SAD

In recent years Ted Haggard has played a significant role in the spiritual life of our country, as the pastor of a 14,000 strong church in Colorado, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, author, conference speaker, etc.

It was therefore disturbing to hear last night that allegations of immoral behaviour had been made against him and while I had hoped the investigation he spoke of would clear his name, today he has confessed to some of the accusations and his credibility is now totally in question.

You can be sure the media will have a field day with this, especially coming four days before major elections in which the generally liberal press have now been given plenty of ammunition with which to continue their attempts to discredit the right and Christians in particular.

It's deja vue all over again for those of us who remember the Bakker and Swaggert debacles of the 80's. So how should we react?

1. We need to pray for Ted Haggard, his wife and family.

2. We need to pray for New Life Church and the pastors who have assumed leadership for this troubled time.

3. We need to pray for truth to prevail, so that sin can be forgiven, pardon can be received and rebuilding can commence.

4. We need to pray for Christian leaders, especially those with a national profile. Jesus said that the easiest way to get at the sheep was to smite the shepherd.

5. We need to humbly ask God to help us in our weaknesses, quit playing with sin and realize while none of us is as well known as Ted Haggard, our lives do affect others too.