Difference Between Evangelical and Mainline? Fired or Promoted

(Photo Credit: Houston Chronicle)

No surprise. Ted Haggard has been removed for immoral behavior. Those in charge at the church of investigation appear to have found the charges true. On the other hand if only he had been an Episcopalian he could have been promoted by simply saying his experience was a gift from God.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Rev. Ted Haggard was dismissed Saturday as leader of the megachurch he founded after a board determined the influential evangelist had committed “sexually immoral conduct,” the church said Saturday.

Haggard had resigned two days earlier as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, where he held sway in Washington and condemned homosexuality, after a Denver man named Mike Jones claimed to have had drug-fueled trysts with him. He also had placed himself on administrative leave from the New Life Church, but its Overseer Board took the stronger action Saturday.

“Our investigation and Pastor Haggard’s public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct,” the independent board said in a statement.

Haggard was “informed of this decision,” the statement said, and he “agreed as well that he should be dismissed.”

The repercussions will be seen as time goes on. In the meantime I don’t hear any pro-gay groups coming to protect one of ‘their own’ after a rude coming out revelation. Nor do I hear the mainline churches lining up to accept his application.