New life church exposed
New Life Church is a non-denominational Christian church located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, founded by Ted Haggard in 1983. However, in 2006, the church was embroiled in a scandal that led to the resignation of Haggard as senior pastor.
The scandal began when a former male prostitute named Mike Jones accused Haggard of hiring him for sex. The allegations were made public in October 2006, and an investigation was launched by the church's board of overseers. The investigation found that Haggard had engaged in a pattern of sexual immorality, including hiring male prostitutes and using methamphetamine.
As a result of the investigation, Haggard resigned as senior pastor of New Life Church on November 4, 2006. He later admitted to "sexual immorality" and sought counseling and treatment.
The scandal had a significant impact on the church, leading to a decline in attendance and a loss of trust among some members. However, the church has since recovered and continues to operate under the leadership of a new senior pastor, Brady Boyd.
Some of the key events and developments in the scandal include:
- October 2006: Mike Jones, a former male prostitute, accuses Haggard of hiring him for sex.
- November 2006: The church's board of overseers launches an investigation into the allegations.
- November 4, 2006: Haggard resigns as senior pastor of New Life Church.
- November 2006: Haggard admits to "sexual immorality" and seeks counseling and treatment.
- 2007: The church's board of overseers releases a report detailing the findings of the investigation, which concludes that Haggard engaged in a pattern of sexual immorality.
- 2008: Haggard's wife, Gayle, files for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences."
- 2010: Haggard's son, Nathan, publicly forgives his father and expresses support for him.
The scandal has had a lasting impact on the church and the Christian community, leading to increased scrutiny of the church's leadership and a renewed focus on accountability and transparency.
Some of the key questions and concerns that have arisen from the scandal include:
- How could Haggard, a prominent Christian leader, engage in such behavior and maintain his position of authority?
- What was the church's response to the allegations, and why did it take so long to investigate and take action?
- How has the church recovered from the scandal, and what steps has it taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?
- What impact has the scandal had on the church's reputation and its relationships with other Christian organizations and leaders?
Overall, the scandal surrounding New Life Church and Ted Haggard has raised important questions about the accountability and transparency of Christian leaders, and has led to a renewed focus on the importance of integrity and moral character in Christian ministry.