tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post116275951323233852..comments2023-05-17T05:59:16.801-04:00Comments on Tuesday Column: The Bigger They are, the Harder They FallKeith Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058949281404407630noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1169083666441665212007-01-17T20:27:00.000-05:002007-01-17T20:27:00.000-05:00Guess Who said, The problem is that Christians hav...Guess Who said, <BR/><BR/>The problem is that Christians have their household gods like Haggard,Graham,Falwell, and so on. We place them on a pedestal and when they fall we say, "Oh, my!"<BR/><BR/>Each of these men including the Pope put their pants on one leg at a time.<BR/><BR/>'The first shall be last and the last first.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163990828801978672006-11-19T21:47:00.000-05:002006-11-19T21:47:00.000-05:00Early church fathers, talk about sexual failings b...Early church fathers, talk about sexual failings being caused by two things: <BR/> - lack of ascetic practice (particularly the scheduled fasts)<BR/> - prelest (spiritual dilusion through the use of immagination and/or emotionalism during prayer). <BR/><BR/>Ironically, I would suspect that all the spiritual "leaders" you mention probably fail both these litmus tests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163781713962514452006-11-17T11:41:00.000-05:002006-11-17T11:41:00.000-05:00Gordon MacDonald wrote an exceptional article in r...Gordon MacDonald wrote an exceptional article in response to Haggard and the NAE in the leadership journal newsletter. Don't miss some of the "implications" found at the end of the article as well. He's not just talking about Haggard... it's about the movement as a whole. There's a good prophetic voice in this, I believe...<BR/><BR/>Here's the online link: <BR/><BR/>http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2006/cln61106.html<BR/><BR/>Just highlight and paste into your browser.David Druryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11935888468388634009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163706469067834972006-11-16T14:47:00.000-05:002006-11-16T14:47:00.000-05:00Trust me, the need to be has nothing to do with nu...Trust me, the need to be has nothing to do with numbers! If you do not believe me, look at many of the small church pastors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163706377568800812006-11-16T14:46:00.000-05:002006-11-16T14:46:00.000-05:00True friendship in christianity is very rare regar...True friendship in christianity is very rare regardless of whether or not one is a pastor or lay person! Because of the religious competition, "positions of authority" and commanded (as most believe) correction, true friendship cannot exist and never will exist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163700169577341092006-11-16T13:02:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:02:00.000-05:00False Expectations...Many ministry nosedives are c...False Expectations...<BR/><BR/>Many ministry nosedives are caused by false expectations. Those of the pastor, the congregation, the public, church leadership, etc. <BR/><BR/>What false expectations does a church body have for their pastor? That he should not even be tempted by the dark side. Temptation = sin. We know this is not true; but how could our "pastor" even think about homosexual or extra-marital lust. Because of this false expectation, a pastor has no accountablity outlet for confession (of temptation), counseling, and just plain friendship with someone to help him.<BR/><BR/>What false expectations does a pastor have for himself? That he is the Gold Standard. His character and christian testimony must set the pace for the congregation. The more people his church has the more pressure there is to be "THE MAN." Any chinks in his armor amount to failure...he thinks. Thus to deal with temptations he goes to the dark side; instead of having a group of other men to confide in.<BR/><BR/>I've been thinking much about this since 2 pastors in our state fellowship have fallen in the last couple years. Both because of similar struggles to what Haggard has dealt with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163529251223227842006-11-14T13:34:00.000-05:002006-11-14T13:34:00.000-05:00After a brief overview of the posts, I’m surprised...After a brief overview of the posts, I’m surprised that none of them include thoughts from Eph 6 (Kinsey noted a bit, but not head on.). We are fighting not against flesh and blood, but against powers of the heavenly realm. There have been many quotes about how ted is a sinner and has fallen short of the glory of God. I think we can agree that all feel the effects, pull, and lure of sin. But has anyone thought about the effects of the spiritual war going on? I believe that the supernatural warfare manifests influence on earth in instances like this. