He sounds like a good but sad man. I think it’s time for the church to acknowledge that an openly gay person can be friend, colleague and used mightily to spread the Gospel.

Dr. James Dobson ‘Heartsick’ Over Haggard Allegations
COLORADO SPRINGS, Nov. 3 /Christian Newswire/ —

Focus on the Family founder and Chairman James C. Dobson, Ph.D., issued the following statement today after learning the Rev. Ted Haggard had acknowledged some “indiscretions” involving accusations made against him by a gay prostitute in Denver:

“All of us at Focus on the Family are heartsick over the allegation, not yet confirmed, that Ted has had a private life with a homosexual for several years. We will await the outcome of this story, but the possibility that an illicit relationship has occurred is alarming to us and to millions of others.

“Ted has been my close friend and colleague for many years. He has been used mightily to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Colorado Springs and around the world. He will continue to be my friend, even if the worst allegations prove accurate. Nevertheless, sexual sin, whether homosexual or heterosexual, has serious consequences and we are extremely concerned for Ted, his family and his church.

“We ask that the Focus on the Family constituency and Christians everywhere pray for Ted and his loved ones. Our hearts go out to all of them. Perhaps the allegations are false and the circumstances are not as we have heard. Either way, the situation has grave implications for the Cause of Christ and we ask for the Lord’s guidance and blessings in the days ahead.”

Well, so far he’s two thirds of the way there… ugh.

I, for one, am sorry that Haggard been shown to be living a double life. While I found his political activism on gay issues deplorable, at least he was one who didn’t preach theocracy and recognized that there is a place for secular values in a pluralistic society.

In hindsight it does seem odd that he simultaneously opposed the estabishment of a Christian Nation but also was so hardline and active on the gay marriage issue. Perhaps, as was the case with Jim McGreevey, his fear was that if he wasn’t a front man against gay marriage then people would start to wonder. Or perhaps he’s just good at compartmentalization.

The very sad thing is that so often church members deify their pastors. Rather than as a man who dedicates his life to study and thought so that he can be a spiritual advisor, often congregants see their pastor as the voice of God. A betrayal of this sort can be devastating – as frightening and dissettling as the infidelity of a spouse.

In any case, I hope the man and all around him find peace. This can’t be a good time for him or his family or his followers.