Ted Haggard told me today he will hold his first church gathering (and he says that is the proper terminology) Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at his Colorado Springs home.
Haggard and Jones
Here it is in full:
Ted Haggard certainly has the right to do what ever he wants and deserves to be happy in life. But make no mistake: Ted does nothing by accident. This will be in the press, two months before Gayle’s book is released and then his book to follow. At this point, publicity is publicity.
But to sum it up, if Ted and Gayle were at Disneyland,they would never leave Fantasyland. But this time they have Oprah as Tinkerbell to spread the fairy dust.
Mike Jones
Will you attend Haggard’s church? Please explain why below.
Ted Haggard will have 1,000 people attending his new church by early 2010… and that’s not a good thing.
I plan on attending his services because he is hot. If I work it right, I too will end up in bed with him…..And Ted—I am not a meth head like your former paid hooker.
“…they have Oprah as Tinkerbell to spread the fairy dust.”
Sounds like Mike is bitter about all of that fairy dust he can’t snort before turning his tricks; but really, he exceeded his FDL (fairy-dust limit) long ago.
There’s not many things less impressive than a has-been man-whore simpering and sniping about his former clients…and I’m somewhat disinclined to even contemplate the types of things that DO impress Mr. Jones.
It’s puzzling why you’ve afforded him any relevance at all.
[...] Mike Jones, the gay man who turned Haggard in, had this to say about Haggard on his blog: [...]
I don’t have any respect for a “meth-head whore,” but I think what he said it right on. Ted does everything calculated. Inviting people to his house? They probably have another place rented and there will be signs from the house to the event. I am a long time follower of the National Associate of Evangelicals and a devout Christian very familiar with Ted. I even watched the Oprah special that he did with his wife last spring and I saw a guy who still doesn’t feel guilty. Even when they panned to his kids in the audience they looked like they hated him. He spent the evening trying to control the room. He sat there blaming the church about not letting him heal. Are you kidding me? You built your kingdom and couldn’t fathom that somebody could take you off of your throne. Ted, I hope you repent because you certainly are not a follower of Christ and shouldn’t be leading others. You have caused irreparable harm to those who follow Jesus Christ. Go climb under a rock and beg forgiveness of your poor wife and children, and STAY THERE!!!
This whole situation is a circus. Mike Jones got his 15 minutes; Ted Haggard got what was coming to him. I used to feel sorry for the wife, but she did her wifely duty and stuck with him.
I think they should all be allowed to get on with their lives…but please, keep them out of mine. I don’t need them in the news anymore, it’s just irritating now.
This is too soon for everyone. Too soon for Ted to be restored, fully. To soon for his wife to be healed , too soon for New Lifers and for all of the Springs. This takes way more time to heal our wounds.
I think it is sad because I don’t believe Ted Haggard has gotten the help he needs and I wonder if that far away crash I here isn’t Ted Haggards next fall.
When the starting point in the conversation is about “attending Ted Haggard’s church” we lose sight of the scriptural emphasis that it’s Jesus’ church. We’ll guilty of allowing one person’s personality, charisma, and flaws to shape our opinion of the church of Christ.
Ben, you’re spot on, bro!
I, too, believe that Ted, who can’t stand a moment out of the limelight, just couldn’t take being there anymore. He is a calculating, opportunistic narcissist.
Mark my words, he will be exposed (or he will expose himself [no pun intended]) again.
I’m just stunned at the celebrity worship there is in the Western Church.
WW, you’re correct in saying that THE Church belongs solely to Jesus.
This, however, is nothing more than the “Church of Ted Haggard,” where is worshipers are free to speak of his “courage,” when, in reality, he’s full of nothing but gall.
I am totally disgusted by this. I attended New Life for several years and in many ways I was blessed by some of the teachings that I received. One of the things that ted was big on teaching was that we all need to be accountable for our actions. We need to own the choices we make and the repercussions that follow. In 3 years I have seen no evidence that he has put into practice any of that.
He blew off his “restoration”, he lied when asking for money, he broke his agreement to not discuss the matter. he broke the agreement that he would not come back to colorado springs and now he has broken his agreement to not start another church in colorado springs. In my way of thinking anyone who is idiot enough to put thier trust in a man who who has broken every trust imaginable gets what they deserve. I for one will not be attending the “prayer” meeting.
Lord help us!
Why is everyone allowing this announcement to make them so upset? If you don’t think he’s doing the right thing then, do YOUR own thing, go to another church, don’t go to church, whatever. Just get on with your life! Everyone’s belly-aching about how he broke his promise to do this or do that. Duh! He doesn’t care. He’s going to do what he’s going to do. He’s not at New Life any more and doesn’t have to live his life by their rules or guidelines any more. He can do what he freaking wants! If you don’t want do join in, then don’t but, just shut up about it already!
well if we all shut up about it then you wouldn’t have anything to belly-ache about . you obviously have a need and a right to state your opinion as do the others here. So rather than you getting upset over people getting upset how about if you get on with your life ?
