Brady Boyd, a 40-year-old former suburban Dallas minister, is the new senior pastor of Colorado Springs’ New Life Church, the state’s largest.
Boyd received a 95 percent favorable vote Monday from New Life’s eligible voters, members who could document they had contributed to the nondenominational Christian mega-church in 2006.
Boyd’s confirmation required only two-thirds approval.
New Life officials said they had a good turnout but would not release the total number of votes cast by the church’s estimated 10,000 to 12,000 members.
Boyd succeeds New Life’s founder, Ted Haggard, who was fired in November following allegations from a former male prostitute that Haggard had paid for sexual services and purchased methamphetamines over a period of a few years.
When asked at a Monday night news conference how New Life would restore its reputation in the wake of the Haggard scandal, Boyd replied: “By doing the right thing for a very long time.”
He also had to respond to disclosures Monday about Haggard.
The disgraced pastor returned to the news for reportedly soliciting funds from supporters to help with college expenses and falsely claiming to have a new ministry and home at a Phoenix halfway house.
Boyd said that Haggard was no longer the responsibility of New Life Church.
Boyd said he would kick off a new sermon series Sept. 9 on “returning to normal.”
He also said he would lean heavily on staff to help him in his job overseeing 150 employees and a $12 million budget.
“If God doesn’t help me, I’m in big trouble,” Boyd said.
Boyd joked that the most controversial thing about him would be his devotion to the Dallas Cowboys.
Church officials thanked members for remaining faithful to New Life during its difficult transition.
“Today our church begins a new chapter,” church secretary- treasurer Brad Fallentine said in New Life’s official statement. “Along with all of you, I am grateful that the Lord has given us a gifted pastor and a strong leader.”
Staff writer Electa Draper can be reached at 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com.
