MINISTERS MATTER

HUMILITY IS GOOD, EVEN FOR CHARISMATICS

I have been in ministry for 30 years, travelled to 60 nations and seen the evidence of so many young men and women putting ministry first even before their marriage vows and family responsibilities. They were modelling what they saw in the services conducted by famous preachers. They admired how God was using them and only desired the same for their lives.

Jesus said He was building His church, which is a local expression that is there for you and your family all the days of your life. An evangelistic event, conference or seminar is wonderful but sadly only lasts a few days, is not relational, and when it comes to an end you go back to serving your family, local church and community - which is the real world not the ideal one.

I am glad Benny Hinn has shown humility and gone public with the demise of his marriage - even if prompted by The National Enquirer. This will be a help to others who put ministry ahead of their family and bring some much needed course correction.

Barry

PS. You can read the whole article in The Christian Post at: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100811/benny-hinn-says-neglecting-family-led-to-divorce/index.html

Evangelist Benny Hinn about the recent breakup of his marriage.

Hinn admitted that he contributed to the demise of his marriage by putting ministry over his family. "I was so busy in the ministry, I was so caught up with the ministry, I forgot about my family," Hinn said. "That's probably what broke the whole thing up."

He said he often preached that ministry comes first, acknowledging that he knew that teaching hurt his children. "You know what? It's wrong," he said of the teaching. "I'm here to admit I was wrong because the call of God first should touch the family. If you have no family, you can't go on anyways."

Hinn admitted he and his wife had "challenges" but said he didn't expect her to end the marriage.

"We had troubles for a long time, and I would ask her often, 'Would you ever divorce me?'" Hinn said. "She said, 'Never because I fear God too much.' She said, 'My covenant is with God, not you.' And I guess she could no longer handle it. One day she did it to my shock."

Hinn said it's painful to talk about his marital problems, noting that he and his wife were separated long before the divorce filing. "We've had to be very quiet to protect the ministry, the work of the Lord," he said. "But sadly when you are a public person, everything you do becomes public."

"I don't care how strong you are," Hinn added. "I don't care if the anointing of God is mighty on you. Nobody wants to be alone. I don't care who you are. I am a human being just like you."

AN INTERVIEW WITH TED HAGGARD

JTALK had the chance to interview former senior Pastor of New Life Church Ted Haggard.

In 2006 Ted Haggard's name was widely spread in the media with his admitted sexual encounter with a male prostitute and the use to Methamphetamine.

Ted Haggard was also head of the National Association of Evangelicals and founder of the Association of Life-giving Churches. Mr. Haggard resigned from his pastoral position in 2006 and since has been on a road to recovery.

Now in 2009 Ted is again speaking in churches and sharing God's amazing grace. It's awesome to see what God can do with a repentant heart. This is my interview with former Pastor Ted Haggard. Enjoy and be encouraged!

JTALK: Mr. Haggard thank-you so much for this opportunity to interview you. The last few years must
have been a real challenge and growing experience for you and your family. In 2006 you were senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, founder of the Association of life-giving Churches and leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. All of this ended when in November of 2006 you admitted to soliciting a male prostitute and the use of methamphetamine. This must have been a very difficult situation to go through, especially because of your popularity in the Christian world and your influence. My questions is this...Looking back upon this event, did you see this fall and media embarrassment as God's grace on your life instead of getting away with it without anyone knowing?

HAGGARD: Yes, I had been praying for God to do whatever it took to set me free. When the scandal broke, I lied the first few days while adjusting to the reality that everyone knew what had been a deep secret in my life, but when that adjustment happened, the Scripture that resonated most often in my mind was that God would complete the work that he began in me. With that assurance, I knew that he would work everything to the good because I have always loved him and I am called according to his purposes.

JTALK: Since these events you have been through much restoration in both your personal life, your spiritual life and your marriage. Can you tell us about what God has been doing in your life in the last few years?

HAGGARD: My eyes have been opened to the strength of the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, the sovereignty of God, and the weaknesses in the body of Christ. Jesus is in fact the gentle restorer, and he has been more than gracious. People have been more than kind and helpful as well. Interestingly, though, faith wasn't the determining factor that indicated who would be helpful to me and my family. God used many secular people to help me and my family through this process just as he has used some Christian people. This disappointed and saddened me. I was in hopes that believers would have been more proactive and redemptive than the non-believers, but that hasn't been true in my case, which has strengthened my confidence in his sovereignty.

JTALK: Recently you have been back in churches speaking, do you find some resistance from people,
or you do you find most people are willing to listen to what God has done in you since 2006?

HAGGARD: No resistance at all. Actually, they are more attentive, interested, kind and responsive than before the crisis. Gayle and I have been overwhelmed every time we visit a church by the gracious love, kindness, and generosity they demonstrate toward us. Before they saw me as a religious leader, now they see me as a gratefully redeemed sinner. It seems as though they like redeemed sinners more than they like religious leaders. I must note, though, that this only happened after HBO, Oprah, Larry King, Dan Harris at ABC and Harry Smith at CBS took the risk and gave me a platform to speak for myself and express my repentance. Then the churches that could courageously see me through the lens of the gospel started calling. It's been an exciting progression.

