Ted Haggard, ex-president of the National Association of Evangelicals, ex-pastor of New Life Church, one of Time’s 25 Most Influential Evangelicals, has confessed to sexual immorality. (But, he doesn’t admit anything about the allegations of using meth.)
You probably couldn’t come up with a more extreme story than this. A highly influential Christian leader doing illegal drugs and hiring a gay prostitute.
I’m actually impressed though with how the gay escort, Michael Jones, came out with the allegations. It seemed like the only thing he was after was to expose Ted Haggard’s hypocrisy. He could’ve blackmailed him and gotten a lot of hush money out of it.
For me, the takeaways from the whole situation are:
1. Noone is immune to sinning. Even if you are the leader of a mega-church and a national Christian organization.
1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
2. Since we all sin, it’s better to fess up to someone, rather than for it to be eventually exposed and be disgraced. Sure, it would’ve been hard for Haggard to confess to a few brothers that he’s been having gay sex. But, he probably would’ve been able to keep his jobs though and not be publicly humiliated and let the whole world know instead.
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
3. You better be careful what you attack, otherwise you might just fall into it and get attacked yourself.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
4. I would never want to be in a high profile leadership position. Sure, you can get lots of fame and prestige. But, with greater influence comes greater discipline.
Jam 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
5. Stay humble. When you start to get big in your head, that’s when God will knock you back down to size.
Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Links:
Wikipedia – Ted Haggard
New Life Church
National Association of Evangelicals
ChristianityToday timeline
Pastor says guilty of sexual immorality
Soulforce discussion