Ted Haggard: Part II
Ted Haggard has been an extraordinarily successful minister. First he was associate pastor of a mega church in Louisiana, the size church most ministers will never lead. Then, under what he considered the prompting of God, he moved to Colorado and began a church in his home. It blossomed into a congregation of over 14,000, with a national and international impact. His church had Sunday School classes larger than most Protestant churches. His salary afforded a nice home, cars, and all the comforts of wealth. The average minister would make a smidgeon of his salary. With his charisma, attractiveness, and persuasive abilities, Rev. Haggard became what tens of thousands of preachers strive to be. This man's success gives evidence of what most evangelical Christians would judge to be a preacher blessed of God. In religious la nguage he would be called "Spirit empowered", "anointed", and "gifted". In other words, his enormous success would be equated with God’s stamp of approval.
And what does that do for the majority of Christian ministers who are not performing or living at his level? For a moment, look past the huge church nestled in the prosperous suburbs. Look at the average little church with the not-so-flashy pastor. He probably drives an old car. She struggles to pay her bills. Admittedly, this minister does not speak with the eloquence of a mega church pastor, nor is able to convince people to follow him through the magnatism of personality or salesmanship.
It seems that even as Rev. Haggard continued to attract followers and build an every increasing congregation, he also lived a double-life. He was blatantly untrue to biblical principles. He was unfaithful to his wife. He promoted values he intentionally did not live. And this was more than an indiscretion- it went on for several years. But, even so, he continued to succeed in the ministry. Why?
Perhaps Rev. Haggard built his church and successful ministry and bank account with God’s help. Or, perhaps he did it with his own strength, and God had very little to do with it. Could it be that “success” and numbers do not automatically equate with God's approval? Could a preacher build a big church on the strength of charisma and manipulation, and God have nothing to do with it? Conversely, could a minister meet with little “success” and yet be doing a great work in the eyes of God?
I dare Christianity Today or Moody Monthly, or any of the evangelical magazines including those of my own denomination, to feature on its front page the antithesis of a Ted Haggard. Let’s feature a Rev. Smith. He works a second job because his small church cannot afford to pay a full-time income. His church doesn’t have a television ministry. His congregants are other than the young-and-uppers. Jerry Falwell will never preach a revival at his church. But Rev. Smith and his church help out faithfully at the local food bank. They love "little" people, who do not wear nice suits and put big checks into the offering plate. They pray, and worship, and profoundly live for Christ during the week. Probably the success-mentality of the denominational leadership would hardly take notice of such a church and minister. But I’m pretty sure this church and pastor would have their focus upon honouring Someone of a higher position.
11.09.06 (11:05 pm) [
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posted by:
seochris (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (8:27 pm)
Very much true to the point but let me add that u are in a way weighing only by numbers. We read in the Holy Bible that King Asa cried to God that with little or many its nothing for you to save us O Lord from our enemies.
In fact I would say when Gideon went to attack the midianites at mid-night there were only expert 300 with him which a neglible number almost equal to one. Whereas we can find at numerous occassions like King David goes to war or many others which I'm sure u are very much aware where God's army of Israel consisted of Lakhs of fighting soldiers.
So I want to point out that we can't entirely say whether Rev.Hoggard had such a big congregation purely on his own strength since I feel more and more people particularly from US are alienating from God absolutely.
At the sametime I feel this case being somewhat similar to the Sardios church in the book of revelation. I appreciate absolutely those pastors with a rather low income and less number congregation. Since I feel these hard working fellows with little success can relate well with the lives of Jesus Himself and classic disciples like Paul, John etc. The work done may be tiny or sometimes close to negligible for other men but great in the sight of God.
This second case I also wanted to add that not everyone is called to do this low success ministry and not everyone should give this as an excuse that they are suffering for the Lord. Sometimes it might have happened because of your neglect to hear the words of the best instructor thats the Holy Ghost.
Did I say too much Pastor Dave?
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (8:27 pm)
Mega churches make me wonder. Jesus said the world will hate you because it first hated me. If the world loves these mega churches as shown by the sheer volume of particpants then how does Jesus fit into the equation?
posted by:
True (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (8:28 pm)
Hey Pastor Dave, it's been a while to say the least. I definately agree highly with how those that are at the top are promoted and lifted up heavily while the average joe who busts it just as hard isn't recognized at all. The last shall be first and the... and so on. In the end period it comes to where the heart is in its truest motivation. There are many in our Christian subculture that have learned to accept things the way they are because that is how it has always been. Traditions built into habits somehow become religious ideals that must be practiced or you aren't a christian. I think the Pharisees were the same way, it's sad to see grace so taken forgranted, yet at the same time who are we to, (those on the good side of grace) think we are better because we would not be here if not for God's freely given grace. Not by anything we could ever measure up to to recieve.
I am not against Christianity as a whole. I am not someone that just points at the problems and calls the whole thing a failure. Yes, there are some serious issues to deal with. We have a lot of broken people within our churches and within our leadership. Many in our leadership are placed there because of their gifts and talents, and not necessarily due to their character, character that has been built from dealing with the brokenness and sorrow that has come from unhealthy and disfunctional upbringings. Those same people become our Pastors, our elders, and our deacons and then with the teaching of spiritual authority we are told to listen and obey to everything they say without question. Then those same broken people try to live a lie to fit in to a culture that has been trained to look down on every fault instead of meet it with love and mature discipline. And before you know it, here we are in the 21st century dealing with a chasm in the American church where its leaders are constantly falling and we are left wondering why.
The system is broken. We all need to see that there is a much healthier way of doing this then leaning on insecurity and putting up false barriers to protect our hidden failures only to cost more than what can be imagined when our failures come bubbling to the surface.
