On Thursday, Ted & Gayle Haggard made their anticipated appearance on Oprah.  I watched and processed with mixed emotions.  I was planning write my viewpoints on the interview until someone sent me an excellent overview by Joe Dallas (one of my favorite speakers and teachers).  I don’t want to reinvent the wheel so here is what Joe had so say:

Ted Said: AfterThoughts on Ted Haggard’s Interview with Oprah

Guest Post by Joe Dallas

Rev. Ted Haggard broke his two year silence on Oprah’s show yesterday, his first media appearance since a catastrophic fall from the pulpit of New Life Church in 2006, when his longstanding relationship with a male prostitute was exposed. The details are still fresh: Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, was condemning gay sex publicly while paying for it privately, until accusations from male escort Mike Jones cracked the dam of Ted’s denials (“I neverhad gay sex!”) and trickles of half-concessions leaked out (“Well, yeah, I bought some meth from a gay escort, but threw it away”) followed by voice mail recordings irrefutable as Monica’s blue dress, and the inevitable confession, contrition and exit. It was as tawdry as it was achingly familiar in this era of public falls, and many of us hoped the story was played out.

Enter the sequel. An HBO special titled The Trials of Ted Haggard premieres Thursday January 29, and by way of promotion, Ted granted interviews to Larry King as well as Oprah, revisiting those dark days with his own insights and explanations. If there’s a redemptive twist to all this, it lies in what can be gleaned from the Reverend’s experience and, to an extent, his statements about Christianity, homosexuality, church life and human nature. A typical spectator, I cheered and booed throughout the Oprah interview, shouting criticisms or praise while knowing nothing of what it was like for the man under the bright lights being grilled about his worst failures and private agonies. So I’ll concede, a la Roosevelt’s famous observation about the man in the arena, that it is indeed the guy in the ring whose performance matters far and above the critic who wishes he’d done this or said that.

From that deferential position, then, let me offer some thoughts on what Ted said, what I wish he’d said, and what still needs to be said:

Ted said: “I’m a heterosexual with homosexual attachments.”
What prompted it: Oprah’s predictable but relevant question: Are you gay, straight, or bisexual? (read more)

 

Ted Haggard is using an upcoming HBO documentary to chastise the church for how it handled his sex-and-drugs scandal in 2006. Read one pastor’s take on why he may have a point.

---

Ted Haggard is at it again. The former pastor of a Colorado mega church who admitted to a sexual relationship with a male escort in 2006, is now sharing his story in a documentary called The Trials of Ted Haggard. On January 29, the film premieres on HBO and will re-examine the scandal that rocked the evangelical world. For many, this film will reopen old wounds and stir up feelings thought to be dead and buried.I question why Haggard chose this particular outlet to voice the pain and frustration of his private journey. While I can only imagine the suffering Haggard has endured over the past two years, I cannot excuse some of his choices. And now, once again, it seems the church will have to deal with another reminder of those choices. But maybe there are some things worth being reminded of.

In recent news reports, Ted Haggard chastised church leaders for missing an opportunity to use his scandal to “communicate the gospel worldwide.” Despite how we may feel about the circumstances surrounding Haggard, I believe we have the responsibility to ask: Is he right? Did we, the global Christian church, somehow miss an opportunity to respond to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction with the gospel of truth? While these are valid questions that demand our attention, I believe there is another question that addresses an issue just as important, if not far greater:

What if Ted had told the truth? (click here for the entire article)

Ted Haggard is having his say. The former pastor of a Colorado megachurch who admitted to a sexual relationship with a male escort in 2006, is now sharing his story in a documentary called “The Trials of Ted Haggard.” On Jan. 29, the film premieres on HBO and will follow the life of the former pastor and re-examine the scandal that rocked the evangelical world. While the film is bound to bring up old wounds and raise more questions, there are some important lessons that the church can learn from Ted Haggard.

When the story broke in 2006, I, along with thousands of others, was shocked. I had brief contact with Ted Haggard in his role as leader of the National Association of Evangelicals at various meetings. His deception grieved me as did the media’s portrayal of him as the worst kind of hypocrite – a two-faced man who preached the Gospel of Christ by day and engaged in homosexual activity and drug abuse by night. People asked how it was possible for someone to oppose homosexual sin while indulging in it.