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Haggard could say “the devil made me do it.” BUT, if you were Satan, how sweet would it be to take down one of the most prominent Christians and undermine years of ministry. What strategy! Who can he pick off next? Billy Grahm had better watch out? I think we underestimate the devil’s influence. What do you think?<BR/><BR/>On sex and religion, I once read (sorry for no footnotes, proof), that the part of the brain responsible for processing “religion and spirituality” and “sex” are right next to each other. Maybe this can partially explain why one blogger said that he was more romantic to his wife after a spiritually charged chapel service. Or maybe pastors really aren’t “taking a tap” after church on Sunday afternoon…. Just a thought. I think I learned this from Prof. Boivin in neurophysiology at IWU….maybe he deserves the footnote…or maybe I just disgraced his name. Anyone around want to ask him about this possibility???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163173709710466472006-11-10T10:48:00.000-05:002006-11-10T10:48:00.000-05:00This discusison has been primarily focussed on how...This discusison has been primarily focussed on how to address the moral failures of church leaders. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps some of you would like to join in the discussion about homosexuality in the church:<BR/><BR/>http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/response-to-ted-haggard-situationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163171124977818232006-11-10T10:05:00.000-05:002006-11-10T10:05:00.000-05:00I believe the clear reason pastors are falling har...I believe the clear reason pastors are falling hard and fast is because God has removed His Spirit from them and their pulpits. It says that a day will come when the thirst will not be quenched because the Spirit of God is removed. No Spirit, no capability to combating sin! Thus the result, pastors that are nothing more than clanging gongs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163134656322890932006-11-09T23:57:00.000-05:002006-11-09T23:57:00.000-05:00Keith,My heart breaks for Ted Haggard, his wife, h...Keith,<BR/><BR/>My heart breaks for Ted Haggard, his wife, his family, his church, and our cumulative witness as Christians right now. May we all pray for him, that he'll recover from this and find his way back to a vibrant walk with God.<BR/><BR/>I wanted to add... I don't remember being deeply challenged in my ministry courses regarding personal sin issues. In fact, I don't recall being directly addressed as a soon-to-be-pastor about any specific sins or temptations. I remember some challenging chapel services, but I don't remember being sat down and talked to as a pastor-in-waiting. (I DO remember sitting down with the district DBMD, but much of that was more formal and impersonal, kind of a "quick check in" about school, life, and ministry - no "feet over the fire" kind of conversations to motivate me toward holiness if something was lacking...)<BR/><BR/>Please keep in mind, I'm not saying it didn't happen; after all, perhaps I'm so old I've forgotten! But I wonder - does IWU invest specific, deliberate time sitting down with future pastors to address very explicitly the various temptations they may face in the course of church work? I don't know this would solve all the "falling" issues, but perhaps more consistent, deliberate mentoring, accountability, and face-time with developing ministers would minimize these moments.<BR/><BR/>I know we're all personally accountable for our actions and behaviors; I simply wonder if anyone's consistently encouraging preventative behaviors to those who are called to lead. After all, you know what I know - Satan would love to take out pastors and church leaders to accomplish precisely what we're witnessing in the Haggard situation - disunity, mistrust, and fallout.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps these moments point to a need for more personal and transparent conversation in the educational process. Perhaps they point to the fact that some guys think they're above the law. Perhaps it's something else altogether, but I can't help but wonder if more direct challenge and accountability early on would alleviate some of this stuff.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13490953121700682935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163133882961503172006-11-09T23:44:00.000-05:002006-11-09T23:44:00.000-05:00What can be said that hasn't already been said?ISO...What can be said that hasn't already been said?<BR/><BR/>ISOLATION. You've got it all, and you've got nothing. All at the same time. You're on top of the world, but apart from the world. When people feel isolated, they'll do almost anything to feel connected.<BR/><BR/>FRIENDLESS. You know what I like hearing? That Bill Hybels has sailing buddies. You know why? Because it helps me know he's got real friends. Big guys sometimes have the appearance of having friendships, but have no true friendships to speak of. When "everyone" is your friend, sometimes no one is your friend. And when you're friendless, you'll come up with some strange behaviors to fill the relational void.