Response to Ted Haggard’s Email Rebuttal to Our Open Letter to the NAE
by Sandy Simpson, ACT
Mike Oppenheimer
Let Us Reason Ministries
This article is a response to an email we received from Ted Haggard on April 7, 2003. Haggard was responding to our Open Letter To The NAE. Keep in mind that Ted Haggard did not want us to use the word “official response” but graciously gave us permission to use his comments. The reason we asked if his email to us was an official response to our open letter was because we wanted to find out if he stood behind what he claimed in his emails to us. We did this so that we would be able to give a thoughtful response and not expect him to take some other position after the fact. This letter is not meant to be disrespectful. Our intent is to be honest in our position and response. The following is the section of Haggard’s email where he gave us permission to use his response.
Ted Haggard email: I assume that what I write always has the possibility of being used in public. If I want something to be personal or confidential, I mark it as such, which I do very seldom. It’s just the wording of “official response” might require a little more thought. What I’ve done with you is write memos/letters/notes to you. Sure you can use them all you like, just note that they are what they are so it is understood that in a letter sometime I don’t qualify certain statements that I might in an official response, especially if I knew that the recipient was hostile and looking for opportunity to be critical instead of helpful. In addition, in a note I don’t struggle over precise semantics. I’m responding to you along with the 100 other e-mails I receive on an average day.
Just to clarify, we are not being “hostile” but are bringing up legitimate concerns over unscriptural doctrine and practice thathas consequences to the Church and to the NAE. However, efforts to get to the truth these days are often met with hostility–while calls for unbridled unity are met with open arms. We prefer faithfulness to the Word of God and biblical separation, if necessary, over unity based on doctrinal compromise. We write this response to further clarify our position on what Mr. Haggard has said in answer to our letter. It is not our intent to try to respond to everything Haggard has written. We are simply going to go over the same facts again and show that our response is sufficient to prove the original points in our Open Letter To The NAE. Emphasis in the Haggard emails is ours.
In our Open Letter we stated:
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard has been promoting the agenda of C. Peter Wagner and his “New Apostolic Reformation” (NAR) and International Coalition of Apostles (ICA).
Ted Haggard responded:
Ted Haggard email: I do not embrace the modern prophetic movement represented by Dr. C. Peter Wagner, Chuck Pierce, Cindy Jacobs and others, nor have I ever. Because of a legal arrangement we made with Global Harvest Ministry when the World Prayer Center was being constructed, they have used our building for conferences. I am invited to speak at those conferences because I am viewed as a “balancing voice.” After hearing me speak, the attendees know that I do not embrace the interpretation of the prophetic that the other speakers espouse.
We’re sorry but these assertions don’t square with the facts. To say he never embraced this prophetic movement of C.P. Wagner and the others mentioned is in direct contradiction to what he has been doing for several years.
Let us reiterate. Ted Haggard is listed in the Division of Church Leadership at the Wagner Leadership Institute under Apostolic Ministries (AM). Haggard’s book “The Life Giving Church” is “Apostolic Recommended Reading” by WLI. He is listed as a member of the International Coalition of Apostles (ICA) under C. Peter Wagner with apostle Church Pierce, prophet Cindy Jacobs, Bill Hamon, Tommy Tenney and many others. The ICA is now an organization with a password protected web site and its membership is by invitation only. We must assume that a person is invited to be a part of the ICA only if they share the same vision and goals (ie. as stated by C.P. Wagner himself).
For years Ted Haggard has been advertised as a speaker along with others of the ICA in their conferences. He is listed in a number of The National School Of The Prophets (NSOTP) conferences. Speakers for various sessions have included C. Peter Wagner, Jack Deere, Chuck Pierce, Jim Laffoon, Mary Crum, Cindy Jacobs, Kingsly Fletcher, Barbara Yoder, Dutch Sheets, Mike Bickle, Bill Hamon, John Eckhardt, and Ted Haggard. Let’s look at the “balancing voice” of Ted Haggard who claims: “I do not embrace the modern prophetic movement”.
