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By Jeremy | November 3, 2006
Lost amidst
the sordid allegations against evangelical mega-Pastor Ted Haggard this morning is the fact that rumors, lies, and wrongful accusations are a dime a dozen. Anyone can say anything against anybody. If the target happens to be high profile and influential they're especially easy prey. That's why our legal system, if not the media, protects the accused with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty -- even when we disagree with their politics and/or lifestyle choices.
Like 300 million other Americans this morning, I have no idea if the Haggard accusations are true. Apparently he has admitted certain "indiscretions," but denies the claims of gay sex and drugs. Thankfully New Life Church had the foresight to adopt a mechanism for independent review of accusations like this. Let's pray that the process runs its course and,
as Pastor Haggard himself said to CNN, he is vindicated if innocence and held accountable if guilty.
In the meantime, I wonder if there's a lesson in here for political figures who personalize policies and demonize opponents. Politicians of all stripes have long resorted to characature, hyperbole, and name calling in their public posturing. But when evangelicals (right-wing or otherwise) play that game while simultaneously claiming to represent Christ, it wreaks of hypocrisy, opening the door for men like Haggard's accuser.
Full disclosure: Although I disagree with some of Pastor Haggard's politics, I have personally benefitted from the ministry of his church. Last year an outstanding group of New Life student interns stayed at
AGM and volunteered at
Generation Xcel. And for the last month, the music of New Life's Desperation Band has been in
heavy rotation on my iTunes.
UPDATE: Matt just sent me this, regarding the review panel:
One of the four men who have to investigate and make the hard choices is the Pastor of the church that just hosted our Chain Reaction Weekend in Denver (Larksburg, CO), Tim Ralph. Pray for him and the rest of that council, and please keep the Haggard family in your prayers, that God will keep them from hardship through this process.
Topics: evangelical, media, politics, scandal, ted haggard | 3 Comments »
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November 6th, 2006 at 10:40 am
This is difficult stuff. I am reminded of this often quoted phrase from Dwight L. Moody, “There but for the grace of God go I.” We should all be reminded about how vile and dark the human heart is. When leaders lead from isolation difficult challenges can occur (and disaster as well). It is necessary for us do ask the difficult questions of each other and hold each other accountable. We cannot and should not dare to go it alone.
November 6th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
well i think that this is warning and a wakeup up call to all of us…i would like to qoute from this book that i picked up at a conference i heard Ted Haggard speak just days before the accusations… “Remember, God sometimes gives power to people for unseen reasons. a person can be living in the grossest of sin, and the outer gift will be working perfectly. the gifts of God can cannot be recalled…even in the presence of sin. Some people, living such lives, are the Lords anointed…in the Lords eyes. if you are young and you have never seen such things, you may be certain that sometime in the next forty years you will see. Highly gifted and very powerful men and women…reputed to be leaders in the kingdom of God, do some very dark and ugly deeds. (From a Tale of Three Kings)
God help us to be broken and inwarldy transsformed. Lets us stay the course. I pray for the Haggard family…i believe you will too.
November 7th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
I remember someone once said…”stop sinning while it is still a secret.”