Haggard Sex Scandal Could Damage Evangelism and Revival
Evangelism and revival in the US could suffer as a result of the sex scandal that has engulfed former leading US evangelical Pastor Ted Haggard over the last week, a leading US ministry has warned.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 10:54 (GMT)
The head of the US Life Action Ministries has voiced his concerns over the impact that the Ted Haggard scandal will have on evangelism and revival.
Pastor Ted Haggard was a leading evangelical in the US until the weekend when he confessed to "sexual immorality" amid accusations that he had indulged in gay sex. Following the accusations, Haggard stepped down from his position as leader of New Life Church in Colorado Springs and the 30m-strong National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) last week.
"My heart is breaking over the reality of what Ted is facing and evangelicals as a whole," says Byron Paulus, the Executive Director of Life Action Ministries, in a report by Mission Network News.
Paulus fears that the problem may be more deeply rooted than many Christians realise, something that will come as a shock to most Christians if he is right. "It's probably more widespread in the hearts of God's people than perhaps we want to admit or acknowledge."
According to Paulus, many evangelical Christian leaders could be share the fate of the married father-of-five Haggard. "Some 70 per cent have viewed pornography. We cannot expose ourselves to that level of sin and not allow it to ultimately affect our behavior. This is a huge issue."
Unfortunately, Paulus says, this will have an impact on outreach because the, "lost world is watching our lives".
"They're looking to see if we're authentic, if we're real, if our walk matches our talk." He adds, "I think every time, frankly, that our walk does not match our talk, it becomes a deterrent, it becomes a wall and a barrier."
But Paulus can still see hope in the future as he expressed his desire for Christians to learn from the Haggard case. "Let's use it as an opportunity for us to search our own hearts. With the integrity of our hearts and honesty and transparency, God is going to begin to do something powerful."
Paulus says, however, that many evangelical churches stay clear of messages about confession of sin. "There is no revival apart from repentance. That's not a popular message. It's not an easy message, but it's the only message that brings about an outpouring of the Spirit of God and it's that outpouring of the Spirit of God is our only hope as a nation today."
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Added: Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 19:09 (GMT)
When I hear about events that the Rev. Haggard went through I shudder. I am a recovering drug addict and I am a minister of the Gospel. Everyday is a battle to stay sober every day is an opportunity to lean on the Lord for strength. I know if I take my eyes off the Lord for one minute I am asking for trouble. I will be praying hard for Bro. Haggard everyday. God is still on the throne and Jesus is still Lord. To my the rest of my brothers and sister be strong and yet compassionate toward those of us who has fallen into sin.
Willie FreeMan, Dallas
Added: Wednesday, November 8, 2006, 22:03 (GMT)
i think this should actually cause us to pray more for revival. We will be focusing on on the wrong thing if we keep mourning about what has happened to our brother. The solution here is to bring restoration to his life. Lets not kill our wounded. Yes the world is watching us, but we should point them to Christ, who alone is perfect. "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." and God is concerned about sinners as much as we do and do not that Pastor Ted Haggard's fall shocked God and that it will stop people from being saved. It is not by might nor by power, but only through the Holy Spirit. This should make us focus more on Jesus than on man
Muchengetwa Bgoni, Joplin, USA
Added: Wednesday, November 8, 2006, 17:50 (GMT)
Rev. Haggard is a tragic one. My thoughts and prayer for his family and congregation. My reaction "What does it say about Evangelical Church and leadership? Have we become too legalistic unable to practice what we preach? Evangelical support for the Conservative political party has not helped either. Politicians with evangelical faith in expression but corrupt all the way. We have promoted Conservative party as party of God that have failed to model Christian faith for the world. It is time to evaluate our theology and affiliation. Just a thought.
David, Chino Hills, CA
Added: Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 21:09 (GMT)
I doubt that Haggard's misconduct will affect either revival or evangelism in America. Most of us in America , especially the average Baptists, have never heard of him nor did we Baptists ever consider him "our" leader.
John, Greenbrier, TN. USA
Added: Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 16:58 (GMT)
Pastor Haggard’s sin and struggles has a much larger impact than just evangelical Christians it has impact on the entire body of Christ, whether we know it or not. The sin of homosexuality is spread abroad throughout church of all denominations across the USA. Many have Christians have busied themselves try to legislate homosexuality to people who do not yet have desire for God and holiness and relationship with Jesus Christ, that we have missed the ministry and compassion opportunities to help those in midst of congregations who are suffering in silences and are longing to be delivered and ministered to. We have programs for ex-addicts, ex-convicts, divorcees, sex addicts, adulterers, etc..., but we don't minister the healing/redeeming love of Christ to the homosexuals. I don't care if every law is passed to ban gay rights, if they don't receive the forgiveness and redemption of Christ they will still end up in hell with all of our legislation in tact. My prayer is that the message that we give to the world as the body of Christ unified, is that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God and in God's eyes there is no big sin or little sin, there is only sin. And as the body of Christ we should be praying for Pastor Haggard, and embrace him with love and forgiveness and encourage him to repent and receive forgiveness all over again. As Christians we should not try to present that we are perfect we should present the testimony of grace and redemption that the world cannot have outside of Jesus Christ. We all sin, but we have and advocate with God through Christ.
Kia Levey, United States
Added: Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 14:34 (GMT)
We as Christians are not "facing" anything of a negative nature. Our only job in the days following the Ted Haggard incident is to say to those who would hear, both the lost and our brethren, "Our faith is not in men. It is in the Living God, Who is always righteous. He is our Rock, and none other. We are unmoved by this circumstance." That is our message.
Our second mission in this is to show the world how CHRISTIANS act under these conditions. That would involve loving Brother Haggard, and loving our brothers and sisters who are the most hurting over his actions. This is a momentary, light affliction. Our God is a big God, and He is ever in control. Remember that this is an opportunity for us (Romans 8:28 - We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.). God bless you all.
Jann Deane, Michigan, USA
Added: Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 14:20 (GMT)
Yes, I believe it's only beginning. One of the main problems is that one man, in authority over a local assembly is not Scriptural. Yeshua said you will have no leaders among you. He alone is to be our leader. Do we have people who give examples ... yes, they're called "elders", although that is not an office either.
Lee Underwood, US
Added: Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 14:13 (GMT)
Since when did Christianity become based on one minister's life? If what we believe is true, and we're truly worshiping God and not Ted Haggard, then I don't think that one man's sin is powerful enough to stop the move of the Creator of the Universe.
Jason, Rushville, IN
