Ted Haggard Confesses

[This is an email just received from the New Life Church email list. Ted Haggard has confessed.]

From: Pastor Ross Parsley Mailed-By: newlifechurch.org
To: n.prophet@gmail.com
Date: Nov 2, 2006 10:59 PM
Subject: Update from Pastor Ross
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Dear New Lifers and friends of New Life Church,

Many of you have expressed concern about today's news regarding our pastor. Thank you all for your prayers and support, and for your concern for our church family.

As you've likely heard by now, Pastor Ted has voluntarily placed himself on administrative leave as New Life's senior pastor to allow our external board of overseers to work effectively. Below is the statement that we released to the media on Thursday afternoon.

Since that time, the board of overseers has met with Pastor Ted. It is important for you to know that he confessed to the overseers that some of the accusations against him are true. He has willingly and humbly submitted to the authority of the board of overseers, and will remain on administrative leave during the course of the investigation.

I am serving as the acting senior pastor of New Life Church. I met with the pastoral staff and elders Thursday night, and I assure you that the leadership team is strong and united. We remain resolute in our commitment to serving New Life Church and the people of our community.

Please continue to keep Ted and Gayle and their family in your prayers.

I love serving God with you all,

Ross Parsley

November 2, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From New Life Church
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Rev. Ted Haggard, Senior Pastor of New Life Church, stated today that he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning." He, therefore, placed himself on administrative leave, pending investigation, spiritual counsel, and a decision by the church's board of overseers. Pastor Haggard said, "I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity. I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date. In the interim, I will seek both spiritual advice and guidance."

Under the governing structure of New Life Church, there is a board of overseers consisting of four senior pastors of other congregations. Those overseers have authority to conduct an inquiry, to discipline the senior pastor, to remove him from his position, or to restore him to ministry. The overseers of New Life Church are: Rev. Larry Stockstill, Senior Pastor of Bethany World Prayer Center, in Baker, Louisiana; Rev. Mark Cowart, Senior Pastor of Church For All Nations in Colorado Springs; Rev. Tim Ralph, Senior Pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Larkspur, Colorado; and Rev. Michael Ware, Senior Pastor of Victory Church in Westminster, Colorado.

In the interim, New Life Church Associate Senior Pastor, Rev. Ross Parsley, will serve as Acting Senior Pastor of the church. Rev. Parsley has served in senior ministry positions at New Life Church for fifteen years. Rev. Parsley requested the community's compassion and prayers for the person who came forward with accusations, for the Haggard family, and for the New Life Church community. He also said, "New Life Church long ago adopted an overseer model of governance for situations just like this. People need to be patient and allow this process to unfold as it was designed to do."

Pastor Haggard also resigned today as President of the National Association of Evangelicals.

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Comments

[THEHIGHERCALL]

Jim, the butt is an exit not an entrance. The vagina is made for the penis and the penis for the vagina. You are here as a result of sperm from a man fertilizing an egg from a woman. This is God's main intent for sex.

Let pro-creation be the deciding factor as to what this nation should support. If all parts were functioning, can this union between two humans naturally produce a child. Two men alone cannot produce a child with each other. Neither can two women.

It is not about love. It is about sex. You can love someone without having sex. You can have sex with someone you do not love.

The love and marraige between a man and woman is the most sacred union. The family is the most powerful institution on this Earth. That is why the devil wants to dismantle it. He is not after religion. He is out to rob, steal and kill the Family. He is using the homosexual and liberal agenda (among other things like greed, adultery, fornication etc.) to accomplish his goal.

[Esther]

I am praying for Pastor Ted and his family. Especially his childred can you imagine what they are going through right now??? Jesus is in control and he will handle this situation!!

[Mind Your Own Business]

Hey Jim, are you gay?

[Mind Your Own Business]

Hey Jim, are you gay?

[Zen]

Wait just a minute... hold the phone! So does that mean I violated God's physiological laws when I allowed the doc to insert a Compazine suppository for my nausea?! Should I feel bad that it felt so damn good going in?! I'm so lost and confused. :0)

[Zen]

I thought the most powerful institution on the Earth was the Republican party.

