Celebrity Pastors

“James MacDonald, controversial founder of Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago, is now in danger of losing his custom-built home in Elgin, Illinois, for failing to pay his mortgage with the Republic Bank of Chicago, according to a new lawsuit.” - CPost

“Pop singer Mariah Carey wanted to honor first responders, the pastor says, so she’ll sing her hit “Hero” while footage of local workers is shown. …Rapper Kanye West, whom Osteen calls “one of a kind,” will sing with his choir from California. …Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry will offer words of encouragement as well” - Church Leaders

“The highest privilege and greatest honor in pastoring is not standing in the church pulpit but praying by the hospital bed.” - Challies

“MacDonald claims his new ministry, which seeks to equip a network of home church groups, will provide ‘all the impact of a large church but none of the drama.’” - Church Leaders

“ ‘Early in 2020, around the anniversary of my last local church sermon, we will begin considering interim preaching opportunities,’ MacDonald said in a message on his ministry website, jamesmacdonaldministries.org, where he lists Vertical Church and Act Like Men as ministries that are ‘coming soon.’” - Christian Post

“I was, am, and will remain very sorry for the careless and hurtful words that were illegally recorded and publicized,” the apology states. “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.

“In a statement released Sunday (Nov. 3), the church elders found MacDonald was prone to anger, ‘had a pattern of improperly exercising positional and spiritual authority over others to his own advantage,’ and sought to profit from the church’s ministry.” - RNS

“…the jet will likely not be back in operation because it needs a part necessary for landing that would cost Grace Cathedral six-figures, which the ministry does not have. Pilots also refer to the Pinal Airpark as a ‘boneyard’ because many of the aircraft that are stored there are eventually used for parts and scrapped.” - Christian Post

“I think it hurts the Gospel, so I’m making this statement for the first time in my life and frankly, I don’t care what people think about me anymore” - CPost