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This is Not Funny:  Breaking the Ted Haggard Scandal

Orginally published on Friday, November 03, 2006 at 10:33 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Normally, Friday is a light-hearted day here at MMI; but this one is serious. Many of you, I'm sure, have been following the allegations against Pastor Ted Haggard. Ted was the Pastor of New Life Church; and President of the NAE before stepping down earlier this week amid allegations of a homosexual affair, drug use, and more. Haggard had denied all the charges; but news is just breaking from the new interim Senior Pastor at New Life Church that he has admitted to 'some, but not all' of the indiscretions...

[CHECK BELOW FOR UPDATES...]

Here’s the link to the video of that interview...

I’m really upset this morning… upset that these things happen; upset at the enemy; upset, (yes) at Haggard; upset at the public refute of the charges, then the ultimate admission of some of them; and I’m upset at the impact this will have on Christianity and our image in this country; and also, possibly the election of next week.  (It’s bound to get John Kerry off the news!)

All I know to do is pray… for New Life Church; for Ted and his family; and for the impact of the news on the message of the Gospel.

I’ll open up the forum here, so we can discuss… but I’ll heavily edit comments if/when needed…

Todd

UPDATES: 

11/03/06 at 1:45 p.m. EST
Haggard’s accuser fails polygraph

11/03/06 at 1:50 p.m. EST
Another blogger’s thoughts...

11/03/06 at 3:15 p.m. EST
Haggard admits to drug purchase and massage, but no sex

11/03/06 at 4:03 p.m. EST
Haggard answers questions from KUSA reporter...

11/04/06 at 6:00 p.m. EST
Haggard resigns… has committed sexually immoral conduct


This post has been viewed 3947 times so far.


  There are 103 Comments:

  • Posted by Brian

    My heart breaks for Ted and the Church at large.

    He’s not perfect (nor am I), and he’s bound to make mistakes - and even sin.

    I’m not saying I believe the allegations - and I probably won’t until I hear it from someone more reliable than a male prostitute with an agenda.

    If he did these things he needs to repent, step down and get some godly help.  If not, then may God bring it to light, and may those who have sought to besmirch him pay the penalty, legally and otherwise, in hopes that they will repent and come to Christ for forgiveness.

    Brian

  • Posted by Andy McAdams

    I saw this last night and honestly felt that he was being set up.  Normally I think that “where there is smoke there is fire”, but not this time.  Now I read: Haggard had denied all the charges; but news is just breaking from the new interim Senior Pastor at New Life Church that he has admitted to ‘some, but not all’ of the indiscretions…

    It breaks my heart.

  • The national media is gleefully reporting accusations of immorality against Ted Haggard, a highly respected national minister.

    Please keep him and his family and their church lifted up in prayer regardless of the truth or falsehood of these accusations.

    As Christians we must not shoot our wounded. We must pray for truth to be revealed and for repentance and deliverance to be acheived.

    “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

    As Christians we are to seek God and pray that his glory to be manifested in this very challenging set of circumstances.

    We are going to see more of this as time draws to a close. We must be sure to seek God ourselves and make sure that we keep our own personal walk with God healthy and vibrant regardless of what we see around us.

    Stay Blessable and do not allow accusing words to rest in our lips. Satan is the accuser of the brethren...please don’t become his mouthpiece.

    Danny B. Daniels II
    Better Life Ministries

  • Posted by Leonard

    This is a very sad situation requiring much prayer.  I’ll join you Todd.

  • Posted by Rick Harris

    I Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

    We need to pray a “hedge of protection” for all our church leaders!  He attacks the most influential for maximum impact (damage).

  • Posted by Chris

    Sad day.

    I just have a difficult time believing that Haggard would take the immediate action of stepping down if this was a loon making a false accusation. I’m not nearly as well-known as Haggard and I’ve had people make sloppy allegations about me. If they’re completely out of the blue, and ridiculously false, I think the worst thing I could do would be to step down and give any indication that they might be true. If Haggard had simply said, “This is ridiculous, I can’t even believe we’re talking about it,” then I would probably be more apt to believe this is the work of a mentally deranged person who wanted to bring down a prominent individual right before the election.

