ShareThisBy JEAN TORKELSON
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
James Dobson has decided not to be a member of the team dealing with disgraced preacher Ted Haggard, saying he doesn't have enough time for the job.
In a statement, Dobson, the founder and chairman of Focus on the Family withdrew from the panel that also includes prominent evangelists and church founders Rev. Jack Hayford and Rev. Tommy Barnett.
Dobson's statement: "It is with great regret _ and after much prayer and discussion with friends and family _ that I have had to reconsider my involvement in the panel overseeing Ted's restoration. Emotionally and spiritually, I wanted to be of help, but the reality is I don't have the time to devote to such a critical responsibility. Ted and his family will be better served by someone whose energies and attention are not tugged on in quite so many directions.
"All of us at Focus on the Family will continue to pray for Ted and Gayle and their children. I certainly hope to speak with him _ friend to friend _ as he moves forward. And I believe if he and his loved ones follow the counsel of Godly mentors and cooperate with the therapeutic process, their best days are ahead."
Haggard's admissions last week of "sexual immorality" with a gay male escort led to his firing from the 14,000-member New Life Church.
Among other things, the team plans to get Haggard into a program with psychologists and church experts on sexual issues.
