Megachurch leader stepping down

Evangelical pastor compared sex scandal to Kerry

RAW STORY
Published: Friday November 3, 2006

In an interview with KABC shortly after he was accused of having an affair with a gay prostitute and using methamphetamines, Evangelical leader Rev. Ted Haggard denied claims about him made by a male prostitute.

During his appearance, which may be heard below, Haggard compares his sex scandal to the calls on Senator Kerry to apologize for "botching" a joke about the Iraq war.

"We live in a crazy world," Rev. Haggard said, "as you know, John Kerry said some things and we all know he didn't mean what they're saying he meant."

On air, Haggard denied knowing accuser Mike Jones, having ever had gay sex or using any type of illegal drug. It has since been reported that he admitted to his overseers at New Life Church that some of the accusations against him were true.

The interview came before he resigned from his posts last night (see earlier report on RAW STORY).
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Evangelical_pastor_compares_sex_scandal_to_1103.html

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Wuhoh. This guy has massive name rec. amongst the Evangelicals.

Cycloptichorn

Haggard needs a handler! QUICK! His story is changing hourly.

(I'm wondering if Jones reported his income from Haggard. Someone will likely be looking into his tax returns soon.)

This story stinks. Mrs. Haggard probably is a bit upset. At least Haggard made a good point about the lies being told about Kerry who most certainly did NOT mean to disparage our troops on the ground in Iraq. But what is most upsetting is he reaches millions of evangelicals with his anti- gay marriage stance. That hypocrisy is infuriating and causes so much pain for gays. Homophobic homosexuals are truly disgusting and we now see how many hypocritical, homophobic homosexual lawmakers there are in the Republican party.

Disgraced pastor fired by church

RAW STORY
Published: Saturday November 4, 2006

Embattled Evangelical Rev. Ted Haggard, who admitted yesterday to purchasing methamphetamines and soliciting a 'massage' from a gay escort, has been removed from his position at the New Life Church, according to a statement released by the church on Saturday.

While Haggard announced a leave of absence from the New Life Church on Friday, he was officially fired by the church board Saturday afternoon.

Excerpts from the New Life Church statement:

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"We, the Overseer Board of New Life Church, have concluded our deliberations concerning the moral failings of Pastor Ted Haggard. Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct.

The language of our church bylaws state that as Overseers we must decide in cases where the Senior Pastor has "demonstrated immoral conduct" whether we must "remove the pastor from his position or to discipline him in any way they deem necessary."

In consultation with leading evangelicals and experts familiar with the type of behavior Pastor Haggard has demonstrated, we have decided that the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal.In addition, the Overseers will continue to explore the depth of Pastor Haggard's offense so that a plan of healing and restoration can begin.

Pastor Haggard and his wife have been informed of this decision. They have agreed as well that he should be dismissed and that a new pastor for New Life Church should be selected according to the rules of replacement in the bylaws. That process will begin immediately in hopes that a new pastor can be confirmed by the end of the year 2006. In the interim, Ross Parsley will function as the leader of the church with full support of the Overseers.

A letter of explanation and apology by Pastor Haggard as well as a word of encouragement from Gayle Haggard will be read in the 9:00 and 11:00 service of New Life Church."