    And then for the acting senior pastor to say “there have been some admissions of indescretion, but not to all the allegations,” that’s a huge problem. Particularly since Haggard was on TV last night completely denying everything. If he’s even minutely guilty of some of these charges, he needs to stop talking until he’s willing to reveal the whole truth. There’s no use adding the insult of lying to us to the injury of what is already alleged to have happened.

    This is a great lesson in the need for complete accountability and authenticity for young pastors like me.

  • Posted by Derek

    I join you all in the feeling of shock and sadness. I do think it is important that we do not stand in judgment of Ted in whatever indiscretions he confesses. I am praying for Ted, his family and church.

    It has also renewed my thoughts that those of us in leadership need to remain humble before God and before peers/friends in the ministry. I spoke to a pastor friend this morning on the phone and we renewed our covenant to be that person in each others lives to whom we can run when we feel tempted or when we feel like our lives are spinning out of control. There is something intoxicating about power and position, whether you pastor a church of 10,000 or 100. We have to remain “sober” and humble, because the way I look at it...I am no better and no more spiritual than Ted. I could just as easily stumble, fall or walk into sin.

    I think we do not to be critical or judgmental, but I think it is benefical to use incidences like this to examine our own hearts.

    Derek

  • Posted by

    This news doesn’t surprise me, whatever “indescretions” end up being true. The Evil One has been deceiving men and women for thousands of years, using essentially the same methods. Ironically enough, he often goes for the same thing in us that got himself kicked out of heaven: pride.

    Prayer for Mr. Haggard and his family. Praise to the Name Above All Names as He is greater than this storm.

  • Posted by DanielD

    Like everyone, this news puts a lump in my stomach and pain in my heart for what its implications are for Christianity and both follower and nonbelievers. On one hand I believe in “innocent until proven guilty” but it appears that with recent updates of some sort of admission (whether that be to drugs or the gay affair)… there is some validity to the claims. My gut says that we’ll hear a full admission of guilt at some point or the accuser will share enough evidence to prove it his allegations. I hope I am wrong.
    What scares me the most is multi-fold. I was just reading a post on the Catalyst Blog that said “Evangelical Christian leaders are alarmed teens are abandoning their faith in droves. The concern is stoked by a controversial claim that if current trends continue, only 4% of teens will be “Bible-believing Christians” as adults.”
    Evangelical leaders are alarmed? With good reason I assume. This type of incident happening with Haggard will get tried in the court of public opinion and the damage is already being done, regardless of admission of guilt or proof. I just watched an NBC special interview with Haggard a few months back and remember thinking, “Wow, this guy’s got it together.” Guess it’s another example of us being careful not to put our faith and trust in man but in God alone. People and pastors are human and just as prone to mistakes as anyone but it’s obviously such a sad day when a man of God who is such a predominant witness to others is called into such question.
    Reminds me of a sermon series Rob Bell just did… “Jesus Wants to Save Christian’s Too.”

  • Posted by Randy Ehle

    This morning I took some time to plead with God for his protection over me in this area.  The timing of this news has been providential:  In two of my seminary classes this week, we talked about sexual immorality, the potency of its lure, its impact on Christian leaders, the glee Satan gets, and the discredit to God’s holy name.  One of my profs gave us a handout written by Pastor Randy Alcorn, who had listed all the consequences that could result from sexual immorality.  It was a terrifying, two-page list.  Mr. Haggard is probably only beginning to realize many of the same consequences, and needs our prayers.  I join mine with those who have here committed to that.  I also earnestly ask that we would be in prayer for others - those we “meet” here at MMI, those in our own churches, in neighboring churches...and especially for all whose ministries have a very public face.  May God be glorified in our lives.

  • Posted by

    I join all of you in prayer, for New Life, for the staff at NAE, and for the Haggard family.  This is a terrible tragedy, no matter how it plays out.  I’m sick today about it.

    I know the power of our enemy, he knows the vulnerable spot in each of our armor and will strike there.  I am challenged to ask God, as David did, to search my heart, show the chinks in my armor and how to insure that I am protected.

