Ted Haggard Begins Spiritual Rehabilitation Process
Following US evangelical leader Ted Haggard's recent confession of "sexual immorality", the disgraced pastor has agreed to a rehabilitation process that could last three to five years.
by Kevin Donovan
Posted: Thursday, November 9, 2006, 8:57 (GMT)
Following US evangelical leader Ted Haggard's recent confession of "sexual immorality", the disgraced pastor has agreed to a rehabilitation process that could last three to five years.
"I see success approximately 50 per cent of the time," said H.B. London, vice president for church and clergy at Focus on the Family, the conservative Christian ministry in Colorado Springs. "Guys just wear out and they can no longer subject themselves to the process."
Haggard was president of the National Association of Evangelicals and senior pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs until last week, when a Denver man said Haggard paid him for sex nearly every month for three years and sometimes took methamphetamine during the encounters.
Although Haggard denied having sex with the man, he admitted buying meth but said he threw it away unused. He resigned from the NAE and days later was fired from his church.
London, who is not involved in Haggard's restoration, said the process will demand honesty from Haggard and determination from his overseers.
"It cannot be just a matter of friendship. It will have to become almost a confrontational relationship," he said. "You've got to confess your sins and you've got to have a group of people around you who will not let you whitewash the issue."
The process includes counselling, in groups and alone, and prayer. Each restoration is unique, with a programme tailored for the needs of the participant.
"From the Christian perspective, we think in terms of prayer, we think in terms of what we call godly counsel, where godly men who are clean themselves insert themselves in the life of the one who is struggling," London said.
The symbolic laying on of hands may also be a part of the recovery, London said.
"I'm sure there will be those who lay their hands on Pastor Haggard as an act of faith, calling on the act of God to restore and heal," he said. "The prayer can be therapeutic, the laying on of hands can be ceremonial."
One of the men who agreed to oversee the restoration, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, has already withdrawn, citing a lack of time. The other two, Pastors Jack Hayford of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, and Tommy Barnett of First Assembly of God in Phoenix, Arizona, declined to comment on the specifics of Haggard's programme.
It isn't clear whether Haggard will try to return to the ministry, at New Life or elsewhere. "He says that he has committed his life to God and that he is looking for direction as to where God can best use him," said Leonard Chessler, Haggard's lawyer and friend.
Copyright © 2006 Christian Today. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Friday, November 17, 2006, 0:55 (GMT)
Nobody is perfect. To error is human, to forgive the divine.From the view point of God, probably Ted will be loved more than us.Throw the stone,if you are not the sinner. We just have to pray for you. Now God is warning almost every christian from TED.
shyun, South Calorina
Added: Saturday, November 11, 2006, 2:46 (GMT)
I hope Mr. Haggard and his counselling team have the courage to say at some point that the best way for him to respond to all this -- in addition to repenting and work at turning his life around -- is to get a "real" job rather than returning to a place of leadership in ministry. The issue is not "forgiveness" but (among many other things having to do with his fitness for leadership) his reputation with outsiders.
Bob, Wisconsin
Added: Friday, November 10, 2006, 5:28 (GMT)
I would like to see Ted Haggard find a support group(s) he feels comfortable attending. It is important that he receives support and understanding of his situation concerning his sexuality, his religion and his life. It is difficult to live a lie. He must be true to himself. Hopefully, he will explore and find the happiness he deserves surrounded by those who love him.
dMargaret, Bodega Bay, California USA
Added: Friday, November 10, 2006, 4:12 (GMT)
Ted Haggard is still human, though his responsibility as a leader and being married with children, is higher. I know from personal experience that he has likely spent his born-again life in a very real Hell, because of being born again -- a veritable 'lake of fire' of temptation and sexual lust and craving that never ends (in this life). Also, it can theoretically (unlike 'fire' as usually defined), last forever. There is a 1979 song from the 'Saturday Night Fever' album, called "Disco Inferno", by the Tramps, which describes this phenomenon perfectly. And, since the temptation is continuous, even a 99.99% victory rate results in failure(s) over a period of time.
Bob, San Diego CA
Added: Friday, November 10, 2006, 0:35 (GMT)
There are those of us out there who believe it is not possible to 'heal' somebody of homosexuality, that Haggard is a victim of his own beliefs, and that being counselled by the likes of Focus on the Family will not help him come to terms with what is happening in his life.
J.Cettolin, Australia
Added: Thursday, November 9, 2006, 20:15 (GMT)
Don't worry, he'll be back.
Anthony, Seattle, WA
Added: Thursday, November 9, 2006, 14:31 (GMT)
My first thought on reading London's comments is, "wow, what a jerk". It's like he's saying that there is a Ministerial boot camp that Haggard must go through in order to come out the other side "fixed". Haggard is human. The only "program" that "fixes" us is the grace of Jesus Christ who bids us "come unto me all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest." His burden is light - we don't wear out by it.
If I was Haggard I'd stay a country mile away from London, from Focus on the Family, and from their symbolic laying on of hands and run (don't walk) to Jesus for forgiveness and restoration. The most important part of the process will be total honesty and openness with his wife and with his Savior.
Jon, Atlanta USA
