When this website was first conceived, the authors believed that “Your Story” would be a crucial component of the site, offering space and compassion to those who were hurting or confused. But over the past two weeks, as the stories of those who have left and those who have stayed have been posted, we have come to a different conclusion. While we maintain our original assertion that everyone’s story matters, we have come to realize that the internet may not the best place to form a community of people who may need to heal.
Furthermore, some wise and well-meaning friends, including friends who disagree with the very nature of the website, have helpfully point out the simple fact that we do not personally know each and every person commenting on the site. As a result, we may be giving a platform to people who are not committed to speaking the whole truth.
While we may not necessarily agree with this critique, and while we may believe that it too easily dismisses the often-painful concerns of people who are genuinely trying to help, we do not want to undercut the credibility of the argument we have advanced by allowing for the conversation to be sidetracked through a comment section.
Therefore, as of today, we are pulling all comments from the “Your Story” tab. In the future, this tab will be reserved for any pastors, elders, or significant ministry partners that would like to publicly validate the concerns that have been raised by this site. If you are such an individual, please feel free to post your story with your full name and dates of service; and we will approve it for publication.
Finally, we return to our original assertion. We truly believe that your story matters. So to those of you who were considerate and brave enough to share a piece of your journey, we thank you for your willingness to lead others by speaking truth. Moreover, we pray that you would continue to speak, bringing your much-needed voice to the conversation that is occurring both within the walls of Harvest and outside of them. As for those who are struggling and hurting, we thank you for your transparency; and we pray that God would bring healing to you even as you courageously continue to seek a community of believers that can help you personally walk through the often arduous process of healing and forgiveness.
Your brothers in Christ,
Scott Bryant and Ryan Mahoney
October 30, 2012
Near the end of 1988, I began attending Harvest Bible Chapel and was a member of 3 different Harvests over the following 23 years. From 1997-2001, I was on staff at HBC Rolling Meadows serving in Worship Ministry, Young Adult Ministry and Student Ministry. During all that time, I came to know James MacDonald very well both publicly and privately, professionally and personally. He was my pastor, employer, mentor and co-laborer.
I have read the case brought forth in this website (www.theelephantsdebt.com). It stands for itself as well-reasoned and well-supported. Scott and Ryan (men whom I have also known for many years) have done well in articulating very grievous information in a way that presents factual evidence regarding James MacDonald and the leadership surrounding him. Such evidence and testimonial support is always necessary when bringing a public charge against a pastor or an elder who continues in sin (1 Timothy 5:19-21).
From my experience, I can personally validate some of the information and incidents included in this website as an eyewitness. There are also some matters mentioned here that I did not have personal exposure to. However, in my opinion, those matters are all consistent with the declining character of the man that I observed over many years.
I love James MacDonald. We have shared many good memories together (though admittedly most of those were in the early years). I also love him enough and have been committed to his best so as to speak truth to him privately when necessary. My public testimony here is still consistent with that desire for his best. But additionally and equally important, I add my name as a witness to the things in this website for the protection of those that I once led and shepherded at Harvest.
I am in firm agreement with the 6 statements listed in “The Hope” section of this website. I pray that the Lord grants James repentance, and also to those leaders who knowingly support this behavior. May the blessing, refreshing and joy in Christ that accompanies true repentance be theirs in abundance.
Mike Bryant
Editor’s Note: On 23 October 2012, Daryl Rice contacted The Elephant’s Debt via telephone. During his conversation with Ryan Mahoney, he asked to have his name added to “The Void” and sent out as an “Update.” The next day, he sent the following email, which contained a brief biography as well as a brief prayer.
Editor’s Note: On 19 October 2012, Jeff and Debbie Richardson forwarded a detailed account of their attempts to address concerns with the elders of HBC and James MacDonald himself. Due to the length of their narrative, we have uploaded it as a PDF document. Furthermore, we have also uploaded correspondence that they sent to Harvest as they sought to deal with these issues.
Please click on this link to take you to the Richardson Letter.