<BR/><BR/>TAWG-less. Ever hear the story of the starving baker? He made loaves of bread every day, but never ate for himself. One day he keeled over from deprivation. As a church grows, more is expected of the leader. And let's be honest - when's the last time a senior pastor of a growing church had several key friends and leaders in the church advocating that he do less so he could spend more "TAWG" - Time Alone With God?<BR/><BR/>JUSTIFICATION. No one needs to know. It's not a big deal. Who would ever find out? I deserve it. As long as it doesn't hurt anybody. I'll only do this once. God will forgive me. I'll never do it again. Just this once. No one will tell, because they're doing things they shouldn't be doing, too... And a thousand other things we tell ourselves, or listen to the Enemy tell us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163123903053863532006-11-09T20:58:00.000-05:002006-11-09T20:58:00.000-05:00I think the Cop Gone Bad theory is probably pretty...I think the Cop Gone Bad theory is probably pretty on target. Also, the excess amount of sexual energy due to large amounts of spiritualization seems probable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163123490162619282006-11-09T20:51:00.000-05:002006-11-09T20:51:00.000-05:00I'd love to read some of this research about sex a...I'd love to read some of this research about sex and the 'religious' person. If anyone has any links or books they'd recommend please post them.Matthew Kinseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18359696617042751278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163092564920886882006-11-09T12:16:00.000-05:002006-11-09T12:16:00.000-05:00Sex and materialism have been my biggest struggles...Sex and materialism have been my biggest struggles as a believer, along with pride. Chambers said that pride and sensuality are the great sins of every age. There came a time in my life when I confessed to two men who were prayer partners with me that I had terrible failures with lust. One man could not go there, it made him too uncomfortable. The other said, basically, "Me too" and we prayed for each other a lot, 'til I moved away from that place. I still miss having a prayer/accountability partner, I have yet to find one after nearly 12 years living where I do now. It made such a difference for me. My struggles kept me from being involved in full time ministry for many years. <BR/>I personally think that sexual failure is about a lot of things, not just our normal drives. My greatest failure (I did not have an affair, and I don't think it wise to say more) came while I was married to a beautiful 23 year old woman (we have been married for almost 30 years now). I would be interested in seeing this pursued some. <BR/>I have never been and never will be a Ted Haggard. I rather think I don't want to be, although I do want to make enough to pay the bills. I would agree with many others who have commented; the causes of moral downfall may be varied, but the struggle to get help is connected most with pride. It is humiliating to admit some struggles, and for pastors a certain amount of fear is involved. And, if we are supposed to be preaching a message of Spirit empowered living it is doubly hard to say we are tempted, struggling (or failing). <BR/>I was in Israel in the last week and a half; was only able to attend church one time; Haggards problems were mentioned (kindly) from the platform. Satan surely delights in taking down one of the "big guys," the ripple effect is literally world wide.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163050416797142382006-11-09T00:33:00.000-05:002006-11-09T00:33:00.000-05:00The question I'm asking right now is, "Why do men ...The question I'm asking right now is, "Why do men like Haggard remain in ministry until they're caught in the act? Why do they not "come out of the closet (whatever that closet may be)" and turn to the Body for help and care?" <BR/><BR/>If we really believe there is victory out there, shouldn't we do whatever it takes to gain it? <BR/><BR/>If we really believe a leader must live a life of integrity, shouldn't we step aside if we aren't?<BR/><BR/>One thing we shouldn't miss about many of the men Drury has listed is the fact that none of them were caught off guard "in the heat of the moment". All of them pursued their immorality over a long-term length of public ministry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163041645624227902006-11-08T22:07:00.000-05:002006-11-08T22:07:00.000-05:00Why do “Big Guys” fall into sexual indiscretion? 1...Why do “Big Guys” fall into sexual indiscretion? <BR/><BR/>1. VOYEURISM. Pornography is a private attempt to fulfill the loss of intimacy that one lacks in other relationships. A thief first commits petty larceny before graduating to grand larceny. Likewise, pornography usually precedes adultery. Be sure, that private sin will ultimately become public sin.