Dressed in jeans and a white open collar shirt, Ted Haggard preached Sunday about love, community and giving at the first St. James service held at a commercial site.
About 350 people showed up for the service in Suite Bee of the Pikes Peak Center downtown.
“This feels a bit like the Clampetts,” Haggard told his congregation, referring to the family in the old sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies” that moved from the Ozark Mountains to a California mansion. “We just got out of the barn and now we’re downtown.”
Haggard incorporated St. James in May, and eight weeks ago presided over its first service, attended by about 160 people. The move to a commercial site was due to the growth of the congregation and also because Haggard’s home insurer won’t
Pastor Ted Haggard
He chose a downtown location because it’s in proximity to a wide demographic of Springs residents. “We are here because it’s in the heart of the city,” he said Sunday. “We are within a mile of some of the richest people in our state and some of the poorest.”
Sunday’s service drew a mix of teenagers, young families, the middle aged and the elderly. The congregation included many who attended New Life when Haggard was senior pastor, a position he quit in 2006 due to a gay sex scandal.
The St. James service had a casual, unrehearsed feel to it, and many congregants were dressed as if they were attending a social event, such as an afternoon neighborhood barbecue.
Haggard’s main theme at St. James has been that church leaders have become too judgmental. His sermons have focused on the importance of helping those who have fallen or struggled in life. “It’s God’s role to judge, the devil’s role to accuse and our role to encourage,” he said at the first St. James service.
Sunday’s sermon continued on that theme.
Haggard said during the service that St. James will be a bare-bones church. Referring to the visual theatrics he created during some New Life services, Haggard told the congregation that things will be different at the new church. “There is no smoke, no dancing lights, no show here,” he said.
Haggard told those gathered that donations would go toward helping one another. “Don’t give your offerings to a church corporation,” Haggard said. “Give it to people, not projects.”
During each St. James service, there is a time when a congregant is chosen to designate where a portion of the church’s offering from the past week will go. The congregant can designate a portion to go to a family member and someone outside the family.
On Sunday, a man’s name was drawn who designated that $264 of the church’s offering go to a close friend having health problems on the East Coast, and $807 go to St. James congregant and former New Life member Rudy Marmaro.
Marmaro is enduring major financial problems due to health issues.
“God is just phenomenal,” Marmaro said of the donation to him. “Every time you’re in the pit, God throws you a rope.”
Also in attendance Sunday was Art Fernandez, who began attending St. James two weeks ago.
Fernandez spent 24 months in prison for dealing drugs, he said, and was a drug user for decades before quitting three months ago. Haggard has been helping him stay clean, Fernandez, 45, said.
Fernandez feels comfortable at St. James.
“Here is my house and family,” he said.
Separation of church and state needn’t provide opportunities for religious predators to separate people from their money. Crass con artists like the Haggards are the reason why all churches need to be taxed and regulated. Let us prey.
Bob Lewis
I think a lot of people are going to the new church out of curiousity about Ted Haggard not to hear the word of God. This selection of people to receive money sounds very strange. I guess if you knew theres a possiblity of getting a handout you would go too. This sounds more like a bingo game or other game of chance rather than preaching.
Good to see he is back! He reaches people in a way other preachers can’t. He must be effective because of the vituperative comments he receives!
How much does Haggard pay the Gazette for all this coverage? If not Haggard, who? Surely there are a number of other churches, non profits, and businesses that would pay generously for the kind of treatment and coverage that the Gazette has given this con man.
Ted Haggard was my pastor and continues to be a friend. During dark seasons of sadness in my life he has been an encouragement along with his wife Gayle who is in my estimation a key part of this serving team…
I’m a guy with a graduate degree from a nationally ranked university. For ten years a small business was managed here in Colorado Springs and we attended New Life.
From what I’ve seen Brady Boyd and the good folks at New Life are now doing a wonderful job of serving the community.
So are countless other churches of various expressions and emphasis.
People migrate to where their needs are being met. That is axiomatic.
