Colorado Springs – Senior pastoral candidate Brady Boyd, in his third and final audition to succeed scandal-toppled Ted Haggard at the New Life mega- church, spoke Sunday about his insecurities as a leader.
“I’m not going to hide my humanity from you,” the 40-year- old Boyd said to a burst of applause from the nondenominational Christian gathering.
“I’m human. I’m flawed. I’m a work in progress.”
Boyd, who has been an associate pastor at the 10,000- member Gateway Church in suburban Dallas-Fort Worth, must win approval for New Life’s top spot in a day-long vote today. He must have the support of two-thirds of eligible voting members, which is those who received a 2006 statement recording donations to the church.
On Sunday, members seemed enthusiastic about Boyd’s prospects. After 30 minutes of loud Christian rock faded, Boyd entered the stage to a standing ovation from the 11 a.m. throng.
“He’s a breath of fresh air,” said 10-year member Jack Hall. “He’s an answer to a prayer. He’s the real deal.”
Boyd said he has risen from modest means and has long struggled to overcome feelings of inadequacy. He said he thought he had made a breakthrough in the past two years, until he received word he was the only finalist asked to try out for senior pastor at New Life, Colorado’s largest church.
“Then I realized I am not so free from insecurity,” Boyd said, as his clean-cut image flashed to the flock over jumbo screens in New Life’s cavernous auditorium.
“But on Tuesday morning, the sun is going to come up out of the eastern sky,” Boyd said. “And on Tuesday, no matter what happened, I am going to be ruled by God’s peace.”
Boyd, if successful, will be New Life’s second leader in 23 years. He would replace its founder, Haggard, who was fired in November at age 50 amid allegations he paid a male prostitute for sex and purchased methamphetamine.
Before his downfall, Haggard, also head of the 30 million- member National Association of Evangelicals, had raised a national profile for his church and a peak roll of 14,000.
New Life spokesman Rob Brendle, an associate pastor, said Boyd has connected well with the staff and been very reassuring.
“The staff likes his authenticity,” Brendle said.
So does 26-year-old E.J. Cox, a New Life member of four years.
“I love Pastor Brady,” Cox said. “He’s transparent. He’s not just here putting on a show.”
New Life estimates it has 10,000 or more members, but there is no quorum requirement for the vote, Brendle said.Few other than Boyd said they were experiencing much suspense about the outcome.
“He is just so open and honest,” said 15-year member Nancy Seagrove. “He answers anything people ask him in a very real way.”
Staff writer Electa Draper can be reached at 970-385-0917 or edraper@denverpost.com.
