The Leadership Blog Interview: Ted Haggard

Ted Haggard

Bio: Ted Haggard founded New Life Church in 1985, where he serves as Senior Pastor. It now has over 11,000 members and is the largest church in Colorado. He is the author of six books, including Primary Purpose; The Life Giving Church; Loving Your City Into the Kingdom (co-authored with Jack Hayford). Ted also serves on the Board of the National Association of Evangelicals as President

Church: New Life Church

The Leadership Blog Interview
1. Ted, what gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Ted: “I love living with a team. I don't believe that any of us can do much without a team: a group of like-minded people accomplishing a task and making life more productive for everyone involved. Leadership provides direction and the focus necessary for the team to operate. Every successful venture requires leadership. As a result, I am honored when I can lead others to be more successful and productive than they would have been otherwise.”

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Ted: "The discouragement that comes when someone could have chosen a better path but instead chose one that will not give them nearly the potential they possessed."

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Ted: "Roy Stockstill in the joy of pastoral ministry. Daniel Ost in the necessity of working with eternity in mind. Oral Roberts in the reality that God is good and wants the best for us. John Maxwell in the importance of adding value to ourselves and then investing that value into others. These are a few of the man who have invested in me."

4. What books have changed your life?
Ted: "The Bible by God. The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas Freedman. The Three Kings by Gene Edwards. The Clash of Civilizations by Huntington. Spiritual Authority by Nee."

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Ted: "Managing time."

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Ted: "To help others be better off."

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Ted: "Serving New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO"

Thanks Ted for taking time for the interview. Your book the "Life-Giving Church" influenced me in a major way!