[David Stewart]

Please note: All trinitarian & non trinitarian religious (including secular) organizations are in fact satanic phallic cults.... this also includes hinduism, bhuddism (all branches) & islamic variants & associated groups. The Roman Catholic church is the mother & mistress of all such phallic groups (mother of harlots)& Satan is the father -- see Revelation chapters 17 & 18. Every institution of mankind on planet earth is also governed by the same phallic luciferian spiritual tyranny. All the monuments (~ Washington & Vatican sodomite phallic monuments - obelisks), icons, symbols, solemnities, festivals, the shapes of your stain glass windows, the layout of your streets in the center of Washington are satanic baal phallic cult designed.
The phallic cult ethos hangs over the entire planet earth like a thick cloud of utter moral darkness! The people of this world have been completely conned through Satan's chiefest devices ~ false religion & bogus science and that -- through his vassal poltroons on both sides of the evolution -- creationist divide.
I have studied all these different issues as impartially as humanly possible over a period of 40 years -- and I can say with absolute certainty...that none of the organizations claiming Christian status have any real connection with genuine christianity whatsoever. Checkout Matthew 7:13-29 ~ ".......and FEW there be that find it......"
David Stewart. Australia.

[Mind Your Own Business]

Then, should we allow our president of USA to be gay too? prancing around in a dress and high heels?

[Mind Your Own Business]

if its okay for the rest of the homo society to openly gay and wear dresses, so should our president... and we should also be allowed to go into womans bathrooms vice versa, if we are gay, right?

[Just cool out!]

Look, everyone here seems to really have an opinion! The lesson learned here is that every humanbeing can screw up. Blah blah, we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God etc. It IS ironic that the very thing that Ted condemned would seem to be the exact thing he fell on. Having said that I would suggest that the reason for his emmense hatred towards homosexuality, is probably because he despised it in himself. IT IS A SIN, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

It is a shame that Ted has sinned in the the way that he has, however those on their soapbox preaching "judge not lest they be judged" should also look at themselves. You are probably even more hypocritcal than what you accuse Ted of. I am not defending the man's actions, however, he certainly deserves grace and the chance to repent. You who are finding this situation so amusing have that luxury, why should it not be afforded to this man? Perhaps you might find yourself needing grace one day, and as many of you are so loudly vocalizing, "what goes around, comes around."

Bless you all.

[Zen]

IT IS A SIN, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

Well there's your problem, brother.

Why NOT ask the questions?

[Squirt]

Christianity as defended by the apologists in this forum is TOXIC POISON which damages the natural order on this planet. This stems from your claim that all mankind is fundamentally flawed and requires your particular form of salvation. Your bible has filled your head with TOXIC ideas about right and wrong based on the irrational authority you give to magic (miracles) and fortune-telling (prophesy).

You say ‘love the sinner and hate the sin’ but your automatic label of ’sinner’ is nothing more than self-righteous judgment which by its definition prevents you from loving anything.

SIN DOES NOT EXIST IN REALITY. It’s a manmade construct, a concept in language, used to describe reality, but not the thing itself. Do animals sin? Do trees? Do rocks? Do stars? Why humans, then? Please, give it a rest. It doesn’t make rational sense.

Belief in the SUPERNATURAL, ghosts and demons and heaven paved in gold, now this is crazy thinking. Try for a change the idea that mankind has a NATURAL place on this planet and that we belong here in nature doing exactly what we do, warts and all. There is no need for a messiah because there’s nothing to save. If ever there was an ANTI-CHRIST idea, this is it. The antithesis of Christianity’s message is that there’s NOTHING WRONG WITH US just as there’s nothing wrong with cats or dogs or ants or worms or dirt or water or air. It’s all part of the natural order of things.

This is not to say that mistakes can be made, learned from, and improved upon. But instead of harping about right and wrong, try asking the question “Is it working?” Is it working for me to do this? Answering this question can yield different answers at different times, for sure, and will give you insight and integrity without the TOXIC condemnation and irrational fear of eternal consequences. Try it? You might find that it works. You also may find that love, compassion and forgiveness become easier to make manifest in your world.

Or you can pray in fear for the rapture and an end to it all. It’s your choice

[Just cool out!]

