Haggard stepping down amid gay affair inquiry Denver Post Nov 02, 2006
Haggard stepping down amid gay affair inquiry
By Eric Gorski Denver Post Staff Writer http://DenverPost.com
Article Last Updated:11/02/2006 03:51:34 PM MST
Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals and founder and leader of the Colorado Springs-based New Life Church, stepped down Thursday following allegations that he has had a three-year homosexual affair with a male prostitute.
Mike Jones, a self-professed male escort, talked publicly of the affair Wednesday morning on KHOW radio. Haggard denied the affair Wednesday night to KUSA Channel 9 News.
But today, Haggard stated he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations made on Denver talk radio..."
After consulting with his spiritual counsel and the church's board of overseers, Haggard said, "I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity. I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date."
In the interim, the church's associate senior pastor, the Rev. Ross Parsley, will serve as acting senior pastor of the church.
Haggard's lawyer, Martin Nussbaum, emphasized that Haggard has not admitted to the affair.
Nussbaum said the church's bylaws state that if an allegation of immorality is made, the proper action is for Haggard to step down and put himself on leave.
The Colorado Springs church, with 14,000 members, is the largest New Life congregation in Colorado.