Ted’s Dangerous Adventure
Just when you think Ted Haggard may have gone away, he reappears. This time he explains to the Wall Street Journal that he “over-repented” for his sins of employing a homosexual prostitute and use of methamphetamine. Biblically speaking, Haggard is disqualified from serving as a pastor (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). But for men like Haggard, the Scriptures are never the final source of authority. Feelings and personal experience are the final court of arbitration. Being a pastor is his therapy. Haggard refers to the sin which humiliated his church and shamed the name of Christ as “my crisis.” My crisis. I cannot find the words.
Anyway, Ted has started a new church near the one he devastated by his sin. Haggard’s justification is simple and, as it turns out, is all about him:
“Tiger Woods needs to golf. Michael Vick needs to be playing football. Ted Haggard needs to be leading a church.”
It is hard to find words to describe Ted’s chutzpa. “Ted Haggard needs to be leading a church.” Well, how can one argue with such a justification? In Ted’s world, leading the church is not about shepherding the flock of God. Rather, “leading a church” is about personal destiny. It is about the needs of the leader. But of course, Ted’s commitment to his needs is what got him into so much trouble to begin with.
Oh, and just to assure us that he is now authentic and humble, pastor Haggard informs us, “I cuss now.” How reassuring.
