The Awesomeness that is Ted Haggard
A few years ago, when Ted Haggard had his unfortunate fall from grace, I was selfishly, and immaturely, pleased. Rejoicing in someone else’s folly is a pathetic act, yet I confess it is exactly what I did.
You see, though Ted and I share the same faith, we are light years apart on some of the details. Politically, Ted is a Republican, and I am politically very liberal. Ted believes in a biblical creation, I believe that evolution is compatible with faith. Ted wears ties to church, and I wear shorts. I’m no fan of the religious right, and for years, Ted embodied it. I was not alone in rejoicing over Ted’s misfortune. Millions of liberals and atheists found delight in Ted’s fall, and considered it yet another example of Christian hypocrisy and right-wing-nutiness.
Over time, my animosity towards Ted waned, and was replaced by a sense of sorrow and compassion. Consider that once, Ted was on top of the world and hugely influential. Then suddenly, his capital fell to zero. In a state of recalcitrance, I sent an email to Ted, expressing my sorrow, forgiveness, and encouragement. I suggested he turn towards a life of service. To my surprise, he replied personally, filled with grace and contrition.
Some time later, he and Alexandra Pelosi shot The Trials of Ted Haggard and released it on HBO. I was already a fan of Alexandra Pelosi’s from Journeys With George, and had also enjoyed her movie, Friends of God, in which Ted Haggard appeared. Since I don’t have HBO, I found the movie on bittorent, and watched it. I was moved by Ted’s openness and transparency, and Gayle’s deep love and forgiveness.
In the mean time, Ted started tweeting (follow him!), and started a facebook page. While some might consider it a crass PR move, I consider it genuine and courageous. Ted continues to share his joys and his trials, and more importantly has struck up new friendships with his followers and Facebook fans, myself included. It has been great getting to know the real Ted Haggard, rather than the caricature portrayed in the media. What was once a single email exchange has turned into regular communications back-and-forth.
Most recently, I tweeted and Facebook-posted a pretty nasty message about rumors about Sarah Palin. Again to my surprise, Ted replied on my Facebook page and was quick to admonish me for jumping the gun and judging too quickly. Not angry, but firm. I felt convicted. And then I felt embarrassed. I had repeated the same mistake with Palin that I had made with Ted, and I stand corrected. Who knows how things will turn out for Sarah Palin? Even if she is guilty, that is not the last word. God gets the last word.
I’m really impressed with Ted, and the person he is becoming. In some ways, his trials are the best thing that could have happened to him, as they have made him stronger and better. I must also say how impressed I am with his family, who have stood by him when many would have abandoned him. Mostly, I am blown away by the transforming power of amazing grace at work in all of our lives.
I never expected Ted Haggard to be so open, and I never expected him to be so sincere. After all, he could have totally blown me off as one of the masses. Instead, he has treated me like a unique individual with attention and respect. I’m grateful for the brotherhood I have with Ted. We may sometimes sit on opposite sides of a big tent, but we sit in the same tent together. I’m glad we’re in the same tent. I keep inviting him to Berkeley, and I hope he takes me up on it some day. We both need forgiveness and grace, and we can both be instruments of forgiveness and grace. Doing so face-to-face would be a real thrill.
Ted, you are awesome, even with a few extra pounds! 
Let’s get a low-fat latte and hang out!
Update 3:50 PM 7/5/2009: Ted wrote me to point out that his rumored influence with George Bush is greatly exaggerated and that he hasn’t worn a suit in years. (Excellent!). The joke about “a few extra pounds” is light-hearted… he’s been tweeting about trying to loose some weight. Thanks everyone for your nice comments. Romans 5:20. And, all of Luke 15, too.
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Ted Haggard said,
July 5, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Wow! I’m amazed. This is actual human communication. Thank you! Dialogue. This makes my Sunday morning. For me, it’s better than church (smile). Ted
Bob hansen said,
July 5, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
Thank you for these kind words. I am also on the other side of the tent,as you say, but I learned a lot by watching Ted’s film. I hated to see the Church get a black eye, but God is much bigger than us and I am thanful he forgives me of all I do. If he can forgive me. He can forgive Ted and you. Sometimes political views have a way of getting in the way of meeting and caring about good people. I am glad you and Ted are friends. It set a great example
thanks again
Alan Hawkins said,
July 5, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
Love your article
Jesus is the Big Tent guy….
