One year ago today, January 2, 2012, I made some ‘mostly fun’ predictions for the church and ministry world for 2012.  Let’s see how I did: Ted Haggard. Ted Haggard will again get headlines for something we wish he wouldn’t.  (And his upcoming appearance on Wife Swap doesn’t even count).  I predict that Ted will say or do something this year that will make us all want to hide under a rock. Ted was pretty quiet in 2013.  Looks like it’s me hiding under a rock. Pat Robertson. Speaking of rocks, and our desire to stone someone, Pat Robertson will sometime this year,...

Matt Steen and myself tackle an article from Leadership Journal on the Christian community’s lack of forgiveness for the likes of Ted Haggard (or really, anyone that has fallen). Here’s the main article:  Going To Hell with Ted Haggard What do YOU think? Todd

It’s time for our weekly look at what’s happening in the ministry world with my good friend Matt Steen and myself. This week, we talk about all kinds of current events and happenings in the church and ministry world.  Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy while you’re multi-tasking today: SHOW NOTES: 44% of cell phone owners have slept with their cell phone (0:05) Depression  Adolescent Sexual Activity in Romantic and Nonromantic Relational Contexts: A Genetically-Informative Sibling Comparison (5:45) Rob Bell’s “Love Wins” book resulted in a 3,000 member decrease at Mars Hill...

From the Christian Post: “We’ve reached a point where human dignity and mutual respect is so important,” Haggard said in a recent online debate with Rabbi Benjamin Hecht, director of Orthodox Jewish think tank Nishma. Responding to the question, “Should same-sex marriage be allowed by the state?” he went on to say, “If someone is dealing with same-sex attraction or homosexuality, and they want someone to be their life partner of the same gender, though we would oppose that in our churches, it should be allowed by the state.” So… what do YOU think…...

OK… well, it’s Friday afternoon… and what better way to wind down for the weekend that a little reality television? Specifically, Ted Haggard and Gary Busey on Wifeswap… I’m so excited, I feel like a sixth grader. Your thoughts? Found...

So… Ted Haggard’s Wife Swap appearance is coming up soon.  (Remember, this doesn’t count on my predictions for the year). So… I thought it would be interesting to hear from Haggard why he’s doing this: “So many people are fixated on the scandal as though it is the only thing in [our lives], and actually, that was not the only thing… We’ve been married 33 years. We’ve got wonderful children. We had a wonderful church life at New Life ministries for 22 years, and now at St. James Church. The kids were excited about the idea of communicating the current status of...

OK… Ted Haggard and Gary Busey are evidently appearing on an episode of WifeSwap this season. I’m interested in your comments.  Will you watch?  Good move for Ted or Gary?  Thoughts? Todd

From the “What is he thinking file” comes this. Ted Haggard is supposedly making a cameo in an upcoming Christian movie about sex: According to the Christian Today website: The movie is about a guy who saves himself for marriage but later becomes determined to lose his virginity after his fiance dumps him at the altar on their wedding day.In one scene, the guy wrestles with his decision to stay abstinent and tells a friend over coffee that he no longer wants to wait until marriage to have sex.“I’m so frustrated. You know what? I’m just going to do what I want to do...

Ted Haggard thinks you’re an idiot and a hypocrite. At least that’s what he thinks of most of the church. In fact, Ted feels that while the church says they offer forgiveness, they rarely if ever give it.  But other kinds of businesses do give forgiveness and restoration freely… all the time. As Ted says, everyone else was restored and forgiven, just not him. He mentions how Tiger Woods was restored.  Tiger is a golfer.  If Tiger’s sin had been extreme hypocrisy involving golf, say using illegal equipment or betting on or fixing outcomes, Tiger would not be playing...

It’s the most telling and honest article about the Ted Haggard scandal to date.  Actually, it was like someone spiked Ted’s drink before he granted an interview with GQ.  I think the drink was spiked with 1/2 truth syrum and 1/2 grain alcohol that provided for a very candid and disturbing article. The candid and disturbing: - What really happened in the scandal that took Haggard down (at least the current version).  Warning:  It goes into some very graphic details. - Haggard’s fall not only included homosexuality, but pornography and the use of crystal meth. - Haggard...