Hey Squirt, (thats sounds quite funny actually, lol). Perhaps the question would more importantly be, "what is it designed to do?" What do I care if it is working, if I don't know what it is meant to do? I'm sure your highly educated mind should be able to catch on to my drift, as it were. By the way, your post, in fact, relies on YOUR belief system. oops.

[Squirt]

What's it designed to do? this has one speculate on the nature of a designer, putting one right back in the realm of irrational making-it-all-up.

My belief system? I believe in nature. Don't you? It's something you can experience, which is more than one can say about the pearly gates.

[Just cool out!]

So be it, Squirt

Just skimming through some of these comments...but based on all the "judgements", most of you just want to find another fallen person in leadership to point a finger at, justify your own sin, and downplay Christianity. Try reading a Bible and you will understand things much more. Sin is sin. I don't even know much about this Haggard and while I do not approve of his actions and I could even go as far as to question as whether he is really a Christian - neither of those are for me to JUDGE. There are stories of rape, betrayel, gay relations (read Leviticus, adultery (read about David -he was a King!) throughout the Bible --all sins. Quit pointing a finger to justify your own sin and see what the Word of God says. It states that homesexuality is a sin just like any other sin is a sin. It is ALL sin in God's eyes, that is why He came to earth as the ultimate sacrifice (read John). The bible also talks about the consequences of sin. And forgiveness and repentence. Man was not meant for to be with man sexually (for those of you that think Haggard's actions justify yours!) but the Bible does not ever say to "hate" the homosexual. We are to love all people, no matter who they are. God, forgive them, for they know not what they do!"

oh, let me add to the comment I just posted on "sin" for those of you that don't believe in sin, or say it doesn't exist...I'm not sure what you belive or how you came to believe or whose doctrine you are following...sin means we are not perfect and we mess up! Human! But ask yourself how you got here? And please don't say some natural phenomonem or evolution etc. or I just might throw up :-). And if you believe in the theory (oops! it's a theory? theories are not proven) then how do you justify how the first animal got here or WHO made the "matter" to explode into existence? I mean something had to. And the comments about animals and sin? what's up with that. If you read Genesis, you will read that God made man in superiority over animals. I'm telling you...read the bible and you will find answers rather than meandering around with your own thoughts and beliefs that you somehow thought up. by the way, the Bible speaks of times like these where people where come up with their own beliefs and false teachings! Please give reading the bible a try. www.searchgodsword is an excellent resource.

[Squirt]

Read the bible? The bible has no more authority than the Brother Grimm's Fairy Tales. You really believe that this book is the 'word of god'? You really believe Noah saved the animals in a flood and Jonah survived in the belly of a whale and that Jesus rose from the dead? My how gullible you are. You'll believe anything. (oops! It's just a theory? theories are not proven)

Here's the bucket for you to throw up in. Your speculation on what created all of this reality around us is made up by sheep herders wandering a desert. It's fantasy. It's not real and your belief in this irrational garbage is toxic to man's ability to live in harmony with the rest of life on this planet. You prove my point by claiming man's superiority over animals. Are animals just a resource to you? You probably buy into the legitimacy of slavery as advocated by the bible, as well.

The biggest threat to the existence of life on this planet is people like yourself who believe in fairy tales as if they are true. I hope someday you read some other books and broaden your scope of awareness a bit.

[c]

Squirt I hate to encourage your mean-spirited tirades, but here's some other books that might broaden your awareness a bit.

There is contemporary analytic philosophy effectively arguing belief in a single Judeo-Christian God is indeed rational [Alvin Plantinga], and in fact more likely than not [Richard Swinburne]. There is much, much more out there but that's a good start. Of course all arguments can be countered, I'm just saying you're not fully informed if you simply say theism is "irrational garbage" (especially without any valid justification).

As to the scriptures not everyone interprets them literally. As with Jesus' parables, some things are written to demonstrate a spiritual lesson more than to provide a scientifically verifiable account. This of course is subject to debate and most evangelicals claim the bible is to be read literally.

Personally I don't push my views on anyone and I feel that people should come to their own conclusions about God, not be told what to believe or just swallow what other people believe. I guess I just get a little testy when people angrily dismiss certain views as idiotic. I don't agree with certain belief systems, but I at least try to be a little respectful about it.