“Father, I thank you for those who have the office of either a prophet or a prophetess or have a strong flow in the prophetic. And Lord Jesus, we as a group of pastors, many in this room apostolic pastors, we release, we bless, we confirm the calling of the prophet – the calling of the prophetess – the calling of the prophetic, and we welcome it into the global church of the world.” (Ted Haggard, National School of the Prophets, Chuck Pierce/Cindy Jacobs, Sat. May 13, 2000, 11:00 AM)
These people he is blessing and confirming are all part of Wagner’s Apostolic ministries and part of the prophetic movement. Many of the NSOTP conferences were held at the New Life Church (NLC) where Ted Haggard was a featured speaker. At those conferences he confirmed his “embrace” of the prophetic movement. Attendees at those conferences are well aware of Ted Haggard’s endorsement of the NAR in every respect, and Ted would not be there if he did not endorse what was going on. Note some of these other teachings on the “prophetic” from Haggard.
Gen. 1:20, “Let the water teem with living creatures.” … This stage brings an explosion of life in the community. … We start to release the life of God. Speak the life of God into the body of Christ in this city. We speak the power of God into this community of believers. Let life be vibrant in this University of the Nations Workshop 1999 church body and let Your power come. When they study the Word of God let it spring to life and revelation.” (Ted Haggard, September 10, 1999, Morning Session, University of the Nations Workshop 1999)
This teaching, on the prophetic, sounds very much like the “confession doctrine” of Word of Faith teachers. Let’s look at an NSOTP conference.
“Good morning, everybody. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. It’s a joy to see all of you this morning. And I’ll tell you what. I am so appreciative of all of you coming here to Colorado Springs, to learn all about the prophetic. … I want to thank every one of you, for spending your money, for taking your time, for coming here, and learning how to do and how to grow in the prophetic ministry so that you can go home and serve and edify and complement what the spirit of the Lord is doing in your community.” “You’ll go home and serve the body of Christ in a more effective way because of today, or because of these three days ” Because, Peter Wagner functions, we see him as an apostle. I highly respect him both as an elder, as an apostle,”But here’s what Peter does for me. He coaches me. ” He helps me think. Everybody say, “think.” He helps me see. Everybody say, “see.” Everybody say, “think.” ” All right, so, when there’s something that I don’t see, he’ll help me see it. Now, not just because he’s got the authority of an apostle, but because he loves me. ” All right, so, so, that’s important. And then we’ve got Chuck Pierce. Everybody thank God for Chuck Pierce. All right, now, Chuck Pierce has a prophetic anointing that I can’t tell you how much I highly respect it. . . . Peter Wagner has prophesied in our church. And, and, he’s a, a, a . . .We respect him as an elder. We respect him with an apostolic anointing. (Ted Haggard, NSOTP, Mobilizing the Prophetic Office, Saturday, May 13, 2000.)
Mike Bickle has been in the prophetic movement since the days of the Kansas City Prophets. He was also ministering in the Vineyard church and is now part of the prophetic movement under C. Peter Wagner.
“Mike Bickle is gonna be speaking at New Life Saturday night and all three services Sunday. And then he’s gonna do a special training session Sunday afternoon And I can’t think of a better man than Mike Bickle to do that, what do you say about that?” (Ted Haggard, NSOTP, Chuck Pierce/Cindy Jacobs Sat. May 13, 2000 11:00 AM)
Ted Haggard undeniably endorses one of the prophets in this movement and has him, as well as others, speak at his church outside of the conferences. Haggard is also endorsing the practice of training people in the prophetic with a registration fee of $175, for regular admission that was charged at one NSOTP conference for the privilege of learning how to be a prophet.
Haggard wrote us saying “After hearing me speak, the attendees know that I do not embrace the interpretation of the prophetic that the other speakers espouse“. But as you can see the facts don’t wash with what Ted Haggard has been promoting. We’re not addressing a semantics problem on how these men interpret the prophetic. It is clear where Haggard stands on this issue–right next to these other men and women who are claiming to be prophets and are part of the prophetic movement. All one has to do is go on the web to the prophetic sites to confirm this.
NLC is also home to the World Prayer Center (WPC) affiliated with C. Peter Wagner’s Global Harvest Ministries (GHM). C. Peter Wagner, Ted Haggard and Chuck Pierce head the WPC. George Otis, Jr’s Sentinel Group, of Transformations video fame, and other New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) ministries are also there. Funding for the center was provided, at least in part, by NLC. Here are only a few quotes we have to show Haggard’s involvement with NAR organizations.
