Steven Furtick, Ted & Gayle Haggard and Elevation Church

A few months ago I stumbled across a blog that intrigued me.  The post I read was insightful and I forwarded it to the entire Exodus Leadership Team worldwide.  I went back the next day and the next and finally decided that it was going to be one of the only blogs that I was going to read each day.  I am so glad that I made that decision.  You can check it out for yourself.

Last week as I read that blog I was surprised to see that its author, Steven Furtick, who is also the pastor of Elevation Church, was hosting Ted and Gayle Haggard during the weekend service.  I was pleasantly surprised.  As I stated in an email to Steven's assistant, "I am grateful when any church with so much to lose does something so risky for the sake of grace."

On the Elevation site I found the MP3 of last weeks service and wanted to share it here.  It is rare to hear a pastor share my thoughts on this issue almost word for word, but Steven did. 

Let me know what you think.

Comments

[Cindy Hinsch]

Thank you for the link Alan. I think Ted Haggard should join the Exodus team.
Forgive and Love stands out. That's our job.
And when the Pastor said at the end of the service that he (himself) was a marked man (because of the call on his life) I thought of myself (cause God always is personal with His message to us) and then I thought of you , Leslie and your family and I will continue to lift you up in prayer. I am so thankful for your loving and humble leadership over the Exodus network. Thank you again for this post, Cindy

[Pianomankugie]

It's a message that needs to be heard. Defeat the secrets by bringing them into the Light. Lord's work is beautiful to behold. God in Gayle blows me away; what she said about the value of authenticity is exactly right. Yes, truly it is the enemy-accuser that wants us to hide behind our "fig"urative (pun intended) fig leaves. May more and more people be real, in truth and grace together.

[Alan Chambers]

I agree, Gayle was amazing. I would love to have her speak at an Exodus conference. There are so many women in her position and her grace and boldness are powerful tools to impart to others.

[Boris Hirsi]

That is precisely what Exodus needs. Even more liars. Maybe you should also recruit Michael Johnston while you're at it.

[Greg]

The forgiveness offered to our brother Ted Haggard is truly commendable. I long to see the churches take this even further to fully include our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers into their full lives and ministries, without expecting them to deny their identities. LGBT people have so many gifts to offer the church, but sadly, they are considered sinners by their very being and not worthy to offer their gifts openly as who they are. It appears that Elevation Church has embraced much of contemporary culture, as is evidenced by their metrosexual pastor and their worship style. If they can embrace these aspects of our culture, surely they can embrace the people who have given their hearts and gifts to serve them! That is my prayer.