Look in the Mirror
Like many of you I heard about the allegations against Ted Haggard yesterday. I usually don't post on these kinds of things, but I have one thought: look in the mirror.
I think there is a tendency to let your mind run wild when you hear something like this. And you know the media is going to have a feeding frenzy. But whether the allegations are true or false, and I sure hope they are false, I honestly think the most biblical response is a little personal reflection and lots of gratitude for the grace of God. But for the grace of God...
One last piece of advice.
Instead of talking about it I'd recommend praying about it.
I think there is a tendency to let your mind run wild when you hear something like this. And you know the media is going to have a feeding frenzy. But whether the allegations are true or false, and I sure hope they are false, I honestly think the most biblical response is a little personal reflection and lots of gratitude for the grace of God. But for the grace of God...
One last piece of advice.
Instead of talking about it I'd recommend praying about it.
26 Comments:
Pastor Mark,
I totally agree with you. If, a brother does stumble we need to pick them up, we need to be a source of encourage and prayer for them.
We too often throw our fellow Christians under the bus and leave them for dead. We simply can not do that.
Thanks for addressing this with great wisdom.
Chris J.
Great advice.
Word!
-dave anderson
-crosspoint churc
thanks for not shying away from this - God's given you a larger platform recently - this issue was one that needed wisdom and perspective - you brought both...now to prayer...
Should our reaction to this be any different than it would be for an unbeliever? I don't think it should be.
Like you Mark, I pray that the allegations are not true. But if they are, there has got to be forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. Consequences? Of course, but grace and mercy in abundance.
But that is my point. Sometimes, we in the evangelical communtiy come down so hard on non Christians for this type of behavior, but when it occurs within our own ranks, we are more than quick to forgive and seek restoration.
I say, we need to extend the same grace and healing to the non believer. We don't need to accept their behavior, but in a more lovingly way point them to Jesus. It is because of our own criticalness and condemnation that the world rejoices when one of "our own" falls.
While I'm all for forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration; let's not forget there must also be accountability. Jesus even in extending the greatest gift of Salvation also required accountability. "I forgive you now go and sin no more." For every action, there is a tag-along consequence. We don't have the option to choose the consequences of our choices; our actions themselves demand and dictate the consequence we will suffer. But, God's grace is sufficient and enough. With respect to Pastor Ted, "to whom much is given, much is required." I love him and pray for him but I would think in the extension of forgiveness on our part would also require accountability on his. I think he's the kind of man who will submit to accountability whatever that may look like for him given the true outcome of the allegations.
Nate,
Awesome point. Gods love and mercy are available for all.
Here, here. News is already starting to trickle out that the accuser flunked a polygraph on the most damning allegations. My prayers are for all that involved and the spirit of truth and justice will prevail.
Everyone involved needs the grace and mercy of Jesus to come through this thing.
K
I too hope these allegations are false but we all know how the court of public opinion works... forget the "innocent until proven guilty" creed. The damage is already being done. It's not our job to judge Ted and I certainly am not trying to do that BUT what bothers me the most in a situation like this is that we have a very influential Christian leader falling (regardless of innocence, he is admitting some guilt). It's not just HIS falling; it's all of those underneath him who also get squashed that bothers me. Like Mark said, I hope our pastors and leaders use this time of reflection to make sure that their words match their actions. Leaders hold a burden of visibility and it’s even more important for them to lead with true integrity. If they catch themselves falling trap to sin, as we all do, I just hope leaders use this as a reminder to seek help and practice admission/confession before it’s too late. The general public just sees this as more hypocrisy in the church... (sorru for the long post)
Kat
Be careful there, Ted just admitted in an interview that he recieved "massages" and bought METH from a homosexual male prostitute...
He also stepped down awful quickly (ALA Congressman Mark Foley), so I wouldn't put toom much effort on defending his innocence at this point.
I think the more important questioin at this point is why was he out in front on the Colorado Gay marriage ban while this was going on?
Also, why is he now doing interviews with reporters in Colorado celebrating the fact that his accuser failed "portions" of the lie detector test? He finishes celebrating that fact and then proceeds to admit that he bought METH and received massages in his hotel room from the gay prostitute. What is up with that???
I went to school in Oklahoma and got to hear him speak several times since he has some friends down that way. He is a great man and I hope that the allegations are not true.
While living in Oklahoma (during undergrad in 2000) our pastor admitted to having an affair and had to leave the church. Ted Haggard was one of the overseers of the church (I don't know what the exact title is) and was the one to come to the church and speak to everybody about what to do now that the pastor has left.
When a pastor does fall into sin such as adultery, I think it is much worse than if the person is not leading a ministry. Whether the pastors like it or not, people are going to be turned off to God because of their actions. I saw it happen at my own church years ago and pray that this is not true for Ted.
Alrighty, I am just reading the updated reports about him admitting to certain things. That is an aweful shame and we need to be praying for that church. 14000 people will be questioning their faith to some degree.
Anon,
I wasn't suggesting that I believed Haggard, but merely giving him the benefit of the doubt. And I also read the admission literally right after I posted.
It's a shame but again, the grace, mercy, and loving correction of Christ must be done by Him alone and I'm content to pray for Haggard, the accuser and the church.
Peace, friend.
I think we all have things in our past that would discredit us to some degree if it were to be divulged. I know I do. Knowing now that Pastor Ted has admitted to some wrong doing, I think he needs to get honest with himself and seek God's forgiveness. It matters not if anyone else forgives our errors but we must seek God's forgiveness! I pray Pastor Ted will find peace in God and confidence in mercy! It truly breaks my heart to see the Church suffer in things like this. Not just his 14,000 members, but Christ Followers all around the globe will be affected by this...