World Prayer Center (A division of New Life Church) is home for two ministries joined together. Ted Haggard, senior pastor at New Life Church, which donated $3 million and the land for the prayer center. Colorado – World Prayer Center being built in Springs will reach out to ends of Earth (Michele Ames, The Gazette)
Colorado Springs, Colorado is the home of a 55,000 square foot, 5.5 million dollar World Prayer Center and is estimated to involve 50 million people in 120 countries around the world. (http://www.texnews.com/1998/1999/religion/pray0130.html)
In 1998, Otis’s Sentinel Group, Wagner’s Global Harvest Ministries, and Ted Haggard’s Christian Information Network plan to move into the high-tech World Prayer Center on the grounds of Haggard’s New Life Church in Colorado Springs (CT, May 20, 1996, p. 78). Spiritual mapping will be central to the operation of this “electronic nerve center to connect the intercessors and let each other know what they’re hearing from the Holy Spirit,” Wagner says. (Christianity Today, January 12, 1998, Spiritual Mapping Gains Credibility Among Leaders, by Art Moore in Tacoma)
Haggard is this month’s featured author on the Wagner Publications site. (http://www.wagnerpublications.org/peter_wagner.html)
Haggard, Tenney and many other NAR/ICA members are mentioned as teaching at the Wagner Leadership Institute. (http://www.wagnerleadership.org/)
The Wagner Leadership Institute’s first graduation was incorporated with Ted Haggard as a part of the 10:30 a.m. worship service at NLC (What the Doctor Recommends,Ministries Today Interview, July-August 2000)
We could belabor the point with many, many more quotes. Suffice it to say we have proven our case beyond any shadow of doubt on this topic.
Lets summarize what is now the evidence. Haggard stated that he is not part of nor in support of the “modern prophetic movement” despite the fact that he is on the ICA and has participated on a deep level in the NSOTP conferences for years and in hosting ICA members at his church.
Let’s move on to Haggard’s other direct responses to our Open Letter points.
ACT Open Letter: Haggard is a leader of the NAR under C. Peter Wagner, who claims they are foundational apostles for the 21st Century Church.
Ted Haggard email: I don’t have a clear understanding of what the NAR is and I don’t know what a “foundational apostle” is. I think it’s Peter Wagner’s attempt to develop semantics that explain significant growth and impact of certain churches and movements in contrast to others. But as for me, I consider myself a pastor, as is clear on all my stationary, every biography issued from our church and every book I’ve written.
We are told WLI is made up of “mature and successful apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers”. Haggard is listed along with the other apostles and prophets under WLI “Faculty and Leadership”. To be a part of WLI and to teach the NAR platform, we can only assume one must understand and be in agreement with those teachings. Haggard cannot plead ignorance to this when C.P. Wagner is member New Life Church, Haggard’s own church, and they are in ministry with him on a number of levels.
“In Colorado Springs where Wagner lives, Pastor Ted Haggard of New Life Church has been officially recognized as an apostle of a certain sphere of churches called the NET.” (Posted September 1, 2000, Arise Magazine Article: New Apostolic Reformation)
Ted was present at the conferences in discussions of the ICA on the subject of the NAR. How could he “not have a clear understanding of what the NAR is”? This means he would have to have not been reading the materials the NAR and ICA promote or promoting those ideas himself. It doesn’t matter what Haggard considers himself to be, pastor or otherwise. What matters is that he is a member of the ICA, the governing body of the NAR; many of the organizations are housed on his church property; he has promoted the doctrines of the NAR repeatedly in conferences held at his church; and he has long been associated with Wagner back to the “Signs And Wonders” class days of Fuller Seminary.
When Wagner defines “hyphenated apostles” he states, “For example, I am a teacher-apostle. Here is the way I see several close friends of mine: Bill Hamon of Christian International is a prophet-apostle. Ted Haggard of New Life Church is a pastor-apostle. He is listed under Territorial apostles. Apostles who have been given authority for leading a certain segment of the body of Christ in a given territorial sphere such as a city or state. (Ted Haggard of Colorado Springs, APOSTLES & APOSTLES: Understanding How Apostles Minister in Different Spheres, Random Notes by C. Peter Wagner (Revised March 16, 2001)
This point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard recently made a false prophecy.