<BR/><BR/>2. INFERORITY. Often, abusive members can destroy a pastor’s self esteem. This can be so painful, that a hurting pastor might do anything just to fill this void. Such a pastor may not even recognize that he is at risk. <BR/><BR/>3. ADRENALINE RUSH. Loneliness, boredom, or discouragement can wear a pastor down. <BR/>Pornography, chat lines, or adultery can give an adrenaline rush to a guy with unmet emotional needs. Ted Haggard sought to heighten his sexual “rush” with “crystal meth”. <BR/><BR/>4. NARCISSISM. A narcissistic pastor is obsessed with self and has a compulsion to satisfy personal needs without regard for others. Beware of the pastor who talks about the size of his church or ministry. A success driven pastor needs to separate self identity from ministry identity. Delusions of grandeur can lead to delusions of adultery.<BR/><BR/>5. MEGALOMANIA. Some pastors have an inflated belief in their own superiority, abilities, and omnipotence. They exert total power and control over others. They use staff, members, and family to build up their ministry and feed their self esteem. When the ministry ceases to satisfy their ego, they will pursue a sexual conquest. They dominate others to meet their own needs.<BR/><BR/>6. OWNERSHIP. I am the pastor, I am the church. I built it, or planted it, or grew it. This church was nothing until I arrived. I deserve recognition or reward. Beware of the pastor who talks possessively about “my church” or “my board”. Just remember that someday “my secretary” may become “my downfall”.<BR/><BR/>7. I'M ABOVE THE LAW.<BR/>Like a cop who always drives faster than the speed limit, some pastors live by their own rules. Do as I say, not as I do. Rules don’t apply to me. I’m to busy for accountability. Any pastor, without accountability will rationalize away sinful behavior. The pastor who disregards or distains ecclesial authority is at risk.<BR/><BR/>8. ADULTRY IS NO BIG DEAL. Often pastors are “practical Calvinists” and act like sin is without consequence. We think that sexual sin is “no big deal”. In reality, adultery and homosexuality are defiling sins against the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Some suggest that these are “mortal sins” or a “sins unto death” (I John 5:16).<BR/><BR/>9. CHEAP EVANGELISM. In the rush to grow a Wal-Mart size church, we perhaps we fail to offer transformational grace that truly breaks the power of sin in people’s lives. Perhaps the problem is that some pastors have never truly been fully converted themselves.<BR/><BR/>- WesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163022583008728152006-11-08T16:49:00.000-05:002006-11-08T16:49:00.000-05:00Just for the record, research has repeatedly shown...Just for the record, research has repeatedly shown that the more religious one is the more frequently that person has sexual intercourse. I wonder why? {thinking....}Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1163014988159322562006-11-08T14:43:00.000-05:002006-11-08T14:43:00.000-05:00I just thought of another, perhaps more subtle rea...I just thought of another, perhaps more subtle reason why this type of situation might hit the clergy--especially pastors. Could it be that the pressure placed on pastors (whether self-imposed or not) also is transferred to the pastor's family? 1 Timothy gives a list of standards that pastors should be held to, but in the life of many congregations, the pastor's spouse is also held to the same standards.<BR/><BR/>Because this seems to be more of an issue with males (who was the last female spiritual leader whose name was dragged through the media for having fallen into sexual sin?), let me assume that we are talking about male pastors. Isn't it often natural for a pastor's wife to be affected by the things that affect her husband? If there is a person or group of people in the church causing the pastor problems, isn't it likely that his wife will also be affected?<BR/><BR/>At the same time, especially in smaller churches, isn't the pastor's wife often expected to "pick up the ball" and be in charge of whatever no one else wants to be in charge of and keep things from slipping through the cracks? <BR/><BR/>If this pastor and wife have children and the wife has a job outside of the home to make up for the lack of income a small-church pastor gets, plus if she is getting weary about hearing negative things about her husband, about problems in the church, about something ELSE that has to be taken care of that no one else is doing so she has to do it, etc..., isn't it at least POSSIBLE that utter exhaustion can lead to lack of intimacy within the marriage?<BR/><BR/>Then when lack of intimacy occurs, isn't it at least POSSIBLE that a pastor would be more tempted than normal when presented with an opportunity for some type of initmacy?