Pastor Ted Hagaard

I've included a letter from Pastor Jack Hayford, that he wrote in response to the accusations that have been hurled against his friend, Pastor Ted Hagaard. I heartily agree with Pastor Jack, and encourage us believers not to jump on the band-wagon of gossip and inuendos when we really have not heard the whole story. My prayer is that God will shine his light of truth on the situation, and vindicate the innocent. I also pray that He will continue to give His Shalom to Pastor Ted and his family, as well as to his church and ministry to the Evangelicals of the U.S. Church. Here's the letter:

November 3, 2006 Dear Ones-
Fellow-servants and Shepherds of Jesus' Flock:
Perhaps nothing has caused more dismay and compassionate concern than the recent announcements regarding Pastor Ted Haggard and allegations of inappropriate sexual involvement. Our brother has (1) transferred his senior pastoral role at New Life Church in Colorado Springs to his executive associate, (2) submitted himself to the governance of a strong body of spiritual leaders who will administrate matters of discipline, extended recovery, and eventual restorations, and (3) resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals.
As a member of the executive committee of N.A.E., of which the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel is a member denomination, I have participated with the committee in responding to Pastor Haggard's resignation. Accompanying this communiqué is the statement N.A.E. is releasing in this regard.
I haven't words to adequately express my grief over this circumstance. Foremost, I ask every leader in our movement to unite in prayer as the Holy Spirit stirs us to stand with the Haggard family, the New Life Church, and every individual or group affected by this disclosure. It is encouraging that Pastor Haggard has manifested a deep contrition and repentance, and has completely yielded himself to the wise correction, counsel, and care of brethren who will deal both righteously and redemptively.
The counsel of Galatians 6:1-5 calls us all to this moment in appropriate Christian support, and also provides a fresh call and reminder of our own vulnerability and accountability before God. Let us review these words perhaps, most wisely, upon our knees in a time of prayer at this crisis moment: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load."
As we move toward our National Church Family Prayer Meeting this Sunday evening, our souls are all the more being alerted to the demands of intercessory prayer in an era of seemingly relentless onslaughts and extraordinarily demanding times.
May God bless you all-and may we all guard our hearts with great discernment and humility before our Savior as we serve together.
Your brother and fellow laborer,
Pastor Jack Hayford