I believe him. Not.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From New Life Church
Colorado Springs, ColoradoRev. Ted Haggard, Senior Pastor of New Life Church, stated today that he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning." He, therefore, placed himself on administrative leave, pending investigation, spiritual counsel, and a decision by the church's board of overseers.
Pastor Haggard said, "I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity. I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date. In the interim, I will seek both spiritual advice and guidance." Under the governing structure of New Life Church, there is a board of overseers consisting of four senior pastors of other congregations. Those overseers have authority to conduct an inquiry, to discipline the senior pastor, to remove him from his position, or to restore him to ministry.
The overseers of New Life Church are: Rev. Larry Stockstill, Senior Pastor of Bethany World Prayer Center, in Baker, Louisiana; Rev. Mark Cowart, Senior Pastor of Church For All Nations in Colorado Springs; Rev. Tim Ralph, Senior Pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Larkspur, Colorado; and Rev. Michael Ware, Senior Pastor of Victory Church in Westminister, Colorado.
In the interim, New Life Church Associate Senior Pastor, Rev. Ross Parsley, will serve as Acting Senior Pastor of the church. Rev. Parsley has served in senior ministry positions at New Life Church for fifteen years. Rev. Parsley requested the community's compassion and prayers for the person who came forward with accusations, for the Haggard family, and for the New Life Church community. He also said, "New Life Church long ago adopted an overseer model of governance for situations just like this. People need to be patient and allow this process to unfold as it was designed to do."
Pastor Haggard also resigned today as President of the National Association of Evangelicals.
http://www.newlifechurch.org/nlcpressrelease110206.pdf
After reading his latest statements, neither do I.
Yes, there but for the Grace of God go I, however, this man should not be brought back...after rehab, etc...to lead his church. When he does face up to the truth and truly repents, he needs to get humble, get a regular job, and prove himself to God, his family, and fellows.
These statements are preposterous in light of what we know. I believe he is lying still...it's the old "I didn't inhale" and "I didn't have sex (depending on the meaning of the word "sex") with that..."
As for the gay escort failing the lie detector test, according to the article, the one who administered it said the results may be off because the subject was over tired, etc. There may be another test done next week. The fact that the accuser agreed right away to a test is telling...he felt he had nothing to fear.
It's a tawdry situation, but at least the majority of conservatives on this forum aren't defending the guy's behavior and are rightly suspicious. That's the BIG difference between the majority of conservatives vs. liberals. Conservatives don't condone such behavior. Yeah, we'll forgive, but only IF the sinner is repentant and tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothin but the truth.
I hope he's arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Possessing illegal drugs is a grave crime in this country that should not go unpunished.