Ted Haggard email: I did encourage Christians to pray that Saddam would leave Iraq believing that if 1,000,000 people prayed, Saddam would leave. That request, however, received a great deal of criticism from those who did not believe God would respond to more people praying than fewer people praying. Thus, lots of people were encouraged not to join in prayer with us. In addition, there was a large group who believed that justice required that Saddam be killed, and they also encouraged people not to pray with us. As a result, we had a few thousand people praying that Saddam would go into exile, but not nearly 1,000,000. Thus, I think I was faithful to say what I believed God had placed on my heart. I wouldn’t call it a false prophecy, though, since 1,000,000 Christians didn’t pray.
This was more than an encouragement for people to pray. He claims that the “Lord woke me in the middle of the night and powerfully spoke to me.” When God speaks, His plans will not be thwarted by poor human participation. As we stated in our Open Letter, God does not need one million people to pray to accomplish His will. If it had been His will to have Saddam leave Iraq, He would have accomplished His will regardless. It is also our understanding that there are at least 100,000 churches in the WPC database. I have seen this prophesy on many, many web sites as well, including many Catholic sites. If this call to pray was sent out to 100,000 churches, there would only have to have been 10 individuals from each church praying to make this “prophesy” come true. It is our opinion, based on the WPC and Mission America resources, and past victories they claimed, that at least 1,000,000 people could well have been praying together as a result of this edict. But there is probably no way to prove these figures by either side. We doubt very much if Ted Haggard can prove his assertions in this matter with concrete facts.
One additional fact on this issue of praying for Saddam to leave Iraq, as reported in Christianity Today:
Ted Haggard, the new president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, is also involved in several physical and online prayer efforts, including the Presidential Prayer Team and the World Prayer Center. “Everybody is praying to whomever they claim is the sovereign God, so we all agree that however this comes out, it will be God’s will,” he told the Post. “In the end, Saddam is going to have to accept the fact that it was not God’s will for him to remain in power.” (Christianity Today, March 17, Weblog: A Nation at Warand on Its Knees, http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/111/51.0.html)
What is the use of praying to “whomever they claim is the sovereign God”? If you are praying to Allah and not praying to YHWH, you are praying in vain. This seems like a fairly clear interfaith statement, and certainly not the statement of an evangelical. In any case, God does give a prophecy in order to call Christians to pray together with unbelievers.
This point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard called Christians together to pray at the same time as New Agers, using humanistic and superstitious reasons as the basis for gathering to pray, instead of biblical truth.
Ted Haggard email: At New Life we often have special prayer meetings on Halloween night. Because of the darkness of that season, many Christians like to bring their families to pray on Halloween. Similarly, I received many e-mails from Christians asking that we call people to pray on March 3, 2003. I didn’t know it was a special day for New Agers until our researchers discovered it. Since so many Christians felt this was a special day, I responded by calling a day of prayer. Why? Because I’ll call a day of prayer any time I receive an opportunity. More people prayed on March 3 than would have had we not called for prayer.
I thought God was the One who called Christians to pray, not in response to someone who “felt this was a special day”? To recap our letter, when Haggard sent out his call to pray on 3-3-3, he included the fact that New Agers were also doing so on the same day.
“The magnitude of this date is not lost on the non-Christian world as well. The Global Consciousness movement (New Age) has for years been planning a worldwide “Largest ever experiment into global consciousness” to take place on 03-03-03.”
Why is Haggard saying that “I didn’t know it was a special day for New Agers until our researchers discovered it.” in his email response to our reminding him that he already called Christians together to pray with New Agers on the same day? This is trying to confuse the issue. The letter was sent out with this included:
“Because he had so many letters to pray on such a day He responded “The World Prayer Team therefore calls on all Christian churches and individuals to set aside at least 3 minutes to pray at 3:33 PM in their time zone on 03/03/03.”
Christians are to be in prayer regardless of whether members of the ICA call them to pray. We are to pray, “without ceasing”. Therefore Christians were already praying regardless. As already stated, Ted Haggard knew of the New Age call to “prayer” on that date, which is reflected in his WPC message. The fact remains … why were Christians called to pray in unity with New Agers on a date and time long planned by people who use occult methods like numerology? No benefits are derived from summoning Christians to pray alongside New Agers, Muslims or any other pagan religion.