I attended New Life for several years (I now live in Salt Lake City). Thank you for being respectful and having a Godly perspective on this issue. Pastor Ted's teaching has changed my life and for that I will always be grateful. The situation is unfortunate, but God has a plan. Philippians 1:18 "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."
This one stinks really bad. It stinks for Pastor Ted, his family, New Life Church, Mr Jones, and the church in general. Now is the time for us all to take a deep look into every part of our own lives. My heart breaks and I am convicted of my own prejudices and shortcomings as a man of God. Prayer is the key. Pastor Ted and everyone involved needs it. Judge not church...and remember Romans 8:28 God knew long before New Life became the powerhouse of ministry that is today that this would happen. However, He has a plan of redemption and greater things in the future if we respond with pure hearts.
I definitely agree that we need to look in the mirror and not judge.
Ran accross your blog via Mark Rodriguez out at Calvary Fellowship in Miami Lakes, FL. This whole thing with Ted was the topic of discussion at the church office during lunch. Thanks for the "reality check".
The person we should also be praying deeply for is the man who made the accusations which, it appears, are true. His soul is just as valuable to God as mine or Ted Haggard's, and this is now something he will always associate with the gospel and Christ. And he'll also remember than when he spoke out and told the truth, people immediately began to call him a liar because Ted Haggard had too good of a reputation for this to be true.
I think that we should be talking about it with non-Christians and the conversation should involve us talking about out sins and the fact that Christ has died for those also.
Just like Ted Haggard, I've committed sins after becomeing a Christian. And the ultimate message is that Jesus, who did live a perfect life, was sufficient for those sins also.
I think the reason why this is such a big story is that Ted Haggard didn't seem to look in the mirror enough before using his authority and power in ways that now seem hypocritical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6rSjrBhUIA
It would be nice if evangelical Christians would offer the same grace and forgiveness to everyone, not just those who are "good enough" in their eyes to deserve it.
Just thought I'd update this comment string. I posted this right after the allegations come out. As you get more information you have to process it more.
Obviously, facts effect the way we respond.
I'll update with a post.
Mark
I think that Jones always offered to back up his allegations with voicemails and a letter from Haggard. (http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2006/11/thou-shalt-not-lie-so-obviously.php)
Nonetheless, this is what happened by November 3:
1. Mr. Haggard, who is married and has five children, has denied the accusation, saying in a television interview: “I am steady with my wife. I’m faithful to my wife.” He also said he had never met the man making the accusation.
2. The Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs at the association, said the group’s 15-member executive board would meet on Friday to decide whether to accept the resignation. “It doesn’t comport with the man that I know,” Mr. Cizik said of the accusation. “Let’s not crucify the man before we know the facts.”
(http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/us/03minister.html?_r=1&em&ex=1162702800&en=31f683c988424dfd&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin)
3. "The idea that the charges against evangelical pastor Ted Haggard are politically motived is growing. Members of his congregation say they're standing by their pastor." (http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/51617.aspx) (A Christian newspaper)
4. Brooks DeMio, 44, said Jones has to be lying. He said he finds the claims of Haggard engaging in sex with a man unbelievable. "He loves the Lord, homosexuality is a sin and that's not Ted," DeMio said. "His desire is to serve other people and uphold the word of God. ... I don't know him well enough to give a complete character description, but I know him enough to know it's not true." Two other members voiced similar opinions to local television stations. "I feel horrible. I mean my heart goes out to him and his family to have to have deal with this right now. Because this is just so ridiculous, I can 't believe he would even have to deal with something like this." "I totally believe in him and what he does, I don't believe that at all. I know that he is a good man."
(http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/51617.aspx)
Nonetheless...
By the evening of "November 2, 2006, senior church officials told Colorado Springs television station KKTV that Haggard has admitted to some of the claims made by Jones. In an e-mail to New Life Church parishioners sent on the evening of November 2, Acting Senior Pastor Ross Parsley wrote, "It is important for you to know that he [Haggard] confessed to the overseers that some of the accusations against him are true."
Finally, even in his most recent admission, Haggard still denies that they are "not all true" but won't specify which ones are and which one's aren't:
In his letter, Haggard said "the accusations made against me are not all true but enough of them are that I was appropriately removed from his church leadership position." He did not give detail details on which accusations were true. (http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/feeds/ap/2006/11/05/ap3146381.html)
Why can't the Christians tell him just to be transparent about what happened?
The Gentle Slope to Nothing
Screwtape reveals Nothing:
The Christians describe the Enemy as one ‘without whom Nothing is strong’. And Nothing is very strong: strong enough to steal away a man’s best years not in sweet sins but in a dreary flickering of the mind over it knows not what and knows not why, in the gratification of curiosities so feeble that the man is only half aware of them, in drumming of fingers and kicking of heels, in whistling tunes that he does not like, or in the long, dim labyrinth of reveries that have not even lust or ambition to give them a relish, but which, once chance association has started them, the creature is too weak and fuddled to shake off.
You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.
—from The Screwtape Letters
I totally agree with you on this one Mark. We should really take this time to thank God for His Grace and mercy. My Pastor is always saying God takes just a man, turns him into a Just Man, but he is still just a man. Yes, I think pastor's should live by a higher standard, but they are just men who are very capable of finding their dark corner and acting on the temptation satan has sent their way. Regardless of what happens or happened he is still a man of God called by God. I thank God he does not revoke His callings or gifts because of our sin. Just like James Baker recovered, Pastor Ted Haggard will recover, and do great works for God. So many people are quick to point out his flaws when he really needs people covering him and his wife and kids in prayer. After all he is still just a man.
I agree. Much love. Much prayer. Much grace.
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