Theodora
07-16-2005, 03:47 AM
It's interesting what emerges when you do a "google.com" search! I just came on a mini-article about author/evangelistic/motivational speaker and pastor of a mega-church, T.D. Jakes. This is not what I was looking for, but I stopped to read the article because I found it interesting.
FWIW... I first "met" this man last year through an article on the internet about "Bishop" Jakes and the "revival" meeting...I know that's not the right term, but I can't think what it is at the moment...which he was holding. For me, as an Episcopalian, calling someone a "Bishop" implies a certain amount of theological training and also being approved "up the ranks" by others who've had similar or other training...i.e. that there was a community putting into place a kind of "checks and balances."
In any case, in my post about this, some well-meaning soul took offense at me and thought I was "attacking" Jakes....and, in effect, how DARE I? For me, that totally missed the point. It's not that I questioned this man's sincerity...necessarily...but what bothered me was how much we sometimes respond to titles such as "Bishop" giving them more authority than they should perhaps have...ESPECIALLY if the title is given them without them having "earned" it in the manner I've described above. It's obvious that this man has a LOT of influence. Sometimes that's a VERY good thing; other times, it seems we should be somewhat alert to where that power is being misused. Not knowing ANYTHING more about this man, I wouldn't say more.
If interested, this article is at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/167/story_16716_1.html#cont
As a bit of "trivia" for the day, his favorite Bible verse is also one of mine, e.g.
Psalms 27: 1-5. “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?" (snip) (He comments a bit on the meaning of these verses for him in this article.)
Grace and peace to you all this day.
Theodora
FWIW... I first "met" this man last year through an article on the internet about "Bishop" Jakes and the "revival" meeting...I know that's not the right term, but I can't think what it is at the moment...which he was holding. For me, as an Episcopalian, calling someone a "Bishop" implies a certain amount of theological training and also being approved "up the ranks" by others who've had similar or other training...i.e. that there was a community putting into place a kind of "checks and balances."
In any case, in my post about this, some well-meaning soul took offense at me and thought I was "attacking" Jakes....and, in effect, how DARE I? For me, that totally missed the point. It's not that I questioned this man's sincerity...necessarily...but what bothered me was how much we sometimes respond to titles such as "Bishop" giving them more authority than they should perhaps have...ESPECIALLY if the title is given them without them having "earned" it in the manner I've described above. It's obvious that this man has a LOT of influence. Sometimes that's a VERY good thing; other times, it seems we should be somewhat alert to where that power is being misused. Not knowing ANYTHING more about this man, I wouldn't say more.
If interested, this article is at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/167/story_16716_1.html#cont
As a bit of "trivia" for the day, his favorite Bible verse is also one of mine, e.g.
Psalms 27: 1-5. “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?" (snip) (He comments a bit on the meaning of these verses for him in this article.)
Grace and peace to you all this day.
Theodora