    However, I have a caution in my spirit about responding to this with too much emphasis on “Satan is attacking again.” First, because there is no temptation he can bring which we do not have the power to withstand and overcome.  And second, because of the way this response plays to those on the outside looking in.  If I were not a Christ follower and I heard Christians responding to the “sin” of another Christian with words about Satan, I think it would sound like excusing . . . “it’s all Satan’s fault.” Now I’m not suggesting anyone here has done that, just a caution I feel.  Does that make sense?

    I think the secular public will be watching this one for our response with more scrutiny because Haggard has been such a public and political advocate against the gay rights agenda.  It would serve us well to not be mad at the public for watching with baited breath.  In a way, Haggard invited the scrutiny (which I’m not criticizing) when he entered the public and political debate.

    I have to disagree with Danny Daniels about the national media “gleefully” reporting this.  I’m no fan of the media and recognize that there is often a bias.  But I’ve read several national pieces and listened to two network reports on this, and I feel all have been factual and fair.  Again, Haggard’s position as the pastor of a 14,000 member church, president of the NAE and outspoken political voice against the gay rights agenda makes this national news. 

    Wendi

  • I hope that Wendi’s experience with the news reports proves to be the rule and not the exception.  I guess we will know more as the days progress about how the media chooses to relate this story.

    Wendi, thanks for the feed back.

  • Posted by

    I think we will find that the allegations about drugs are true but that the other is politically motivated and false.

    I don’t know how anyone could be so outspoken against gay marriage while engaging in homosexual acts.  With his face on tv all the time bashing the gay lifestyle, this would be a recipe for disaster and I think Ted would be smarter than that.

    Not that using drugs is much better, but at least it’s not the thing that everyone knows him for being so against.

  • Posted by DanielD

    Good point Will. There probably is some political motivation somewhere here. It’s just silly to think that Ted, IF even the drug allegations are true, would go there. Either way you look at it, if any of the allegations are indeed true then it presents yet more ammunition for those who seek to blast Christianity as a hypocritical religion. We are all guilty of Sin but when it is a leader that falls, many of those underneath also get squashed. I just hope that, in whatever happens with Ted, our other faith leaders really use this opportunity to examine their words against their own actions. Leading with integrity is a heavy burden but one that must be kept by leaders of faith. If they catch themselves being caught in sin, I would just hope that they seek help and admission BEFORE it becomes yet another political tool for controversy and undermining of faith.

  • Posted by Linda

    I feel sick like the rest of you.  Ted just admitted to buying the drugs from his accuser whom he met when his hotel referred him for a massage.  He Denied using the drugs (or any sex with accuser) but said he threw them away.

    His whole family is in my prayers.

    When the bible tells us not to be unaware of the enemy’s schemes, the word schemes means plans.  Satan actually plans how he will take us out.

  • Posted by

    “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone!”

    Unfortunantly the Evangelical leadership has been casting far to many stones over the past 10 years to be able to stand behind this scripture. I’m sorry but when was this scripture used to stand and pray with then President Clinton? Who raised this scripture when those outside the evangelical faith with a different “agenda” have been found out to be human.

    Yes I’m praying for the Church during this time because right now I have people who were coming closer to Jesus who are going to raise a whole new set of questions about what it means to believe all because of the need to spin a story for publicity reasons.

    I’m sorry but I’m mad, mad at every leader who refuses to be in gut level honest relationship with brothers and sisters of faith who they can confess the pull of sin upon their lives before they act upon it. When are we going to learn!

  • Posted by Brian La Croix

    Will, you said:

    “I don’t know how anyone could be so outspoken against gay marriage while engaging in homosexual acts. “

    Just because someone engages in a behavior doesn’t mean that in their speaking against they are being hypocritical.  There are plenty of pastors who preach against pornography yet struggle with it, sometimes losing the battle.  Some of these are my friends.  They believe it is sin, yet the pull is great and they succumb.  I can tell you that the shame of falling is great, and the strain on their souls is huge, because they know it is sin.

    Should pastors only address issues they have completely conquered?  I don’t think so.  In fact, I would be of the opinion that a person who only addresses those issues has other issues they wish to hide or ignore.

    Second, and this is incredibly important: there is no proof to the allegations.  So to say he is engaging in homosexual acts is jumping the gun.  And I repeat my earlier post: I won’t believe the charges until I hear evidence from someone other than a male prostitute with an admittedly political agenda.

