Bishop T.D. Jakes Disses ‘Preachers Of L.A.’—Calls Reality Show ‘Junk’ (25019 hits)
The premiere of Oxygen’s controversial docu-series, Preachers Of L.A., may have pulled in a record 1.1 million viewers, but one of the most influential Christian pastors in America, Bishop T.D. Jakes, holds a very low opinion of it.
On Sunday morning, October 13 at the Potter’s House in Dallas, TX, Jakes dissed the reality show, calling it “junk” and distancing himself from the stars’ blinged-out images and flamboyance.
“Now, I know you been watching that junk on TV,” Jakes said, criticizing Preachers Of L.A. amid a plea for congregants and online viewers to sow a financial seed into his local ministry.
“I want to tell you right now, not one dime of what you’re sowing right now will buy my suit. I want you to know my car is paid for. I want you to know I got my house on my own. I want you to know I’m not bling-blinging. I am not shake and bake. I had money when I came to Dallas and I plan to have some when I leave,” Jakes stated emphatically.
“You did not buy what I got,” he continued. “I had it when I came here. You know I had it when I came here. The devil is a lie! I have sold enough books and produced enough movies. I don’t need your offering to pay for this little slimy suit. So I rebuke that spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.”
That spirit Jakes referred to is one of criticism, cynicism and skepticism of mega pastors’ motives following the premiere of Preachers of L.A. that documents the lives of 6 larger-than-life personalities: Bishop Noel Jones, Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson, and Pastor Jay Haizlip. Bishop Clarence McClendon pictured with his wife Priscilla and the couple’s son inside the McClendon’s home, worth more than $7 million-- the most expensive of all the pastors' homes featured on Preachers Of L.A. (Credit: Tim Brown/Oxygen)
The rich Christian pastors are not in any way shy about indulging their cravings for the finer things in life, gladly showing off their fancy cars, sprawling houses and opulent lifestyles that rival rappers and mainstream celebrities.
No doubt, the Preachers of L.A. have built empires for themselves, but Jakes said, “We are going to build the Kingdom of God like we have always built the Kingdom of God."
Then, Jakes delivered the one-liner that sent the crowd into a frenzy. He said, "I’m not from L.A. I’m from Dallas!”
Zinger.
That verbal jab had Potter’s House attendees cheering loudly, slapping each other high-five and expressing approval of their leader’s strong commentary.
Continuing to stick up for his own credibility, he added, “The people who have been here a while can go through my track record and prove when I said something, I did it. When we went after something, we bought it. When we wanted the land, we paid for it. When we wanted the school, we built it. When we went after this church we burned the mortgage on this church.”
He also interjected, “You don’t do that kind of business being shake and bake and slimy and—shut up,” he abruptly interrupted and censored his own speech.
“Woo! Pull the plug,” Jakes talked to himself openly, then shifted gears a bit, focusing on the accomplishments of the ministry, rather than the shortcomings of the ministers on TV.
“So let the work I’ve done speak for me. You are sowing into good ground. And the 300 families that are employed in this ministry eat from this ministry, work in this ministry, and help us to produce the excellence that we do," he explained. "The natives all over Kenya drink water because of this ministry. And the hospital in Nairobi survives because of this ministry.”
The leader was set on making it clear that his ministry was focused on missions, not mansions; MegaCare (his humanitarian organization), not mega cars.
“I do not need you to buy my car. I got this,” he said, pausing for an extended period.
Before moving on, Jakes told the congregation, “If you appreciate my straightforwardness, give God some praise."
Then, moments later, he expressed indignantly, “I’m a grown man, dog.”
Reader Comments (15) First, I am really surprised by Bishop Jakes' comments. I have heard him comment on other things before, just not as strongly. I do however, agree with him to a certain point. Not all of them were totally focused on the "bling". After watching the previews, I had decided not to watch it, then I thought how wrong it was for me to judge it based on a few clips, because I know how things are sometimes edited to draw viewers in, especially for a new show. I regret watching it. I was so out-done with Bishop McClendon...all he seemed to be focused on was "living well". Although Detrick Haddon had his issues with the "fiance" and the child out of wedlock, he seemed to be the one making the most sense when it came to defending his point about ministering to the people and not needing an "entourage" to it. My friend and I watched it and discussed some things about it the next day. We all know preachers that reflect some of the same views as Bishop McClendon and it is not an overall representation of "Pastoral" living. I just feel for the people who are not saved or in church, hopefully there are Godly people in their lives that will love them enough to speak a word or live the life, to counteract some of the foolishness from the show! Not a good look!
