COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 3 /Standard Newswire/ -- The office of the Dr. Roy Taylor, Chairman; the National Association of Evangelicals Board of Directors; and the Executive Committee issue the following statement concerning the resignation of Rev. Ted Haggard:

Yesterday, National Association of Evangelicals President Ted Haggard submitted his resignation from NAE leadership when serious allegations were made on a Denver radio talk show. In response to Rev. Haggard’s admission yesterday to church leaders in Colorado that there were some indiscretions, the eleven-member Executive Committee met today via teleconference and unanimously accepted his resignation with regret.

Rev. Haggard has rendered invaluable services to the New Life Church of Colorado Springs, to the National Association of Evangelicals, to the Evangelical Christian movement, and to the Church universal. We appreciate his many years of effective leadership.

Knowing Rev. Haggard, we found the initial reports of misconduct to be shocking and difficult to believe. As evangelicals we recognize, however, the stark reality of the power of sin in all our lives, and acknowledge that we are all capable of grievous moral failures. Moreover, we believe that the Bible holds Christian leaders to higher levels of accountability. Therefore, it is especially serious when a pastor and prominent Christian leader deliberately violates God’s standards of conduct.

The NAE is a para-church organization, not a church. Rev. Haggard has rightfully submitted himself to the pastoral oversight and ecclesiastical discipline of the independent New Life Church board of overseers. We commend him to their wisdom, as they are involved in the accountability process and have a more detailed knowledge of the situation through their extended meetings with him.

We are thankful for the grace and mercy of Christ who is able to forgive all sorts of sin. Yet, due to the seriousness of Rev. Haggard’s misconduct while in the leadership roles he held, we anticipate that an extended period of recovery will be appropriate. We pray that the overseers’ ministry to him will lead to his eventual moral healing, restoration in Christ, and service in the Church.

We pray for and stand with Rev. Haggard, his wife Gayle, and their children, and the New Life Church congregation at this difficult time. We also pray for the man who has accused Rev. Haggard.

The NAE Executive Committee is making arrangements for temporary leadership for the immediate future. A search for a permanent president will then ensue. More details will be forthcoming as they are available.

Submitted by the NAE Executive Committee:

Chairman: Dr. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk – Presbyterian Church of America

Vice-Chairman: Rev. Jeff Farmer, President – Open Bible Churches