Go figure… Gayle Haggard to write book on Sex Scandal.

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Wed, August 26, 2009
(24) comments so far

Ted's wife is writing a book. Yuck. Seriously, Gayle... please don't write this book. We've had enough. One of the things I've often said about Ted Haggard is that he married well. Most women would NOT have stayed with a man who did what Ted has done. In fact, I believe she had Biblical reasons for leaving if she so desired, but that doesn't mean that she should write a book about it. I could have fun with some chapter titles, but I'll refrain...

From a newspaper article:

Gayle Haggard, wife of disgraced pastor Ted Haggard, plans to write a memoir titled, "Why I Stayed," according to Tyndale House Publishers.

"This is my story of choosing to love my husband through some of the most difficult challenges any marriage could face," Gayle Haggard said in a statement.

Ted Haggard resigned as pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Co., and as president of the National Association of Evangelicals after a male prostitute from Denver alleged a cash-for-sex relationship with him in November 2006. Haggard confessed to "sexual immorality."

Haggard has since said that he has worked with counselors and no longer has sexual desire for men.

Gayle Haggard's book is scheduled for release in January.

QUESTION: What do you think? Is this a valuable book for the Body of Christ?

Comments

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Todd on Thu, August 27, 2009

No problem, Mark. MMI is a personal blog, not an official news source. I’ve always spoken my mind about things that interest me here. Honestly, that’s why some people come here every day.

On Gayle Haggard… I really respect her. I think she has shown much grace and courage through a very difficult time.

Ted, while he has shown some good signs, is constantly doing something that causes me to pause. I think he has a lot to come to grips with… I just wish he would do so privately and not publically.

Same with this book. Will it help some people? Sure. But I just wish this whole thing would go away. Every time the Haggard name is brought up it distances people from the gospel we’re trying to share. A tell-all book may benefit some, but will probably damage much more. Upon it’s release, you’ll have the media tour and the re-telling of this story, that, in my opinion, quite frankly needs to die.

Tabloidish? Perhaps. But no more tabloidish than the book will probably be.

Sorry, Mark.

Todd
Stretch Mark Mama on Thu, August 27, 2009

Just popping in to say—love the new look of the site!

And you know me, I always enjoy your editorials.
Ken on Thu, August 27, 2009

Fishon,
Hey man, your statements are quite sarcastic. I regret that as I simply aimed to engage in a discussion regarding whether or not Gayle’s book would be beneficial ... Todd asked; QUESTION: What do you think? Is this a valuable book for the Body of Christ?
- Yes, I still think it will help.

Funny enough, no, I don’t scare easily ... A better way for me to have said this would be to state that its frightening to think of the further (beyond what is done by Ted’s actions) negative effect on the body of Christ when we have such strong opinions of each other, especially as it relates to people we don’t even know. Surely, hearing about people in the media or NOT hearing enough of what we want about a particular person in the media is not a fair way to make assessments about a person’s character before or after a fall. Case in point, Rick Warren says he hasn’t worn a Hawaiian Shirt in three years, but the media still plugs this as present day practice.

Now, if you know the Haggards personally, please forgive me as I wouldn’t have made my above comment about being judgmental.

You also said, “Maybe you make a habit of going around looking at websites, looking for gossip, just like people looking at the gossip mags and papers, so you can bash. “

This is the first time I’ve written or followed a thread of this nature in a very long time. I stay very busy like you and everyone else. This will be a memorable experience. Hopefully, we can lose the sarcasim and learn from each other. Thanks and God bless you all.
Ken on Thu, August 27, 2009

Jim in NJ,

Thanks for sharing ... You’re right in that we don’t have all the informaton. I hope for the sake of the Haggard family and the body of Christ at large that Ted is doing well. I’m simply not as informed as I’d like to be about Ted in order to speak more intelligibly or authoritatively about him or his circumstances. Although I don’t supernaturally know the motive of Gayle’s heart, I hope she has good intentions and trust God will bless any effort to bring light to darkness.

Off to lunch. Thanks for your thoughts.
Ken on Thu, August 27, 2009

Todd, you said ... “Upon it�s release, you�ll have the media tour and the re-telling of this story, that, in my opinion, quite frankly needs to die.”

Do you think there is a chance for the story to be about God’s grace and mercy in the life of a fallen brother? I also wish the story would DIE, but we all know it wont. My prayer will be that God will use this book to say something like ... “Its been “X” amount of years and look how God has restored. God is amazing.” Maybe I’m helplessly hopeful and naive.

Thanks for this post.
fishon on Thu, August 27, 2009

Ken,
A huge apology. I miss addressed what was meant for Mark B. to you. I am so sorry for the confusion.

You are right; I was being sarcastic. I meant to be.

Sorry over the confusion.
fishon
Jay Brock on Thu, August 27, 2009

It’s of no use to me.

But you KNOW there are hundreds (if not thousands) of women who love their pastor-husbands despite their affairs… whether public or private.

As Stephen Colbert would say, “let the free market speak!”
Fred on Sun, August 30, 2009

Will there be a chapter about browsing porn shops with Ted and building/using “Ted 2”?
Steve Cuss on Tue, September 01, 2009

I think it would be great to read what she has to say. I think she has been the very model of forgiveness and reconciliation and she has shown tremendous dignity and strength through the whole process.