And a growing portion of the population want to experience community in something more like that seen after Jesus died and was resurrected.
I sure do.
And while my own life has been filled with more than a few detours and some sadness I’m reasonably gifted, intuitive and have been around the metaphorical block a few times.
This is not my first rodeo.
And Ted Haggard is not a con man.
Just saying…
Good job Ted!
I knew you could do it.
I had faith in you.
Ted, your playing a bingo game. Stop hurting New Life Church and the people in it.
Go back to hell.
It was a wonderful service and time this morning! There’s no conning going on and no stones being thrown! It’s the real deal!
Blessings to you, Pastor Ted and Gayle!
To those who are critical of Ted and St. James Church, what do you know about this man… is it ALL from the newspapers and TV? To those who feel they are still being hurt, have you gone to Ted and spoken with him face to face, I would suspect not. All of us who are without sin may be the only ones who are entitled to accuse Ted. I know I am not qualified, neither do I accuse him or you. I only ask YOU, Where does your authority to do so come from?
Thanks, Ted and Gayle for all that you had to endure and overcome I am glad that I am able to stand beside you and call you my friend.
I am needless to say I am shocked. “IF” you follow the Bible, it clearly states that a person in a position of authority – such as a Pastor – when they fail, they can be welcomed back into the fold. However, they cannot every preach from the pulpit or teach within the church framework.
If a CEO of a company used money from the company to have illicit sex. I seriously doubt the Board of Directors would have him back within their ranks. In corporate America that’s call embezzlement and you are fined and/or sent to prision.
As far as New Life, the Church is a joke. It is nothing more than a facade for Christianity. Singing songs and preaching for 20 minutes is not enough to make any lasting changes in peoples lives. Now you add a “mall-like” atmosphere with the food court and all…sheesh
Numbers have nothing to do with impact or success, it just means that people are gullible with little to no discernment.
I should feel sorry for those who are drinking the Ted Haggard, but then, they are choosing to follow a man who didn’t follow through on what he said he would do.
He just couldn’t stand to not be in the limelight, examine that one for starters.
Meant to say, Ted Haggard ‘kool aid’
Hey, Angela Jeffries, keep telling yourself that..repeat after Ted, repeat after Ted, repeat after Ted.
So many docile sheep, so little space… Ted will never reform, the money is too good, and in this town there are just too many gullible people ever so willing to be fleeced by hucksters and phony preachers who promise cheap grace.
look at all you ridiculous cynics with your stones – i would never pray the treatment the Haggards have had on you – and some of you may be more deserving.
Oh the hatred…..why do you who hate and judge find yourselves here “following” Ted Haggard. If you don’t want to know or hear about him don’t….for those of us who are saved by grace and not by works, we thank God for the resurrection of Ted and Gayle Haggard, means there is hope for us as well.
Time to time I read the Gazette. The last time I read about
Haggard, he said he wasn’t going to start a church. He was just having Bible Study. Today he’s having church. Did I miss something?
I agree with Misha about the limelight.
Can a person be addicted to the limelight…yes, note movie stars that have to do outrageous things to get attention.
Is there a recovery program for self-centeredness?
Way to go Ted!! I knew you would return and you have a way with preaching that is just awesome! Fully support you…..and we have been gone from THE SPRINGS for five years. We miss it, but especially miss your preaching. Awesome!
I became acquainted with Ted after his fall.
He’s for real and I admire him.
This is Art Fernandez, and there was a mistake in the information written. I have been attending the church for 3 month and I have been freed from the mental struggles and physical addiction for 3 months. The Haggards and my family are now family, this is the place where God used this man to intercede and to break away my addiction and bring healing to myself and my family. My family and I will continue to support this ministry
If only Ted had submitted to his restoration team and kept his agreement with New Life that he would not return to Colorado Springs. He was given a huge severance package, in part, because of that agreement. Does his word mean so little? If Ted had left the limelight, continued through the 5 year restoration process, and then came back a humbled man and started a church in any state other than Colorado, I’m sure people would be more open to accepting him as a leader. New Lifers need a chance to truly heal from his betrayal and that is very difficult when he is constantly finding ways to be in the media. Kind of like rubbing salt in the wound.
