Dear Bishop Jakes,
I watched you on TBN today and it was a pretty good sermon. The title of the sermon was “Eyes Wide Shut” and you were talking about the times in some of our lives when we engage in risky behavior fully aware of the consequences. But somewhere during one of your very dramatic, high energy examples – my mind began to drift.
I began to imagine what this nation would be like if you utilized your celebrity to raise awareness about issues that affects the Black community in America and abroad. I wonder what the impact would be if you…let’s say…became a vocal advocate for the people of Darfur. Or what about if you challenged the president on the Iraq “war”…which we won like a couple years ago, but dead bodies are still arriving at America’s ports. I wonder what the world would be like if you joined in the campaign to MAKE POVERTY HISTORY or blasted those senators who didn’t apologize for the Senate’s silence in regard to the lynchings in America.
Can you imagine, Bishop, if you picked up the phone and called Eddie Long and Creflo “Dollar” (can you believe that’s really his last name?)and said “hey ya’ll…let’s start a campaign asking every church to cancel its church conferences for a full year and donate the money saved to America’s inner city school systems.” Can you imagine all of the churches that would follow you? Can you imagine the revenue generated that would finally allow our kids to have up to date text books and modern technology at their finger tips?
And that’s just one issue! Imagine how you could essentially change the country!…no, better yet the world!
That would show your nay-sayers. That would show them that you’re just not in the business of holding conferences and making money. That would show them that just because you never publicly speak about social issues that that doesn’t mean you don’t care about them. They’d shut up then. You’d be building partnerships with Africa and they would have to shut up. You’d be holding Bush accountable for broken promises and they would have to shut up. You’d be standing with the your Brothas and Sistahs at the Millions More Movement and they would have to shut up! (Did Bush really have a meeting with you, Creflo, and Long telling ya’ll not to support the Millions More Movement?) That’s right…tell them Bishop – tell them to SHUT UP…hold on, your sermon is over and you’re about to say something…..what’s that Bishop?…megafest?….MEGAFEST!?..(sigh)…megafest…
well…uh…i guess i better shut up now, bishop….your nay-sayers are talking again.
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God is in control is he not? Bishop Jakes only has the ability to do what God has ordained him to do. Who are you to judge anothers mans servant? He does not serve you he serves God and will answer to Him and no one else. The bible does say that Jesus said the poor you shall have with you always. The spiritually poor is who T.D. Jakes is called to reach. I’m sure there are christian politicians that are called to speak out on the issues you speak of. Bishop Jakes does help Africa and he is currently digging wells and feeding people in Kenya preparing to buy a drill to be able to go all over Africa to help with clean water. Why help a school system that will not allow prayer unless God speaks this direction to the man of God? He is not on his own agenda but God’s agenda. When you question him you question God. Instead we focus on reaching the souls house divided against itself will eventually fall and strife is of the devil. I am for Jesus, Bishop Jakes is for Jesus, are you? Let God seperate the sheep from the goats and let God deal with the nay-sayers.
Great Post! Let me attempt to address your comments point by point.
I am not judging Jakes…just critiquing him. Constructive criticism is always helpful in my opinion.
The bible does report that Jesus said, The poor will be with you always (Matt. 26:11), but let’s keep the comment in its context and let’s finish the verse. Jesus said, “The poor will be with you always, but you will not always have me.” Jesus was making reference to his demise so it was cool for the woman to anoint his feet because he (Jesus) was leaving the scene soon. Last I checked Jakes ain’t Jesus and furthermore – you said, “When you question him (Jakes) you question God.” Are you serious! Thomas Dexter Jakes is a man that puts is pants on one leg at a time just like me. I can tell you some other things that he does just like me too if you need me to. Jakes IS NOT GOD!!
In addition, you said that Jakes was called to reach the spiritually poor and that christian politicians should be called to speak to the “worldly issues” that I spoke of. Well, if that’s the case – if Jakes isn’t called to reach the people that I spoke of then Jakes is not following the mandate of Jesus. The next time you read your Holy Bible turn to Luke 4:18 where Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah. Can you tell me the 4 groups of people that Jesus says that he was anointed to reach? When you’re done with Luke 4:18 turn to Matthew 25: 31-46. Here’s your Bible assignment for this week. It talks about what will happen when the Son of Man comes into eternal glory. The Son of Man separates the sheep and the goats. Sheep on the right and goats on the left. Here’s your homework: Why were the goats condemned to eternal fire?
While I’m not sure if what you say is true about Jakes digging wells in Africa, for the sake of argument, let’s say he is. If that is so, why isn’t he putting that on television instead of his preaching every week/multiple times per day? I think that would do more to encourage significant change in our churches as opposed to his preaching. After his preaching what do people do? Get happy and buy his tapes. The “Body of Christ” needs more than a happy feeling and another tape in our collection.
Now concerning the school system. Who cares if they don’t want prayer in the system?! I am so tired of Christians harping on that lame reality. As if the removal of prayer made the system go crazy. Get real! I was a teacher in the Baltimore City School System and I have many family members who are currently teaching. Prayer is still in the schools – it’s just against the rules. And are you saying that because the schools don’t allow prayer then we shouldn’t support them? So we should just let our children (who are in the school system) just go without books, pens, computers, etc.? I care about our kids too much to just let them fail. I don’t care if they can’t pray…I don’t care if they’re not Christian! Our kids need a thorough education that will prepare them for their present and future.