They drew a circle and put me out
‘Rebel!’ ‘Heretic!’ a thing to flout
But love and I had the wit to win
We drew a circle and put them in
Bless you sir
Jeff said,
July 6, 2009 @ 6:24 am
I have found Ted to be the same way you describe. I actually interned at New Life Church in 02-03 while Ted was the Senior Pastor. Last September I was out in Colorado for a work trip and shot Ted a text message, telling him who I was, that I was out there, and I would love to spend time with him. To my surprise he responded, said he’d love to get together. I went over to his house the next day, sat in his backyard, just Ted and I, we just talked. Talked about life, talked about what was happening in my life, talked about his life and the past few years he had gone through. He was truly a broken man but also the same Ted I had remembered years before. It was a very cool time that I will never forget. So, thanks for writing this article John!
Jeff
Ty Ramey said,
July 7, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
This unctious little ode to hypocrisy is gag-inducing. If he still thinks that gay is sin, etc., he has not “healed”. He’s still in a sham marriage and lying to himself and those around him.
johnfromberkeley said,
July 7, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Ty-
I share your concerns about hypocrisy. That’s valid, as Ted repeatedly held back truths that were only revealed once he was caught. I could very well have written the very comment you have written. After all, did you see what I wrote about Sarah Palin?
Politically, I probably share most of your views about homosexuality. For example, I support identical civil unions for homosexuals and heterosexuals. I believe in anti-discrimination laws that protect homosexuals. However, I also believe individual churches should be allowed to have their own religious perspectives on this subject, within the context of their own communities.
I wonder if I share some of your views on sin? For example, I believe the gulf war is the result of sin. I believe torture is sin. I believe allowing 50 ~million~ americans to live without healthcare is sin. I believe not allowing homosexuals the same rights afforded to heterosexuals is sin. You may not call it “sin”. You may have another word for it. But something tells me we might be in agreement on at least some of these issues.
I’ve learned that when you get to know someone, when you spend time with them, you discover that you have more things in common than you have differences. That’s part of the genius of Morgan Spurlock’s show “30 days“. And this has certainly held true in the relationship between Ted and Alexandra Pelosi. Initially, Ted represented a stereotype to her. I’m sure she disagrees with some of his views, and has doubts about some of his progress. Yet, over time, she and Ted have become friends. It is too easy for both sides to stereotype each other. A friend recently said to me, “In my experience, stereotypes are very seldom true.” I tend to agree.
I wonder if we can be as noble as Ms. Pelosi? Can we sincerely dialog with Ted? Can we give him the benefit of the doubt? And if he fails us, can we accept him? If he takes the low road, can we take the high road? If he stumbles, can we lend him a hand up?
My “unctuous ode” was not to hypocrisy. It was actually an unctuous ode against judging others, including those who judge. An ode towards unity, towards common ground, towards dialogue, towards understanding, towards mutual respect, even when you disagree wildly.
That’s really hard. It can be frustrating. In many ways, to me, conservatives are clanging cymbals. But what do you do with that? The way I see it, we can do one of two things, we can take a posture against, or we can make a gesture towards. I believe the latter is more constructive.
What gesture can you make towards those who hate you? More courageously, what gesture can you make towards those you hate? The answer to this question is a window into your own character, independent of the character of others.
johnfromberkeley said,
July 7, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
Update: Unfortunately, Ty left a fake email address, so he may never get to read my reply.
Roland said,
July 25, 2009 @ 6:54 am
Thank you for your testimony, very refreshing! Having been doing missions work for about 14 years working with church leaders from various nations and denominations, other ministries, I have been amazed over the raw and harsh ways many, way to many leaders/pastors deal with people in similar failings….but now I see an increase of healthy dialog about restoration and reconciliation especially with the example with Haggard’s , I know there are more needed to be done. But I believe God is addressing this ‘topic’ to the evangelical community: stop slamming the fallen! Stop kicking people when they are down! Stop treating them as there are no 2nd chances or no more ministry, it is not true! God is all about reconciliation and restoration, we as churches CANNOT preach one thing and do the opposite, the world is watching….
johnfromberkeley said,
July 27, 2009 @ 7:45 am
Furthermore, I’m really surprised those who beg for “tolerance” aren’t willing to break the circle of hate. Who will be more loving? At this point, it seems like neither side will.
Don said,
August 26, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Thank you for the open and generous gesture of faith and friendship shown to Ted Haggard. To me that speaks more powerfully to the depth of your goodness and faith than any righteous indignation that will all have at times and that many cling to. I believe that true forgiveness is one of the fundamental parts of faith, and it is only tested when you have someone that begs to be forgiven.
Thank you
Don