Un Week-end Véritablement Bizarre
Like probably everyone even remotely associated with Christianity and with access to any form of news media, I have become grievously aware of the whole sordid Ted Haggard deal over this weekend.
My general reaction? Sad. Just really, really sad.
Here's the link to the Haggard's (former) church's website, where you can find official statements from the church, as well as letters that were read to that church on behalf of both Ted and his wife Gayle.
Ever the thoughtful & gracious practitioner, the Tall Skinny Kiwi chides Mark and proffers some helpful budget-and-integrity-friendly advice on Haggard & the Hazzards of Hotels.
And that's all I really have to say about this weekend's depressing turn of events.
Sad. Just really, really sad.
My general reaction? Sad. Just really, really sad.
Here's the link to the Haggard's (former) church's website, where you can find official statements from the church, as well as letters that were read to that church on behalf of both Ted and his wife Gayle.
| And if things weren't bizzare enough already, Mark Driscoll opens his mouth and swallows both feet up to the knee with some truly bizarre comments about women and especially pastoral wives. Mark needs some serious redemptive fish-slapping and perhaps the best response I've read comes from a truly incensed Emerging Grace who blogs about Fat, Lazy Pastor's Wives. Grace provides an excellent rebuttal/reality check on marriage and fidelity. |  |
Ever the thoughtful & gracious practitioner, the Tall Skinny Kiwi chides Mark and proffers some helpful budget-and-integrity-friendly advice on Haggard & the Hazzards of Hotels.
And that's all I really have to say about this weekend's depressing turn of events.
Sad. Just really, really sad.
posted by Robbymac at
10:46 PM
7 Comments:
Dear Robby,
I just have read all the links you refer to... it's very sad indeed.
It's just as we saw half a year ago: give a person power and he/she shows his/her REAL character. The bad and ugly things will come out more ugly and infect more people.
In cases like this I always think about the scripture that says s'th about leaders being judged. That's about the things they were the bad example in, and made others (followers) do s'th like the same.
What would Jesus face look like if He asked leaders the simple question: 'Why did you lead others into sin?'
I can start crying when I think about His.
thanks for keeping it real robby mac. Lily from www.decompressingfaith.blogspot.com and i were in the car when she read driscoll's words to me. we were actually on the road headed out from seattle from the Revolution conference.
A search on technorati will reveal that there are a number of blogs that agree with Driscoll (sigh).
I'm so glad you and Grace, and also others, are blogging about how absurd this is.
Argh.
Thanks for the link Robby. I have been so surprised at the number of people who are willing to justify Mark's position on this. Just shows who the "real men" are. :)
Hey Robby,
No judgement from me - with a few adjustments - there but for the grace of God go I.
However, there are a few things that point to a broken church system here - not just New Life, but in general.
An example: the lengthy letters from Ted and Gayle that were read on Sunday morning. On Wed and Thur Ted did not know up from down in front of the cameras. Saturday he is capable of writing a pastoral letter to the church? - a short, blunt apology from the heart would have been good. And poor Gayle encouraging the women of the church - has she not been traumatized?! I don't understand the overseer team that saw this as appropriate. I liken this to a family in a high speed car wreck - can someone just take care of them and let/help them stop trying to assist others immediately?!
I am sickened and saddened by it all, but these letters lead me to suspect that there are deeper systemic pressures and expectations that need fixing. God help them/us.
Its a sad situation, all around. I was glad that M. Driscoll gave me something to be annoyed about. I listened to the sunday sermon from New Life via podcast and I think they acted appropriately. They prayed together and wept together and tried to see where God could weave the broken threads together.
Juniper,
Your comment "I was glad that M. Driscoll gave me something to be annoyed about." made me think.
Although I found and still find Driscoll's comments to be uncalled for, I wonder if some of the venom that's been spewed Mark's way is based in the need -- in light of the anguish and upset over Haggard -- to lash out at somebody, anybody.
Robby - i think some good will come of this - not least how could this happen AGAIN. Which got me thinking what sort of church do i need to be in/of to stop it happening again. I feel challenged by how much we christians love truth but how hard we find it to be honest. Both of which I have posted on to try and be more honest myself.
I wonder at Mr Driscoll, he seems to say these things to get a reaction - maybe the best thing to do is not respond to his more OTT comments - eat the fish and spit out the bones as it were?
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