Tom Brock encourages us to have compassion for Ted Haggard

Tom Brock

The news that hit the headlines last week about Ted Haggard was a heartbreaking story. It wasn't the issue of the man's failing that caught my attention, it was the fact that he had to lie to all of us about the things he was dealing with. My wife and I were on the way to the airport when we heard the interview with him. As he spoke and denied having any knowledge of the accuser and emphatically denied having any of the problems that he was being accused of, we thought, well here is a good guy who is going to go through some tough times now trying to prove his innocence. It wasn't 24 hours later that thing's came out and Ted now owned all charges. What struck me was the mental state he had to be in to lie to the nation knowing the things he was wresting with.

What other choice did he have? He said in his letter that he had been dealing with the problem for a long time, but how do you come to the church and tell them? I know in my life when things have gone wrong there were more people looking for my head than there were looking for my salvation. Yes the Bible tells us that to those who want to be leaders or teachers, there is a higher accountability, this is true and the responsibility to do your best to walk upright needs to be a major focus for that person. But when you look at the facts of the issues of life, here is something to consider. The man up front is anointed to preach it; he is not anointed to live it. Everyone has problems. Everyone has temptation. You don't have to fall but people do, including national leaders and pastors, worship leaders, home group leaders and of course you and me. The thing I would like to talk about is how we as the body of Christ respond to these things. Our history is pretty tough. When this has happened in the past, we have all but executed the person. There has even been rejoicing that someone who maybe we didn't care for or didn't agree with has fallen. It's crazy to me that for a people who have built their hope in the grace and mercy of an all loving God, we begin to circle when there is blood in the water.

Here is a question, what would Jesus do? We can find the story of the woman caught in adultery. Everyone wanted her life, Jesus said go and sin no more. I wonder if we could do that. Would she have to spend time in our restoration classes dealing with her inward problems, would she be allowed in fellowship? How long would it be before she proved herself to us? Or would the scripture "It's His kindness that draws men to repentance" work? Here's what I think, we have become such a bloodthirsty group of people that are looking for the faults of others instead of the goodness of God, making us a polluted people. I think this is based on the thought that if someone else falls then the Lord won't love them anymore and the love or position they had will now be on the table for redistribution and if we were the ones who exposed them or at least someone who suspected them of wrong, surly we would be inline for a portion of it.

Many times we share with people," try always to believe the best and be proven wrong instead of believing the worst and be proven right". At least that way you are not carrying around all the vile bitterness and anger. Because this isn't the rule there is no room for anyone to come and confess any of the things that are happening to us or that we are being temped with. We are forced to cover up and carry on a masquerade. What this does is set us up for a fall. The enemy loves the darkness, and as long as he can keep the body trying to cover its self then sin will abound. When thing are in the light then it give's the Lord the opportunity to bring life and restoration. For the most part this is not where we are at as the church. I am sure there are those who have found refuge and have been able to resolve their issues. It is obvious that Ted didn't have that opportunity or at least didn't feel he had or he would have come clean a long time ago.

We are not known as people of mercy or of understanding. We are depicted as right wing extremists with no common sense or awareness of the issues of life. Our divisions have defined us and our tongues have brought the wrath of the world on us. We have established an atmosphere of fear and distrust to those who look at us and among ourselves. We have books written on the faults of others. We have ministries that are based on "exposing the flaws" of their brothers and sisters. What the heck has happened to us? I am so sorry that our brother Ted was forced to live with this pressure and could not find a place in the arms of the Lord, represented by the body of Christ on earth to share his weakness and find the support he needed, to get the help he needed to stand against the flood of the enemy on his life. Jesus said it clearly; they will know you are mine by how you love one another. Woops.

Here is a thought for you, judge not least you be judged, when you bring correction, do it with all humility otherwise you too will be tempted by the same thing you are trying to correct.

If you are dealing with something that is closing in on you, find a true heart in the body. Someone who you can trust and talk to, confess your issue and "go and sin no more". Do what you need to do to live a life that will represent the life of Jesus. If you fall, get up don't cover up, rise up and find the support you need to bring it into the light.

Remember in the dark is where you will lose; it's only in the light you find the support you need.

I am blessed; I have people in my life who have stood with me in the worst of times and the best. I know that there are men and women out there that love God and are concerned for the Kingdom. Let's partner together and make sure that our brothers and sisters won't have to face the trials of life on their own and of course that would include you and me too.

Follow Up On Message

Well I have to tell you I have been surprised by the response to my article. First, I didn't think that so many people would even read what I had to say. Second there is a misunderstanding on the heart of the matter. So let me try again.

First of all there are no excuses for sin. It doesn't matter what it is, sin is sin. Yes there is a higher accountability for those who have sought to be in leadership. Yes it is time for the charade to be over and have true hearts leading the body. These are all things that I believe have to happen and should take place. The issue that I was speaking to was that, even if there has been abuse and manipulations we still are called to love and forgive. This isn't just for the ones who stand in front; it's for all of us. I have seen just as much judgment and abuse come to the congregation and to those who should have been shown mercy as I have towards the leaders. What I wrote wasn't just for Ted it was for all of us. I think what I want to say is, what Jesus offered "let him without sin throw the first stone". Is there anyone who can do this? Or should this even be our goal? Like I said before this is what we are known for. People think that we think we are the judges of the world, and some how feel that we have the right to impose our opinions on everyone else. This is what has to stop, we need to be known as those who love and forgive and reach out to those in need. Not just to get them to pray the prayer and join our club, but to reach them like Jesus did, with our actions that represent the love of God towards them. John 3:16 is our banner, but 17 works too. Not to condemn but to offer grace.

The issue of the sheep and those who have been hurt. "In those days I will give you shepherds after my own heart" Jer.3:15. This is my prayer; I want to be one of those shepherds after His heart. As a leader I have made a lot of mistakes. I have hurt people and have made decisions that have turned out to be big mistakes. But I have to tell you it was never my heart to do that. I never woke up in the morning and said I think I will make some mistakes today. I just made decisions that turned out that way. I am so sorry for that. I am ashamed of things that happened. But I have to stay the course. A righteous man falls seven times but he rises up again. That's my goal, I want to rise up and try my best to not make that or any other mistake again. I love the church I want to see her arise and become all that she can become, so I will rise up and do my best to represent Him in the way He chose to represent Himself. {John 17} that the world might know that you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.

The real problem is that the church is made up of people, and people make mistakes. Including you and me. If you ever find the perfect church, don't go to it, you'll ruin it, and so would I. It's the nature of the beast. The problem is that we are growing in our lives in the Lord. He didn't just wave a wand over us and make us perfect. It is an on going growing experience. I'm not as bad as I use to be but I'm not as good as I am going to get. For myself I will do all that I can to love God and serve His people.
So I guess I say all of that to say this. Leave room for grace, not just to leaders, and not just to the sheep, but to all that we have contact with. Lets try and give the mercy we have been shown.