Haggard prematurely leaves rehab, New Life Church says

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News

New Life Church said Tuesday that former pastor Ted Haggard has prematurely ended a "spiritual restoration" process begun when he was fired for sexual misconduct.

Haggard was fired from New Life Church and resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals in November 2006 after a former male prostitute alleged they had a cash-for-sex relationship. The man also said he saw Haggard use methamphetamine.

Haggard confessed to undisclosed "sexual immorality" and said he bought meth but didn't use it.

New Life said in a written statement that "the process of restoring Ted Haggard is incomplete and (New Life) maintains its original stance that he should not return to vocational ministry."



Read more: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/06/new-life-church-says-haggard-prematurely-leaves-re/

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The relationship between Ted Haggard and the Colorado Springs megachurch he founded is over, according to a statement from New Life Church Tuesday evening.

Haggard was fired from the church in November 2006 after he admitted to "sexual immorality," presumably the allegations made by a gay Denver escort who said Haggard paid him for sex over a three-year period.

The statement notes that Haggard agreed to "a process of spiritual restoration" in January 2007, but now has asked to end his relationship with the church.

Haggard could not be reached for comment.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_8179060

He had agreed shortly after his dismissal to the restoration process, which was expected to include counseling and prayer and last five years or longer. New Life officials made it clear that restoration would not include a return to the pulpit.

On Tuesday, New Life said Haggard will maintain an undisclosed "accountability relationship" with Phoenix First Assembly of God and the Rev. Tommy Barnett.

Barnett was one of three evangelical elder statesmen who served on the restoration team.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/haggard_32813___article.html/life_new.html

[Critters2]

1. Ted, just come out already.

Why put yourself through all this?

[sofa king]

15. He needs jesusifying to get un-gayed, too?

Wow. It sucks to be a normal human being, doesn't it?

[jasmine621]

24. 2007 was a hell'ava year for the RW funddies. nt

[Virginia Dare]

2. He flunked out?....n/t

[bullimiami]

3. i guess he knows what he likes best.

[Binka]

16. His Restoration Blew Chunks err, umm, Blow Jobs!

[niyad]

4. wasn't he cured after that three week "laying on of hands" session?

[nightrain]

5. Haggard left tx early

Well, initially I said to myself--"Not a good sign", then I thought, "Hmm, maybe it's not necessarily a bad sign, he might have had a different kind of spiritual awakening and ?might be becoming more accepting of himself in some way different than what the "restoration process" was to include. Not the end of the story apparently...

[yardwork]

12. I'm thinking the same thing. Maybe Ted's said to hell with the hypocritical church.

Maybe Ted's found a different spiritual path, one that respects and loves him for what he is.

Then again, maybe not. I hope the best for him, though.

[Danieljay]

6. Premature Ejectulation. Man, this guy has all sorts of problems. n/t

[Turn CO Blue]

7. "Restoration". An Orwellian term for

these types of counseling and programming sessions, I'm sure.

Hope Haggard eventually finds what he's looking for. Could be a real relationship with a compassionate, understanding man who will "restore" him via hand-holding, long walks, romance and everything else couples do - or else maybe he just needs to date around for awhile.

Either way, what a lie he's been living - hope he comes out.

[hatrack]

8. Yep - further proof - you can't sway the awesome power of GAY!!!!!!!

Jeez, Ted, just come out and be done with it.

:eyes:

[Chovexani]

9. Cue the Amy Winehouse

Teddy baby just come out already. You'll be happier.

[Ellen Forradalom]

19. He ain't got the time and his daddy says he's fine.

[frebrd]

10. Had to get away...

to scratch that itch he's being sublimating.

:rofl:

[PittPoliSci]

11. i still love the "bought meth but didn't use it"

yeah sure!

[ChickMagic]

14. Me too

Had sex but didn't swallow...

[psychopomp]

32. He smoked but didn't.. oh, wait

He's probably hitting a glass pipe somewhere, right now. He was a first-class ass in the documentary, "Jesus Camp."

[ChickMagic]

13. Aw

Is Tommy his accountabilibuddy?

[RainDog]

31. he's just little bi-curious... like Butters

[pattmarty]

17. Heh, heh, he said prematurely..........

[Divine Discontent]

18. nothing would please me more about this

than for Haggard to go on TV and decry their brainwashing attempts and state he's gay and learning to accept the way God made him....

hey, who knows, maybe the prayers worked after all...

[KamaAina]

20. Any day now, he's either gonna hook up with Britney or Lindsay

or, as suggested above, come out.

[eib1]

21. He needs to just come out.

It will really make his life easier.

[Ian David]

22. Fabulous! n/t

[yellowcanine]

23. He pulled out early? So is it a case of rehabus interruptus?

[Joe Bacon]

25. So, Pastor Teddy fell off the wagon?

I can just imagine the wheels coming off of Teddy's Radio Flyer :evilgrin:

[bemildred]

26. The army needs chaplains in Iraq.

Don't ask, don't tell ...

[SoCalDem]

27. Maybe he's planning on helping Britney..(she checks out early too) nt

[gaspee]

28. Guess he didn't pray hard enoough

:sarcasm:

[MNDemNY]

29. Maybe Obama could call his pal Donnie in to

counsel Haggard, to get him back on the track to "recovery".

[ReformedChris]

30. Its a shame that there is "rehab" for what he is, a Gay/Bi man has NOTHING to be ashamed of..

He has personal demons and has conflicting emotions. Just get out of the closet and into the sun. But he chooses to play games and deny and demonize his natural behavior. Its amazing how he is trying to get right back into that prejudice "flock" of his! They will NEVER look at him the same way again because they will pass negative judgement on him (So much for forgiving your fellow man). I hope he knows he could have so much more impact if he just cast down the chains of his religious movement and spoke honestly about his situation and tried to reach out to others.

[dogfacedboy]

33. People's minds get all fucked up from being in cults.

Haggard hasn't been allowed to be who he is because of his association to a second rate superstitious cult. Free minds flourish. Imprisoned minds whither and die.

[shanti]

34. do you think the evangelicals

are catching on now? a lot of shite has hit the fan with their boys, not hard to be totally disgusted at all the phonies. check out his performance in jesus camp.