As he himself wrote in his confession, “There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I’ve been warring against it all of my adult life.” If you had asked the thousands that attended his Colorado Springs church, I imagine most would have said they had no idea their pastor struggled with homosexuality. The same could be the said for our own churches. It might be easy for us to judge the outside world, but how often do we recognize the broken and hurting in our own pews? For every gay activist that shouts in the parades, I’m willing to bet that there’s someone in our congregations who painfully struggles with homosexuality, but is afraid to reach out for help. I know because I was that person.  Click here to read the full article

Orlando, FL- Churches in denominations troubled over homosexuality such as the Anglican and Presbyterian churches are experiencing growing concern over the issue and have turned to Exodus International for help. As a result, the world’s largest Christian ministry to those seeking freedom from homosexuality has doubled in size.

For over 30 years, Exodus International has helped those affected by unwanted same-sex attraction to live a life congruent with the Christian faith. In the last six years, the organization has grown from 117 member agencies in 2003 to 234 by 2009. Half of those member agencies are churches that have recently joined the Exodus network and have committed to assist church members affected by homosexuality. The remainder of the network is comprised of professional counselors and local parachurch ministries.

Helping pastors and churches know how to address the topic of homosexuality with biblical truth and compassion is a primary goal for Exodus International. In 2008, the organization held six conferences across the nation that provided practical resources and information to hundreds of pastors.

In 2009, Exodus plans to improve upon this initiative by offering a variety of web-based resources and educational DVDs to churches across the country. In addition, a new book, written by Exodus President Alan Chambers, will help pastors and church members alike to understand practical steps towards leaving a gay-identified life and pursuing God-centered living. The book, published by Harvest House Publishers, is set to be released this summer.

“Though the world is getting spiritually darker, the future of the global Christian church has never been brighter,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International. “We have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate grace and bold love to a generation longing for real, life-giving truth. We are excited about the opportunities that 2009 holds to do just that.”

Exodus reaches more than 305,000 individuals with a message of hope and freedom through conference events and personal communication with those who call the organization for help each year.

###

Founded in 1976, Exodus International is the largest Christian organization dealing with homosexual issues in the world today. With over 200 affiliates in its network, Exodus is a dynamic outreach ministry dedicated to sharing the hope of freedom through the power of Jesus Christ.

Christian Network Helping Homosexuals Find Freedom Doubles in Size

Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has recently directed “The Trials of Ted Haggard” set to air on HBO January 29th. This is not just a media montage of the 2006 scandal involving Mike Jones but a reality-based documentary in which Ted and Gayle Haggard are active participants. According to recent news releases, Haggard states in the film that he experienced same-sex play in the second grade and currently continues to struggle with same-sex attraction. He also states that it was therapists and not the church that helped him to understand his sexuality.

Already the media is slanting the story to their various perspectives. Fox News reports that Haggard talks about a lifelong battle with his sexuality and that “he never claimed to be heterosexual.” However, The Gazette of Colorado Springs brings clarity and context to the statement when they report that after Haggard quit the restoration program, a pastor friend was the one that declared that Haggard was “completely heterosexual.” The truth is that Haggard was attempting to clarify his friend’s statement. Unfortunately once again, facts have been obscured or omitted in order to promote a preferred perspective.

The general review by Mark Bama of The Gazette depicts Ted Haggard as indulging in self-loathing, self-aggrandizement, and self-pity. It also reveals Haggard’s bitterness and resentment towards New Life Church epitomized in his statements “The church has chose not to forgive me” and “The church has said go to hell.”

For me personally, this documentary is already raising more questions than answers. I do not know the details surrounding Haggard’s personal experience during the scandal and the restoration process. I can only imagine the intense pain and suffering that he has experienced as a result of his choices. However, I do know the torment of hiding the truth of his condition and the fear of revealing his struggle to those within the church. I lived the façade of pretending to be someone I wasn’t because that’s what I thought I had to do in order to be accepted and loved. It was self-inflicted solitary confinement with no hope for release. For many, this fear is legitimate and they must live a life of denial in order to survive in their church culture. I hear too many stories like this and it truly grieves me. The homophobic ignorance of some leaders within the Body of Christ can contribute to the destructive demise of men and women and their families. It is on this point that I agree with the gay community; the church must be willing to lovingly embrace the homosexual and extend the love of Christ to all.