This point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard was instrumental in reconciling John Wimber and the Vineyard with the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (original church of the “Toronto “Blessing” that brought Latter Rain doctrines into the mainstream) because he “felt an urgent impression from the Lord” to do it.
Ted Haggard email: It is trueI thought it was sad that the Vineyard severed its relationship with the Toronto Church without due process. In my efforts to reconcile the two, I did not argue that the Toronto Church was right; I argued that the Vineyard didn’t go through an adequate process of discipline before dismissing the church from fellowship. And I believe that the Lord did prompt me to go and try to help.
Apparently the Lord overlooked the fact that the Toronto “Blessing” originating church, TACF, was spreading all kinds of false doctrines and practices, false prophesies and false anointings worldwide. Why reconcile those who are teaching false doctrines? It would have been far wiser to correct them than to attempt to reconcile them. For more information on the Toronto “Blessing”, go here.
There is no denial this happened, so this point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard and his associates like George Otis, Jr. have claimed whole cities have been saved due to unbiblical spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare techniques, including his home church city of Colorado Springs, CO. The fact is that Colorado Springs still has major problems and is nowhere near regenerate.
Ted Haggard email: I have never claimed that cities have been saved due to spiritual mapping or spiritual warfare. I believe that the only way for cities to be saved is for the individuals within that city to respond positively to the Gospel message. As for Colorado Springs, I am a fan of the city and an advocate for it. I appreciate the positive things that have happened here and am working diligently at winning the lost and discipling people in His Word so more positive things will happen. No doubt, we have many of the same problems any large city has, and some of our problems are severe. That’s why we need to pray and reach out the way we do.
We did not intend to mean that Ted claimed his whole Colorado Springs city was saved, but meant it in the way he said it. His “associates like George Otis, Jr. have claimed whole cities have been saved” and completely changed as heard in the Transformation videos. It is a known fact that their goals, through spiritual mapping and warfare, are supposed to change (save) whole cities and even nations.
We simply reiterate the same quotes we used in our Open Letter:
Colorado Springs has become a haven for several major ministries. But it wasn’t that long ago when the area was a Mecca for blatant occult activity. Then Rev. Ted Haggard and his congregation discovered the raw power of prayer when then committed themselves to praying for their city’s transformation. Their plan, “spiritual mapping” lead to an amazing spiritual revival of the Colorado Springs area, and it is a method of prayer that is changing cities and countries around the globe. (Interview with Rev. Ted Haggard, “Spiritual Mapping”, http://www.tln.com/program/timeline/tl2024.html)
In Ted Haggard’s terminology, does “revival” include “salvation” or not? In the minds of those these ideas are being sold to, “spiritual revival” would naturally be equated with salvation. How can Ted deny people are not getting saved by “an amazing spiritual revival” when he said so? Is he or is he not using these methods? The point we are making is that spiritual warfare methods of the NAR are claimed to produce the goal of spiritual revival and change for cities.
In Ted Haggard’s book, “Primary Purpose”, published in 1995, it is said that the spiritual climate in your city can be changed to such an extent that it will be “hard for people to go to hell from your city … It happened in Colorado Springs, and it can happen in your city too. (Ted Haggard, Primary Purpose, Charisma Book Warehouse.
When you make definitive statements such as “hard for people to go to hell from that city” this has to mean a great revival of salvation already took place in Colorado Springs, because Haggard is using it as a prime example of success. But we expect to see the results in facts, not just words.
Add to the above from the AD2000 web site:
Cal Johnson, black pastor of rapidly-growing Solid Rock Church in South Colorado Springs, described how Ted Haggard had taught him to prayer walk and to emphasize missions, rather than the troubles of the community alone. “As you sow yourself out to people overseas, you may not receive anything from it. But God will supernaturally change your neighborhood.” (http://www.ad2000.org/pwpday4.htm)
Peter Wagner explains how this happens, “Spying out the land is essential when warring for a city…Christians should walk or drive every major freeway, avenue, and road of their cities, praying and coming against demonic strongholds over every neighborhood… Even if you don’t see instant results, keep the trumpets blowing Always remember, God is not slack concerning His promise; the walls will come down!” (Engaging the Enemy: How to Fight and Defeat Territorial Spirits – C. Peter Wagner, Ventura, CA; p. 98)
Haggard does admit that there are still problems in Colorado Springs in his email to us only after we revealed those facts in our Open Letter. This is not the picture Ted Haggard painted to the media in selling the “spiritual mapping” concept. If nothing happened and your city is actually worse off than other cities in the US, why tell these kinds of stories to promote an unbiblical method of prayer? The same claims were used by the Transformations videos put out by George Otis, Jr. and the Sentinel Group from the NLC property. These kinds of “strategic level spiritual warfare” methods have no biblical basis. Read this series of articles, Part 1, 2 & 3 on that subject.