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterTomeka What? Bishop Jakes took a position on something?!? Can't believe it!!!!
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterKiera Uh oh!!!! Preacher beef. Bishop TD Jakes put it out on the line. LOL! I agree with him actually. I think it is important to note that TD is in a different league. He plays NO GAMES!!! SHOTS FIRED!!! LOL
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterElla OMG!!! Just saw this link on Twitter. I watched the show and I was totally disgusted and repulsed. These men are an embarassment to the body of Christ and how dare Deitrick Haddon try to come for anybody when his life was a mess just months ago. I think all of them should have re-thought saying yes to something like this. Bishop Jakes is right.
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAlicia I watched this mess and will never watch it again. I really try hard to keep an open mind and see things from all sides. But there is nothing redeeming about Pimps, I mean, Preachers of LA. TD Jakes went in on them and he is absolutely, 100% right!
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAmanda Dang Jakes. Tell em why you made LMBO
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterDiva Girl Wow, I wonder if this means no more Noel at his conferences? LOL
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterWilliam Avery The pot calling....
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterGodlysoldier I hear pastors say that they had this or that before the full mega church but if people are not helping u televise your ministers how could u sell a book, movie ticket or anything else u do on the side. It takes a fan base to do all theses things because a regular pastor in a store front church could not write a book or sell anything if he was not made know out side of his community.
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered Commenteromar All I can say is my son's father should be on the show as well. I wonder if they need a new church for the viewers Full Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ.....Pastor A.D. Shaw.
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMHLA This is just another DISTRACTION that the enemy (Satan) has created for the body of Christ and the saints have walked right into it. We have taken to focus off God and took it right back to ourselves with this type of STUFF!!!! Where does God get the glory out of this? When we know better we do better, this is not better! When we can create a stumbling block for people to come to Christ we are at fault. Too much misconstrued happenings with this that can and will be a STUMBLING BLOCK!
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterElaine Jakes is cool.... and his ministry may be not be built on mansions....but he certainly lives in one. Jakes and Jones are the best of friends and this TV show wont change that. One thing to note is they have to very different personalities... Noel Jones is open and Jakes is closed... so I can see his opposition to the show because he is a private person (as much as he can shield). Jakes has everything the rest of the Preachers of LA have... he just choose not to show it.
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterStephanie C. Harper Pastor Jakes is right. And what he meant about making his own money is that the church doesn't pay his bills. What you sow into the ministry stays there and works within the church. Having a fan base that buys his books means he has something important to say that people are hungry for. I commend him.
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterFMohair Let me tell you guys something! Clarence McClendon is a no-good, fake minister! I have a tape of him right now wherein he literally cussed his people out, called them "*****s" (yes, he uses that word), and then have Italian members of his church threaten anyone that would dare speak up against "our Bishop".
His divorces his wife, get another woman pregnant while still married, and then on the tape, he said this to the woman that said he had gotten her pregnant: "I damn you and your unborn child under the authority of my anointing". This man is as arrogant, stupid, and pompous as they come.
His "ministry" went down to nothing and he was even in Tents with "out-back" toilets. But as Black folks always do, they forgot about this negro's action and behavior and begin to put money into his church and now he is back on TV with the same arrogance and pompous attitude. I wonder if Oxygen Network knows about that tape?? Would it even matter?
October 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterJared TD Jakes forgot how he got his start. LOL
Monday, October 14th 2013 at 3:04PM
DAVID JOHNSON
do you know Kermit Raymond ? he was a member working on a book/magazine back then !
Monday, October 14th 2013 at 11:12PM
DAVID JOHNSON
what does GOD'S word say about vanity ,and how a man of God is spouse to be accountable ! there is no misty to all this when you apply Gods word to it,, its only when we stop the word of God and apply self THE CONFUSION comes !
Monday, October 14th 2013 at 11:20PM
DAVID JOHNSON
1 Peter 4:11 (New International Version)View In My Bible
1 pet 4'11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Tuesday, October 15th 2013 at 12:19AM
DAVID JOHNSON
Just think what would happen if ministers requested their members to go and sale their property like in Acts chapter5.
