Q&A with Alexandra Pelosi on "The Trials of Ted Haggard"

Churches are a business? Well, I suppose they need to pay bills and run their affairs, but a church can certainly have sound business practices without "being" a business. My guess would be that the more a church thinks of itself as a business (or as a political force) the more it loses, or compromises, its spiritual mission.

I know that's a strange point to focus on given all the sex and lies stuff, but I wonder if this kind of corporate religiosity is more dangerous than we might think. It was bad for Haggard and bad for New Life. They might rethink that component of their self-conception.

I have to agree with Martyn. The business comment really struck me. Are the heads of these churches acting more like CEOs and less like leaders of faith. While I know pastors are very responsible for the budget and fiscal necessities of the church, I believe good and sound spiritual leadership with a touch financial fortitude will bring enough financial support to be a non-profit yet functioning organization.

The Catholic church that I grew up in offers and interesting example that doesn't necessarily prove my point but shows the two differing sides of the argument. The pastor when I was a child was an elderly (near retirement) priest. He never asked for money but was adored by many for his attention to his parishioners and his gentle touch both physically and spiritually. Under the old regime, the church fell deep into debt. The new pastor of the church is a fund raising machine and an in-your-face person. He has no qualms about standing at the pulpit and pleading for money. Yet his spiritual message has been lost. He fails to teach and is quick to reprimand. Now that I am only home, and go to this church, on Christmas (for my mother's sake and because I am no longer Catholic), I am so disheartened. Two years ago he scolded the congregation for wearing denim jeans to mass and for leaving early. While yes it may be a little casual, isn't the point that these people are there to capture the faith and spirit of God. Isn't that more important than what they where and when they leave. My new brother-in-law, who did not grow up Catholic, is astonished by this man's inability to teach, preach, and deliver the Christian message, and so am I. Perhaps if the pastor reconsidered his goal, is it to lead by faith or to run the business of the church.

Thanks Patton for the interesting Q & A and the intriguing perspective it brings.

Ted Haggard, it seems, has allowed his "religion" to enslave him and for that reason alone, I feel sorry for him. We worship God in truth and in spirit and Mr. Haggard refuses to accept the truth of who he is and instead burdens his family with his untruthfulness.

There is still a hope however that with all his charisma, he may knock down the walls of homophobia, judgement and hypocrisy embodied by the church and make us truly more a reflection of God's love and acceptance. The trials of Ted Haggard brings front and center the issues of homosexuality and hypocrisy in the church.

What confuses me more than the homosexual acts, is why drugs? What an obstruction to the many people who struggle with substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) ... especially youth ... and who participate in drug rehab ministries at particlarly these mega churches.

"While I know pastors are very responsible for the budget and fiscal necessities of the church..."

Um...no, they're not -- at least not in mainline denominations like mine. Our budget is determined by our congregation, church council and pastor working in concert. Our pastor's salary and benefits are based on denominational guidelines, which in the ELCA suggest that a pastor's salary reflect that of master's degree professionals with equivalent experience in the community (like a high school principal). We also have independent financial audits. And our pastors are answerable to both the congregation on one hand and to their synodical bishops on the other.

I know that mainline denominations aren't currently en vogue, but I'd suggest to readers that while we may not have the flashy high-tech churches with high-profile clergy, we have more accountability built into our systems than many independent churches and "ministries." And most of our denominations have more progressive theological and social points of view than the big-box ministries. Just sayin'.