James MacDonald takes ‘indefinite sabbatical’
NAPLES, Fla. (BP) -- The elders of Harvest Bible Chapel announced Wednesday (Jan. 16) that pastor James MacDonald would take an "indefinite sabbatical" from preaching and leadership at the Chicago megachurch while it works to reconcile with past critics. The decision came after the church's Executive Committee of the Elders held a closed-door meeting on Monday and presented its recommendations to the entire Elder Board Tuesday night. The announcement follows recent reports of criticism of the church's financial and management practices.