Months after teasing a 2020 return to ministry, James MacDonald, the ousted former leader and founder of Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago, is promising to deliver a new Home Church Network without the “drama” of large churches for those who struggle to get to church, stay in a church, or simply can’t find a church where they fit in.
“I am not disillusioned with traditional local church, but large churches present complicating logistics and often negatively affect Christian relationships. For that reason, we feel led by the Lord to offer an alternative for those who need it – something different and refreshing that we are calling the Home Church Network – with all the impact of a large church but none of the drama,” MacDonald said in a statement on his website announcing the new ministry.
The ministry, which is expected to launch this spring, will feature video Bible teaching from MacDonald as well as live presentations designed specifically for home groups. The sessions are also expected to include worship from “some of the most loved and widely appreciated worship leaders in the world.”
“If you’re building a core group or have longed for an opportunity to lead a ministry from your home with solid biblical teaching and worship designed to impact your neighbors and loved ones, this is an opportunity to prayerfully consider,” MacDonald’s ministry said.
Applications are being accepted from individuals interested in leading home churches in MacDonald’s network. If they are accepted, approved applicants will have to undergo two days of onsite training in late spring.
“After 30 years of trying to give a small group experience in a large church, we hope to cultivate the quality of large ministry with the genuine intimacy and relationships of ‘small church,’” MacDonald said of the new ministry.
MacDonald was ousted as leader of Harvest Bible Chapel on Feb. 12, 2019, in the wake of “highly inappropriate recorded comments” he made on a radio program as well as “other conduct.”
SOURCE: Christian Post, Leonardo Blair
All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source