JTALK: You started New Life Church with 22 people in your basement in 1985 and then twenty-two years later it grew to fourteen-thousand, an incredible growth! You have also had a voice in the White House, been the leader of the National Association of Evangelicals and have authored many books. Mr. Haggard with all this success in your ministry and personal life...to being exposed on national television and having to resign from being senior pastor...how have you kept your passion and hope alive? Were you tempted to just quit?

HAGGARD: Yes, I have been tempted to quit. It's difficult to try. It's much easier to give up. Many in the church wanted me and my family to just disappear, but the resurrection life within me wouldn't allow that. Now many in the gay community are angry that I love Gayle and have stayed married, and that my family is intact. But I don't believe any of us should let sin either define us or end our story. So Gayle and I, along with our growing number of genuine friends, are united together to let my story end with resurrection rather than failure. There are still those who prefer failure in my life, but I know resurrection is going to win in me.

JTALK: Your wife Gayle has stood by your side through all of this, which is a great testimony to what God is doing in your marriage. What would you say was the key to keeping your marriage alive?

HAGGARD: Gayle explains her role in her book "Why I Stayed," which comes out in January. My role was to take responsibility, make the tough decisions and do everything I could to build trust in Gayle, then my family, then in the friends who wanted to stay in relationship with us, and now in my new friends. I tweet every day so everyone who wants to know where I am and who I'm with can know. I also post on my facebook every day so people can hear from me, see and/or hear the interviews I've been doing, and read the blogs, etc. that my hosts have been writing. I think both Gayle and I have been proactive during this time to make right decisions.

JTALK: Ted, there are many men who visit this website and have struggled with sexual immorality. Some may have been publically exposed like yourself and some may be hiding in the shadows privately struggling everyday. From your experiences what would you say to these men who want to overcome?

HAGGARD: Spiritual life provides inspiration and a vision for God's best, but it's often qualified counseling that helps us work through the incongruities in our lives in a practical way. I suggest that people see a licensed counselor, at least masters level, who is a Christian and is also certified in EMDR. EMDR is the trauma resolution therapy that completely removed all unwanted intrusive, compulsive thoughts and thus, compulsive actions from my life. I tried to solve my problem through spiritual solutions for 30 years without the success I desired. I believe EMDR was God's way of healing me. I'm grateful to be where I am today.

JTALK: What are you doing now? What is God doing in Ted & Gayle Haggard in this season of your life?

HAGGARD: Gayle just finished writing her book that will be out in January. We are both traveling and speaking and thoroughly enjoying it.

JTALK: Mr. Haggard, thank-you so much for your humility and honesty! I pray that yours and Gayle's testimony will touch many lives in the years to come! May God richly bless you and your family!

You can check out Ted Haggard's website by clicking the following link... www.tedhaggard.com

PIONEERS OF CANADIAN LEADERSHIP

I wrote a piece years ago called 'Canada's Spiritual Heritage', and in light of the problems our nation is facing, it might be good to review some of the spiritual needs our country has at the moment.

Please drop in and read this series of blogs that remind us of our past and how important the gospel of Jesus Christ was to the founders of our nation.

THE FLAG OF SASKATCHEWAN
Proclaimed Sept. 22, 1969

The first building to be erected in a new settlement was often a chapel or church.

In Regina, the oldest building is a chapel built by the North West Mounted Police in 1882 as a result of Evangelist W. J. Hewlett’s anointed gospel meetings where hundreds were born into the family of God.

Saskatchewan’s church leaders led the way in building strong spiritual foundations in the west. Their love in action was seen in pioneering towns, building churches and sending grain to famine-stricken people.

Western leaders like former PM, John Diefenbaker, acknowledged Canada’s rich Christian foundations. He said, "In my home Bible reading and family prayer were daily and rewarding experiences. No meal was ever begun until grace was said. On Sundays we went to church and Sunday school."

That solid Christian foundation affected the way he governed Canada. He based many of his decisions, not on what was politically correct, but what was the right thing to do. Once again it is time to do the right thing in and for Canada.

3. SPIRITUAL FORMATION

In the book, '15 Characteristics of Effective Pastors' Kevin Mannoia and Larry Walkemeyer make a strong argument that pastors are not only called but there are principles that will make them more effective.

I would like to highlight those 15 characteristics over the next series of blogs and ask us, as pastors, to review our own effectiveness, or as Jesus would describe it as our fruitfulness in ministry.

Effective pastors recognize their brokenness and the need to prepare themselves for the Presence of the Holy Spirit. How do they go about preparing themselves? One way is through the lost art of spiritual disciplines and daily habits.

Things like taking time to meet with the Lord without distractions. Listening to Him more than speaking. Fasting food but feeding in and off the Word. Solitude. Personal retreats etc.

This vigorous life of spiritual discipline toughens as well as softens the soul so that ministers can live life centered in the Presence of God. Both the physical and mental preparation gives God access to their inner life so they can be shaped or conformed to the image of Jesus on a daily basis.

What spiritual disciplines are active in your daily walk with the Lord?

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!