Evangelical leader resigns over sex scandal

[chapmac]

if the dude is gay then he needs to just admit it stop lying to himself and and hurting his family

if hes not he still has a whole lot of splaining to do about buying speed

whassup up with that? hypocrite

[MAYBEBREE]

Has anyone ever noticed when someone becomes obsessed by a particular sin they sometimes fall by that same sin....it's not the first time it's happened and we're all hypocrites and sinners anyway. The only difference between us and this man is the grace of God.

[nebula]

There is more to this story than either side is letting on and we need to all be on our knees right now and pray for this man, his accuser, and the pastor's wife and kids and his church.

I am of the belief that the accuser has embellished his story though and that the pastor is not telling all that really happened. (He is probably ashamed though.)

Well spoken, MAYBEBREE.

I have seen the other side of the coin - being a part of a church whose pastor was involved in "questionable" practices - very vague like what's been coming out, but nothing "all the way" either. The difference though was my former pastor didn't step down from the pulpit nor church leadership. The church suffered because of it.

At least Haggard had the sense to step down right away, even if he's been having ahard time confessing the truth. I pray he is able to come to full repentance. And I don't care if the news media ever hears the whole truth. His repentance needs to before God and those holding him accountable. Then he needs to come clean with his church and the Evangelical Association. Only then from a truly repentant heart does the world have any business knowing - if at all.

But you are right - we need to pray for all involved . . .

rather than pointing fingers.

[Smalcald]

Well he was set up. I have no doubt about that from looking at what is going on. It was political.

But how can we all use this to help the faith, I think that is the question? I think that we are all targets to some degree, and the more we witness the more Satan wants to target us, so we must all be on guard, we all have weaknesses of some sort which can be exploited. Certainly there is much more to the story. Indeed though nobody buys crystal as an experiment. You might buy pot, but jeesh this guy is 50, not 25.

I do think there is some pride involved here. Maybe we shouldn

[Guest LadyC]

i also believe this accusation is politically motivated, and the sex issue is false. but i do agree that people don't buy meth to experiment. dealers give samples of meth because they'll get a huge return on their investment. meth is one of the most addicting drugs. it is also one of the most difficult drugs to rehabilitate from. it's got the lowest recovery rate of any other drug... statistically it is a fact that only 6% of recovering meth addicts stay succeed in quitting and staying clean. it is my opinion that those six percent probably are able only with the direct intervention of God. the man definitely needs our prayers

[Guest LadyC]

so vex, are you saying that by publically stating that you believe what scripture says labels one as a charismatic?

[Old Timer]

Evangelical chief quits amid sex scandal.

By KIM NGUYEN, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Rev. Ted Haggard agreed to resign as leader of the New Life Church after its independent investigative board recommended removal, saying he was guilty "of sexually immoral conduct."

"We, the Overseer Board of New Life Church, have concluded our deliberations concerning the moral failings of Pastor Ted Haggard," a statement from the church said. "Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct."

A man describing himself as an escort told news media this week that Haggard, who also has resigned as president of the influential National Asssociation of Evangelicals, had been paying him for sex for three years.

Haggard immediately denied the allegations, but later acknowledged having paid the man for a massage and to provide methamphetamine.

The church's statement said the investigation would continue to determine how extensive Haggard's misconduct was.

The Rev. Ross Parsley will lead the church until a permanent replacement for Haggard is chosen, something that should happen by the end of the year, the statement said. A letter explaining Haggard's removal and an apology from Haggard will be read at Sunday services.

"The language of our church bylaws state that as Overseers we must decide in cases where the Senior Pastor has 'demonstrated immoral conduct' whether we must 'remove the pastor from his position or discipline him in anyway they deem necessary,'" the statement said.

"In consultation with leading evangelical and experts familiar with the type of behavior Pastor Haggard has demonstrated, we have decided that the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal," it continued.

James Groesbeck, a church elder, said he was glad the investigative board acted quickly.

"I'm saddened by what came out, but I think they've done their job," Groesbeck said by telephone. Church members are drawing strength from one another and are caught up in the activity, but that likely will change, he said.

"I think it's going to be really difficult in a week or two," Groesbeck said.

[billie]

so vex, are you saying that by publically stating that you believe what scripture says labels one as a charismatic?

The trouble with charismatics is that they don't believe the Bible. They believe con-men instead.

Which Charismatic do you speak of? Or do you believe there isn't one Charismatic anywhere who believes the Bible?

[Guest LadyC]

ok clarify for me.

i believe the Bible. and i even believe it when the Bible talks about the spiritual gifts including speaking in tongues, healing the sick, yada yada.

but i'm not easily fooled either by people who scam others out of money by supposedly 'healing' people who weren't in need of healing in the first place.

so i am not sure what my question to you is... i believe in the Bible. do you believe in it? do you believe that God bestows on some the gift of healing? after all, the Bible says He does....

since i DO believe in the Bible, obviously i don't fit your definition of charismatic.

[MAYBEBREE]

There are lots of wolves in sheep's clothing and let me tell you, they are not all "charismatic".