I hope I thoroughly addressed your comment and even more than that I hope that you find some time to reach those passages that I outlined.
I truly pray for you. You seem to have forgotten our purpose as Christians. You have completely lost the vision. It is not just about worldly education for our children, we are to teach them the knowledge that God reveals to us in His word. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my (God’s) knowledge. The knowledge of the world is not built to last, so why is the knowledge of the world more important to you than the knowledge of God? How could you not care that our children are not Christians? It is our purpose to teach these children the word of God. The first and second commandements commands us to have no other God’s or no thing before Him. No person, place, or thing such as education is to be placed before the purpose of what God gave us as our mission. We as Christians are to do our best to draw the lost souls to God. You sound like you are putting first the way that the world looks at life. Yes education is an important part of life while we are hear on earth, but the knowledge of God is above all. Think about what you are saying. Love you my brother or sister in the Body of Christ. Please don’t take offense in what I’ve said. God bless you, peace and love to you!
all praises to God and our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Dear Bishop jakes:
i mean no disrespect in what iam about to say or ask you.
iam truly heart broken about the victums of the hurricane. i employ you please! please! if there is any thing you can do please help the people that are dying in neworleans and around. please if you can access a plane or helicopter please fly water and food to the people over there. Every one is giving donations but the people need water and food now. As donations will reach them latter. The Goverment is dragging their feet. While children and our elderly are dying. if the media can come into those states with water and food why can’t someone elese. Bishop i dont know if you can do anything. But i pray that you can call together people that may be able to help take food and water to the people. Every little bit helps. Iam pleading to all minister Bishop eddie Long,Jessie Jackson,Minister fairrakan,Bishop Paul martin,Pat Roberson, Joyce Meyers,Paula White,Jaunia Baynan and all other ministers that i think may be able to pull together to immediately get food and water to the people.And not wait for the Goverment. Please Please If can Please help the people.
Thank you!
rherder denver colorado
I am a former member of the Potter’s House, where Bishop Jakes pastors. I have a great deal of affection and admiration for the man. But I have also been concerned that Bishop Jakes does not fully use the platform that God has given him to make a massive impact on the world. Yes, he’s preaching at every major event, selling millions of books, eating with the President, and holding the largest Christian event in the country. Yes, thousands have changed their lifestyles for the better, as a result of his preaching. But even still, more can be done. But in all fairness, I must say that most do not realize the work that TD Jakes Ministries/The Potter’s House does. But as I aforementioned, more can be done.
As for prayer in the schools… Teachers in the public schools have enough on their plates. They already have to teach basic academics. And sometimes, they have to teach kids things that parents should have already taught them. When my mother taught the 1st grade, she had students that didn’t know their ABC’s. The teachers already have to take the fall for our kids not meeting certain standards. Why should we place another boulder on the teachers’ backs to carry?
Plus, school is not church or your home. School is school. We don’t expect the grocery stores/restaurants to pray over our food. We don’t expect the builder of our house to bless our homes. So, why do we insist on cloaking our teachers with the burden of leading our children in prayer?
I think churches should do more than motivate I think they should take actions in every area of our lives. Because God cares about everything we are doing.
God Bless you and let’s just get along.
rcp
Remember no matter how great we are as individuals we are most effective when we work together. Yes to whom much is given much is required and we ought to maximize the platform that God has given us. However I’m really tired of hearing side line quarterbacks criticizing those who are on the field,the plays may look very easy to read from the side lines but I wonder how some of you would handle the pressure if you were on the front line? I’m not making excuses for anyone and constructive criticism is good for us all as long as it is given in the right spirit. If we can understand that we all have a responsibility to handle whats put before us we can truly make some serious progress. One candle burning won’t illuminate much but if we all bring our lights together we can effectively light up the dark places in our world. Lets pray that God will give each of us the wisdom and courage to make a difference.
YBIC
DC
The is a late post to this article, but I felt I had to write it. The chapter and verse below is the job description for Ministers, Preachers, Priest, Bishops or what have you. Every man of GOD in the Bible was given two missions by GOD. The first was to say; “Thus sayeth the Lord†to the arrogant of that time powers and the second was the reformation of the people.
One thing is for sure, GOD will be the judge in the end, and by the pitiful condition of the people and the arrogance and false pride of the American leadership, the preacher are in BIG TROUBLE when GOD returns!!!
John 10:11-15
11″I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14″I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Dear Bichop T.D Jakes,
Please Bishop,don’t ignore my mail.I am a lady from Kenya.I studied computer and have been working for 5years in a company back here in my hometown.My prayer/wish has been to meet a God fearing person to give train me then employ me in his/her company.I have worked as a secretary and know much about the position.I am willing to go to college if I get a job that will pay me well so i can pay for my tuition.
I believe in Miracles and do wait for this wish of mine to come true when you pray for me.
Sincerely,
Margaret.
Hey there Pastor Heber!
It’s so interesting to read your post 6 years later! Wow, and look where satan has brought Eddie Long now. If one exalts satan, satan will only exalt one for a short time, then he will snatch it all away and bring one very very low.
And Creflo Dollar and TD Jakes are both running scared right about now. Both are trying to buy more time from satan by defending Eddie Long from the righteous wrath of his followers and the rest of the people, but more importantly, God.
TD and Creflo both say it’s our faults as the sheep that the shepherd was really a wolf in shepherds clothing, ravaging the sheep. We have “no authority” to speak out according to TD, and are a bunch of gossips and abandoners according to Creflo.
Hmmm….