Ted Haggard Returns to Ministry…

06/17/2010 in Featured 3 Comments

Ted Haggard, who was exposed in 2006 after a gay sex scandal, recently at a press conference stated he has filed incorporation papers for a new church named St. James Church.

Haggard stated that he had been broken and that his new church would be a place for broken people. He did say his church would espouse that marriage should be between a man and a woman, but that he would stay out of public policy discussions.

No doubt many will disagree with his decision. But after being educated and spending several years in a movement that felt free to assess others, I no longer feel a need to make a judgment call about his decision.

Restoration was supposed to be the end goal, wasn’t it? There seemed to be some debate and misunderstanding about the restoration process. But again, I was not present, nor involved in the process, or responsible for the outcome, so why should I have harsh or unkind words.

So maybe ‘plan A’ of the restoration process seemed to be unsuccessful, it seems Ted Haggard did not run from the gospel but to it. He has not renounced his Christian faith. He has not ignored the magnitude of his sin. He has not to my knowledge claimed that what he was involved in was not sin. My impression, though just an impression, is that Ted Haggard has run to the truth rather than away from truth in the wake of this scandal. He and Gayle were also able to salvage their marriage when others would have probably caved in. In my eyes that is what should be commended.

Can or will people ever trust him again? Maybe…Maybe not. But I have a sense there are plenty of good people out there who will give him a second chance. I know I can, because I’ve needed and still need second chances myself.

As to whether or not he has the moral authority to preach, I will leave this to the Lord and Ted. But if he has repented and applied the truth of the gospel to his own heart, I say, “God Bless Ted and his family.”

The whole message of the gospel embraces the restoration of those who have sinned, fallen, and been broken to pieces. The gospels give us several accounts of Jesus forgiving people and then sending them on their way with a testimony. The body of Christ should be able to accept the restoration of those who have fallen, been broken, repented, and have now been restored.

As a minister, I think one of the things that would have been best would be if he had started over in a different state and city. But I will leave that to Ted and the Lord as well.

I’m very appreciative to Roger and Sarai Bain for the The Bain Journal. Roger is a great writer and inspires me to use my gift of encouragement to give others hope. Thanks Roger for allowing me to glean from you.