    Brian

  • Posted by Daniel

    I am saddened like the rest of you.
    I am even more saddened however, when I read about the supposed ‘political’ motivations behind the accusations.  From the articles I’ve been reading, it sounds like the referendums are what’s a stake here.  Since Haggard has long opposed gay marriage (and if the allegations turn out to be true, he wouldn’t be the first to be caught in hypocrisy) and vocally supported the proposed state marriage amendment, this entire scandal is being painted in political tones.
    Regardless of what you think about the Rev. Haggard, I think this serves as an example of what can happen when we fuse our ministry in the Kingdom with our involvement in politics…
    My two cents.
    -Daniel-

  • Posted by Chris

    Great comment sid. I agree.

    I’m just going to go way out on a limb and say that I find it hard to believe that Mr. Haggard - a prominent famous pastor - bought Methamphetamine for the first time from a random person that a hotel recommended for a massage.

    The religious right crucified a sitting President for his “I didn’t inhale” comment, and jumped up and down with glee when he was caught on tape saying “I did not have sexual relations with that woman Miss Lewinski.” He was wrong to do both of those things, and even more wrong to attempt to justify his actions the way he did.

    But I wonder if we’re willing to apply the same pressure to one of our own.

    And I wonder if we’ll learn the lesson from one of our own.

    We need to be extremely careful who we elevate to superstar status, and who we allow to speak for all of us. Those people need to subject themselves to the most stringent of accountability so that they are more protected from this kind of fall that threatens to take the rest of us with them.

  • Posted by

    Ted did the right thing by stepping down.  The truth of what he did or didn’t do will soon come to light - prayer for him, his wife and 5 kids should be our priority - that is those outside the accountability circle, .  I still believe God can “work all things out for our good and his glory.”

    Pastor Al

  • Posted by

    Two thoughts…

    One - Heartbreaking for his family most of all and no value to anyone to gloat or pile on.

    Two - Is this inevitable risk of mega ministries and celebrity Christian leaders worth it?

  • Dean says:
    “Is this inevitable risk of mega ministries and celebrity Christian leaders worth it?”

    Even more interesting will be watching the fall-out.  Will Ted’s “charisma” and leadership position save him, like President Clinton got away with his perjury, if he is guilty?  Or will Ted be held accountable, if found guilty.  We’ll see how it unfolds, and to what level he is guilty.  Even if he is guilty, he could probably get away with much as long as he doesn’t admit it.  It would take good evidence to prove he’s guilty, and Ted would have to be dumb not to cover his tracks good enough.  How could he be proven to have a sexual relationship… as if there were pictures...?  Even if he did have a homosexual relationship, there’s nothing illegal about it, so he could get away without any legal problems no matter what.  The only fallout could possible come from his church and the NAE… so it will be interesting to watch.

    If it turns out he is guilty, I would not be surprised at all if he were able to keep the NAE post and Senior Pastor post at his church… because I think the state of the church is too weak when it comes to holiness, standards, stewardship, responsibility, etc.  Just my opinion (I know you disagree, Wendi).

    Once you lose your saltiness, you can’t get it back.  Your reputation is burned.

    Luke 14 (our Lord Jesus talking)
    34"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
    “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

    ...Bernie

  • Posted by kent

    This is sad, tragic, and it is not something any of us is beyond. I will pray for the Haggards, for the their church, and for the kingdom of God.

    I am not sure that success makes this more likely, I am sure pastors and leaders in all chruch, large and small alike have this capacity.

  • Posted by

    The media is watching - not to crucify him themselves, but to see if Christians are going to be the ones to do the crucifying.  They watched an Amish community reach out in love and forgiveness and the media was dumbfounded by it all.  They have seen Christians destroy fellow Christians in situations like this in the past.  Helping Ted Haggard heal is the most important thing God wants us to do.  God will handle the punishment aspect of it - we are commanded to forgive, love and restore.  Sure, he may have sinned and shamed himself, his family, his church, and God.  But, he wants help - are we going to be there for him like the Amish
    were for the wife of a murderer?  Or, are we going to put him out in the rain to rot?

  • Posted by

    Bernie:
    Not to nitpick, but I’m pretty sure it IS illegal to have sex with a prostitute for money, male or female, in the state of Colorado…

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