Our sins have a ripple effect

It's amazing how much our sin can impact the lives of others. Haggard's former church had to layoff 44 of it's staff due to reduced giving:

Beset by scandal and a subsequent decline in giving, New Life Church in Colorado Springs has laid off 44 people - or about 12 percent of its workforce - a church official said today.

The nondenominational megachurch had experienced attendance and financial growth in each of its 22 previous years, said Rob Brendle, an associate pastor.

That came to end in early November, when its charismatic founding pastor, the Rev. Ted Haggard, was fired amid allegations he used methamphetamine and paid a male prostitute for sex.

Brendle estimated church income has been down 10 percent since then, forcing the layoffs. The layoffs range from pastoral staff to support staff and nursery workers. Brendle said the cuts took place last week and were announced today during Sunday services.

"We recognize a church is an institution of trust, and that trust has been bruised," Brendle said. "So we're committed to serving people faithfully and earning it back in any cases where it might have diminished."

The state's largest church with about 14,000 members, the non-denominational New Life is cutting 44 people from a workforce of about 350 full and part-time workers, Brendle said. Considering the breadth of the scandal, the financial impact could have been worse, he said.

I can't even fathom going to a church that big! They really need to think about maybe using more volunteers and less paid staff.

Those in leadership bear a huge burden because their sins are so public and impact so many people. When they fall, they drag not only those around them down but entire congregations.

Tags: Haggard, Christianity, religion