As many have reported, including Julie Roys and Christianity Today, on February 13, 2019, James MacDonald was fired by Harvest Bible Chapel. In an announcement to the congregation on February 16, 2019, Bill Sperling, an elder on the executive committee, stated concerning the firing of James MacDonald that “the elders concluded that there is a sinful pattern of inappropriate language, anger, and domineering behavior” (see the Chicago Tribune report).

Why Address This Now? 

Since I do not know James MacDonald well, I was not going to comment about these issues on my blog. The extent of my personal interaction with James includes being in three large group meetings with James in 2010-2011. I also had one three-person call with James at the end of 2012.

So why blog now? People on Twitter, on Facebook, via email, and in person have asked me to address this issue. The conversations have gone something like this.

“James’ name is on the Foreword to your book Equipping Counselors for Your Church. You need to do something or say something to demonstrate your support for those he abused.”

And:

“Your name is on the front cover of Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling along with James’ name. You need to speak out in support of those he abused. Your silence could be read as communicating support for James.”

Those words have resonated with concerns I was already experiencing, praying about, and seeking counsel on.

My Decision

I became aware of concerns regarding James McDonald about the time Equipping Counselors for Your Church and Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling were being released. In the three-person call with James at the end of 2012, I specifically confronted one issue of bullying behavior that I witnessed. I was assured by those who knew James well that they were addressing this and other issues with him. Like others, over the years I read various statements by James MacDonald expressing remorse and a desire for growth and change. While concerns remained, I was praying that James would be a man of his word and a man of God’s Word. 

However, more and more reports about James’ troubling behavior and sinful abuse came to light in 2018, including Julie Roys’ article posted on December 13, 2018 in World Magazine. At that time, I approached my publisher for Equipping Counselors for Your Church (James’ name is on the Foreword) about pulling the rest of the copies of the book from the market. I believe that keeping his name on my book could be perceived as “support by silence”—which is something I would never want to convey.

My publisher has pointed to the recent article at Christianity Today expressing the varying views among Christian leaders about what we do with books authored by disgraced Christian leaders. To date, my publisher’s take has been, and I am paraphrasing:

“James MacDonald didn’t write a word of the content of your book. He endorsed your words. James does not receive any remuneration from the sales of your book. What you wrote provides a unique resource for the church on equipping counselors. At this time we would not intend to pull the remaining copies because James MacDonald is not the author, you are. However, let’s discuss a revised version of the book that does not include a Foreword from James MacDonald.”

My publisher continues to prayerfully consider what is the most godly response.

As for me, last week I informed my publisher that I am asking my “web guy” to take Equipping Counselors for Your Church off my RPM Ministries store site (it is on numerous places on my site—this may take a little time).

And, I am not promoting my own book—the content of which I still believe in 100%.

As for Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling, first, no one associated with the book, including myself or James MacDonald, ever made a penny off of this book. All forty authors signed all profits over to the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

Second, as just noted, I am one of forty authors, along with a publisher. No unilateral decision can be made.

Third, late in 2018, I initiated what has become multiple conversations with others associated with the book and with leaders within the Biblical Counseling Coalition (Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling was the first BCC collaborative book). There are ongoing, serious, prayerful conversations taking place right now about how this book will be handled. 

For me, I am asking my “web guy” to take Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling off my RPM Ministries store site.

And, I am not promoting this book—even though there are amazing chapters by thirty-nine other co-authors.

Concern for Wounded Sheep 

I am writing this blog and pulling these books from my site as a clear statement of support for all those who have been abused by James MacDonald. I do not want a statement from silence to appear as a statement of support for James. I have spent my ministry life (thirty-eight years) counseling victims of abuse. I stand with those who have been abused. I want to give voice to the voiceless.

Our concern must be for all those who have been sinned against, harmed, mistreated, and abused by James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel. My heart especially goes out to those whose faith in Christ has been shaken.

Over forty years ago, at the church I attended as a teen, the Sr. Pastor was guilty of the sin of adultery. Several of my family members had just recently started attending the church. For some of them, to this day it is a reason they say they struggle to entrust their lives to Christ. So, I personally know the pain of such broken trust and sinfully abusive behavior.

I pray for those who have been sinned against.

“Father, for all those who have been sinned against, abused, victimized, and hurt, be their Isaiah 40 Comforter. May they see You as their Sovereign Shepherd of Isaiah 40:10-11. May they see You as their Sovereign Lord who comes with power, and rules with a mighty arm, whose reward is with Him and whose recompense accompanies Him. May they see You in Your holy justice. May they see You also as the One who tends His flock like a Shepherd, who gathers the lambs in His arms, carries them close to His heart, and gently leads those that have young. May they see You in Your loving compassion. Heal their brokenness. Restore their faith, hope, and love. Bring into their lives new shepherds who are Your shepherds. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

What About James?

I know that for many, it is too early to think about James. However, the Lord has convicted me to pray for James MacDonald. Not an arrogant prayer of “Lord, I thank You that I am not like James…”

No, a prayer like:

“Heavenly Father, as Your Word says, I come to You asking You to enlighten me to take any speck or mote of sin out of my own eyes. Please un-deceive me. Where I may be guilty of or blind to any sinful behavior or attitudes, Lord, convict me. I do not want to be casting any stones as if I am without sin. Father, please minister to James—Your Holy Spirit to his spirit. As Your Word says in 2 Timothy 2, may You grant James repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth so that he will come to his senses and escape the trap of the devil. Please take the words James preached and wrote (including the two chapters in Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling on forgiveness, confession, and repentance), and empower James to walk in the Word. Please lead him to seek forgiveness of and make things right with those he sinfully hurt. And, Lord, if James goes into despair, please help it not to be a worldly despair where he despairs of life. Instead, cause it to be godly sorrow where he returns home to You, confesses his sin, consistently shows forth fruits of repentance, seeks forgiveness of others, and works through a process of restitution and restoration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

It’s All About Him 

Ultimately, all of life is about Him—about God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In ways that I do not understand, I am praying that God would weave good out of evil. That God would be glorified as His Bride is purified. It’s all about Him.