Tuesday, October 15th 2013 at 1:19AM
Helen Lofton
Helen ,,,there wont be anyone in the church if they do that !!
up date Bishop T.D. Jakes shared his thoughts on "Preachers of L.A." before his congregation this past Sunday, and he wasn't too thrilled with the way the preachers presented themselves. See what he said about "rebuking those spirits" inside...
Oxygen's latest docu-series "Preachers of L.A." delivered the network's strongest debut ratings (1.1 million), but Dallas-based MegaChurch leader Bishop T.D. Jakes is not a fan. According to BUZZ, Bishop Jakes shared a few critiques of the show and its stars during his sermon at The Potter's House this past Sunday. Here are some choice quotes....
“Now, I know you been watching that junk on TV. I want to tell you right now, not one dime of what you’re sowing right now will buy my suit. I want you to know my car is paid for. I want you to know I got my house on my own. I want you to know I’m not bling-blinging. I am not shake and bake. I had money when I came to Dallas and I plan to have some when I leave
You did not buy what I got. I had it when I came here. You know I had it when I came here. The devil is a lie! I have sold enough books and produced enough movies. I don’t need your offering to pay for this little slimy suit. So I rebuke that spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.”
He also told the congregation, “I do not need you to buy my car. I got this.” He drove home the point that his message of prosperity is about giving back...not taking.
The people who have been here a while can go through my track record and prove when I said something, I did it. When we went after something, we bought it. When we wanted the land, we paid for it. When we wanted the school, we built it. When we went after this church we burned the mortgage on this church.
You don’t do that kind of business being shake and bake and slimy and—shut up.
So let the work I’ve done speak for me. You are sowing into good ground. And the 300 families that are employed in this ministry eat from this ministry, work in this ministry, and help us to produce the excellence that we do. The natives all over Kenya drink water because of this ministry. And the hospital in Nairobi survives because of this ministry.
Although Bishop Jakes doesn't kneel at the altar of reality tv, it will be interesting to see if the stars of "Preachers of L.A." succumb to the same trappings of fame and infamy as their counterparts on "RHOA", "LAHH ATL" and our other faves. Stay tuned....
hings got a little heated on the Tom Joyner Morning Show between Co-Host Sybil and Bishop Noel Jones concerning the "PREACHERS OF LA" reality TV show. Check it out at this link:
Jewel Thomas Wow! They said Church Mess! 9 hours ago · Like · 1
Glenn C Frazier YES...and I think they're right!!! LOL 9 hours ago · Like · 1
Jewel Thomas It's sad! 9 hours ago · Like
Jewel Thomas Just a big mess! 9 hours ago · Like
Apostle Richard Bunkley Jr. We as The 5fold Are and Should be The Priest of the LORD - AS Men as it is Said..HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD..And We Are Called to Be perfect as Our FATHER Which Is In Heaven Is Perfect..We Are Gods Standard , And Should Be..Note that Gods Grace is Not..CHEAP. Peace 8 hours ago · Like · 1
Apostle Richard Bunkley Jr. As I Listened to Bishop Noel Jones he Sounded Like he was Lowering The Standard of The Kingdom and Our King. Like we are Not Suppose to Live a High Standarded Life Style.. 8 hours ago · Like · 2
David McDaniel lowering the standard of the men of God isn't what Jesus instructed his followers to do. Jesus was not a braggart, some of these preachers are, Jesus didn't teach us to honor wealth, but to feed the poor. I could on and on about what these ''Men '' of God aren't doing but you who watched their show, it speaks for itself. 6 hours ago · Like
Tim Walker Personally, I find it disgusting! The pompous attitude some of them have is totally unbecoming of men of God! Also, without realizing it, some, such as Bishop Jones are disclosing the sin that has been covered and excused for so many years. I may come back to bite them! HOLINESS! It's not about the length of your hair or the absence of make-up or jewelry...it's about honoring God with your lifestyle! Just saying! 5 hours ago · Like · 1
Corletta J. Vaughn Bishop Jones HELD it down... 2 hours ago · Like
Phyllis TheQueen Reynolds so does that mean u guys wont be watching the show? about an hour ago · L
Wednesday, October 16th 2013 at 3:34AM
DAVID JOHNSON
David, what I intended to express by using Acts chp5 story of Ananias and his wife is how after the death of Yeshua, his disciple Peter took the faith to another level. Do you think that that would have happen if Yeshua was present? This is an example of what Man has done to the religion, turned it into a jinni in the bottle type worship.
