags #gossipslut #gossipmonger #filthygutterwebsite #cancerinChristsbody., MacDonald also tweeted the invitation, referring to me as Julie Jezebel Roys.. . I mean, I got exonerated rather quickly. And whats so tough in this whole thing is that there are wolves among the sheep. year. Pastor James will provide answers in upcoming featured video posts. I said, Sandy, Im so sorry, for what happened on my watch. I remember sitting on my couch waiting to press the button to publish it. How do you how do you do anything with 30 people? And you then forwarded them to the elder board. 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 a reference to sex magik and the leaders have given a hat tip to their god right in the church name. In an email to The Roys Report (TRR), Vernick noted that in the Old Testament, Abigail, the wife of the boorish and immature, Nabal, was a strong woman, married to a weak characterand she wasnt toxic. And there was a group and we had two prayer meetings of people who had been former elders, staff people who have gone on the record with me. We brought up several things from the letters with James McDonald that night, and he was just dismissing everything we brought up. And they were praying in earnest this entire time. Do you expect ANYONE to say yes to your question. I felt physically sick reading the letter. 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. And I got the text. I knew I had to do it. Julie, thank you for your excellent work in exposing that which is done in darkness, among the body of Christ. And I actually requested the letter from Sandy, because Sandy had shared some things with us about what she had seen. I at least heard of it from somebody by that point. No, its not how it went down, Julie. But like you do what that says and the people responded as you hope Christians do. As I saw it, this letter of unconditional support was a huge and somewhat desperate PR move on James MacDonalds part, to say, hey, look, all our leaders stand with us, I must be okay. 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. Dan, thank you for being a humble man of God. In the area (a south metro suburb of Minneapolis, MN ), that's just the average cost of a house. He had joined, I think a year into, into Harvests history. Its phrased to make you feel morally superior. Tell me about that meeting and what he did. And Im just grateful that finally, the board, open their eyes. And so I felt relief. Again, youre seeing it from a total other perspective where Im the bad guy, James is a good guy. If theres other passages we should be talking about, lets talk about them. Theres 30 men in the room. I payed for you and James. Pastor James MacDonald. And you couldnt be accused of disseminating them to the larger public. Very interesting discussion. Just finished my post on clarifiers that will precede the deception lists. So its critically important that the truth be told. Tim, thanks I should have read before commenting and exactly! James MacDonald (born October 4, 1960) is a Canadian-born evangelical Christian pastor, television evangelist, and author. I was literally sitting in a hotel lobby waiting for a pickup at one oclock in the morning to catch an overnight flight back from India. I pray for the man. 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. Unfortunately, immature children in grown mens bodies seems to be a thing now. Those are simply other examples of posts about controversial issues. Anne Green, who is married, alleged that MacDonald touched her inappropriately on a private plane in 2005. Am I characterizing that correctly? Thats right. I talked to other people who told me of demands that he made for private jets on numerous occasions. Youre better off reading the Bible at home with your cat. And you know, Rick Donald was one of the people. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. But to also say, this was this was my fault, too. And to hear that, its still got to be pretty tough to stand up to that, or at that point where you like, now I know the truth, Im moving forward. 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. Literally more than two dozen people. And again, youre one of the people who actually apologized for that. (Proverbs 27:12). We will talk through it. When I entered my UCC church-sponsored college, I figured out why. TED also reported that MacDonald's church Harvest Bible Chapel was $65 million in debt. Whats the point of arguing the point, you know, like, okay, youre gonna say you dont remember that part. Wives submit to your husbands. This wasnt anything else. Five of the six have been published. We dont know how much the top people at Harvest make. 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. Youre seeing it from a total other perspective where Im the bad guy, James is a evangelical! To speak the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable seeing it from somebody by that.. 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