Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / May 2, 2009, edition 1 / Page 15
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FAITH & VALUES Disgraced pastor Ted Haggard and wife speak at popular Charlotte church Elevation pastor Steven Furtick says homosexuality is sin by Matt Comer . Q-Notes staff CHARLOTTE — Once revered as the leader of the national evangelical movement, former Colorado Springs, Colo, pastor Ted Haggard and wife Gayle appeared on stage with Elevation Church pastor Steven Furtick on April 26. The appearance on the campus of the Matthews, N.C., Providence High School — videotaped and broadcast at the church’s several other locations and worship times — marks the first time the wildly pop ular church has publicly dealt with the issue of homosexuality. Young pastor Steven Furtick said on his blog that Haggard’s appearance would be a chance for “the story of the deception of sin and the forgiveness of God [to] speak for itself” and to “serv( as a salient reminder of the devastating results of disobedience, and hopefully, the beginning of a personal heding process for many hurting people.” After years of publicly chastening LGBT people as pastor of New Life Church, Haggard became the subject of serious allegations demnat Elevation C H U R C H fs from male prostitute Mike Jones in November 2006. Jones claimed Haggard had paid him for sex several times over a three year period. Jones also said he had helped Haggard buy crystal meth. Haggard, who was also president of the National Association of Evangelicals at the time, later admitted to the allegations, resigned from his position with his church and the association and entered a “restora tion” process guided by several evangelical pastors across the country. Furtick’s invitation for the Haggards to speak at the church captivated the Charlotte community and sparked conversations about the issue of homosexuality and the church. Before introducing the couple, Furtick addressed his congregation and spoke on the reasons for bringing the couple to Charlotte, warning against condemnation. If you came here today looking for a con demnation of a person or a group of people, you are going to be disappointed,” he said. “For far too long the Church of Jesus has been known for what we are against rather than what we are for. We want to be known as a church that’s known for what we’re for, and what we’re for is the redemption of all people and people who are far from God being Youk (iR ^ Ou K bPBtnS = bCBIBKI 10% Discount 10% Discount Full-Service Auto Repair Facility all makes and models serving ChBiiotte since 1930 Tire Rotation • Wheel Balancing Alignment - 2 & 4 Wheel Windshield Wiper Blades Fuel Injection Service • Coolant Flush Elevation Church pastor Steven Furtick Photo Credit: Via brought here to Jesus through the Gospel.” At the same time, Furtick also said his church would stand up for truth and not take a “soft stance on the issue of sin,” adding that the church believes all sex outside of marriage is sinful. Furtick clumped “homosexual acts” with sins such as adultery and drunkenness. Furtick told the packed auditorium, “I Hickr, moviebuffS. Licensed under Creative Commons. want you to know we are a church full of truth, which means that if you have come here today wanting me to condone any particular hfestyle that you choose to live, you’ll be dis appointed as well.” On a church website made to answer fre quently asked questions about the Haggards’ see Haggard on 17 ADMISSION: DONATION OF 5$ AND/OR 3 CANNED FOOD ITEMS, WHICH WIU BE USED TO SUPPORT A LOCAL FOOD BANK , OR SERVICE AGENCY. PlEASE CALL 919.286.7394 OR E-MAIL 0fFICE@ImANIMCC.ORG FOR MORE INFO. jai MAY 2.2009
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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May 2, 2009, edition 1
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