The Witch Hunt at New Life Church Continues...

[NathanATX]

The "Overseers" have instituted a full-fledged witch hunt at New Life Church to discover any other gay staff members. On the church's main website, there is a link where members can go to turn in someone they think might be gay. http://www.newlifechurch.org/over2.jsp?

And this is the most recent casualty, according to a New Life Press release that www.huffingtonpost.com posted:

An executive staff member at New Life Church in Colorado Springs has resigned after admitting to sexual misconduct and other mistakes - the result of an examination of the staff's moral makeup after the ouster of senior pastor Ted Haggard, a church official said Sunday. Christopher Beard, who headed a ministry that trained young adults in leadership skills, stepped down Friday after admitting to "a series of decisions displaying poor judgment, including one incident of sexual misconduct several years ago," said Rob Brendle, an associate pastor at the 14,000- member church.

Citing confidentiality over personnel issues, Brendle would not discuss the nature of the sexual misconduct except to say it did not involve Haggard or a minor.

I went to the Overseer contact page and sent this message:

I am appalled at the witch hunt you have created.

And you wonder why Christian young men who feel called to ministry go to such desparate lengths to suppress who God created them to be.

Gentlemen, you are among those responsible for all of the harm that has happened in New Life Church. You are responsible for creating a culture of fear, oppression and abuse.

You should repent.

Edit:
Here are the names and home churches of the Overseers.
New Life Church's Overseers are Pastor Larry Stockstill from Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, LA; Pastor Mike Ware from Victory Church in Denver, CO; Pastor Mark Cowart from Church for All Nations in Colorado Springs, CO; and Pastor Tim Ralph from New Covenant Fellowship in Larkspur, CO.

[revtj]

Good letter, Nathan!

Still, I'm having visions of a Mel Brooks movie over this...

[keltic63]

take a look at the staff and tell me that these young men were not chosen for their beauty as well as their talents. would we be surprised to learn that there are a few more homosexuals (closeted) on the staff at New Life?

[NathanATX]

lol... I'm envisioning a "left-behind-esque" movie where the hero has to go on a "da-vinci-code-esque" adventure to discover all the homos in churches... but if Mel Brooks is directing it would have to be a gory movie... I don't even want to think about that...

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by keltic63

take a look at the staff and tell me that these young men were not chosen for their beauty as well as their talents. would we be surprised to learn that there are a few more homosexuals (closeted) on the staff at New Life?

and on a practical note... I think "image" probably is a concern at this church. they seem very focused on selling their message & music... everyone has to "look the part."

[nmwolfboy]

Originally Posted by keltic63

take a look at the staff and tell me that these young men were not chosen for their beauty as well as their talents. would we be surprised to learn that there are a few more homosexuals (closeted) on the staff at New Life?

If gaydar works with only pictures to go on, i'd wager that from the looks of 'em there are at least a couple more big Carol Anns on that staff. Just goes to show that we're already in every church, often in leadership. The only difference is if we're under a homophobic yoke or free to live in the truth of Christ.

[seifer_boy]

The first 3 on that list of church leaders are really cute.

[ladyinred]

Evidently there are churches here connected with new life here where I live or baptist.. I've yet to find a UCC church here or others I might be interested in. Ultra conservative here apparently where I live

[antiochian]

Originally Posted by seifer_boy

The first 3 on that list of church leaders are really cute.

I have a big crush on Dave Sumrall. One can dream, can't he??

My personal critique of the whole megachurch culture is that looks are EXTREMELY important. People are more often than not dressed to kill. They often have the best of everything else, too--houses, cars, etc., and believe they should. The prosperity gospel is such a turn off for me and in my opinion has nothing to do with the real gospel.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by antiochian

I have a big crush on Dave Sumrall. One can dream, can't he??

My personal critique of the whole megachurch culture is that looks are EXTREMELY important. People are more often than not dressed to kill. They often have the best of everything else, too--houses, cars, etc., and believe they should. The prosperity gospel is such a turn off for me and in my opinion has nothing to do with the real gospel.

