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Ted Haggard

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:04 pm
by wackzingo
Most people have heard the stories about Ted Haggard and of course the media wants to run with the story. I have been very impressed with how their church has handled it. It seems very obvious that Ted was man with a heart for God that was caught in a cycle of sin that he didn't know how to overcome. Its sad but it's amazing how God is working. This is the mp3 of the service where they explained everything to the congregation.

http://video.newlifechurch.org/nlc/0611 ... _Story.mp3

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:25 pm
by jimbaum
Zach,

I agree that our Lord will turn this tragedy for good, and yet I believe it is largely in spite of and not because of Ted Haggard's megachurch and its leaders.

When someone seeks unbiblical authority such as building a megachurch around their own personality they set themselves up for further corruption. Some might say that power corrupts while it also may be true that the corrupt seek power. In any case there goes with unbiblical authority the tendency to see oneself as above the rules.

As evidence of the unbiblical nature of the megachurch system, note Ted Haggard's explanation of who will be holding him accountable:
Our church's overseers have required me to submit to the oversight of Dr. James Dobson, Pastor Jack Hayford, and Pastor Tommy Barnett.
This is an extrabiblical collection of celebrities to try to bring correction to a celebrity. Rather he should submit to fellow brothers in a Biblical assembly, including Biblical elders, to bear one another's burdens and to bring correction.

On an individual basis, my encouragement to anyone involved in this situation, including Ted Haggard, is that through brokeness and repentance there is always hope for a new start because of the grace and mercy and correction of our Lord Jesus. But I wouldn't recommend returning to the life of a celebrity.

Jim

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:11 pm
by wackzingo
I agree.

The main reason I brought this up is that we so often in these types of situations a cover-up taking place which allows the world to say we're all just a bunch of liars and hypocrites. What I found interesting is Ted Haggard hasn't been trying to make excuses but there seems to be a real honest desire to be a man of God even though he messed up. Also, the gay community is saying, "See even so-called Christians struggle with homosexuality because we're born that way because if it was a choice Ted wouldn't be struggling with it". It's interesting that Ted has said it's still sin and needs to be dealt with not accepted. It's no longer just any Christian saying it's sin but one who is caught in it saying it which I see as a huge testimony to the gay community.

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:53 am
by jimbaum
I praise the Lord if this situation would be used in the life of a person enslaved by immorality. Jesus helps us when there doesn't appear to be any hope!