Funny it comes out right before the election....... and funny the guy making the accusations failed the polygraph.
The problem is sin. It isn't poltiics. It isn't even some of his secondary wrong doctrines except where they downplay sin.
There are many wrong conclusions that will be drawn about this.
He was political. That was his downfall! No! Sin was his downfall.
He had a mega-church. That was his downfall. No! Sin was his downfall.
He had some errant secondary doctrines. That was his downfall. No! It was the primary doctrine of sin that was his downfall.
Sin is the disease of mankind. But that IS NOT AN EXCUSE! It condemns us all. If this man becomes repentant, he will be honest and willing to accept his self-inflicted consequences for the good of us all and in recognition of God's righteous standards. Only that kind of repentance is of the saving variety.
What he has done is throw into doubt the genuineness of his saving faith. Whether he accepts the consequences of his own sin will reveal more on that subject.
I think of the gentleman I met several years ago-a fine itinerant Bible teacher. He said he had been keeping a confidential list of men who were once outstanding expositors of the Scripture, capable and respected men of God... who have shipwrecked their faith on the shoals of moral defilement. During the previous week, he said, he had entered the name of forty-two in his book. This sad, sordid statistic, he claims, caused him to be extra cautious and discreet in his own life. Perhaps, by now, he has added a couple dozen more.
A chill ran down my spine when he told that story. No one is immune. You're not. I'm not. Lust is no respecter of persons...lts alluring voice can infiltrate the most intelligent mind and cause its victim to believe its lies and respond to its appeal. And beware-it never gives up...it never runs out of ideas. Bolt your front door and it'll rattle at the bedroom window, crawl into the living room through the TV screen, or wink at you out of a magazine in the den...
Lust is persistent. If it's knocked on your door once, it'll knock again. And again. You are safe just so long as you draw upon your Savior's strength. Try to handle it yourself and you'll lose-every time. This is why we are warned again and again in the New Testament to flee sexual temptations. Remember, lust is committed to wage war against your soul-in a life-and-death struggle-in hand- to-hand combat. Don't stand before this mortal enemy and argue or fight in your own strength-run for cover...lf you get yourself into a situation that leaves you defenseless and weak, if your door is left even slightly ajar, you may be sure that this ancient enemy will kick it open with six-guns blazing. So don't leave it open. Don't give lust a foothold-or even a toehold.
Col. 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Lust is Lurking
by Chuck Swindoll
What's he accused of?
Jesus Christ "Those without sin cast the first stone..."
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
News flash--Repubs and conservs often vote for people they strongly suspect are homosexual. As long as they do not make it a problem for the voter, the voter doesn't make it a problem for the pol. And to a certain Southern Senator...We already know. We voted for you, anyway. So don't let some idiot blackmail you. When we put you out of office during the next primary season, it's not because you're light in the loafers.
Yes I remember how so many defended him years ago... well who would have thunk it!
Ping your lists if any of you are interested in finding out what the new head of the Christian Coalition, Joel Hunter, might have to say about the Haggard resignation, you may want to watch the live webstream of his sermon at 5PM today (Saturday). I would imagine he will have a comment.
Go here http://www.northlandcc.org/ and click on webstream worship in the featured links on the right side of the page. Then right click on the word "here" and click "open" at this hot link: View the Webstream here.
If you miss the live video today, you can catch it at one of the other times listed below:
As always, we invite you to join with us live at any of our seven, identical weekend services, as follows (all times are Eastern Standard):
Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m.
Sunday morning at 8:15, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m.
Sunday afternoon at 5 and 6:30 p.m.
Monday evening at 7 p.m.
bttt
And you'll note that this is a PROTESTANT minister at a "BIBLE" "church" - albeit a shrine to the almighty dollar and the ego of the "pastor."
PROTESTANT
PROTESTANT
PROTESTANT
Such an accurate summation of the CULT of these "Bible" "churches.."
I suspect Ted Haggard will issue apologies and tearful pleas for forgiveness from family, friends, congregations. That would be nice and I suppose everyone will "say" they forgive him. Forgiving and forgetting are different. He will never regain the trust he has lost. He didn't just step forward under his own steam. He didn't choose to confide and ask for help from other pastors regarding evil and temptations he was battling. He didn't seek help wracked with guilt and shame for his behavior. If the gay prostitute hadn't of come forward Ted Haggard wouldn't be feeling so "sorry" now.
He had thousands of reasons to say NO. He would have had more support and help than anyone I know if he had asked for it. Personally, knowing the consequences, and having been so blessed I simply don't understand how he justified (in his own mind)what he was doing.
I was wondering what all the follow-up on this story would be. I'll read the thread and see.