Regards,

c

[c]

[Edit]

I meant to say that the existence of God is in fact more likely than not as demonstrated by Swinburne's work. I highly recommend his book "The Existence of God". His worked actually made a theist of of the formerly athiest philosopher Antony Flew.

Well, anyway it occurred to me how incredibly lame it is to argue God's existence or qualities on a site devoted to defaming Ted Haggard (not that he needs any help). Especially considering that it's frequented by those who hate, er, strongly dislike Christians (or at least evangelicals). Kind of like talking to the deaf, no offense to the hearing impaired.

[Grinth]

Why is it that christians spend more time talking about homosexual sex than any homosexual I know...and then turn around and claim it is the homosexuals who are foisting their sexuality on others?

And a straight pride parade? You've got to be joking. As soon as heterosexuals have been persecuted, maligned, marginalized, and murdered for their sexuality for decades I will be right there with you marching.

[Rick]

So whats everybody getting so excited about, so another person just sinned. Big deal. You guys always make big deals about moral appearances and behaviours. I don't think that is what Christinity was really about and I'm pretty sure Jesus loved to preach to those that pretended to have it all together. But funny when the prostitute came crying on his knees he was full of passion while the rest pointed fingers, including the disciples. Amazing. Christian or not. We all need to grow up and learn what it means to love our neighbour and God (for those who believe). Oops that sounds like the first two commandments. In fact didn't Jesus say fullfill these two commandments and all other things will fall in place. That means love your fellow brother, gay or not and do not condemn or pretend to have it all together(hence the Pharisee). I believe if Ted trully recognized his mistake, I think God can still use him to help others. Maybe he will be (whats that politically correct word) more tolerant of others. (Tolerant- whats that- give me a break, why don't we call it genuine love for each other) I believe the bible is quite clear about what sin is but we like to turn it into a moral lesson and moral appearance. When trully all of us fall incredibly short of God's standards. Enter in Jesus, for the world he paid the price no matter the sin. Does that mean we will stop sinning, no, of course not.
Christians make mistakes, they get caught in this moral lifestyle and lose that genuine walk of faith or live a life of love and forgiveness. Thats why divorce rate in the church is off the scale. They are just as self indulgent as any other human being but they don't see it. Worship is 15 minutes of singing pretty in harmony and not a lifestyle and looking pretty in our Sunday suits. When will we get it. Worship is a lifestyle. What the Simpson's cartoon portrays of Christianity is what the world sees. Mother Teresa clearly shows genuine christianity and its not about the mega church.
Anyways the whole thing with Ted is a shame and a sign of christianity to come. I hope someday we can have some true leaders, maybe not. Ted is just another guy like Bill Clinton, Nixon, the 700 Club guy, and all men in leadership. We put them in a place where they are bound to fall. Sooner or later they will fall. Especially when they condemn the sinner and they are no different, for sure someone will pull the plug, God or man, whoever it may be, they shall surely fall.I don't think God can use people when they get in those places of power. He wants men and women of humility (sound familiar). (the first shall be last)
He is looking for those that don't make it to the spotlight for their good deeds (Pharisees that is). Sorry I have said enough and we have seen it all too often.
I'm still a believer and a follower of Christ but ashamed of our church behavior or moral appearance.
I'm glad I can still read Jesus's word and still see a message of grace and not see a legal behavior control freak. If I listen to religious men, I get disillusioned. Everybody wants to be a prophet and expert on religion and the moral man.

Help me out here, is there still a man that can stand the test of time and still have the honour of people and God.

I can think of only one at this moment.
I am sure it will be that way until he returns.

Signing off.

[Sherri D. Murdock]

This has been the most unbelievable event, (Pastor Ted)that i've ever experienced. My prayers will continue for Pastor Ted and his family.

[Nate]

If the allegations about the male prostitute are true... Personally, I'm tired of reading this litany of excuses from the NLC apologists. Gay sex isn't a 'mistake'. A mistake is adding some numbers up incorrectly, or saying something you shouldn't have said without thinking first. Sexual identity and desire is a hell of a lot more complicated than waking up one day and 'making a mistake'. I don't condemn him for his sexual preferences, I condemn him for his false piety, his hypocrisy, and for cheating on his wife.

