I am terribly sad today, broken-hearted for the Kingdom of God as another leader of the church has apparently sinned terribly against his Lord, his church, and his family.
Ted Haggard, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of New Life Church in Co. Springs, CO, (I attended a small groups leadership conference there in April, 2006) was accused by a male prostitute of soliciting sex on a monthly basis and of using methamphetamine drugs. Haggard has only said there is 'some truth,' to the allegations and has resigned his position as the president of NAE and stepped aside from his position as pastor to 'seek guidance and spiritual counsel.'
Please pray for this man, for his family, for the church he had led - and for the witness of Jesus Christ in America.
I urge you, Believer, not to become defensive or condemning! This is an opportunity to love a fallen brother before the world in the spirit of Christ Jesus and an opportunity to show humility in acknowledging our sinful humanity, the reason we all need a Savior.
In these kinds of situations we are tempted to become angry, accusatory as we hurt and feel the reflected shame of hypocrisy and failure. Don't do it! Cry for this man. Cry for those who will deepen their suspicions of Christianity as a result. And, PRAY - for the grace of God to defeat evil.
Thank you, friend.
May God's peaceful presence be yours today.
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