The CIS Mission Board of Directors has approved Colin Campbell, chaplain with the “War on Cancer” in Charlottesville, as a special ministry project. The decision was ratified at a regular board meeting in October, 2008. [read more]

For over 30 years Dr. Bray has used the YWAM Prayer and Planning Diary as a way to stay on track with his personal piety and as a prayer guide for the whole team. "Next to the Bible, this is the most life-changing devotional book I have ever used," says Dr. Bray. "It takes you right into the heart of Jesus for the lost world-it is like walking with God. Plus it helps you plan your daily apostolic action." [read more]

THE volunteers who serve at the CIS Mission Book Table Ministry are offering two free gift books this season as part of their 2008 holiday ministry to needy students, supporters and the whole body of Christ. [read more]

By Dr. Bill Bray

November 6, 2006

By Dr. Bill Bray

FOR many of us evangelicals, who have watched smugly for decades with folded arms as gay rights theologians and feminists forced the main-line denominations into apostasy and schism, the fall of Ted Haggard is a wake-up call. At least this missionary hopes it will be seen as such.

Too often, since the so-called “sexual revolution” began in the 1960’s, we have allowed the accuser of the brethren to use this issue to distract us, and silence our witness and faithfulness to Christ and the Gospel.

I’m sure that some readers wonder how I see a connection between overseas missions and the spread of heresy in the American and European churches. It’s a big one. As older denominations have found out, churches who allow them to be compromised and divided over immoral behavior almost immediately cease to have any missionary zeal.

In fact, in mainline churches which embraced non-biblical family and gender values, all evangelism and church growth has died—not just missionary outreach. Sin brings death to churches, missions and individuals.

Now the revelations about Ted’s sin will put this issue squarely center-stage for evangelicals whose teachers have all too often followed the theological fads and fancies of the older, mainline churches. Will a choice for God be made, or will evangelicals continue to surrender to secular culture as have the mainline churches?

Ted Haggard was “outed” by a homosexual prostitute only days before a critical election to defend the biblical-defined family in Colorado. The gay activist who exposed Rev. Haggard admits that he hoped that by revealing evangelical hypocrisy, he would sway the election against Christian values.

That our dear brother Haggard quickly and openly admitted his sin is good start.

Pastorally, we all need to pray for him and for ourselves as we respond. Not only is his church, family, and the National Association of Evangelicals shamed on the eve of critical elections—but evangelicals must now respond correctly and with love to this public admission of lifelong, homosexual sin from one of our most trusted leaders.

“The fact is,” said Rev. Haggard in an Associated Press interview, “I am guilty of sexual immorality. And I take responsibility for the entire problem. I am a deceiver and a liar. There’s a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all my adult life.”

Our response to this confession must accomplish six objectives: (1) It must involve loving but effective discipline that preserves privacy for Ted and his family; (2) It must facilitate and demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver him from years of life-controlling sexual addiction; (3) It must preserve the integrity and the purity of the Christian ministry; (4) It must demonstrate a renewed commitment to holiness because all apostolic service depends on holiness; (5) It must not be allowed to distract or divide us from the central work of the Gospel; (6) It must ultimately result in Ted’s reconciliation with the rest of the Body of Christ.

To comment on this editorial, please email Dr. Bray at wtbray@hotmail.com