Haggard is correct to state that people are only saved through the preaching of the Gospel, but cities cannot be “saved” as John Dawson and George Otis, Jr. have claimed. However, our point is that unbiblical methods have been added on to biblical evangelism, and this is what Haggard is promoting around the world with his ICA associates.
This point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard has claimed that the World Prayer Center is the “Pentagon of Christianity,” which is consistent with their view that the new apostles and their methods are foundational to the Church.
Ted Haggard email: I have never said that the World Prayer Center is the Pentagon of Christianity. I don’t even know what that means. I believe the World Prayer Center is a place for people to come and pray and a good resource for coordinating prayer for the darkest areas of the world. I have said nice things about the World Prayer Center, but this is not one of them, and the World Prayer Center itself has nothing to do with the apostolic discussion of Peter Wagner other than the fact that Peter offices in the building.
We apparently did make a mistake in stating that Ted Haggard personally made the statement about the “Pentagon of Christianity”. We apologize and would like to correct that statement here by stating that these terms have been used by a number of NAR participants and Charisma Magazine referring to the WPC. These types of quotes are being used by the NAR to propagate unbiblical prayer ideas and to bolster support for the ICA and NAR. Here are some of the accolades written about the WPC.
Charisma called C. Peter Wagner, Chuck Peirce and Ted Haggard “God’s Generals”. (as cited at http://www.despatch.cth.com.au/Mini/mini_despatch_May_22_2000.htm)
Interestingly, Charisma claims they get their accountability from people like Ted Haggard.
We regularly seek counsel from various leaders in the church, including Mike Bickle, Fuchsia Pickett, Chuck Pierce, Ted Haggard, and Jack Hayford.(Charisma Magazine Online, July 2001)
Various media organizations and individuals have given a number of other attributes to the work of the WPC.
The WPC has been touted as the “Pentagon of modern Christianity,” “God’s Air Command,” and other militaristic nomenclatures. … The World Prayer Center was built largely through the contributions of Pastor Ted Haggard’s New Life Church, which neighbors the Center. (http://www.banner.org.uk/globalism/WCM4.html)
In 1998, Otis’s Sentinel Group, Wagner’s Global Harvest Ministries, and Ted Haggard’s Christian Information Network plan to move into the high-tech World Prayer Center on the grounds of Haggard’s New Life Church in Colorado Springs (Christianity Today May 20, 1996, p. 78)
“Spiritual mapping will be central to the operation of this “electronic nerve center to connect the intercessors and let each other know what they’re hearing from the Holy Spirit” (Christianity Today Jan.12 1998)
The Sentinel Group that produced the Transformation videos offers a 20/20 plan, which is “Battlefield Intelligence for Frontline Intercessors” through a monthly briefing in their magazine “World Insight” that contains information for spiritual mappers.
It is clear that everyone involved in the NAR are endorsing each other’s books and attending the same conferences whenever possible. The World Prayer Center is just as involved in the NAR as any other NAR enterprise. They are all strategically connected in leadership, goals and operations. The people involved, who are participating and writing on this, are well aware of what is being said and done. Can we really believe that Ted Haggard is unaware of what is being said of him by those who get counsel from him and those who participate at his church in ministry? Interestingly, Ted Haggard or any other ICA member has never corrected the glowing statements by Charisma, Christianity Today and other publications about the World Prayer Center that endorse the agenda of the New Apostolic Reformation.
With errata, this point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard claims that to evangelize the Muslims “the primary goal is not to win new Christian converts but to serve the Islamic people.”
