TD Jakes Tired of 'Hollywood Spirit,' Focus on Preachers' Popularity
Bishop TD Jakes of The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, said in a recent sermon that he is tired of the "Hollywood spirit" that has taken over the church and placed a large focus on the size and popularity of ministries rather than the value of the message they preach.
"I am so sick of this Hollywood spirit that has overtaken the church," Jakes said, according to The Atlanta Daily World.
The preacher leads one of the largest megachurches in America, attracting a congregation of 30,000 members and celebrates its milestone 35th anniversary last year.
Despite this, Jakes, who is also a filmmaker and bestselling author, said that what is important is the message, and not how popular the speaker is.
"We do not have to have big names to have a big move of God," Jakes said. "I got filled up with the Holy Ghost by somebody that didn't have no name at all."
A February report by Leadership Network titled "The Economic Outlook of Very Large Churches" revealed that megachurches across America are growing, and today there are roughly 1,600 congregations with over 2,000 members – meaning that over half the U.S. population lives within a reasonable distance of one.
Later this month, April 25-27, The Potter's House will host a leadership conference called "No Church Left Behind," which aims to ensure that every church is given the knowledge and wisdom to overcome "archaic methodologies" and "lead people of purpose into their God-ordained destiny."
Jakes was recently presented with a BET Honors award for the contributions he has made in the field of education.
"I am grateful to God who allowed me to stumble into that thing that I was created to do," said the Texas pastor, who will also host a talk show on BET starting this fall.
"My destiny is to help other people reach their destiny. You must remember that real life does not begin in the light but what you do in the dark. Helping you has given me purpose, love, and life."