Ted’s spiritual state is between him and God, and I believe anyone that wants to judge him, may certainly step up, rock in hand and let it rip, sinless persons first in line please! If anyone chooses to show up for a prayer meeting or church service under his teaching, then maybe he has something pertinent to share with them. Maybe they don’t feel welcome at the “pretty people” churches, and there is a valid reason that they don’t. You know, Ted could’ve bailed on his wife and kids and holed up somewhere with a sugar daddy that wanted an ex-evangelist in his bed, but he chose to stay and work. He could’ve started a “Gay” church in San Francisco, and probably made a nice living, but I saw the documentary of him out hoofin’ it, door to door to make a few bucks for his family, and I’ll give him credit for that. Maybe if some of his former flock had had some true discernment, maybe they could’ve stepped out of their comfort zone and called him out before it all blew up. It’s not discernment “after the fact”.
Btw, I’m a believer, not gay, and not a fan of Ted’s. On a business note: Mike Jones should’ve kept his mouth shut, or at least quiet, who would want to risk going to him for “bidness” now? He kisses and tells!
[...] speaking of Mike Jones, the church volunteer Lothario had this to say about Haggard’s interloping with a home church service: Ted Haggard certainly has the right [...]
So Mike Jones is a prostitute and occasional methhead – at least he doesn’t pretend to be anything else than what he is. Does he sneak around under cover of darkness to indulge his double life? Don’t think so. Mike just serviced his clients, who came to him of their own free will. He never made them feel guilt or promised them anything he couldn’t deliver, but gave his clients what they were looking for. What is more honest than that? Don’t attack someone for speaking the truth, even if you can’t stomach it. Eventually we all have to face reality, no matter how much we try not to. Ted set himself up for this all on his little own. The sad thing is that he obviously hasn’t learnt his lesson. America needs more Mikes and fewer Teds – i.e. a little more honesty and a little less religion.
Will gays be allowed in his church? If so, can they be openly gay?
Good question, Maggie. I will ask him.
Every pervert will be welcomed and the church will be little New Life with a gay pastor leading. A disgrace to the family of believers.
No wonder we are laughed at…we will follow and fall.
ted on Oprah: blaming the church-not many know that ted wrote the bylaws himself that got him removed from his position. Why is that the church’s fault? he set himself up for dismisal, not the church. NLC went above and beyond to help him afterward. ted never came to the church to apologize, or anything. he just left. How is that the church’s fault? Many people did not get closure because ted just left. NLC is strong today because they are there for Jesus’s church, not ted haggards church. he also trudged door to door selling life insurance because at that time, if you listened to ted’s explanation, is that no one else would hire him. That is no surprise.
Ted started New Life Church in his house and he will start this church and thousands of gullible idiots will flock to it.
So the comment or blog from a Meth Head Prostitute is supposed to mean something. Why can alcholics go back to managing companies, drug addicts lead business and start families. But Christians who fall into sin are not allowed to go back to what God had called them. This man stayed 5 years in a program and then received the blessing to and removed restrictions. He went through the proper channels. Some people could not pass 3 year of probation let alone 5 years. Good Job Ted!
A sad day indeed. He needs to go away.
I’m unimpressed with Mike Jones. But I am impressed with Haggard. The poor guy went through public humiliation like no one has seen in this generation, and he’s bouncing back. That’s the Lord man. Deal with it.
I’ve been down the path Ted has gone. It’s not easy. They public think they know, but have no real idea the pain, agony and suffering you cause yourself first, the shame and hopelessness, but somehow you don’t give up. Gayle is amazing. Reading these posts, I’m appalled at the anger people have when it really isn’t their own business. People think they ‘know’ what Ted is thinking. No one does. Somehow Ted appears to think he needs to be available to others who are suffering due to something in their lives. No one can fault that. I’ve said that if he starts a church, I’d go and probably will. When you fall like Ted did, you learn tons about yourself, your mate, your family, your thinking and your God. You find out He’s still there and knew this was going to happen from the start. No one can know what they future will bring, what will happen, if Ted will succeed or fail. I only wish I had the grit Ted does.
Now I hope the Gazette will leave him and his family alone. I hope people will stop pointing a finger and realize they have three fingers pointing right back at themselves.
Can you please ask Mr. Haggard one thing?
If he expects it to be a small gathering with friends, why did he tell a reporter? If your intent is to keep it small, you don’t publicize it. And if the people attending are your friends, they wouldn’t spread the word.
His actions belie his stated intent (or lack thereof).
It is ashamed God is used to make a profit or gain popularity.
People’s pain and hurts and needs should never be used to “subsidize” a lifestyle. Yes it is a hard way, but we should offer God and His gifts for free not for personal gain. This is God’s heart. This is true ministry.
