Harvest Bible Chapel

“No tithes, offerings or severance pay have gone to Harvest Bible Chapel’s former senior pastor, and he won’t see any in the future, according to the latest update from the popular megachurch.” - Chicago Tribune

Discussion

“Under James MacDonald, Chicago-area megachurch may have been in “serious violation” of 4 out of 7 stewardship standards, says Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.” - Christianity Today

Discussion

“Admitting they had ‘made mistakes,’ members of the elder board spoke to Harvest Bible Chapel’s congregation and promised big changes are coming to the Chicago area megachurch. ….a whole lot of people are going to be resigning from positions of leadership—including all five members of the executive committee of the elder board.” - Church Leaders

Discussion

“James MacDonald’s church takes unfavorable ruling as “God’s direction” to abandon legal effort against Julie Roys and Elephant’s Debt blog.” - CToday

Discussion

At one time, three members of the Stowell family worked at James MacDonald’s Chicago-area mega-church, Harvest Bible Chapel. Joe Stowell, Sr., President of Cornerstone University and former President of the Moody Bible Institute, served as a teaching pastor there. His son, Joe Stowell, Jr., served as an executive pastor. And Matt Stowell served as a worship pastor.

Discussion

[no] evidence of reforms at Harvest, and instead … repeated stories of mistreatment. The five other signers of the 2013 letter likewise say they’ve seen no evidence that the character issues involving MacDonald have been resolved. I’ve also interviewed more than two dozen former staff, elders, and members of Harvest, including some who have left the church within the past two years.

Discussion

The Elephant’s Debt