Ted Haggard’s Accuser, and a Theater Troupe, Visit Megachurch

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Haggard’s Accuser, and a Theater Troupe, Visit Megachurch
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 30, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- The former male prostitute whose accusations against New Life Church founder Ted Haggard led to Haggard's dismissal as pastor has paid a visit to the megachurch.

Mike Jones, who has a forthcoming book, told The Denver Post that several people shook his hand during the visit Sunday and told him, ''God bless you.''

''I had read a lot about the church, but there's nothing like seeing it for yourself,'' Jones told the paper. ''It wasn't to rub anyone's face in it by any means. I was wanting to get some perspective, to see where they are coming from, what the magnet is.''...

***

In an apology to the church, Haggard had urged members to forgive and thank Jones for exposing deceit. Church members invited Jones to the church several times.

Jones visited on Sunday with members of a New York-based theater troupe, The Civilians, who are researching a project on evangelicals. Church leaders knew about the visit beforehand.

Associate pastor Rob Brendle saw Jones in the foyer.

''I told Mike, 'I don't want to impose my religious beliefs on you, but I believe God used you to correct us, and I appreciate that,''' Brendle said. ''The church's response to him was overwhelmingly warm. One of the wonderful and enduring truths of Christianity is to love people the world sets up to be your enemies.''...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/theater/30civi.html

[autorank]

1. "at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?" - Wait, wrong genre;) KR

Recommended for being utterly bizarre. What's wrong with this picture? Lets see, I assume that Haggard is still the leader of the flock. And his friend Mike is strolling in to what...

This is a fraternity of the disinhibited desperately seeking notoriety.

That's all I can say...

[DeepModem Mom]

2. The article says Haggard is back in Colorado Springs...

having completed his "counseling," but doesn't say if he's resumed leadership of the flock. I wonder.

[autorank]

5. Maybe leading by example..

Yikes!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. I find this development interesting

now let's watch and see if anyone decides to try and "de-gay" Mike.....

If they leave him alone, then maybe there is hope, even for those in the megachurches.

[TlalocW]

4. Well, I guess that's a step up

Instead of denouncing and hating gays, God just uses them as tools to get megachurches back on track.

TlalocW