I could take the route of Bishop TD Jakes and offer fiery oratory on why the new reality show Preachers of L.A. is an affront to followers of Christ and more importantly those charged with their spiritual welfare.

I could do that, complete with scripture references and pausing for both an A and B selection from the choir…but it’s not in order on this occasion. Folks don’t need another sermon to move us and I don’t need an amen corner.  We need common sense to guide us right about now.

Yes, Jakes has it right when he recently characterized the reality show as “junk” and that life of monetary prosperity isn’t the primary goal of turning one’s life over to Christ. He also has it right when he extols the virtues of meaningful blessings and from whom they emanate. Just in case you didn’t know, 99.9% of “meaningful blessings” don’t include expansive mansions, ornate automobiles or stacks of paper with faces of former American presidents printed on them.  

Yes, I could take the Bishop Jakes route, but that would be (pun intended) preaching to the choir. The influence and impact of the reality show Preachers of L.A. has everything to do with those not in the church and who already give religion the side-eye.

His message on this occasion was in order, but conveniently omits himself from being measured against his own yardstick.

In addition, Bishop Jakes the “Preacher of Dallas” has a long and verified tradition of providing ministerial cover for other highly questionable preachers; ones who’ve engaged in indefensible behavior at best and arguably criminal behavior at worst.

Eddie Long I’m looking at you.

During the civil trial of Eddie Long and the five accusers (who eventually settled for a reported amount of 20+ million dollars), Jakes’ only recommendation was that we all “pray.” With forethought and premeditation, he abstained from weighing in on even the admitted behavior of Eddie Long. So for him to now act like fire shot up in his bones because a TV show is giving preachers a bad name is slightly silly.

No…it’s real, real silly.

To have previously ignored reality (not reality show,) the REALITY in which young males were “sexually coerced” by Eddie Long calls into question Jakes’ sincerity and consistency.

I’m still waiting on that fiery sermon Bishop Jakes. Or if you wish to condemn the prosperity gospel, you might also want to make sure you acknowledge the dozens of megapreachers you had to step over and bypass to criticize this particular show and these particular preachers.

As a matter of fact, you may even want to sweep around your own front door. Are you the pot or the kettle? Just let me know so I can put it in my sermon notes for future reference.

(My favorite part is at 2:05)

God’s love is eternal…(and so is youtube.) Megapastors need to start making a note of both.

Thanks to the internet and youtube, it becomes increasingly clear that Jake’s critiques follow whichever direction the wind blows, not where his steps have been ordered.

Today…prosperity gospel is “bad.” Yesterday, “not so much.”  Tomorrow…who is to say?  Keep checking youtube for updates.

We shouldn’t be inspired to “call a spade a spade” simply because one of the most influential preachers in America has given us license and his stamp of approval to do so. We should be able to identify foolishness on sight. We are the head and not the tail. We’ve arrived at a point in history where the question is what a minister will not do to make a dollar? If the spiritual head of a congregational household said “yes” to this, to what does he say “no?”

How does someone teach morality, serenity, fulfillment, happiness and the love of Christ while simultaneously profiting off of dysfunction and self-degradation? At what point does the word “shame” enter one’s consciousness and vocabulary? Is it before or after cashing the first residual check?

I’ll wait…those weren’t rhetorical questions.

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Also…

If T.D. Jakes is unable and unwilling to check himself or those in greater err within his reach, why should we NOW be concerned with a single television show?

Rebuke this foolishness, but not that foolishness, Bishop Jakes? Highlight their iniquity, but not your own or those close to you Bishop Jakes?

Got it.

The Preachers of L.A. is everything we thought it would be and hate that it now is. It typifies the worst of the Black church, Rev. Jay Haizlip not withstanding. It belittles the importance of a pastor under the guise of “humanizing” them. Most importantly, it reinforces every single negative stereotype which ensures each successive generation feels less inclined to join or attend any church.

We as lay people should have an even keel and consistent approach in our desires to clean up the church. We should strive to be better ambassadors of Christ in the world and this show fundamentally works in opposition to that end. Being better ambassadors requires not only standing on the Word of God in opposition to a show like Preachers of L.A. on our TVs, but also standing in opposition to ahem, (alleged) child molesters in our pulpits.

If I can’t get the latter, I really don’t care about the former and neither should you.

Eddie Long, I’m still looking at you.

Bishop Jakes, I’m not listening to you.

Preachers of L.A., I refuse to watch you.