New Lifers need a chance to truly heal from his betrayal and that is very difficult when he is constantly finding ways to be in the media. Kind of like rubbing salt in the wound.
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Will be praying for you folks at NL.
Despues de haber asistido a varias iglesias en Colorado Spring solo una esta llenanado todas mis Expectativas en relacion a lo que es una verdadera relacion con Dios , lo que es una fructifera predicacion y como trabaja Dios en la vida de cada persona Es por eso que cada Domingo sea donde sea que el Pastor Haggard se encuentre predicando mi familia y yo estaremos en primera fila….
Way to go Haggards! For years it seems that some have tried to take the “good” out of the “good news.” This has led to what feels like angry preaching and doctrine. Thanks Ted for being a testimony to God’s grace given to a repentant man!
ONE!!!!!
“due to a gay sex scandal”?
Or was it due to sex with a prostitute while smoking METH and being head of the homophobic NAE preaching hatred for gay people, bearing false witness about his activities, violating his marriage vows and just about every other commandment?
This paper’s constant promotion of this hypocrite is VERY suspicious.
No, it was a gay sex scandal. No doubt to that! And talking about what God feels about homosexuality is not hate in any way. It is for the purpose of all people, including gay, make it to heaven. What Haggard is doing is far more damage than any other group to Christianity. And this sudden inrush of Haggard supporters here is very telling! What a shame.
If you understand what “ONE” means: write it here for support.
“We are within a mile of some of the richest people in our state and some of the poorest,” and he will take money from both.
Unbelievable. He’s a gay man still living in denial and people still want to give him money. I’m sure he appreciates help with his ridiculous mortgage – not exactly living like a pauper, is he?
This would all be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic. I can’t believe that there are people are so desperate to have someone, anyone lead and herd them like cattle without having to use there own judgment or common sense. What could this clown possibly have to say that anyone with a brain would listen to?
David Hannum (not P.T. Barnum as is mistakenly quoted) was right – There is a sucker born every minute.
Seriously, can we stop with the puns and double entendres in the headlines? Or is that part of how you sell this story by making references to Ted’s dirty deeds?
I wonder how many negative comments would be avoided by requiring people to own their words, using their real names to post comments. The paper can easily use a service that allows commenters to sign in with their facebook accounts, and each post made links to the facebook page of the person who said it. I think that would eliminate a lot of negativity.
To those whining about their “hurts” and “pains” caused by Ted… get over it! Stop whining. Stop being such a baby! If you elevated a mere mortal to a place where his fall can “hurt” you, perhaps the lesson needing learned is to only place God in that place. Ted Haggard is a men. Men are sinful. Are you surprised when a hen lays an egg? Then why be surprised that mortal men sin?
Ted Haggard is a great example of God’s grace in action. I am glad to have known him, and proud of what God is using him to do now.
Those who aren’t…. click up there in the top corner of your browser. Exit the program. Turn off the computer. Go outside and play. Breathe a little.
Well said, Donny Pauling!!!
“God’s grace in action”? What a load!
I can hear the moo-ing from here…
Has anyone seen this . . ?? I nearly fell out of my chair I was laughing so hard!
It’s a parody on the Haggard Church.
http://www.blip.tv/file/3928433
The sad part of discussions like this is that some people resort to personal attacks or vitriolic responses. I’ve known Ted and Gayle 10 years and we attended New Life. There isn’t a Scriptural principle for “shunning” people.
As a follower of Jesus i believe if the work is valid it will last.
By the way New Life Church seems to be doing to a great job and it isn’t right to indict them.
There is plenty of hurt to go around. And there is room for all the houses of worship in town.
