Ted, it’s Time to Ride Off into the Sunset!

Well, another preacher has been caught, if not with his pants down, at least with his zipper down. Dr. Ted Haggard, pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs and President of the National Association of Evangelicals admitted to getting a massage from a homosexual man and purchasing meth (which is supposed to heighten sexual activity). However, he declares that he didn’t inhale, snort or swallow, or whatever one does with the very dangerous methamphetamine.

Ted, a very talented preacher, first declared that no sex was involved but no one with the IQ of a stump believed that fairy tale. After all, his church “Overseer Board” very quickly declared him guilty “without a doubt” of “sexually immoral conduct.” The council is to be commended for their quick and decisive action. Ted resigned from the NAE and from the New Life Church.

At the beginning, Ted denied knowing his accuser, later admitted getting a massage and buying meth but throwing it away. He did admit to being tempted to use the illegal drug. In his statement to his church on Sunday he wrote, “The fact is, I am guilty of sexual immorality….I am a deceiver and a liar.” He is to be commended for finally admitting that fact. It is interesting that the previous Sunday he prayed: "Father, we pray that lies would be exposed. We pray that deception would be exposed." That was sure a quick answer to his prayer.

Dr. James Dobson said that he was still Haggard’s friend and agreed to work with two other religious leaders to heal his marriage and reputation. However, now Dobson has backed out of the long restoration process.

Question: How should the rest of us view him? Yes, we are all flesh and have the same possibility of sinning but should we feel pity, anger, hatred, remorse, etc.? I hope Ted maintains his marriage although the damage to his wife and five children was horrific.

My thoughts: Any man who would have sex with another man is a pervert, and in the day of AIDS, he is a stupid pervert. A man who goes to bed with a female prostitute is just as stupid. Any person who has such a non-life that he is tempted to use illegal drugs is pathetic. How can a sane man take such a risk when he has such visibility? Here he was an outspoken critic of same-sex marriage and he visits a male prostitute! What would drive a man to take such risks? It is called sin. Sin binds, and blinds, and grinds. Talk to Samson.

Look at what his folly has done to him. Haggard has disgraced himself, his Lord, his church and lost his high paying positions. From now on he will probably be seen around town wearing a neck brace to keep his head up. The only positive result might be that thousands of other preachers will see this major tragedy and learn that sin will find us out.

Many religious leaders get into trouble because they believe their own publicity and their followers are too impressed with their ability, commitment, and success. Many of those followers like to be near their celebrity preacher since they can bask in the limelight. They should look at his feet of clay.

Church members need to be Christian in their attitudes as well as their actions. Have great respect for your pastor but remember that respect is not the same as worship. Realize that he is simply a man, maybe a good man, and even a great man but he is still a man. Also realize that he and his family have problems as other families have. Pray for him but hold his feet to the fire and make him accountable. Be sure that what he preaches is based on the Bible. If he says, “God told me thus and so.” Ask him what he means.

Does God ever speak outside the Bible? People who say they actually hear the voice of God are troubled people. Surely those who believe God still speaks audibly will at least agree that God would never lead contrary to His Word. If your pastor lies, exaggerates, or is boastful, then kindly call him on it unless you also lie, exaggerate, or are boastful.

Defend your pastor forcefully when anyone makes accusations but you owe it to other Christians and the cause of Christ to check out all accusations. You also owe it to him, but never believe accusations without two or more witnesses.

Ted Haggard was a fool who threw everything away for a sweaty encounter with another pervert. Ted should ride into the Colorado sunset and never walk to another pulpit. While he can find forgiveness of his sins (if not his stupidity), he has disqualified himself as a preacher of the Word of God.

(Dr. Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, author of 13 books, frequent guest on national television talk shows and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. His most recent book, ishttp://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7/index.html ISLAM: America's Trojan Horse!. He and his wife live in north Georgia. His web site is cstnews.com.)

The only positive result might be that thousands of other preachers will see this major tragedy and learn that sin will find us out . . . Ted should ride into the Colorado sunset and never walk to another pulpit. While he can find forgiveness of his sins (if not his stupidity), he has disqualified himself as a preacher of the Word of God.

Mr. Boys should not put limits on God's power nor His grace. Throughout the Bible we see God use broken sinners for His glory. Is Ted Haggard's sin greater than that of David's? If God can use a lying adulterous murderer, He can use anyone.

Haggard's testimony through God's will might make him a great preacher one day, but I do not think that he should ever be a pastor again.

In this world so many bad things happen and most Christians view them simply as bad things. But we as Christians should see something different. In everything bad there are opportunities to glorify God, do His will and to be the salt and the light that points to Him and expand His kingdom. We need to look beyond the bad and see the opportunity.

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