Posted on 11/03/2006 5:39:05 AM PST by PDR
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Rev. Ted Haggard stepped aside as senior pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church and resigned today as president of the National Association of Evangelicals amid allegations by a former gay male escort that the two had a three-year sexual relationship.
The church issued a statement saying Haggard "could not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning."
Haggard has said that the escort is lying.
The statement said he placed himself on administrative leave pending investigation, spiritual counsel, and a decision by the church’s board of overseers, which consists of four senior pastors of other congregations.
"I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity," Haggard said in a statement.
"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."
Mike Jones, 49, of Denver, made his allegations on the Peter Boyles show on KHOW 630 AM, saying he was compelled to come forward because he believes Haggard, an opponent of same-sex unions, is being hypocritical.
"After sitting back and contemplating this issue, the biggest reason is being a gay man all my life, I have experience with my friends, some great sadness of people that were in a relationship through the years," and were not able to enjoy the same rights and privileges as a married man and woman, Jones told Boyles on air.
"I felt it was my responsibility to my fellow brothers and sisters, that I had to take a stand, and I cannot sit back anymore and hear (what) to me is an anti-gay message."
Haggard told KUSA Channel 9 that "I’ve never had a gay relationship with anybody, and I’m steady with my wife. I’m faithful to my wife."
Jones, who told a bankruptcy judge last year that he is a self-employed fitness consultant, told Boyles that he was paid money by Haggard, who he says made frequent trips to Denver for sexual liaisons, that he has recorded voicemails and a letter from Haggard, and that he had also witnessed Haggard use methamphetamine.
Jones offered to take a polygraph examination, and Boyles said that will occur Friday during his morning radio show.
Some community leaders in the Colorado Springs had scheduled a rally this afternoon in support of Haggard but canceled the gathering at the request of the church.
New Life’s board of overseers has the authority to conduct an inquiry, discipline the senior pastor, remove him from the position or restore him to ministry, the church statement said.
New Life’s associate senior pastor, the Rev. Ross Parsley, will serve as acting senior pastor.
"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," he said.
Haggard also led the National Association of Evangelicals. It describes its mission as extending "the kingdom of God through a fellowship of member denominations, churches, organizations, and individuals, demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ by standing for biblical truth, speaking with a representative voice, and serving the evangelical community through united action, cooperative ministry, and strategic planning."
In a message from its president, under Haggard's picture, it is stated that the NAE is composed of 60 member denominations representing 45,000 churches across America.
The homos no longer have the political clout they've always enjoyed.
"But KKTV reported late Thursday that acting senior pastor Ross Parsley said Haggard has admitted to some of the indiscretions. He did not say what Haggard admitted to, the station said.“There has been some admission of indiscretion, not admission to all of the material that has been discussed. But there is an admission of some guilt,” Parsley told the Colorado Springs station. "
Doesn't look good.
That said, they are still allegations by a low-life against a seemingly-fine pastor.
You can always tell by the guys hairdo. Poofer.
I got no hair... Guess I'm safe then...
Never hear of him either.
"Creflo A. Dollar"
(I'm not a fan - I just collect interesting names :-).
He probably doesn't either. Most evangelists were toupees though. LOL
Never heard of him.
"This ain't looking good for the guy."
TOAST! Bank on it.
He supported Al Gore on global warming? Wow. Talk about strange bedfellows!
I cannot believe you said that.
If he supported Algores global warming crusade, then he's a charlatan. A gay one at that.
Couldn't help myself. Must be something genetic.
He's so gay
He probably think this thread is about him
He's so gay
I'll bet he think's this thread is about him
Don't he? Don't he?
I'm not a fan of mega-churches. It places too much emphasis on one man, and that man is always human - which means he is fallible (a sinner).
Then when people find out he has been human, they use it as an excuse to criticize Christ.
I also think the pastors of mega-churches are singled out for temptation. It is too easy to start believing what your congregation thinks of you.
The apricot scarf was a dead giveaway....
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