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New Life: Attendance, Giving Remain Down
May 29, 2007 3:48 PM
Screen shot from
"The Root of All Evil?" Part 1. It's been 7 months since Pastor Ted Haggard was removed as the leader of New Life Church in Colorado Springs. This after he admitted to receiving massages and buying methamphetamine from a gay male prostitute in Denver over a period of years.
Prior to Haggard's departure, New Life claimed a congregation of 14,000 members. A new email from the church to its members now says that attendance remains down 20 to 25 percent, or by 2,800 to 3,500 members. Giving, the church says, remains 8 to 10 percent below pre-scandal levels.
New Life has yet to replace Haggard, but church leaders say they now have four finalists for the job, including Ross Parsely, who is currently a pastor at the church. The candidates will be interviewed in June.
Click on "Read More" to read the latest message from New Life Leadership to its members.
"Even with the challenges we've faced, attendance and giving have remained steady. Our attendance dropped 20 to 25 percent soon after November, which is where we've continued to stay. Offerings have remained consistent at 8 to 10 percent below this time last year. We are strong and grateful! I appreciate how so many of you have shown the courage to be consistent in the midst of crisis.
Pastor Lance asked me to pass on the very latest update from the Pastoral Selection Committee. In the last week, the PSC nailed down interviews with four potential candidates in June--I am one of those. The process is really moving ahead in earnest, and our prayers and patience have never been more necessary.
God has challenged us to serve our city as we seek His will for the future. I believe we will pass the test and demonstrate our maturity. This is God's plan, His heart, His purpose for us--let's do it together!
Pastor Ross Parsley
New Life Church"
Posted by Eric Whitney on May 29, 2007 3:48 PM | Permalink
