Last week PATH reported that Bishop T.D. Jakes was tired of the saints only supporting the popular preachers. Last Sunday Bishop Jakes expanded on that statement that was viewed by some as controversial.
EEW Magazine broke the story that also quoted Jakes as saying he was sick of the “Hollywood Spirit.” Sunday, April 21, The Potter’s House leader further explained his feelings.
“In a small church you get used to the presence of God as opposed to personalities,” Jakes told the congregation.
“But in a big church, when you can bring in anybody from anywhere, the church has a tendency to only respond when they hear a recognizable name.”
In his original statement that went viral Jakes said, “We do not have to have big names to have a big move of God. I got filled up with the Holy Ghost by somebody that didn’t have no name at all.”
On Sunday, he pointed out the shift in people’s perspective, particularly those who are accustomed to hearing bigger name preachers deliver sermons from America’s largest platforms.
“Now you can say whatever you want to say, but if I say Elder Willie-Joe Hissum is coming,” Jakes threw out a hypothetical name, “I don’t get the same response as I do as if I say Bishop Noel Jones is coming. Can we at least be honest?” he asked. “It’s just not the same thing.”
While some argue against the trend of inviting Bible teachers with the most name recognition, the best-selling author and charismatic speaker suggests he is merely pointing out the obvious.
“Inviting Shirley Johnson to sing is not like inviting Shirley Caesar. Even though Shirley Johnson may sing the paint off the walls, people won’t come hear her because she doesn’t have a name,” he added. “She has to build up a name to get people.”
Though the leader acknowledges this tendency, he maintains that he does not agree with it.
“Well see, I’m old school. I come from the old church. It wasn’t about names. It wasn’t about titles. It wasn’t about who was on TV,” said the West Virginia-born pastor, who was the youngest of three children born to Odith and Ernest Jakes.
“It was about a move of God and if the Lord was there, the Lord was blessing, and the Lord was moving, I was happy to be there.”
