I announced my resignation as pastor of Long Creek Memorial Baptist Church in Dallas NC on November 26, 2006. Here is the link to the official announcement on the church’s site.

Ted Haggard is the now former president of the National Association of Evangelicals, which represents the concerns of Evangelicals. He has been active in politics, especially in Colorado where the state’s voters will be considering initiates related to Homosexual marriage. You can Google the details about that.

As most of you know, Haggard has been accused of having a Homosexual affair with a mail prostitute and of buying and using drugs. You can read more about the situation at Christianity Today article.

The issues are not hypocrisy, which would be a problem if Haggard is found to be guilty of the charges. Since his accuser has already failed one polygraph, it would seem that some of the charges may be false. Haggard admitted to his church’s board that some of the accusations were true. He apparently told one news station that he bought methamphetamine but threw it away without using it. He also claimed that he engaged his accuser for nothing more than a massage. Since his accuser did fail the polygraph due to deception related to his accusations in these two areas, Haggard may well be truthful. As a preacher he has spoken out against these things. To preach against something and commit the same sin is hypocritical.

But let me ask this question. What preacher has never preached against a sin he has committed. Only preachers unwilling to broach subjects of sin in this era of “feel good” gospel. I have preached against sins I have committed and will continue to do so. I try to remain pure morally speaking. But I am human and I fail.

The issue here is that Haggard is a public figure. He has to do all he can to remain above reproach, especially in the areas of sexual immorality. To be put in the situation where it is even possible that he could have had sex with a male prostitute is not wise. If his accuser is doing this for personal gain, something he has basically admitted, then he doesn’t have to be telling the truth. He has an ax to grind against Haggard and evangelicals in general. Satan attacks us.

My prayer is that God will protect his servants everywhere from this kind of thing. With this high profile case, such things will become more prevalent. People will begin to look for it when previously they might not have. The domino effect can be disastrous. I pray we don’t hear about others like this.