HiddenMysteries: Sin's Consequences Spread: Ted Haggard's Prior Pastorate

By J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Ted Haggard, former pastor of non-denominational congregation, New Life Church, {and current gay man living a lie} in Colorado confessed to having a three-year homosexual relationship with a male masseuse.

He later informed media that he had been "healed" via a three-week counseling stint. Many evangelicals as well as others questioned seriously the reality of that personal testimony.

Nevertheless, due to Haggard's sin, the consequences have spread throughout his former church staff. According to UPI reports, 44 staff members have had to be let go due to financial woes at the church.

Repeatedly, the Bible warns how the "wages of sin is death" and provides example after example of those who disobeyed God only to suffer themselves, then sending out satellite suffering to the innocent.

One example is King David who forced an adulterous relationship upon Bathsheba, then had her rightful husband murdered in the front line of battle. David was found out. He suffered, his family suffered, and his nation suffered. He received sin's salary check — death to many.

Sin has a way of spreading like spilt poison. That is why the biblical call to all is a life of holiness enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

"New Life Church in Colorado Springs has suffered significant financial setbacks after its charismatic and popular founding pastor was accused of buying methamphetamine and paying for visits from a male prostitute, the Denver Post reported.

"Associate Pastor Rob Brendle told the newspaper that prior to the scandal, the church had been experiencing attendance and financial growth since its founding 22 years ago.

"But New Life, Colorado's largest church, has been seeing a drop in attendance and in church income."

http://www.postchronicle.com

Sin's Consequences Spread: Ted Haggard's Prior Pastorate

Tuesday, March 06 2007 @ 11:56 AM CST