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Insider's Perspective
Dissent and disagreement between members of a congregation and its leader -- within even a tiny church -- are not the exception but the rule. Here is an example of that happening within New Life Church here in Colorado Springs. A member of the congregation was upset with the email regarding media coverage sent out by Pastor Ted Haggard, and the following exchange was the result. I think the most interesting thing here is Pastor Ted's elaboration on his motivations for the memo regarding the media coverage they were to receive in the coming week. He speaks very much in line with how Ted Olsen from Christianity Today described his efforts as, "mission through a media lens." I don't see Pastor Ted's agreement that he should leave New Life Church as necessarily incendiary, but rather terse honesty. I'm sure you'll have your own opinion on the exchange....