COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The megachurch founded by Pastor Ted Haggard said Tuesday he has prematurely ended a “spiritual restoration” process begun when he was fired for sexual misconduct.
New Life Church dismissed Haggard in November 2006 after a former male prostitute alleged they had a cash-for-sex relationship. The man also said he saw Haggard use methamphetamine.
Haggard confessed to undisclosed “sexual immorality” and said he bought meth but didn’t use it.
New Life said in a written statement that “the process of restoring Ted Haggard is incomplete and (New Life) maintains its original stance that he should not return to vocational ministry.”
Haggard has moved to Phoenix. His phone number was unavailable.
He had agreed shortly after his dismissal to the restoration process, which was expected to include counseling and prayer.
New Life said Haggard will maintain an “accountability relationship” with Phoenix First Assembly of God and Pastor Tommy Barnett. It wasn’t immediately clear what that relationship entails.
Barnett was one of the original members of Haggard’s restoration overseers.
No one answered the phone at Phoenix First Assembly after hours on Tuesday.
New Life’s statement said Haggard’s leadership of the church had been extraordinary “for many years” and wished him and his family well.
Haggard was replaced in August by Brady Boyd, who had been an associate senior pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.
In December, a gunman opened fire at New Life, killing two people before taking his own life.