Thursday, October 17th 2013 at 11:04AM
Helen Lofton
Deitrick Haddon took to Darlene McCoy’s radio show to carefully voice his dis-pleasure for Bishop TD Jakes’ comments made toward the hit reality show ‘Preacher’s of L.A.’ Bishop TD Jakes recently publicly referred to the show as junk and said at church “I want to tell you right now, not one dime of what you’re sowing right now will buy my suit. I want you to know my car is paid for. I want you to know I got my house on my own. I want you to know I’m not bling-blinging. I am not shake and bake. I had money when I came to Dallas and I plan to have some when I leave,” Jakes stated emphatically. Haddon was walking a fine line to not offend the Bishop, saying that he has the utmost respect for Bishop Jakes. Haddon also said that “He was a little taken back and shocked when he saw Jake’s comments.” ”Jakes being the fore-father of reaching people through un-conventional methods.” The debate among the Christian community comes in the last 10 seconds of Haddon’s statement to Jakes. ”Your opinion does not change the facts. You can have your opinion all day long, but if the results are coming in that’s all that matters.” Are ratings, results, and evangelizing through this show all that matters? I still think the verdict is out on that. Listen to Haddon speak on Jakes’ comments below: - See more at: http://pathmegazine.com/articles/blogs/dei... Friday, October 18th 2013 at 3:06AM
DAVID JOHNSON
A week after the release of the trailer of the new Oxygen network show, “Preachers of L.A.,” opposing groups and pastors are calling for its boycott when it releases in the Fall over its portrayal of the extravagant lives of six wealthy, Southern California megachurch pastors and the possible message behind their lavish lifestyles. Ferraris, Bentleys and hilltop mansions are a few of the possessions held by cast members Noel Jones, Deitrick Haddon, Clarence McClendon, Wayne Chaney, Ron Gibson and Jay Haizlip. But a petition initiated by Christians against “Preachers of L.A.” on change.org, a petition platform website, says their lives are a poor representation of the kingdom of God. The group began their petition in an attempt to address Oxygen Network to cancel the show indefinitely. In three days, the group was able to get 24 supporters and is hoping to reach 76 more. “These preachers lifestyles are NOT promoting Christ ethos but rather their cars, homes, relationships, and their justification on why they want viewers to see them as having fleshly desires as everyone else does,” said the group, in their introduction statement. If the show airs as scheduled, viewers will get a rare peek into the high-profile lives the pastors have aside from tending to their congregation. In the trailer, Bishop Gibson is shown cruising in a classic red Cadillac and says his life should be no different than secular celebrities. “P. Diddy. Jay-Z. They’re not the only ones who should be driving Ferraris and living in large houses,” says Gibson, a former gang member who now ministers to 4,500 people each week at Life Church of God in Christ. However, Gibson’s type of lifestyle reflects negatively on the church, according to Orlando-based the Rev. Jacob Samuels, as reported by americanpreachers.com. “Our preachers have blended in so well with the world, if you watch the trailer on mute, you can’t tell if these are preachers or rap stars,” said Samuels. “We have been called to be a light to the world,” he added. Although Samuels and other pastors do not oppose Christians gaining wealth, they are against the message it will evoke among audience members. “First TV started banking from our young men and women through music and music videos; now they see a lucrative opportunity to have our men of God parade on television with no purpose. We have to be smarter,” said the Rev. Michael Lorraine, to americanpreachers.com. Weighing in with the same opinion is Zach J. Hoag, a minister and writer who published a blog post on the Huffington Post on Thursday with the intent to “call out” the trend of prosperity gospel. In his piece, he says that “Celebrity Christianity” is at an all-time high, boasting in popularity and numbers in the midst of a North American Church in decline. “To be clear, Celebrity Christianity is not merely notoriety or prominence, because it is possible for people who are sincerely and deeply following Jesus or leading in the church to attain a level of notoriety,” wrote Hoag. “Churches may grow. Book deals, record deals, speaking engagements, and interviews may come. A platform may develop. A platform, in and of itself, is not Celebrity Christianity. But a platform becomes Celebrity Christianity as soon as it begins to deny the substance of the subversive gospel of the kingdom by an adherence to