Ted Haggard

[Dedicated Mind]

Ted Haggard, the mega church pastor caught with a male prostitute and with a 22 year old male member of his church is now starting a new church in colorado springs.

http://www.denverpost.com/commented/...commented-news

question: Can fallen pastors like Haggard and Swaggart be rehabilatated or should they stay retired? Are they more broken and more sensitive to broken people or are they career ministers who have no other choice but to preach?

[oletime]

Stay retired , be a servant and submitt to another pastor

[Jeffrey]

I'm not sure.

I think what is wise, for the sake of Christianity not being a stumblingblock, and the national spotlight of these sins, it may be best to be in a supportive role.

Of course, the whole picture of Christianity is one of the fallen being redeemed. But what makes this hard for an unbeliever, is that the person was discovered to be a hypocrite. Though repented (we believe), it's very difficult.

David fell and was still the radiant and might man "after God's own heart." The same with Peter, the same with Noah, Abraham, Jonah, etc...

[edjen01]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

Ted Haggard, the mega church pastor caught with a male prostitute and with a 22 year old male member of his church is now starting a new church in colorado springs.

http://www.denverpost.com/commented/...commented-news

question: Can fallen pastors like Haggard and Swaggart be rehabilatated or should they stay retired? Are they more broken and more sensitive to broken people or are they career ministers who have no other choice but to preach?

i do not believe that sin can be "rehabilatated" from...but it can be confessed, forgiven & remitted.

however, since these men did serve in a public office and held public trust...I believe they should work at becoming people of character so they are again worthy of that public trust. I do not believe their sin makes them any more sensitive to others...other than to strip their pride & the humility that comes with that.

People are drawn to leaders and these men will draw people no matter if they are on a public or private scale.

[pelathais]

"... no plans for a reality TV show..."

That's kind of a sad commentary on our times, the fact that such a thing would even be asked under these circumstances.

If he stays faithful to his wife, if he has truly dropped the drugs that appear to have fueled his bizarre sexcapades and if he can truly help other "broken people" - then we'll see. But personally, I'm tired of this show already.

[Sam]

I think we have to go to the Bible for that.

David was a man after God's own heart. God chose him to be king over Israel and to be the father/sire/ancestor for His own Son who would some day come as a man to rule over the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.

David started off well, but failed. He committed adultery and murder and lied to cover it up. If David could be restored, cleansed, and forgiven then there is hope for some of the rest of us. I guess we need to look at whether David was ever effective for God after that or not. Do we accept any of the stuff he wrote after his fall as being inspired of God and Scripture? Do we accept any of his lineage born after his little tryst with Bath Sheba as proper for the lineage of the Son of God? Was David set aside and replaced by someone else in the program of God?

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Sam

I think we have to go to the Bible for that.

David was a man after God's own heart. God chose him to be king over Israel and to be the father/sire/ancestor for His own Son who would some day come as a man to rule over the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.

David started off well, but failed. He committed adultery and murder and lied to cover it up. If David could be restored, cleansed, and forgiven then there is hope for some of the rest of us. I guess we need to look at whether David was ever effective for God after that or not. Do we accept any of the stuff he wrote after his fall as being inspired of God and Scripture? Do we accept any of his lineage born after his little tryst with Bath Sheba as proper for the lineage of the Son of God? Was David set aside and replaced by someone else in the program of God?

Yes Sam, the facts sure do get in the way of our humanity doesn't it??? I pray that Ted has truly repented and committed to living Godly in this present world. He is flawed like David and the rest of us, but it sure goes against our grain, maybe because we don't trust ourselves????

[GraceAmazing]

To be honest, I am not sure how I feel about this...I do believe in restoration, forgiveness, repentance and restoration again...but I am not sure about starting a church in the same town...or about starting a church at all...I do not think it is a biblical issue so much with me....more about respect? Does that make sense? probably not....I don't know...need to think about this....

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by GraceAmazing

To be honest, I am not sure how I feel about this...I do believe in restoration, forgiveness, repentance and restoration again...but I am not sure about starting a church in the same town...or about starting a church at all...I do not think it is a biblical issue so much with me....more about respect? Does that make sense? probably not....I don't know...need to think about this....

The qualificatons of an elder, one of them is blameless.

Spiritual oversight is a matter of mutual submission and trust. That will be hard for Ted.

[GraceAmazing]

I do agree with that Jeffrey...I think submission is hard for a lot of ministers....