<BR/><BR/>Please note that this is NOT an excuse I am suggesting, nor am I blaming any pastor's wife for infidelity on a pastor's part. However, in the original article, we were looking for possible reasons why pastoral infidelity can occur. <BR/><BR/>I thank God that I have remained faithful to my wife during all the years of our marriage. The benefits of faithfulness are many. But just as Keith mentioned "overwork" as a possible reason for a pastor to stray from his spouse, I believe that the utter exhaustion faced by many pastor's wives due to unreasonable demands placed on these women can also be a contributing factor to a breakdown of intimacy within a marriage, and can lead towards marital infidelity.<BR/><BR/>That's just my two-cents' worth, and since I offered these thoughts free of charge, they are worth every penny! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1162919984078485592006-11-07T12:19:00.000-05:002006-11-07T12:19:00.000-05:00"Why would a big guy fall into sexual temptation?"..."Why would a big guy fall into sexual temptation?"<BR/><BR/>While I think there are many practical things that could have been done by way of accountability to prevent something like this, I'm not sure that addresses the root of the problem and the problem itself.<BR/><BR/>Ted Haggard is a sinner. We are all sinners. Sin is the issue. Ted's work, schedule, personality, and sex drive* aren't the issue. His sin is. That's the root. <BR/><BR/>When that is properly in focus, it should leave us humbly looking at the situation and asking more than just "why did Ted fall into this temptation?", it should leave us asking, "Why on earth have <I>I</I> not done this?"<BR/><BR/>[*Does a greater sexual drive leave one more prone to sin? I suppose if the sexual drive itself was sinful it would. But a sex drive isn't sinful. His sin isn't in his sex drive, it's in believing that sex outside of his marriage will fulfill his drive. He could have an off-the-charts sex drive, and if he used that within the context God gave (turning his passions and desires toward his wife and acting that out), then his sex drive and sex life are glorifying to God. Respectfully, I have to say that the theory about the seats of sexual and spiritual energy is hard to take seriously -- the same way the Episcopal church's new accepted names for God are hard to take seriously.]luke middletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10170030287330063889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1162918789059219522006-11-07T11:59:00.000-05:002006-11-07T11:59:00.000-05:00I see this differently than you people running her...I see this differently than you people running here and there bleating "Alas!-Alas! Omygod! Sin! Sin!<BR/><BR/>We evangelicals are no different than any other sinners--we sin every day in word, thought and deed and that sometimes included adultery and even homosexual behavior. I can understand why the secular media "don't get it" and imagine that evangelicals should be pure and spotless--but we Christians know that there is none righteous---not one.<BR/><BR/>Haggard did what Christians do--sin. And the church did what churches do--removed leaders committing blatant sin. So what? There is no news here.<BR/><BR/>Christians <B>might </B> sin less than unbelievers but the Bible does not guarantee it. What it does guarantee is there is therefore now no condemnation." God forgave Ted Haggard's sin years ago when all his sins--past, present-and future--were forgiven. God cannot see his sin because He sees only the perfection of Christ when he looks at Haggard.<BR/><BR/>Should he be removed as pastor--of course. Should he resign from NAE--certainly. But why is there so much crying and hand-wringing about a pastor sinning--we all sin regularly and no one sin is any more serious than another. If all the hand-wringers making comments above ever gossip then why are you casting stones as if Haggard did something worse than you? The only difference between the unconverted sinner and the saved sinner is one has already been forgiven of all their sins and is already risen to be seated in Christ at the right hand of the Father. Sin should cause us to praise God, not worry as if Christians can be sinless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1162916721631933922006-11-07T11:25:00.000-05:002006-11-07T11:25:00.000-05:00Dear Friends: I believe that the problem with fall...Dear Friends: I believe that the problem with falling is in the attempted cure of sin. We are so puritanical in our approach that we demand resolution of and victory over, not only our own sin but that of others. We (evangelical) find a personal success and create a formula that we believe will solve the problem. This creates dishonesty in the individual as they display for public view a "thin veneer of Jesus" while the deepest heart issues go unattened. Perhaps a more catholic approach to sin and forgiveness would better serve our recovery. Confession - penence - and forgiveness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1162912738167735272006-11-07T10:18:00.000-05:002006-11-07T10:18:00.000-05:00In my previous comments, I found an error after I ...In my previous comments, I found an error after I posted. I said "weather or not..." when, of course, it should have read "whether or not..."