Church forces out Haggard for 'sexually immoral conduct'

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (CNN) - The Rev. Ted Haggard agreed Saturday to resign as leader of the megachurch he started in his basement more than 20 years ago after its independent investigative board said he was guilty of "sexually immoral conduct." On Friday, Haggard admitted he had received a massage from a Denver man who claimed the prominent pastor had paid him for sex over three years. Haggard also admitted he had bought methamphetamine.
Haggard, in an interview with CNN affiliate KUSA, denied having sex with Mike Jones and said he did not use the drug and threw it away.
After the allegations were made public, Haggard resigned as president of the influential National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella group representing more than 45,000 churches with 30 million members. He also temporarily stepped aside as pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church.
But on Saturday overseers of the church recommended he be permanently removed. "We, the Overseer Board of New Life Church, have concluded our deliberations concerning the moral failings of Pastor Ted Haggard," a statement from the church said. "Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct."
Haggard's admissions resonated among America's evangelicals and Christian leaders. Haggard was one of a group of religious leaders who regularly participated in conference calls with White House aides, Time magazine reported.
On Friday, the White House sought to downplay Haggard's influence within the administration. Spokesman Tony Fratto told reporters Friday that it was inaccurate to portray him as being close to the White House, insisting Haggard was only an occasional participant in weekly conference calls between West Wing staff and leading evangelicals. "He has been on a couple of calls," Fratto said. "He's been to the White House one or two times."
Last year, Time - citing Haggard's White House access - put him on its list of the nation's 25 most influential evangelicals.

Yes, the lesson here is that if you can't practice what you preach, it's best to stay out of politics. Otherwise someone will be sure to 'out' you.