Peter denied Jesus publicly thrice. How long did it take for him to get restored. David’s sins were worse than Ted’s. Was he put on a 5 year restoration plan? Who are we to decide how long it takes for a man to get restored? Church, grow up! Show some maturity and grace.
It is perhaps of little consequence how I or anyone else evaluates Ted and Gayle Haggard. What is of absolute importance, though, is what Jesus thinks. For He is the one who will judge us all.
In the Sermon on the Mount, He said, “If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! ” — Matthew 6:23. He also said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kindom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ — Matthew 7:21-23.
God bless you Ted and Gayle. This will be harder than you think with condemnation coming from within and without the church. What is better than a story of grace, forgiveness and restoration? Probably everyone who is complaining about them need grace for their own lives. Let’s pray they get it.
To all of you who are Christians. Please relax…his wife stands with him, his children do as well. He has openly confessed and sought forgiveness, he has hidden from no one. Just pray that your worst moment is no worse than his, pray that it is not as publicly exposed, and pray that you are treated more mercifully than he your words here.
it’s usually about the money … as most things are (especially if someone says it isn’t about the money).
Is it possible God is calling to lead a new church? Hopefully it wasn’t Ted that built his last church (although it certainly is possible) and hopefully he won’t build this one.
This is to Ben’s earlier comment. If you’re a Christian you should know that isn’t the message of Christ. Do you think you’re worthy of forgiveness of your sin and Ted should “crawl under a rock, and stay there”?
Evangelicoes in America always lie about God.
They talk forgiveness but lie about it.
They prove that the love they preach is not true and
America is a casualiaty of the lies they spill.
Perhaps it is time for them to remember Haggard
is a child of the movement and to stop casting stones.
Ted is a huge hippocrite. He destroyed a lot of people through his indescretions. Who knows what a preacher is doing behind closed doors? He misled thousands of people who trusted him. The president of the evangelical society? What a joke! He should be crucified. He was supposed to be an example to people to lead people to do the right thing and all this time he was leading a double idenity? How could he live with himself? Yes God forgives those who ask for it as Im sure he has in private. Put him with the rest of the profiteering evangelical preachers who took advantage of people by accepting their tithing in good faith. He should repay all the parishioners their tithing. He is nothing but a blue collar criminal who is greedy and selfish. He USED preaching as his way to make money… that is the lowest of the lows. He is a tool for Satan not Jesus Christ.
Ted did many things wrong. It’s not a surprise to me when a person gives in to their dark desires. Money, power and greed (which he had) leads to pride and arrogance. Left unchecked this can lead us all to our fall. Do I hate Ted? no. Should I forgive him? I don’t have a choice. Everything I have seen happened just as it should have. If someone would have accused Ted with knowledge we all know now Ted would have destroyed them. Ted accused himself, and the overseers that Ted put into positions of authority over him had no choice but to carry out the instructions in the bylaws that Ted wrote. This is Ted’s fall. He has disqualified himself from a pastoral leadership role. He can now attempt to start a new church playing on the sympathy that he was persecuted by fellow Christians and some people will join, especially those who feel they have been wronged by the church themselves. I have been in meetings with Ted; he is a spin master and does nothing by accident. The big issue I have is that if Ted becomes a “Pastor” starting a “Church” this would mean that the congregation submits to his authority. If it’s a bible study he will deny that he is seeking authority over anyone. That will just naturally change over time as he leads and others follow. I used to hear Ted preach that if he fell into sin and was relieved of his duties that he would just deliver milk or get a job at McDonalds. What he says and what he does is two different things.
Ted is not a man of his word thus he can not be trusted. Wwhen I worked for him he lied often in his books and sermons. One of his sayings was that if a pastor leaves his church they should move an hour away in order not to hurt his church. Ted can not be trusted. He is either liar or crazy.
I don’t think Ted Haggard really dealt honestly with himself and those who counseled him in his post-scandal rehabilitation. When I saw him on the Oprah show and other interviews, he said that he is a “SPECIAL CASE”. His drug-filled homosexual affair was not like anyone else’s. His homosexual tendencies are not ordinary. Until he stops seeing himself as a special case he will not be truly habilitated or forgiven by people in this community. He is a man with an oversized ego and pride that is not worthy of anyone who calls himself a christian.
Haggard is a very selfish man. I believe that his worst addiction of all is the “limelight”. I don’t think that he has any business being in church leadership of any kind, he screwed up and it would take a very long time to earn that back…not 3 yrs. He cannot stay away from the camera, never would I want to be lead by a man that is so hungry for the spotlight and media attention. That is purely self-serving. And I agree with some of the statements above in that he is a smart man, very calculating and I don’t think that much in his timing is by accident. Scary.
[...] Mike Jones, the gay man who turned Haggard in, had this to say about Haggard on his blog: [...]