However, I have to ask if this is truly the situation that Ted Haggard faced? Was there truly no one in New Life Church that was willing to stand with him in his restoration process? (I find this unlikely.) Were the leaders on his restoration council able to devote the time and effort required to see him completely through? I don’t doubt that people have rejected and abandoned him and to some extent allowed him to serve as a scapegoat representing the failure of evangelical leaders past. Perhaps much of this loss of relationship is due to the feeling of betrayal and loss rather than contempt for Haggard’s actions. So many have been impacted by Haggard’s homosexuality and the resulting casualties are overwhelming. The aftershock of this event continues to be felt to this day.

But can Haggard really justify the means he is using to voice his pain and objections? Can we expect Alexandra Pelosi to present a fair, unbiased, and redemptive perspective on this issue of Ted Haggard and his homosexuality?

I have my doubts.

I must confess that I’m frustrated that he is just now, after two years, openly confessing his ongoing struggle with same-sex attraction which has been an issue throughout his life. When asked why he didn’t come out about his sexuality, his response was “My responsibility was to get worked out.” What kind of culture have we created that says our leaders must be perceived as having it all together and beyond such carnal baseness? If only Haggard would have risked being honest when it was most critical. What an incredible opportunity to be one of the most influential evangelical leaders in the world serving as a model of transparency and vulnerability. This could have been an outstanding message of hope to so many impacted by homosexuality! But instead those who struggle within the church have to face the question; “If Ted Haggard can’t overcome this, what hope is there for me?”

My greatest concern is that the church won’t know how to answer.

The Body of Christ must own this situation and accept responsibility for all who are impacted, including Ted Haggard. We have created a culture where “celebrity” leaders are placed on pedestals and expected to be absolved of the messiness of humanity and its fallen nature. We provide the venue, set the stage, and then serve as brutal critics of the actors who have the audacity to answer the casting call.

I can’t come to a fully educated conclusion on this situation until everything has played out. I can only hope that Haggard will not use this as a means to retaliate and bring further damage to the Body of Christ. The fact that it does not appear that his leaders were involved in his decision to participate in this venture is not very encouraging. Regardless of the outcome, the church must let this serve as another reminder that we must redemptively respond to this issue of homosexuality that is so sharply dividing our society.

The Colorado Springs Gazette

Fox News

In this article, Jones states “all the time I could feel myself drifting toward acceptance that gay persons are fully human persons and should be afforded all of the cultural and ecclesial benefits that I am.”  Here is the key; of course homosexuals are fully human people that should be treated with the basic respect that is afforded to everyone.  The Church, unfortunately, has missed this mark dramatically in the past and we are now reaping the consequences of our actions.  However, this is not an excuse to throw away 2 millennia of sound church doctrine and the unmistakably clear statements of scripture on this issue because of the Church’s irresponsibility to display the love of Christ in all situations.  The point is that the perception of homosexuals being anything less than fully human is tragically false and this is where Jones made his first mistake.  Had he initially seen them as creations of the Heavenly Father who are intended for a divine purpose and loved unconditionally, he would have been able to navigate and interpret Scripture without the compromise of “his experiences and feelings leading him toward a different conclusion.”  

Many have made the mistake of seeing those impacted by homosexuality as something less.  This perception instantly removes us from a Biblical foundation and misrepresents the heart of God.  We are, therefore, left with no alternative than to be led by experience and emotion in order to find our way.  If we initially see each person as a divinely created being intended for relationship with the Father, then we have our compass to guide us in the correct interpretation of Scripture that leads to a Biblical response of mercy and truth to all who will hear.  

via Emergent church leader says gay can be biblical lifestyle

Ravi Zacharias is one of my favorite teachers.  While his response did not directly address the question “is it possible for a man or a woman to live a sincere Christian life as a homosexual?”, he makes several excellent points.   I would love to hear him present an extended teaching on the issue.  In his remarks about Henry Nouwen, he stated that in his final book, Nouwen revealed that he was dispositionally homosexual.  While I understand the intent behind the term “dispositionally homosexual,” I’m not comfortable with the inferred label.  I appreciated his turn on the question by asking “Can a person live a sincere Christian life as a polygamist?”  Websters defines “sincere” as “free from dissumulation or free from adulteration.”  The question is; can a person live a sincere Christian life practicing (actively engaged in a specified way of life) anything that is contrary to the heart of God and the obedience to His Word?