Comments on: Disgraced pastor Ted Haggard and wife speak at popular Charlotte church

By: jeremy

jeremy — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 05:40:43 +0000

I am sorry, but until now I have good things about Elevation, but this actually proves otherwise.

@Ajax, yes, thankfully their are plenty of welcoming and affirming churches in this area (and surround areas)-alot will be at Pride here in a week or so.

AMEN , and PRAISE GOD, that we can’t pray the GAy Away,

By: Beth Larson

Beth Larson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:50:59 +0000

This is all I have to say. Maybe all of the homophobic’s will think twice before spewing their filth about homosexuality being a sin…probably not though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SULrYUjde4&feature=related

By: Steven A

Steven A — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:01:19 +0000

I went to college with Mr. Furtick at a conservative private college in South Carolina, while he was a nice guy it is not surprising his opinion given the doctrine that was taught at NGU and who knows what at whatever seminary he went to. I too feel sorry for Chad Ellis for feeling betrayed by the church. I have yet to find a church here in SC that is accepting and that I feel comfortable with attending, but despite the negative experiences I have been through I remain a spiritual person, but refuse to use the “C” word because of the negative connotations it has in the LGBT community as a whole.

By: John Doe

John Doe — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:39:28 +0000

YEAH HE IS A SORRY SOMEBODY. I BET HE WOULD STILL BE HOEING AROUND IF HE WASNT EXPOSED. BOY WHAT A HYPOCRIT!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:54:35 +0000

Rev. Steve Furtick said the “real hero” of the story was Gayle Haggard and praised her for standing by her husband. Also he wrote in his blog that he was deeply touched that his wife and family stood by him while going through the healing and restoration process. Well, my goodness give them all a big ol HIGH-FIVE. Isn’t that what she is suppose to do, since she is a married woman and took her vows in “sickness and in health”. They are the ones calling gays sinners, etc., so sure she should keep her family together. Did Ted Haggard honestly think he wouldn’t make the headlines one day, that nobody would notice him, that nobody would kiss and tell? Funny thing is apparently a high percentage of these “sinful affairs” don’t make the headlines, so two thumbs up for gay folks not kissing and telling. If Ted Haggard had an affair with a woman it would be a completely different story. Very very different.

My heart goes out to Chad Ellis, left one church for the hope of finding (maybe) acceptance in another. I did the same thing years ago, again and again and again. The pain of being rejected at church is almost as bad as a breakup with your lover. It hurts like hell. Find acceptance in yourself and in your heart and forget about everything else. God loves you, the church folks don’t matter. Be sweet!

By: Wade

Wade — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:45:01 +0000

The many openly gay and lesbian members of this church need to run as fast as they can!! They should go to a church where the true love of Christ is taught and to an affirming and welcoming congregation. I believe there is a Revolution Church in the Charlotte area, there are also a number of Baptist Churches in Charlotte which are welcoming and affirming as well as two MCC churches. I personally prefer the Baptist faith. Myers Park Baptist is a very progressive and welcoming church in Charlotte.

By: robert Kellogg

robert Kellogg — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:39:31 +0000

Its not too shocking to see that this up and coming church would parade a disgraced hypocrite like Haggard while at the same time seperate themselves from the LGBT community. Church’s are businesses looking to make money and to grow. in order to grow in Charlotte you must wrap yourself in the conservative shroud of hypocricy and pride. the young Pastor of Elevation church is not so different from those who have come before him in Charlotte( young, talented, charasmatic). At first a glimmer of hope that there may be someone willing to stand up for real Christian values and be a bridge to the LGBT community, but then pride and the lust for power take over and the hopes for diversity and reconciliation are dashed. its all about money and power, Jesus is an afterthought!

By: Courtney

Courtney — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:12:33 +0000

I would hope that since they think all sex outside of marriage is sin they will support marriage equality in the future.
Yeah…like that will ever happen.

By: Hank

Hank — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:03:14 +0000

When are people going to realize that churches are vile? They are filled with phony people and phony teachings. Why would any self-respecting gay person attend? Follow your own spiritual path, people!

By: audrey criswell

audrey criswell — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:14:20 +0000

I think all sex outside of marriage is sin and same sex is a sin so Pastor Steven Furtick preaches the truth and the whole truth. I have been to a many churches but I have never saw a pastor so involved with people. He cares and God is going to reward him. He is the best so far. I want to thank Furtick so much . Since I have been going there My thinking has changed in so many ways. Again thank God for such a God loving person.

By: Rev. Steve

Rev. Steve — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:27:46 +0000

“adding that the church believes all sex outside of marriage is a sin.”

Can we count on him to back same-sex marriage initiatives to save all us sinners? Excellent article.

By: Rev. Steve

Rev. Steve — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:22:00 +0000

These people are dangerous. You can’t pray away the gay.

http://tinyurl.com/cj7bsu

By: Rev. Steve

Rev. Steve — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:17:23 +0000

Some people just don’t get it.
http://tinyurl.com/de9ntj

By: Ajax

Ajax — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:20:47 +0000

First, a clafification: According to his book “I Had to Say Something”, escort Mike Jones says Haggard did NOT buy meth from him, Jones only helped him find a source.

Second a couple questions:

If “many congregants [of Elevation] identify as gay or lesbian”, how does THAT work? Why do g/l people willingly attend a church where they know their orientation is treated as a sin? Aren’t there any glbt-affirming churches in Charlotte?

How can Firtick say that Elevation “will hear the whole story first hand”? Haggard’s story has changed — a LOT — over time (even Haggard is now admitting that much of what he said on Oprah just a couple months ago was not true). Whatever Haggard’s “current” story, it is not the “whole” story.

By: Phil Tevlin

Phil Tevlin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:04:34 +0000

If Ted Haggard had not been “outed” by the whore with whom he spent his time and to whom he gave money fresh from the collection plate, he would still be engaged in those very sinful activities that he himself acidly denounced in others. He did not seek forgiveness for his sins until after his sins became common knowledge. Now he’s sorry; I say he’s many years too late to go that route.

By: FemmieGirl

FemmieGirl — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:38:12 +0000

I hope that he is sincere in his apology. Most of us had to deal with some sort of internalized homophobia when we were coming to terms with who we are – we just didn’t make it so public. I guess all we can do is wait and see and give him a chance to prove himself.