"Failed Decision Making - This relational decline led to regrettable decisions, such as Senior Staff transitions with some of our best leaders departing, my reactive resignation from Harvest Bible Fellowship, the fearful and defensive lawsuit, the rapid move of Walk in the Word to digital-only, etc. All of these big-impact "retreat decisions" were initiated out of the desperation I felt, and from my clearer thinking today, I see how wrong I was. I recognize how these actions undermined team member support for my leadership, eroding the margin of grace between us. I am especially grieved for certain co-leaders who felt wounded by me and deserved better -- those who have expressed it and those who have not. We had many moments of joyful partnership, the memories of which I will always treasure. I am deeply and forever sorry to each of you and pray, in God's timing, for the opportunity to say that personally. Decisions by the current Elder/staff, along with inaccurate announcements and recent public condemnation, signaled clearly the timing to communicate our message directly. With sadness we accept that no face-to-face confession or truth-advancing interaction will be forthcoming. The above matters are now in Christian arbitration where impartial believers will hear and give a written, objective ruling. As we cannot give specifics, we are trusting the Lord for truth to be revealed in His time, and we covet your prayers.
2 Corinthians 3:2,5-6 - "You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all... Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."' -- James MacDonald
This is so sad beloved. to watch him clearly struggle to even understand what true repentance is. He spends several sentences in what sounds like such a heartfelt plea to people he has hurt and then immediately seeks to blame others yet again! It's all my fault, except have I mentioned the decision by current elders? Yep it is all my fault but did I mention that recent public condemnation? Oh because that is what triggered my release of this statement? Is MacDonald serious here? Why is there a need for a "truth advancing interaction" if you are allegedly accepting responsibility? Why are you purposefully throwing doubt on your own guilt that you claim to be confessing to? What "truth" needs to be revealed James? Was it not you on that recording where you threatened to plant child pornography on the computer of your perceived enemy? This does not sound like an apology other than, "I'm sorry I got caught illegally and look at what everyone else has done to me."
After waiting many months in hope of a pathway toward restoration, we have been welcomed into the congregation of New Life Covenant Church in Humboldt Park, Chicago. A multi-ethnic church under Pastor Wilfredo DeJesus, New Life has embraced us in love, offering us a place to serve and the beginnings of healing community. Please know that God continues His work in my heart -- we have never doubted the Lord or His Word and believe He is not done with us. We are planning a future focused on preaching and teaching God's Word, helping pastors preach the Bible more impactfully, living the mandate of Christ's love, and being free from the weight of large organizational leadership, which was simply too much for me. In time we hope you will think of us as serving the Lord with gladness while we enjoy our kids and grandkids, who continue to flourish in local church ministry where God has planted them. We look forward to more frequent communication with you as the Lord continues giving light to our next steps. Thank you for your interest and prayers.
There it is. The announcement that he is making his comeback. Interestingly, it was first reported that he was coming back to ministry and when the outrage erupted it was corrected that he was merely going to attend New Life Covenant Church, oh and serve in the food pantry because what doesn't say pious repentance other than that? Look at what he admits though. Where his focus truly is. He is planning on a future focused on preaching and teaching, which he has already disqualified himself from. Arrogantly, his vision for himself is above other pastors, teaching them how to preach more impactfully, live a mandate for Christ's love and get this -- being free from large organizational leadership. He signs off by warning us that more communication will follow after he convinces himself that the Lord is directing his next steps. Sorry James but He did not direct this step. This was an apology devoid of any humility whatsoever. You just continued to cast more blame and aspersions upon people you feel did you wrong. Thank you though for reminding us why restoration is for our walk and not our ministry after we have abused the trust to the extent that you have. You remain not above reproach. You remain disqualified. You are to be marked and avoided. I do pray that James MacDonald truly finds repentance and seeks the Lord for his own sake and not the sake of this obvious attempt to return to a ministry I hope we never have to see him in again.
Reverend Anthony Wade -- November 22, 2019