the systemic, superficial, self-indulgent values of celebrity culture,” he added. Bishop McClendon is the quintessential Christian celebrity that Hoag writes about. In a press release from Oxygen, McClendon’s bio says, “When challenged about what many have called his prosperity Gospel, Bishop replies, ‘There is no other kind of Gospel.’” This gospel, according to Heather Eastman, a supporter of Christians against “Preachers of L.A.,”“represents the juxtaposition of leaving your treasure to follow Him,” she writes, referring to the biblical passage from Matthew 19:21. Although the cast members tend to their flock and evangelize among gang-ridden neighborhoods, Christians against “Preachers of L.A.” say the pastors’ riches are not in line spiritually because “biblical prosperity is not about wealth building.” For this reason and more, their plea is to simply avoid people from losing sight of the true gospel. “We as Christians face daily ridicule and this show will only tear down our churches and keep non-believers away as opposed to bringing them to Christ,” they said. - See more at: http://pathmegazine.com/articles/blogs/som... Friday, October 18th 2013 at 3:08AM
DAVID JOHNSON
Black Pastors Denounce the Reality Show The Preachers of LA Many African-American ministers say that the new reality show does a disservice to the church.
There is a growing outcry from Black ministers who are heaping negative reviews on the new reality television show, The Preachers of LA.
The show, which airs on the Oxygen Network, follows the lives of six men of the cloth in the pulpit and at home. It quickly generated strong reaction from preachers throughout the country who contend that the show presents ministers as being driven by fame and fortune.
Bishop T.D. Jakes, one of the nation’s most prominent African-American pastors, spoke to his Dallas congregation recently and referred to the show as “junk.”
“Now, I know you been watching that junk on TV,” Jakes said. “I want to tell you right now, not one dime of what you’re sowing right now will buy my suit. I want you to know my car is paid for.”
Jakes added: ”I want you to know I got my house on my own. I want you to know I’m not bling-blinging. I am not shake and bake. I had money when I came to Dallas and I plan to have some when I leave.” He further explained to his congregation: “I’m not from L.A. I’m from Dallas.”
Similarly, the Rev. James C. Perkins, the pastor of Greater Christ Baptist Church in Detroit and vice president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, said that the depiction of the ministers on the show was likely to cause people to believe that clergy are primarily interested in celebrity.
“I don’t think the show represents the best of the Black church tradition,” said Perkins, in an interview with BET.com.
“The downside is that people often paint all pastors with a broad brush and, after watching this show, they may well begin to associate all pastors with those behaviors,” he said. “There are many pastors who are out here serving the people and not just serving themselves.”
Another critic is a minister from Los Angeles, who said that the show does harm to the church.
“I don’t have a problem with them doing a reality show,” said the Rev. Michael J.T. Fisher, the pastor of the Greater Zion Church Family of Compton, California. “I have a problem with the content that’s displayed.”
Rev. Fisher said that the ministers in the show had broken an unwritten rule among preachers by displaying some of their personal issues and frailties in front of a national audience. “There is an unwritten code that we deal with our issues privately so that we can be strong publicly,” he said, in an interview with BET.com.
“They are giving the world ammunition to shoot back at the church and not accept the message that it is trying to convey,” he said. “They’ve sold out. It will call for pastors all over the country to have to defend their integrity because these men have decided to chase their dream of being in the public eye.” BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Saturday, October 19th 2013 at 1:53AM
DAVID JOHNSON
Now at days to spread God's message we have to come up with unique ways to reach the multitudes. The Preachers of L.A. is one vehicle. The Honorable Bishop Jakes movies and plays are other vehicles. I use biblical quotes in my books to inspire my readers to use the Bible as a reference. Whatever works, what's the harm in giving it a try. Christians already know, and basically understand, the principles of tithing, and are going to give from their hearts. They have a general knowledge of the Bible. Let's give the sinners, like myself, a chance to flip the pages and discover the glory of the Lord.
Sunday, September 28th 2014 at 12:41AM
Elwin Trammell