First of all, the leadership of the church has changed since I first posted that link. Not surprisingly, 1 or 2 of the men are gone now. Hmmmmm.

Second, along with your observation that the mega church culture places emphasis on appearances, look at this info about joining the choir:

AUDTIONS: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
7:00 PM ~ TAG CHAPEL

TheNewLifeWorshipChoir's purpose is to be worshipers first and foremost, to lead the body of New Life Church in genuine life-giving praise & worship and to encourage praise & worship as a lifestyle in the hearts of believers.
Come and be a part of……….

• weekly rehearsals on Thursday nights from 7-9pm that includes worship, rehearsing, fellowship, and childcare!
• singing in the choir for both Sunday morning services.
• special musical presentations and events such as Wonderland, Christmas Eve, and The Thorn.
• a family of believers whose relationships & mutual encouragement produce a healthy atmosphere for spiritual growth.

AUDITIONS?

No reason to sweat!

When you arrive on Tuesday, October 23, you'll turn in your application and be paired with a member of our Leadership Team. During the evening you'll get a first hand look at what the worship ministry at New Life is all about while you:

• join in the rehearsal and learn new music along side other choir members
• have a personal interview
• get your picture taken

Within a week of your Audition you'll receive a letter from the NewLifeWorship Choir Director giving you specific information about your involvement in the ministry.

[paul]

When are they going to set up a site if you suspect someone is a glutton?

[antiochian]

Why don't they just exclude everyone if they're going to exclude some. That's at least being consistent, right?

If God would exclude those who are attracted to members of their own sex, God must also exclude those who sit in front of the TV all day chugging bon bons (sloth/gluttony), those who are dishonest (how many of you know churchgoers who are as crooked as the day is long Mon. - Sat.?), those who've ever looked at someone of the opposite sex with desire (Jesus said that = adultery), women who speak in Church--shame on you, Joyce Meyer!(again, it's in the Bible, not that I agree with it or believe that's relevant for today), and hows about those who lend money for interest?? Yep, God hates everyone. There you have it, we've solved the problem. Let's bulldoze all the churches and build bathhouses or IHOPs in their place, cuz we're goin' to hell anyway!! And we all sleep in on Sunday--yay!!

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by antiochian

Why don't they just exclude everyone if they're going to exclude some. That's at least being consistent, right?

If God would exclude those who are attracted to members of their own sex, God must also exclude those who sit in front of the TV all day chugging bon bons (sloth/gluttony), those who are dishonest (how many of you know churchgoers who are as crooked as the day is long Mon. - Sat.?), those who've ever looked at someone of the opposite sex with desire (Jesus said that = adultery), women who speak in Church--shame on you, Joyce Meyer!(again, it's in the Bible, not that I agree with it or believe that's relevant for today), and hows about those who lend money for interest?? Yep, God hates everyone. There you have it, we've solved the problem. Let's bulldoze all the churches and build bathhouses or IHOPs in their place, cuz we're goin' to hell anyway!! And we all sleep in on Sunday--yay!!

in a handbasket!!!!!

[BruceChris]

*Where am I going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?*

P&L, BC

[pnggrad79]

Well as my father rationalized to me when I brought this same thing up, those aren't really terrible sins like homosexuality-that's just wrong on all levels, he said. To which I replied, so pride, gluttony, adultery, lying, we can just overlook those, but a homosexual who is not prideful, not gluttonous, doesn't cheat on his/her partner, and doesn't lie, he or she is still going to hell? He said he didn't want to continue this conversation. Just that some sins weren't as bad as others, and they were just overlooked, but not homosexuality. I thought to myself, well Jesus himself never said anything about it, but then Jesus doesn't seem to be as important as James Dobson, my father and people like him, and I guarantee you, they aren't the same thing....

It is so strange how people misuse the Bible to justify their own prejudices

[mortensen_jon]

Why do I suddenly have a craving for Parsley?