Thanks, Butch. I just tried to put a nice little note of enouragement here and someone chose to “call me out”. I learned on a previous article that debate is a waste of time unfortunately. I had been judged and convicted as a “friend of Ted”, a zombie, a cow, a sheep, a lemming, etc so nothing I could say would be listened to! But of course, I can proudly say “I am FAMILY of Ted and Gayle” and that’s even better! And again, better a sheep than a goat!
@ william……I’m not sure if I should like it or not. All I can say is……wow.
Now he claims his same sex experience was a massage gone awry. How many straight dudes have ever had a massage go THAT awry? This claim makes him seem either delusional or unable to tell the truth.
Nonetheless, he should be free to run a Church and folks should be free to attend if they desire. If Fred Phelps can have a tax-exempt Church then Ted Haggard should be able to have one, too. He doesn’t even come close to the vile of Fred Phelps.
The only caracter on The Beverly Hillbillies the describes Haggard is the bank president “Mr. Drysdale”. He was a gready S.O.B who was only interested in money.
Man, what a bunch of … I can’t form the right word. I agree with Donny, grow up and get over it. If those at NLC are still bothered by what Ted did, then they are at fault for putting a man up ‘high’ … to a place reserved for God. I attended NLC for several years and never heard Ted say ‘ put me on a pedestal’ I knew he was just a man like each one of us and has the ability to make mistakes.
I want to ask each of you who are critical… are you prepared to face the SAME ? How long would you last….? so don’t throw stones in glass houses!
It makes me REALLY SICK to see these supporters of Ted Haggard telling people that he hurt to “Just get over it” and “Stop whining”. How pathetic and sick can you get? God NEVER talked like that, and He never told YOU to act like that. Shows how truly mentally ill these so-called followers of this fraud can be! You people are sickening.
This is a open letter to Ted haggard
In the book of Revelation Jesus commended the church of Ephesus for “testing those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.” Jesus also said “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them”
So examining your fruit I have some concern about you. If i am in error please correct me, explain my error to me.
1 You did not submit to church authority by not completing your restoration. For years you preached on chain of command, submitting to those in authority above you and when it came to be your time to do so you did not.
2 You continue to lie I have two examples of this if I misunderstood please correct me. I read this in the news paper “Some of his counselors said Haggard promised them he would not start a new church in Colorado Springs. When the couple held prayer meetings in their home last fall, the Rev. H.B. London, who chaired Haggard’s restoration committee, expressed disappointment.
“When you think of the ethics of that, it, to me, just defies explanation,” said London, a vice president at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, at the time.”
You not only broke your promise but lied. Second example you said this about Nancy Pelosi “As we were going through this time of pain, we received word through Alexandra that Nancy was communicating to us, words like, “God is bigger than this.” She would repeatedly [say], “My mom wants you to know that God is bigger than this.” The House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office had issued this statement “The Speaker and Ted Haggard never met and they never spoke. The Speaker has never talked to her daughter, Alexandra, about Mr. Haggard. This account is simply not true.” Again maybe I am misunderstanding the situation
3 I Timothy 3:1-7 gives us the qualifications for a pastor lets look at these requirements and see if you meet the standards, again if I am wrong please show me my error. Above reproach ? NO Faithful to his wife? NO Self controlled? NO Good reputation? NO World speaks well of him? NO . You also drug the name of Jesus and the Church threw the mud and by your actions continue to do so.
Your long time friend C Peter Wagner said this about you leading a church again “He said in his letter to his congregation after he was fired that he is a liar and deceiver,” Wagner said, adding that because Haggard didn’t finish the restoration program, he’s not fit to preach.- C Peter Wagnerr
I beg of you to repent, rember what you taught on repenting “ repent is the most positive word in the Bible” I love you my dear friend and I am verey concred that once again you are surrounding yourself with people who only agree with you and you have no true accountability.