[Zen]

The square peg does not go in the round hole.

Even if you can make it fit, it does not go in the round hole.

We have knowledge of good and evil. We know that's the way God intended it.

[Gordon Gharis]

Well,yes,I personally have compassion for this man Ted Haggard.And Church leaders, if they are indeed called by the Lord GOD Almighty to be so,( which I believe Ted has been, at one time) have to deal with the same temptations and personal struggles just like other "ordinary" christians.I'm certain that the temptation to appear to be a perfect "model of holiness" for the congregation is great and a potential source of spiritual pride. And Ted's personal struggle with homosexuality has to be extra difficult not only to deal with but also to admit to another because of the fear of rejection. NOBODY like's being rejected.His issues with homosexuality really undercut a deeper need in his life and it is one that ultimately GOD as his Father can heal. Homosexuality is an attempt to fulfill a legitimate need,but is the Devil,s way of trying to do it. Ted has no real excuse for what he did, he surely knew that what he was doing was wrong as he preached against. But his deeper need and the sex drive ( I think especially for men ) are both powerful drives that only the Holy Spirit can bring help and healing to which Ted needs. I,m sure he wasn't trying to deliberately hurt his family and the Church. He may have not known exactly how to reveal this "dark secret" to ,again, because of rejection. No one likes to be rejected. Ted needs to bring himself to true HUMILITY and to true REPENTENCE of his sin before the LORD.And to submit himself under the mentoring of the Godly and mature christian men who will be counseling him. He needs to get right with the Lord GOD and forget about the status he had as a leader and begin a life of true holiness. What Ted Haggard did was horrible for his wife, Gayle and for his 5 children. But it is NOT unforgivable by the LORD, if he truly repents. I pray that Ted will humbly turn to the LORD and admit all of his sin and repent of it all. I pray that his wife will always stay by his side as she avowed to. That his children will love him and endure the potential harassing by others for the sake of the LORD. We as observers need to understand that each one of us,one day,even if we do not BELIEVE in Jesus Christ, will stand before our Creator and will give an account for our lives and our OWN sins. We will have no one else to blame for our decision to follow our sinful desires but ourselves. If we reject the only atonement for sin, the Person of Jesus Christ, then we will have to spend our eternity in the place of non-stop torment:Hell and the Lake Of Fire. That is where we go if we love our own sinful ways more than GOD's righteous ways or just simply from our pride of not wanting some GOD-in-the Sky telling us what to do. Ted has made himself a good target for the world. His own hidden sins have found him out. Again, he need's to repent, and if we belong to Jesus Christ,if we care about Ted, we need to be forgiving and loving toward him and PRAY for him and his family. I'm just as fallable as he is, we ALL are.

[c.w. scheldt]

don't these people like Ted Haggart call themselves "Christian?" doesn't refer to "christ," i.e the new testament? don't the teachings of the Nazarene supercede those that came before in the old testament? And jesus, as we all know was a loving cat. He might of done a little pole smokin' himself, who knows. But more precisely...who cares? How would that remotely effect the essence of his teaching (his "narrative")? Why can't this Haggert fool get real with himself and still make those teachings a guide? So he likes cock and pussy, who gives a fuck? Maybe,if he could get real, he would begin to have the 'nads to see the world as it is. That evolution doesn't signify the absence of love in this universe, (WE, in all our foolishness, are capable, occasionlly of that miraculous behavior) dogs are probably much better at it, but at least we give it a go.
it's just the way it happened. This shit about "god made the world in seven days..." fine. But that would be "God days" would it not? How long is a God day? Million "human" years? A trillion? Who knows...but more goddamned importantly, who cares? What difference can it possibly make? Okay, that's my rant. Thanks for being here.

[m.t.a]

I find it strange that the homosexuality takes centerstage while the purchasing of methamphetamines, which kills and destroys lives daily, is barely mentioned if at all.

[pete]

I could be wrong, m.t.a., but I think that's because "Thou shalt not smoke the crystal" isn't in the bible.

[Zen]

But "thou shalt not smoke pole" is.

:0)