The ideals of character and just being open to one another regardless of the cost to self has to become a part of the fabric woven into our christian experience. Christianity as it is in our country will die if these simple things are not carried out.
The reality is we all have faults and tremendous failures in our lives. We must first admit that wholeheartedly to ourselves and take a cold hard look at who we are and what we truly desire to become. No more falsities to make up for insecurities in ourselves.
God's perfect work in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is completely able to help us move forward with that change, but we must be willing to realize that the fault first resides in ourselves. Not in the world around us.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (8:42 pm)
Reply to: seochris
No, you are not saying too much!
You make a good point that a pastor, or for that fact any person, should give a half-hearted effort and then just expect for God to bless. As the scriptures teach, whatever we do for the Lord we should do it heartily.
The scripture concerning King Asa is worth checking out. You must be a student of the Word. One positive thing coming out of being sick and not able to get out and go to work is that you can catch up on your reading and Bible study.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (8:46 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
I struggle with my attitude toward huge churches, and still wonder sometimes if I'm a bit jealous. I look at some of these guys who pastor such large churches, and do not see them as being overly extraordinary. I pastor a small church. Some of these other churches are 100 times the size of mine; does that mean their pastor is 100 times better than myself? It gets me to wondering, and sometimes gets me to whining to God. Then I am reminded again that I am called of Him first and foremost to be faithful. Some factors are up to Him, like success and recognition. And, I guess, I would not handle such things very well. PTL!
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (8:49 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Well, no matter what everyone else says, I think you're splendid. :-)One vote for PD! yeah!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (8:53 pm)
Reply to: True
So true- gifts and talents get rewarded in the church much more swiftly than character. And the end result is what we are seeing in many of our churches. Like you say, we are afraid to be vulnerable and honest, because of the tendency to be judgmental.
I've been thinking about, Sunday, with my church telling them I have been rather slack with my prayer life lately and need to get away for several days to pray. I'd like to go down to a cabin on the lake, and just commune with God. But I hesitate, because some will say, "What are we paying this guy for? He's struggling with prayer, and he's a pastor?" Instead, I would want people to respond, "He's like me. I, too, struggle with the discipine of prayer. And since I want him to be in tune with God, I rejoice that he will set aside these days to pray." It's because we have allowed our church to be too much like the rest of the world.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (9:02 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
I anoint you "my spiritual cheerleader". Whenever I need to be encouraged, I'll send you a t-mail asking for a cheer.
Thanks!
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
11.09.06 (9:06 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
OOoo! I've never been a cheerleader! Go fight win! Is that how it goes? ;-)
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
11.10.06 (9:07 am)
my heart goes out to those affected by this philistine. it is very sad when a man of the cloth, no matter WHAT cloth he wears, falls from grace. those who lead congregations are human, and have human sins and secrets.
i don't believe i could attend a mega church. it just seems a little too much like marketing God. i know all the reasons they do it, but having a starbucks in the entrance is a bit much for me. surprisingly, (to me) i am rather conservative religiously. i know, you and i see different sides of a coin when it comes to religious doctrine, but i would go to that church willingly, the one you describe at the end of your post with the part time preacher. i would not however, ever attend any gathering headed by a mega preacher.
imho
dawn
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
11.10.06 (11:49 am)
To me what passes for charisma in some of these mega-parish pastors seems forced and phony. They come across like used car salesman. I'd prefer a pastor who truly speaks from the heart and isn't concerned about being the star of the show any day.
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
11.10.06 (10:12 pm)
I think what really matters is: Are we as individuals doing what God wants of us as an individual? If he calls one person to be a minister who is reaching many with his mega-church, that's wonderful. But the minister of the small church that maybe only reaches a few is also wonderful, if he's doing what God has called him to do. Maybe those few could not be reached until God chose this special minister. He may not look "successful" in the eyes of the world like the mega-church pastor does, but it comes back to: Is he doing what God has called him to do? If he is, he is successful in the only eyes that matter--God's.
posted by:
preceptlady (
reply)
post date:
11.11.06 (11:05 am)
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB95)
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
[1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.13.06 (6:39 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
I've thought a bit about "how you and I see different sides of the same coin". Perhaps you've not shared how we differ so much, but it appears to me we're a good bit alike with many of our views. To some such would be an insult, but I think you can handle it.
Around here, mega churches are flourishing. And they have some of the same appeal as a Starbucks. One can drop by, get a quick buzz and a little entertainment, and then get on with the day. Like Starbucks it is a little more expensive, but apparently worth it. Many times I've wished such a church would see it worthwhile to send a few people our way. Just a dozen or so could make a real difference. But then I realize the people attracted to that type of church would not serve well in our little group, and would not be happy here. Just different, although they would probably think "better".
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.13.06 (6:45 am)
Reply to: bawdy
Used car salesmen? That's funny.
I'll be attending the state convention of churches of my denomination this week. Thousands of fellow believers will be present at the Civic Arena. And, paraded to the platform in succession will be one after another of mega church stars, and up-and-comers soon to be mega church ministers. I've decided not to wear a suit and tie to this thing. Maybe I'll go in bermuda shorts and t-shirt, just as my little protest!
More seriously, our state convention has seen the "wisdom" of building a 46 million dollar headquarters with the tithes and offerings of our church members. I've made a personal vow never to step foot in the building. Tonight we are supposed to gather to encircle the building and dedicate it to the glory of God. In this affluent county, this building is another statement of success.
I'll not participate in the dedication.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.13.06 (6:47 am)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
"the only eyes that matter" - so very, very true.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.13.06 (6:52 am)
Reply to: preceptlady
The temptation being to buy into the success-mentality of the world and to forget that Jesus, nowhere, promises that the world will find you to be attractive or that God will give you great numbers as a stamp of approval for your service.