So good to see him coming back. We all are human…and in flesh we do make mistakes, we do get into temptations but the best part is when we repent and come back to HIS Throne where we get LOVE, PEACE and FORGIVENESS. As human we are so good at criticising others but we don’t see ourselves in mirror. I believe not only NLC but Pastor himself alongwith his family went through a lot but GOD RESTORES. Pastor we love you and can’t wait to see u preaching. You preached the WORD that still bearing fruit. God is always in your side.
charles luther brumm
Galatians 6:1-5 (New King James Version)
Galatians 6
Bear and Share the Burdens
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
My understand of this passage is it is those who are spiritual to help restore such a person like Mr. Haggard. It seems, that Mr. Haggard declare himself to be restore. Which seems to come into conflict with this passage.
A Jamshaid, Haggard does deserve LOVE, PEACE and FORGIVENESS, and he has gotten these. The thing he DOESN’T Deserve is to EVER lead a church again. God’s word warns us (and him) about this, but he is not listening to God, and apparently neither are you.
Galatians 6:1-5 (New King James Version)
Galatians 6
Bear and Share the Burdens
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
A few things I would like to point out about this passage.
1. If the person, who has been overtaken by sin, surrender to leader above him in order to be restore. That person then surrender, their rights to return to a leadership position without those leaders, who are to restore him permission. Why? Because the person who is surrender is saying he/she can not help themselves and need these people help to be restore back to Christ.
2. Those who leader in charge of restoring such a person. Must do it in a spirit of gentleness, the reason sin is a very strong influences. An when you help carry someone else’s burdens, their temptation can open a door for the leaders to tempted.
3. Before making such a decision on parties versus 3-5 needs to be consider.
Now how does this relate to the Mr. Haggard and His Wife in starting a new Church for God. Here are some question for people to ask themselves.
1. Did Mr. Haggard and His Wife voluntary surrender their healing process to leaders as we see in Galatians 6:1? Yes or No
2. By permitted, Mr. Haggard and His Wife to voluntary surrender, their healing process to them , did these leader accept the responsibility of restoring, Mr. Haggard and His Wife, to Christ and back to a leadership position? Yes or No
3. Under Galatians 6:1 whose job is it to decide when Mr. Haggard and His Wife were ready to be restore to a leadership position? Mr. Haggard and His Wife or those that are called to spiritual restore them
4. Did Mr. Haggard and His Wife, disobey God and those who they voluntary surrender to, when they left with out permission? Yes or No
5. By starting up this Church, with out being properly spiritual restore by those, who Mr. Haggard and His Wife voluntary surrender that authorized to, are Mr. Haggard and His Wife in violation of God’s Word and these leaders? Yes or No
I will be honest by follow in the Haggard story from his fall to know, here are my answer to the question
1. Did Mr. Haggard and His Wife voluntary surrender their healing process to leaders as we see in Galatians 6:1?
Yes, they made the decision to move to AZ for help, they surrender to Galatians 6:1 and the leadership, that was chosen to took on the responsibility of restoring them back to Christ and back to a leadership position.
2. By permitted, Mr. Haggard and His Wife to voluntary surrender, their healing process to them , did these leader accept the responsibility of restoring, Mr. Haggard and His Wife, to Christ and back to a leadership position?
Yes, When these leaders accepted to help Mr. Haggard and His Wife, they accept the responsibility of restoring, them to Christ and back to a leadership position as seen in Galatians 6:1-5
3. Under Galatians 6:1 whose job is it to decide when Mr. Haggard and His Wife were ready to be restore to a leadership position? Mr. Haggard and His Wife or those that are called to spiritual restore them.
I am sorry but Mr. Haggard and His Wife are wrong per Galatians 6:1, it is not their position to decide when they are ready to return to a leadership position. That responsibility falls under the control of the Leadership (who were selected by God to help them), they surrender that decision to them..
4. Did Mr. Haggard and His Wife, disobey God and those who they voluntary surrender to, when they left with out permission? Yes or No
The answer is yes, since they left without permission of the leadership.