Ted Haggard email: I believe that it is fundamental to the presentation of the Gospel that we serve all people, whether they are Christian or not. Thus, if they are converted, that is wonderful and certainly our aim. However, even if they are not converted, we still hold their best interests at heart. The article referred to here was written when the Islamic community in Colorado Springs was scared because of hateful comments from Christians after 9/11, and I was assuring them that we would protect their kids in school and their ability to shop, go to restaurants, etc., even if they didn’t become Christians. I wanted them to know that because they live in a community with a large number of evangelical Christians, they can feel safe.
It is a worthy goal to be concerned about the safety of the citizenry, though that is primarily the job of government officials. But how can you “hold their best interests at heart” if you don’t witness to them? Our job as believers is to preach the gospel, so that some might possibly be saved some from hell. It may not be well received, but when was it ever well received by any religion? Here’s the quote again:
The Rev. Ted Haggard, pastor of the 8,700-member New Life Church along with Fred Markert, executive director of Youth With a Mission, are going to reach the Muslims without the gospel, but by showing their good works. Haggard said “the primary goal is not to win new Christian converts but to “serve the Islamic people. We believe it is the role of Christians to befriend people in the Islamic community to ensure their peace and safety.” Haggard said he wants people to “become aware of the Islamic community and locate their needs. That includes leaving them alone if that’s what they want. Markert said the goal is to give people a choice of religions, not force Christianity on them. He said missionaries would provide blankets, food and other short-term relief as well as help with long-term projects such as installing clean water systems.” (Quotes from The Gazette -Pastors issue call for missionaries to Islam 9/29/01
We need to be very careful about what we say as Christians. Evangelicals have evangelism as their primary goal. Social action is second on the list–very important, but still second. Fred Markert, in agreeing with Haggard, revealed the agenda of YWAM and other NAR organizations, which have become increasingly social and interfaith instead of evangelical. The reason we brought this up was to show that Ted Haggard has demonstrated clearly that he does not really understand classic evangelicalism.
This point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard (a) endorsed the book God Chasers by Tommy Tenney, a Oneness Pentecostal in a long line of anti Trinitarians, (b) is a member with Tenney of the International Coalition of Apostles (ICA) and (c) was also instrumental in bridging the gap between traditional Pentecostals, the UPC and Word Faith.
Ted Haggard email: I did not know Tommy was a Oneness Pentecostal. I just knew that his book had encouraged people in their prayer lives. I haven’t looked at the book in years, but I don’t recall him discussing the trinity in it. I did attend the meeting called by Dr. Robert Fisher, Executive Director for the Center for Spiritual Renewal in Cleveland, TN and Dr. Vinson Synan, author of Century of the Holy Spirit, 100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal 1901-2001, to establish communication between the various groups that have developed within Pentecostalism. As far as I know, no one renounced their Trinitarian beliefs because of this discussion, but I believe it did work to convince some of the UPC leadership that we Trinitarians are genuine Christians. I am a member of the International Coalition of Apostles because Peter Wagner asked me to attend the meetings, not because I believe I am an apostle.
Just because Tenney’s beliefs on the Trinity are not mentioned in this particular book does not excuse Ted Haggard from finding out who he is endorsing. The fact is, Tenney is on board with the ICA. The meeting Haggard refers to was mostly a compromise in order to work together; it did not settle any issues that had the Oneness groups sever from the Trinitarians in 1914. Why would those who are in sound doctrine be concerned about what those practicing heresy think? The fact is, we don’t need to convince them about our beliefs, as Ted states, but it is they who need to be convinced their beliefs are unbiblical. This was overlooked in favor of ecumenical unity, which is neither unity of the Spirit nor unity of the Faith. This is a consistent theme running through the NAR teachings–unity outside of doctrinal truth.
The Bible is very clear that those with servant gifts of leadership are to use them for the purpose of teaching sound doctrine:
Ephesians 4:11-16 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Isn’t it interesting that those who claim to be foundational apostles and prophets to the Church today have so little regard for sound doctrine, when that should be their utmost goal according to Paul! It certainly was the goal of the real foundational Apostles, on whom the Church is built. Though there are no foundational apostles and prophets today, as NAR Latter Rain participants claim, those who are “sent out ones”, missionaries, and church planters preach the Word, evangelize and teach because they realize their grace gift responsibilities.
