Ted Haggard "I still struggle" (L)

[Brandon Pickens]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,470038,00.html

[Pastor Gary]

I appreciate that honest answer... there was so much deception and evasion in his past, that starting to honestly own his problems is a good step.

[free]

I agree with you Pastor Gary and I look forward to watching this interview in January.

[valley]

What is ahead of him is not going to be an "easy row to hoe." He will experience the pain of rejection from many that he thought were his friends. He will probably also experience the pain of hypocritical religious condemnation. There will be times that he feels alone, forgotten, and useless.

However, he will also experience the fullness of the love of Christ during this "dark night of the soul." He'll learn the true meaning of mercy and grace.

[Dr. Ron]

My prayer is that the church will work with him and nurse him back to health.

If he gets condemnation from the church he could wind up like Ray Boltz. Our attitude to him will determine how he works through his issues.

God grant him peace.

[Tim Elston]

My prayer is that the church will work with him and nurse him back to health.

If he gets condemnation from the church he could wind up like Ray Boltz. Our attitude to him will determine how he works through his issues.

God grant him peace.

Ron, in the pastoral sphere, you shine. I like you much better as a pastor than as a political pundit. I was beginning to wonder why I ever liked you. Now I remember. You have a great attitude when it comes through your pastoral gift.

My guess is that Haggard is irreparably homosexual. He will always have those feelings. His will be the decision of whether to continue to live with his family with those feelings or to bolt, so to speak.

I knew two COGOP Christian men in Greece who were homosexuals. Because they had chosen to live celibately, the church accepted them as Christians. Both of them were music ministers, and one of them was a licensed minister. It will be a dance between the church and Haggard as to how this winds up, but I hope the church's attitude is such that Haggard feels loved and welcome to choose to continue to live with his family to the end of his life.

[Dr. Ron]

Tim,

Thanks for the comment...

In my political views, I am somewhat opionated and maybe even stagnated.
I am a VERY conservative political individual.....more likely I am like you than you think. I would vote libertarian if I ever thought they had a dog's chance of getting elected. I do ascribe to the notion that this is still and should always be a "Christian nation". based on my understanding of our founding documents. I know all our "fathers" were not christian to the extent that christianity was perverted throughout the ensuing decades and centuries after our independence. But they did found this country on Judeo-Christian principles which I believe set us apart from the rest of the world. So if you don't "like" me for my political views, I am sorry to offend, but I do stand by them without fear of rejection or concern for ridicule.

As for my pastoral mindset, I admit to having changed a great deal over the years. I am quite certain that in my ministry of counseling, I am in more contact with the "gay" community than most people on this board. I work with several on an on-going basis. One of my greatest workers was at one time "Miss GAy Atlanta". She is married now and has kids and is a great resourse for those who struggle with this issue.

We also have an attitude of acceptance here. We don't care what your background is (obviously we screen for pedophiles), we only care about what God wants for your future. My attitiude toward ministry is more scriptural driven than ever before in my life. I am determined to do it as well as I can in that area......or leave it.

Thanks again for "liking me " for some reason....although, I am sure I will give you reason again to dislike me on some level.