I see from national news organizations that our own Pastor Ted has become "news" again. Actually, it isn't news, it is "olds" but is getting press time now because the "new" leadership of the huge church/business that Pastor Ted founded chose to suppress it at the time the "good pastor" was disgraced. Claiming now that they suppressed the story then because they wanted to protect the "flock" after such a devastating scandal.
At the time, a male prostitute/drug pusher claimed to have had a working relationship with Ted. The resultant investigation and scandal sent Ted packing with a mere pitance from the business/church he established and grew to one of the biggest in the nation. You may (or may not) remember that Ted, after being tossed from his church, went into rehab and came out in two weeks "cured" of his gayness and ready to rejoin the church, having been forgiven of the Lord for his isolated incident of sinnin'ness. The flock chose to move on without Ted, selecting the "new" leaders to guide them (and who immediately lied to them - through omission- about the true nature of Ted), leaving Ted to go ahead on in his own path.
Today the story breaks about a young man who had a sustained, intense, physical relationship with Pastor Ted that predated the little incident that led to his removal. Yep...ole Ted was queering around before he got caught queering around. Seems he lied to his flock, and the good citizens of The Swirling Epicenter, time after time...in interviews on radio, in the press and anywhere else he could get space. And now it is big "news" that there was more to this story after all.
So What? Well. Seems you don't know who you can trust. Because the good people of that church were led to believe that Ted was a great pastor, leader, mentor, and shepherd up until the point where he "slipped up" and had an oopies moment. But in fact, the man they revered and looked to for spiritual guidance was a lying,hypocritical, low life ALL ALONG. Do I say that because he was (is) gay? NO. I say that because he was preaching against the sins of the flesh, especially homosexuality, and dishonesty and lack of character, and all the other "sins" while he was actively pursuing that very lifestyle himself, and at the same time racking in millions in contributions to aid in "spreading the word" . That's why I say that.
Don't construe this as an attack on all evangelists. There have been so many nationally known religious "leaders" who are looked upon as great men who have had serious flaws in their character. I am sure that there are still congregations around who are led by the "Teds" of the evangelist world. It is really the worst sin of him and his ilk, that they make it so easy for the enemies of Christianity to maintain their head of steam. Wouldn't it be nice for a change to see a story written or featured on the nightly news about an honest, hard working church leader who doesn't live extravagantly on the backs of his flock, who works hard to serve his congregation, who IS honest and righteous? Won't happen. Not because there aren't any, but because the press never wastes its precious column inches on stuff like that when it can dredge up a two year old scandal and breath New Life into it.