Now living in Phoenix, Arizona, Haggard is a member of Phoenix First Assembly of God, where Pastor Tommy Barnett, one of the overseers of Haggard's restoration team, said he will maintain an "accountability relationship" with Haggard.

The Christian Post reported that New Life Church officials "believe the termination of the relationship is premature" and that Haggard's "restoration process could take years."

However, on February 6, 2007, Tim Ralph, one of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counseling for Haggard, stated that Haggard "is completely heterosexual." Ralph added that therapy "gave Ted the tools to help to embrace his heterosexual side."

The story from New Life Church officials was markedly different. Senior Pastor Brady Boyd issued the following press release:

Ted Haggard's leadership of New Life Church for many years was extraordinary and the depth of spiritual maturity that is found today in the church is in large part attributed to his leadership as the founding senior pastor.

In January 2007, Ted Haggard voluntarily agreed to enter a process of spiritual restoration.  He has selected Phoenix First Assembly and Pastor Tommy Barnett as his local church fellowship and is maintaining an accountability relationship there. He has recently requested to end his official relationship with the New Life Church Restoration Team and this has been accepted by them.

New Life Church recognizes the process of restoring Ted Haggard is incomplete and maintains its original stance that he should not return to vocational ministry. However, we wish him and his family only success in the future.  

Because spiritual restoration is a necessarily confidential process, the church does not anticipate that it, or its Overseers or Restorers, will make further comment about it.

'Ex-gay' programs 'don't work' says TruthWinsOut executive director

"As far as predictions go, the failure of Haggard's 'ex-gay' program was not exactly like picking the New York Giants over the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super bowl," said TruthWinsOut.org's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "It is pretty much a given that these programs don't work and we hope Haggard comes to a genuine place of love and self-acceptance."

"It is time for conservative churches to admit that their approach to homosexuality is an experiment that has failed," said TWO's Besen in a press release dated February 8. "How many lives will be shattered, families destroyed and careers ruined before the religious right accepts gay people for who they are?"

According to its website, TruthWinsOut.org is a non-profit organization "that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life."

New dreams, old schemes

Haggard got in trouble with his "restoration team" in August 2007, when, according to Wikipedia, he "released a statement asking for monetary donations to help support his family while he and his wife attend classes at the University of Phoenix." Haggard pointed out "that his family was moving into the Dream Center, a Phoenix based halfway house which ministers to recovering convicts, drug addicts, prostitutes etc. Haggard is pursuing a degree in counseling while his wife Gayle is studying psychology."

Wikipedia noted that "Questions also surfaced about the tax-exempt group Haggard asked that donations be sent to, on his behalf: Families With a Mission. According to Haggard, the group would use 10% of donations for administrative costs and forward 90% to Haggard. But the group was dissolved in February 2007, according to the Colorado Secretary of State."

Shortly after Haggard's initial email solicitation, "his restoration team stepped in to say his statement was `inappropriate' and that `Haggard was a little ahead of himself.' They indicated that Haggard would not be working at the Dream Center or in ministry of any kind and that they advised Haggard to seek secular employment to support himself and his family."

In 2005, Jeff Sharlet reported that Haggard "talks to... Bush or his advisers every Monday" and Sharlet stated that "no pastor in America holds more sway over the political direction of evangelicalism."

A few days before Haggard admitted his "guilt," James Dobson said in a news release dated November 2: "It is unconscionable that the legitimate news media would report a rumor like this based on nothing but one man's accusation. Ted Haggard is a friend of mine and it appears someone is trying to damage his reputation as a way of influencing the outcome of Tuesday's midterm election -- especially the vote on Colorado's marriage-protection amendment-- which Ted strongly supports."

Not to worry; the Haggard family is not destitute. In 2006, he received $115,000 for the 10 months he worked and also received an $85,000 anniversary bonus shortly before the scandal broke; after the scandal broke, the board of trustees of New Life Church agreed to give him an $138,000 severance. Additionally, the Haggards have a home in Colorado Springs, Colorado that is valued at more than $700,000 and Haggard still receives royalties from books he has authored.