Mal Fletchers comments

Perhaps the second lesson is the importance of keeping a close circle of friends and counsellors, who know us well enough to spot trouble before it arrives. Of course, having this won't prevent us from hiding our problems - human beings have a special talent for that - but if there are people in our lives who are allowed to be completely honest, we can be open without losing our sense of dignity.

A third lesson, particularly for leaders, is that if we allow our ministry effectiveness to be founded on position or titles, even small mistakes become ministry-wreckers.

In the business world, they say, 'it's lonely at the top' and there is definitely a loneliness in every level of leadership, particularly I suppose at the level of national organisations.

But prominent leaders should resist, as far as they are able, being placed in a position of 'Christian celebrity', so that the focus is on them rather than the message they bring.

I'm not suggesting that Haggard has done this, but people's deference to positional leadership can be both a strength and a weakness. It breeds respect for the role, which allows the leader to lead; but it also sets individuals up for a fall, because people start looking for saints rather than flesh-and-blood human beings.

Finally, we see an opportunity to show the meaning of grace. I have never met Pastor Haggard and the chances are you haven't either, though I think we do have to admire someone who can build a large church in a major city. To achieve this he has obviously shown many leadership qualities, not the least of which are courage, determination and public-mindedness.

Were I to meet him now, I think I would simply say, 'I'm praying for you and for your family. God has a great future for you and it is good.' The Biblical God is the God of a second chance - with accountability, healing and gradual restoration.

We will probably hear more of this story in the media. There will be fair and balanced reporting and, of course, the other kind. That will run its course.

Meanwhile, every preacher should continue to speak the word of God without fear or cant. Though God's messengers may sometimes fail - and haven't we all, though perhaps in less public ways - the message remains as reliable, trustworthy and life-enhancing as ever.