Haggard, After Denials to Press, Fired by Church for 'Immoral' Actions

By: E&P Staff Ted Haggard, the nationally known evangelical leader with White House connections --who had admitted buying drugs but denied having sex with a male prostitute -- was fired today by an oversight board. It found him guilty of "sexually immoral conduct."

The board of his New Life Church in Colorado said in a prepared statement Saturday afternoon: "Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct."

Mike Jones, of Denver, had come forward Wednesday and said Haggard had had a paid sexual relationship with him monthly for three years. Haggard denied that, but admitted another Jones charge that he bought crystal meth (though he claims he threw it away).

The full text of Saturday's press release follows.
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We, the Overseer Board of New Life Church, have concluded our deliberations concerning the moral failings of Pastor Ted Haggard. Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct.

The language of our church bylaws state that as Overseers we must decide in cases where the Senior Pastor has "demonstrated immoral conduct" whether we must "remove the pastor from his position or to discipline him in any way they deem necessary."

In consultation with leading evangelicals and experts familiar with the type of behavior Pastor Haggard has demonstrated, we have decided that the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal.

In addition, the Overseers will continue to explore the depth of Pastor Haggard's offense so that a plan of healing and restoration can begin.

Pastor Haggard and his wife have been informed of this decision. They have agreed as well that he should be dismissed and that a new pastor for New Life Church should be selected according to the rules of replacement in the bylaws.

That process will begin immediately in hopes that a new pastor can be confirmed by the end of the year 2006. In the interim, Ross Parsley will function as the leader of the church with full support of the Overseers.

A letter of explanation and apology by Pastor Haggard as well as a word of encouragement from Gayle Haggard will be read in the 9:00 and 11:00 service of New Life Church."