Does anybody have a heavy heart over this?

Question

See how the world rejoices when another pastor falls. My heart is aching for him and his family.
I don't rejoice when a sinner dies and when a sinner is down and out.
That is the difference between a saved person and an hateful person.
Yes Ted Haggard did the right thing by stepping down, but come on now, how would you like it if all your dirty laundry was out for the world to see?
Temptation is all around us and the battle is getting more intense, pray for the leaders of your churches that they too won't subcome to such evil.

Proverbs 5:16-22
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood.
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be seift in running to mischief.
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethen.

Any of you guilty of telling a lie? Sin is sin and got doesn't consider on greater than the other.

Answer 1

I do feel bad about this. However, I feel that the name of Christ and the Church have suffered the most. When a Christian takes on the responsibility of a leader, he needs to be above reproach (an awesome responsibility), because if one of notoriety falls, God forbid, a lot of damage is done to the good name of Christ.
I know that we are all subject to sin and I believe Satan pays special attention to pastors and leaders. When a person falls, it gives non-believers "ammunition" to justify their beliefs. It makes no difference that most people have things in their lives that they want to remain hidden.
When one of our own falls into sin, we need to strongly condemn what took place but in a loving manner in hopes that person can repent of their actions. If we don't, that only "adds fuel to the fire". Also, I believe that leader or elder should not hold a position of leadership again within the church.
I have always said that, even though you have done good all your life, one bad thing seems to negate all the good in most people's eyes. That's why all Christians need to be careful about our way of life, our tongues and how we present ourselves. It's not just our personal reputations that we are upholding. We represent Christ here on earth.

Answer 2

My heart is not heavy per se but I think you are right in that the world in general loves to see good people come to bad endings. It seems the higher the drop the greater the laugh. Anyone who puts themselves in a position of being a leader of any sort has the responsibility to maintain certain morals. Yes there is temptation all around but as a man of the cloth he should be working doubly hard to resist it. I am not saying the man should burn in hell for what he did or that any other man in the same position wouldn't have made the same choices. I am simply stating that when you are in the public eye and you are professing to be a representative of something as important as your religion, then you should be above reproach so as to set the example you wish others to follow. That goes to those of us every day Christians as well. If we wish to be respected as Christians then wwe cannot simply pay lipservice to what we tell others the bible says. We have an obligation to live what we preach so that others will see and know us by the fruit we bear. As for Ted, I hope and pray he can fix this with his family. God will forgive him quicker than man.

Answer 3

I agree there is no joy in others suffering. Having said that I also have to point out that the expectations of leaders is far greater and held to a higher standard. It is for his good it has been exposed so he can repent and make his life right with God. If you serve in the public then you will be rebuked in the public. My heart aches for him and his family but there is a lot of accountablity for misusing your title as a leader against this type of behavior and then do it in secert.

Answer 4

My heart is very heavy when I read that.
Those who are in seats of authority are held to a higher accountability. Only God and a few other know what happened with the pastor. He is forgiven like all of us whom call on the name of Jesus. All of us have struggled against sin and have been bound by it in our individual lives. Praise God for Jesus. Also we have to pray for our leaders in the govt and in the Church...Christians let us start to pray. Not just 10 minutes before bed or when we are troubled.

Answer 5

I agree that the schadenfreude displayed is a bit snide. The reason, though, is that Pastor Ted has been so critical of others "worldliness," and all the while he's been flirting with prostitutes & drug dealers, not to convert them, but to hand them business.

Whenever someone engages in self-righteousness, they are engaging in hubris, the pride that comes before the fall. The rest of the world may snicker, but had he never condemned others, no one would have taken notice.

Answer 6

I do not find it amusing that a mans life has been shattered. But you have to ask who did the shattering? He himself did this, and deserves the consequences of his actions, as we all do. He made himself available to this worlds judgement by judging others in a public forum, instead of juding his own innfer conflict.
As a resort of this many was made to suffer, and stand in humiliation as he is now. Do I find it amusing that someone is suffering? NO. But what I do find amusing is that as a result of his own hand, and no one elses he will now experience the suffering of himself from the cost of others. This is divine Justice, and it brings me hope that people like him who practice hatred and bigotry will be crushed under his own foot.
I wish you well.

Answer 7

Hes a two faced hypocrite,and a scum bag. This "man" is married with children. Bad enough if he cheated with another woman,let alone a man. Then using drugs as well. Has the audacity to preach to others how to live and does this. What a piece of filth he is. He should have practiced what he preached, or been honest with himself and other people.

Answer 8

I think it's a prime example of a man serving the wrong master. It leaves a mark on Christianity every time it happens. The back lash from it is part of the burden that any Christian has to bear.

Answer 9

I enjoy seeing an intolerant hypocrite fall on his face. I feel for his wife and kids because they are innocent.

And thus I clothe my naked villainy / With old odd ends stolen forth from holy writ/And seem a saint when most I play the devil.
[quoting Shakespeare's Richard III, Act I Scene 3]

Answer 10

If you set yourself up as an exemplar of moral rectitude then you have an obligation to practice what you preach. This individual is guilty of incredible hypocrisy and it isn't an isolated case.