Haggard tells Church 'I am a Deceiver & Liar'
Former US evangelical leader Ted Haggard has admitted to being guilty of "sexual immorality", after he was fired from his position as head of New Life Church in the USA.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Monday, November 6, 2006, 7:42 (GMT)
Former US evangelical leader Ted Haggard has admitted to being guilty of "sexual immorality", after he was fired from his position as head of New Life Church in the USA.
The scandal has been hugely embarrassing for those connected with Haggard, particularly as it comes ahead of a key vote on Tuesday to decide if same-sex marriages should be allowed in the state of Colorado.
The disgraced church leader has admitted in a letter one day after being fired: "I am a deceiver and a liar".
In the build-up to Tuesday's vote, and while the issue has been a hot topic across the US, Haggard has been a prominent opponent of gay marriage.
He has now admitted to buying drugs, as well as having a massage from a gay masseur. However, he has adamantly denied using the methamphetamine or having sex with the man.
In the letter that was read out to New Life Church followers in Colorado Springs, Haggard said: "I am so sorry for the circumstances that have caused shame and embarrassment for all of you."
"There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark and I've been warring against it my entire adult life."
The furor became public last week, when Mike Jones told a Colorado radio station that he had been paid to have sex with Haggard nearly every month over the past three years.
Haggard denied the accusations but said he did receive a massage from the man after being referred to the masseur by a Denver hotel.
Haggard resigned as the head of the 30m-strong National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) on Thursday over the matter.
Haggard, 50, who has five children and is known to have close contacts with the White House, has also admitted that he bought methamphetamine but "never used it".
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 14:09 (GMT)
I think we should try to forgive him, but we must remember forgiving him doesn't mean we condone what he done. In fact, the very act of forgiveness means a wrong was committed. (After all, you never forgive someone for doing something right. "My son, I forgive you for studying real hard and getting all A's.")
That being said, I think it was right for him to resign. He needs to still be held accountable for his behavior. He should also consider getting help. He can go to NA for his drug problem and there is a place called HA (Homosexuals Anonymous) that helps people live a more Christ-centered life and give up the homosexual lifestyle. Sometimes doing it on your own just doesn't work. You need the aid of people who have gone through it before you and come out the other end. I think if he did these two things, he would find himself more in line with God's will and maybe one day he would return to his former glory. But then again walking with the Lord is about his glory, not ours.
Dena , Los Angeles, USA
Added: Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 16:09 (GMT)
This is a blow to the Christian body. I know nobody wants to be quick to judge or slow to forgive, but let's be real about the damage this man has caused. He was in a position of high authority among evagelicals, and on an ongoing basis he was committing heinous acts. He stepped up to a position of teacher and very visible representative to the world, while knowing his private life was so much different. This hurts us, and certainly draws into question the environments we create from mega-churches and 'personality-based Christianity.'
Lee Marks, Philadelphia, USA
Added: Sunday, November 12, 2006, 20:54 (GMT)
Dear in the Lord,
with a heavy heart and sadness I read some of the articles in your website about Ted Haggard. It is true that there is not even one faultless Christian. All of us have our spiritual eclipses.
At the same time we should have in mind that we are the epistle of Christ which the people can read daily. We are the Lord’s ambassadors and we should be unclouded contact with our Head, Jesus Christ.
The Lord is merciful and ready to forgive us when we repent for our sins. And He will forgive even Mr Haggard if he truly repents and confess his sins. But the problem remains with Haggard because this man the moment who fought against the sin of homosexuality, he had immoral relation with a paid male prostitute! A man with such prominent position as the leader of 30 m evangelicals and the pastor of a large church if he were honest enough and really loved the Lord and His case, at least he should not undertake such responsibilities and put now to shame millions of believers and mainly the blessed Name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. His failure should awake all the leaders around the world and make them careful in their life. May God have mercy upon Haggard.
GEORGE KANTARTZIS, 60100 KATERINI-GREECE
Added: Friday, November 10, 2006, 17:14 (GMT)
I think the main issue now is how this affects the Body of Christ. Being a christian, I would have to say that everything should be focused once again to Jesus. Ted Haggard has indeed fallen whether or not he completely admits to all allegations. To whatever things he has still lurking in the dark shouldn't be our personal concern to condemn him. Our concern should be repentance because all sin hurts God and He's the one who's offended the most by what happened. Beyond to what he's willing to do or confess, that's no longer within our range of judgment or concern until the appointed time. There is no doubt that all of this would cost the church a lot of souls because the outside world really is just looking for an excuse not to reject the gospel. Some, are just lazy to believe it. Others, are sincerely blinded. That's human nature, and it's the responsibility of every christian not to make anyone stumble whether inside or outside. Right now, the only solution to this matter, the church should hand the fallen leader to God, pray earnestly that he would come to repentance and be restored. All christians on the other hand, should watch, fast and pray because spiritually, the act of their fallen leader could spread or trigger other spiritual potholes within the Body. Let's pray that the infection be stopped. Repentance will bring healing and revival back to the church. Time is running out.
James, Manila, Philippines
Added: Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 14:41 (GMT)
No man is perfect, or even good. Jesus told someone "Why do you call me good, no one is good except the Father".
In this case we should examine the Scripture, and perhaps find Matthew 16.
There, in verse 16 Peter recognises Jesus as the Christ the Son of the living God. The reply of Jesus was to tell Peter he was Blessed because he had heared from God. Just 6 verses later, as Peter rebukes Jesus, the Lord said "Get behind me Satan, you are an offence to me". Jesus was not saying Peter was an offence, but his words were the offence. Jesus rebukes the spirit behind the words.
Pastor Haggard has heard many things from God in his ministry. We must speak, even rebuke, the spirit behind his actions, if his name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, who are we to judge the man? Peter was very quickly tripped up after Jesus had spoken blessing into his life. We have all stepped off the path of righteousness at sometime. "Let him who is without sin throw the first stone".
John, England
