COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (RNS) — Ted Haggard, the former pastor of a Colorado megachurch who was dismissed after a sex and drug scandal, has decided to end a “spiritual restoration” process that had been set up by the congregation.
“He has recently requested to end his official relationship with the New Life Church Restoration Team and this has been accepted by them,” reads a Feb. 5 statement from the trustee board of the church in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Haggard was dismissed from his church in November 2006 for “sexually immoral conduct.”
The former pastor, who also resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, said he bought methamphetamine and paid a Denver male escort for massages. Haggard acknowledged sexual immorality but denied that he used the drug.
The statement commented on Haggard's “extraordinary” leadership as the church's founding pastor, but said his restoration process was not complete.
“New Life Church recognizes the process of restoring Ted Haggard is incomplete and maintains its original stance that he should not return to vocational ministry,” the statement reads. “However, we wish him and his family only success in the future.”
Due to the confidential nature of the process, the church declined further comment from its leaders or the restoration team members.
The team initially included Pastor Jack Hayford, president of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel; Pastor Tommy Barnett, senior pastor of Phoenix First Assembly of God in Arizona; and Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, who quickly stepped down, citing time constraints.
New Life Church's statement said Haggard will continue his work on accountability at Barnett's church.
“He has selected Phoenix First Assembly and Pastor Tommy Barnett as his local church fellowship and is maintaining an accountability relationship there,” the statement reads.