The Wondering Eagle acquired the non-disclosure agreement that James MacDonald’s Harvest Bible Chapel uses to silence former employees. Read through the agreement, process it and ask yourself, is this how a church should function?
“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
Edmund Burke
The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.”
Maximillian Robespierre
“The Framers of the Constitution knew that free speech is the friend of change and revolution. But they also knew that it is always the deadliest enemy of tyranny.”
Hugo Black
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
Below is the Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that employees are asked to sign when they separate from the organization. In reading this over it appears as if this agreement lasts long beyond a person’s employment at HBC. In further study in section 2.1 in the second paragraph it states that an employee will “never aid in any contemplated, threatened or actual litigation against HBC.” So people are silenced from engaging in lawsuits even amidst the potential for any allegation of criminal activity. Isn’t that ironic especially as James MacDonald fires off lawsuits. The Wondering Eagle would like to know, does this NDA apply to James MacDonald or is he exempt? Section 4 deals with publication at blogs, media, websites and social media. This explains why many HBC employees are silent and don’t want to discuss the situation of James MacDonald’s behavior or issues at HBC.
Now here is what I want you to contemplate as you read this NDA. Is this how Jesus would act? Can you imagine Jesus going to his 12 disciples and saying, “You need to sign this NDA otherwise I retain the legal right to go after you long after we have parted ways.” Is this NDA indicative of a church or a cult? Is this how former employees should be treated after they separate from the organization? Here is another question to ask, is this James MacDonald’s church or the Lord’s? Reading this NDA is further evidence why people need to leave HBC.
Wow. This reads like a for-profit company, trying to keep their technology a secret from their competition. And the agreement not to sue includes an agreement that disputes can only be solved in arbitration, and the arbitrators must be Christian! And I’m sure that the judgment of who is a good enough Christian to qualify will be by McDonald, not by the aggrieved party.
A church that’s using its resources responsibly would not suffer “irreparable harm” if its finances or other internal documents were disclosed.This isn’t a document from a loving church, this is an obvious attempt to cover up wrongdoing.
An NDA is appropriate for church work, as far as a church employee might be privy to sensitive personal information about the church members, that was disclosed to the leadership with an expectation of confidentiality. It makes sense to ask them not to reveal any of that information. But that’s not what this document is about. Anybody considering working for this church shouldn’t just read this carefully, but they should have a lawyer review it with them before they sign it.
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Lovely. I would seriously consider not attending a church that wanted a NDA signed. That usually means they have things to hide. I once was offered $15,000 for my signature on a NDA (not from a church) and I said “nope.”
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Only $15 Grand in Hush Money?
Sounds like that Governor of Illinois who tried to auction off Obama’s senate seat in 2008 but only started the bidding at $100 grand:
“Not only a crook, but a CHEAP crook”.
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NDA + BULLY PASTOR + BULLY PASTOR KIDS = CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE UNCHECKED FOR OVER A YEAR AND A PREDATOR CAUGHT YET RELEASED INTO OUR COMMUNITY FREE FOR 10 MONTHS BEFORE FORMER STAFF IS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THEIR NDA AND ALERT DCFS TO THE EVIDENCE THAT HARVEST HAD SINCE JANUARY.
HARVEST IS NOT A CHURCH AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AS NOTHING MORE THAN A DANGEROUS CORRUPT ORGANIZATION
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