5. By starting up this Church, with out being properly spiritual restore by those, who Mr. Haggard and His Wife voluntary surrender that authorized to, are Mr. Haggard and His Wife in violation of God’s Word and these leaders? Yes or No
I am sorry but the answer is Yes, Like it or not Mr. Haggard and His Wife are in violation of God’s Word and these leaders. The moment, Mr. Haggard and His Wife surrender to Galatians 6:1, they surrender their rights to God and the leadership selected to help restore them. The moment , Mr. Haggard and His Wife, left without permission, they have broken God’s Word again. The moment, Mr. Haggard and His Wife, took on a leadership position again, they have broken God’s Word again.
Those who support Mr. Haggard and His Wife, I know you do not like this. But the issue is God’s Word being broken again by Mr. Haggard and His Wife after they surrender to it. Galatians 6:1 has been broken by Mr. Haggard and His Wife.
pastor roy and jamshaid….you are both correct. There should be no contention among us and yet we still see people following a man…what is seriously wrong with this? No explanation needed…NONE. The Scriptural references you both provided are adequate enough. Sad sad sad!
Forgive me folks…jamshaid…I was wrong…I mis-quoted you….NO! No! NO! He does not deserve a chance according to God’s Word…pastor roy…YOU are correct in your references from the Bible. Enough said…
rpg, oh my we agree on something… now that is a shocker
Pastor Roy, really? Do you not have anything better to do. You are the same “Pastor” who refused to tell me the name of your church. Why are you so deceitful that you will not own your words, by giving your full name, but that you come in so discouraging and nay sayer about how God feels about his people, including the Haggards. Get yourself a hobby, you really have too much time on your hands to give so much of your hidden self to this blog.
The Church Age (0033-1988) is over! Christ has abandoned the local congregations over 22 years ago, and installed satan to rule. The True Believers were commaned to flee spiritual ‘Babylon’, the churches (Rev 18). Salvation is not possible in a local congregation. We are 42 weeks from the Rapture/Judgment Day, on May 21, 2011.
“If any man have an ear, let him hear” Rev 13:9
Lisa Vanbebber why are you so judgemental?
you seem to have no problem judging those of us who disagree with what Haggard is doing, why is that?
Pastor Roy, what’s the name of your church…..how is that being judgemental? Answer the question sir!
Lisa, you are very much treading on the thin ice of being a stalker. NO ONE should EVER give their names or personal information on these posts! I am not a big fan of pastor here and I have found him to be wrong on many levels about the way he posts to people, but I would never agree with ever giving out his information. For you to actually ask is very suspect. It may be a lot better place to be here if there was much less of pastor and none of you here.
Lisa Vanbebber says:
July 29, 2010 at 5:15 pmPastor Roy, what’s the name of your church…..how is that being judgemental? Answer the question sir!
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As I told you before, I do not answer that question. The reason is we have some very bad people here in the past that try to find my church to cause trouble.. We one person who try to find out where lived to cause trouble. That is why I do not share that information. I am sorry.
Why are you so judgemental toward people, who are do not believe Haggard has done the right thing?
Richard B. – It may be a lot better place to be here if there was much less of pastor and none of you here.
I get the message Richard B Pastor signinng out.
One of the disciples said, “Why do I do the things I don’t want to do and the things I should do..I don’t.
Now here is a guy that knows Jesus. so “He that is without sin..let him cast the first stone”
God is still working on Ted, just like He’s still working on you and me.
If Ted brings one sinner to the saving grace of Christ then Hallelujah.
I think he has seen his sin and will not promote any homosexual lifestyle.
The church should be like a hospital..the sick need healing and love..not condemnation.
It’s sad that most churches tell us how to act, what to do, how to talk and how much to give. That’s not what church is about.
OK, we can say, “God says,” do not forsake the gathering up of ourselves”..True, but what’s the real deal..do we act according to one’s concept as how we should act or do we love unconditionally. Do we gather up ourselves to worship in the Holy Spirit or do we do what somebody told us who also has sin in their life.
Sorry, but, I haven’t seen this “love unconditionally ” in reference to Ted.
The bottom line is to let the Holy Spirit lead not some preconceived notion of someone’s idea of how to act, and talk. When in doubt look in the manual “THE BIBLE”