We simply don’t accept that Ted Haggard did not know Tommy Tenney’s UPC background, as Tenney’s parents and grandparents wrote the book on UPC doctrines and this is widely known.
Ted Haggard email: I am a member of the International Coalition of Apostles because Peter Wagner asked me to attend the meetings, not because I believe I am an apostle.
Haggard does claim to be a member of the International Coalition of Apostles because Peter Wagner asked him. So, all members are invited, but to be a member one must agree with the goals of the apostles under Wagner. Isn’t it time for those in the NAR to openly stand up for what they espouse? This nullifies Ted’s statement that “I don’t have a clear understanding of what the NAR is”. It also negates his assertion that he has “never been to a meeting, (has) never been invited to a meeting, and (doesn’t) know what goes on in their meetings.”
Peter Wagner considers Ted Haggard to be an apostle, and so do many others.
In Colorado Springs, where Wagner lives, Pastor Ted Haggard of New Life Church has been officially recognized as an apostle of a certain sphere of churches called the NET. (Posted September 1, 2000, Arise Magazine Article: New Apostolic Reformation).
This point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard is also a member of the National School of Prophets (NSP) under Wagner.
Ted Haggard email: No, I am not. I have never been to a meeting, have never been invited to a meeting, and don’t know what goes on in their meetings.
How is this possible when Haggard is on their governing board? His name is included with the others. Someone should ask the other members. Membership is attained only by official invitation from ICA leadership. Nominations are received through any active ICA member and processed through the Colorado Springs ICA office, as far as we understand.
As stated before, Ted Haggard has hosted the National School of the Prophets at his church for a number of years, and was a featured speaker at those meetings. We have him on video and audio, unless it is a clever body double. As already stated above, at those meetings Ted Haggard endorsed the modern roles of prophets and the apostles in the church as per the NAR Latter Rain construct. To be on board with them means one upholds their goals and participates in them. These facts cannot be denied. Again, we reiterate that almost all these teachings and practices were from the Latter Rain movement that was rejected by the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal denominations in the early 1950’s.
This point stands.
ACT Open Letter: Ted Haggard and others of the ICA have claimed they are able to teach people to be prophets, and have charged $175 to do so.
Ted Haggard email: No, I haven’t. I have never claimed to teach anyone to be a prophet, don’t know how to teach anyone to be a prophet, and have never charged anyone anything for services or information related to prophecy. I hope this clarifies my position on these subjects.
This is simply not the case. They charge a fairly hefty sum for the National School Of The Prophets (NSOTP) conferences.
There is even a “National School of the Prophets Conference,” where for $175 you can be trained in the art of “propheteering.” C. Peter Wagner, Dutch Sheets, Rick Joyner, Cindy Jacobs, Mike Bickle, Ted Haggard and others can train us to be “prophets” (Charisma Magazine, Dec. 1998, as quoted in http://www.pfo.org/fortune.htm) (also http://www.harvestnet.org/reports/conferenceexamples.htm)
Haggard welcomes the people in during his speaking slot at one NSOTP conference held at his church:
“I want to thank every one of you, for spending your money, for taking your time, for coming here and learning how to do and how to grow in the prophetic ministry (Ted Haggard speaking at the National School of the Prophets, Mobilizing the Prophetic Office, Saturday, 13 May, 2000.)
Here are a few of the teachings by Ted Haggard at the National School of The Prophets.
“I am so appreciative of all of you coming here to Colorado Springs, to learn all about the prophetic. … I want to thank every one of you, for spending your money, for taking your time, for coming here, and learning how to do and how to grow nin the prophetic ministry” (Ted Haggard, NSOTP, Mobilizing the Prophetic Office, Saturday, May 13, 2000.)
See, when we flow in the prophetic, when we encourage people in the prophetic, when we make their lives better, it’s a flow of life. It’s a flow of His life. It’s a flow of His power. It’s a flow of His words into our community or into our church, or into a believer’s meeting.” (Ted Haggard, NSOTP, Mobilizing the Prophetic Office, Saturday, May 13, 2000.)
This point stands.
Conclusion
We have proven all our points from our Open Letter to the NAE.
There is much more that could be presented on these topics, but we wanted to keep this response as short as possible. There are also testimonies of those who have attended Haggard’s New Life Church that substantiate what we have written. We encourage everyone to look further into this serious matter.
