Purpose Drivel: Detroit, MI and Prescott, AZ "Franchise" Harvest Churches/Franchises Leave MacDonald's Pastorpreneurial, Sectarian, Chicago-based Confederation

Two stories here, noted consecutively.  We're interesting in following what "Purpose Drivel" asserts.  We have two URLs from them below.  The first:  Harvest Bible Church (Detroit, MI).  The second:  Harvest Bible Fellowship (Prescott, AZ).  Both franchise-outlets have pulled out of James MacDonald's "Pastorpreneurial," Chicago-based confederation. 

http://www.purposedrivel.com/2012/02/defectors-from-harvest-bible-fellowship.html

Defectors from the Harvest Bible Fellowship (praise the Lord!)

A Harvest Bible Church in Detroit has jumped off the Harvest Bible Fellowship. They don't seem willing to limit it only to the T D Jakes incident, indicated by the plural "men" in the following paragraph:

Quoting from "Concerning Our Disassociation With Harvest Bible Fellowship" (bold emphasis added by me)

However, it is with great sadness that our elders have unanimously decided to part ways with Harvest Bible Fellowship. This is not due to any change in our church’s position, but due to what we believe is a change in the Fellowship’s direction. James MacDonald seems insistent in pushing boundaries in the area of associations with men whose ministry philosophy, practice, and even theology we can’t endorse. As a member of HBF, our desire was for good, consistent, conservative leadership from HBF. When we became a member of HBF five years ago this is what we received and this is what we could wholeheartedly endorse; however, in our estimation that has changed. We have been surprised by significant decisions made by James MacDonald (and supported by HBF), resulting in our trust being shaken regarding their guidance as well as future direction as a movement of churches. Despite several personal conversations with HBF leadership, our concerns have not been assuaged.

So how does this gel with James Macdonald's insistence (wrong headed though it is) that you have to go to him privately? (alternate source) It doesn't sound as though he listens then, either. Well, I guess maybe they didn't do it sweetly enough so that Macdonald would be able to recognize his unbiblical definition of love.

Thank you pastors, for taking a stand. I pray you will not back down in the face of the flak you are sure to get. May the Lord grant you continuing courage.

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http://www.purposedrivel.com/2012/02/another-defector-from-harvest-bible.html

Another defector from the Harvest Bible Fellowship (Prescott AZ)

Another church has seen fit to leave Harvest Bible Fellowship! Praise the Lord!A New Season: An update from the Harvest Elders

From the Elders of Harvest Bible Chapel of Prescott,

For the past six years we have counted it an immense privilege and blessing to be part of Harvest Bible Fellowship. As an independent local church we have enjoyed wonderful fellowship, gleaned many valuable resources and wisdom, and made many incredible long-lasting relationships.

Over the last 11 months or so, Harvest Bible Chapel Chicago (HBC Chicago) has made statements and taken actions that we strongly believe reflect a change in the direction of critical parts of their ministry. We believe these actions and resulting changes can be categorized into three areas:

ASSOCIATIONS vs. ENDORSEMENTS
We believe that HBC Chicago has begun championing the idea that Christians can associate with those teaching heresy (such as those who engage in teaching the Word of Faith and Prosperity Gospels) without necessarily endorsing them or their ministries, implicitly or explicitly.

Scripture tells us...

2 John 1:9-11, "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, [11] for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works."

We strongly believe that when church leaders associate with those teaching false and/or heretical doctrine, it confuses and misleads God's people into potentially dangerous areas of belief and acceptance. Scripture is clear, those who teach heresy are not to be received, much less embraced. We therefore must sharply disagree with HBC Chicago on this matter.

read more at Harvest Bible Chapel Prescott's site,