Okay....so this morning I was lounging around watching tv...channel surfing and I ran across this HBO special on the now debunked Pastor Haggard. It was interesting and maddening at the same time. It showed how he had not only been kicked out of his church but was also kicked out of the state of Colorado! Now I understand losing his job because how can you lead those to Christ if you are breaking his laws in the first place. And I totally understand him being told not to come back to the church he started (although this one gives one pause) but to be told that not only him but his family as well must leave the state of Colorado is going above and beyone ludicrious! Who is that church to tell someone where they can live and where they cant! I mean does this sound like America or Russia?! And since when does a church turn away anyone who desires to be there? You know the whole idea behind Christianity is FORGIVENESS! We all fall short and have all sinned...if we didnt there would be no reason for Christ in the first place. I know what this man did was just simply gross....but that is between him, God, and his family. As I was watching this the thought that came to mind was that the only thing not done to him was public stoning....and I want to just whisper this in fear of someone reading it and suggesting it. I also thought what about the sins of the church. Yes the sins of the church. If this pastor haggard desires to be forgiven and he truly repents then who are we as a church to turn him away. I remember thinking that if Jesus was here he would be drawing a line in the sand and asking for the one who hasnt sinned to throw the first stone....remember all dropped their stones.
As for the church since it is the bride of Christ and Christ says all are welcome....then who is this church to deny his attendance? I dont know the whole story of this man who sinned...but I do know I serve the Creator God, and if He can forgive him then who are we not to?
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I totally agree with you Toni. I don't remember ever seeing anywhere in church discipline that you had to leave the state in which you reside. Here you have a man of God willing to repent. When we repent as sinners we are met by God's grace and agape` love. I don't think it should be too hard for his church to return that same grace to him. Just because he was a pastor doesn't mean he's perfect. After all, we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.
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