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1162912497007645002006-11-07T10:14:00.000-05:002006-11-07T10:14:00.000-05:00As of this moment, I've only read the original art...As of this moment, I've only read the original article and haven't read any of the comments yet, so please forgive me if I am repeating anything that anyone else has said.<BR/><BR/>This is a great article, Keith. First and foremost, I want to state that I do NOT condone the sexual behavior that has been talked about in the article. From the accounts I've read about the most recent "big name to fall" (and I'll admit I have NOT paid all that much attention--especially to the details), sin was committed, and sin needs to be dealt with before God.<BR/><BR/>At the same time, I believe that a lot of this has to do with the culture in which we currently live. It seems as though we tend to more-or-less rank some sins as being worse than others. In our current culture, sexual sin seems to be one of the worst, even though the Bible doesn't generally classify one sin as being different from another (although in 1 Corinthians Paul DOES single out sexual sin as something from which people should flee, yet seems to stop short of coming right out and saying that sexual sin will be more harshly punished).<BR/><BR/>I think there are 2 major things at work here. First, since our society is so hung up on sexual sins, it is easier to preach against sexual sin than some other sins we would like to ignore (for instance, I wonder how many pastors and other Christians have a tendency to gossip). Because sexual sin is such a big thing in our society, and because so many pastors and other christian leaders so vocally come out against it, it makes sense that if someone gives in to the temptation of sexual sin that the society in general will make a big deal about it. And don't think that Satan isn't aware of this, either. I believe that Satan wants to see the fall of as many ministers as possible, in order to cause havoc in the church (both local and world-wide) and discredit Christianity in general.<BR/><BR/>I believe that the second issue is that we as Christians have a tendency to expect absolute perfection in any minister. I am a pastor, and I am only human. I am not perfect. But I think that sometimes ministers seem to feel that they have to hide their weaknesses, maybe because any perceived weakness in their personal lives might jeopardize their jobs. Yes, their jobs are ministry, but in very few other professions (perhaps a politician would have the same scrutiny placed on him/her) does a person's personal life play such a major role in weather or not he/she can continue in that position and financially support a family.<BR/><BR/>Keith, I think that the list you gave is right on the mark. I just thought I'd add these thoughts to what you said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1162906066671325842006-11-07T08:27:00.000-05:002006-11-07T08:27:00.000-05:00I have lived through a similar situation only in a...I have lived through a similar situation only in a little different way. My wife had an affair with another Minister and left me high and dry. I left the ministry but returned 7 years later after a study of the underside of the church as a Private Investigator. I specialized in "Clergy Misconduct".<BR/><BR/>As a Pastor I can understand a little of what Haggard went through. The problem goes well beyond sex, which is just the lowest level which he fell. The problem starts the first time the Leader is tempted to fudge a little on his ethics and then he doesn't resist. He wants a project done a certain way so he steamrolls over people. He becomes successful, then thinks to highly of himself. "I built this church!!!!" and so on. Control and unrestrained power will get you every time. It only leads to the more baser sins like theft and sexual imorality. <BR/><BR/>Be warned, its in every one of us. We could all start on the path to immorality at any moment. The key to spiriutal health and vitality is a heart that is constantly open and transparent to God, where sin is confessed daily. And where you have a people in your life that set you straight. And above all, you can't take yourself to seriously.<BR/><BR/>Those who have commented that the problem is Haggard's Charismatic Theology may be in danger of falling themselves. Anytime you think you have a lock on correct Dogma and think "those other poeple" are wacked, you better watch out. Obviously they haven't studied Church History to see all the wierd people with less than perfect Theology who God used in mighty ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811538.post-1162880414023709252006-11-07T01:20:00.000-05:002006-11-07T01:20:00.000-05:00In regards to prevention- here's a good article:5 ...In regards to prevention- here's a good article:<BR/><BR/>5 Moral Fences by Dr. James McDonald<BR/>http://www.walkintheword.com/Article_fivefences.aspxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com