Thread: TD Jakes "controversy"

Lord have mercy...

When T.D. Jakes took to the pulpit recently, he started a social media firestorm, but not for the reasons you might expect.

The pastor wore ripped jeans instead of his traditional suit and tie.

Yupp, ripped jeans, which he later posted a picture of on Instagram with the caption, "I want to thank One Church for a great service! Loved the atmosphere there. The presence of the Lord and the kindness of the people explain why Hollywood is buzzing about this young church and its rapid growth! Thanks @toureroberts and @sarahjakesroberts."

When one commenter reportedly told Jakes he shouldn't be wearing that particular outfit because it violates the Bible, Jakes responded, "@dressed_2_impresss Scripture please? I certainly want to comply with the word. I just missed the one about jeans in the pulpit."

It appears the original comment has since been deleted. However, the original commenter wasn't the only one to find fault with the bishop's appearance.

"I mean the bible doesn't give us direct counsel on exactly what we should wear to our bible meetings but think about this... We dress better for job interviews and this kind of look would be considered unprofessional, so wouldn't we always want to display our best for God? Just a thought. Not judging. Everybody has a right to make their decisions on dress," one commenter posted.

Another: "The jeans are not age appropriate. End of story. Has nothing to do with him being a minister. If my dad wore these jeans, I would be mortified. There are plenty of styles out there that would be more flattering on the Bishop."

And another: "To the house of God, I would say yes always look your best... After that you could wear whatever you please... You wouldn't go in ripped clothes to visit the president or queen of England, would you? It's the level of respect".

However, many rushed to Jakes' defense, praising his style and his attitude.

"Pastor TD Jakes be you !!! Love your spirit , you walk with the love of God in you . May God cover you against (those) nay sayers . God bless !" wrote one supporter.

http://www.charismanews.com/culture/...-%202016-01-01

I thought they looked funny on him-no spiritual reason. :)

Gotsta stay hip and cool!

Isn't that why people, before running water, used to have a bath Saturday night so they could wear their "Sunday best" to church?

But those days of only having one good outfit are gone for most people.... personally, my only stipulation for coming to church, or being anywhere, is that you not stink. So please keep up with the Saturday night bath.

And if you DO stink and have the burning desire to come to church, come anyways. Just sit a little farther away from others...

Seriously, there's one fellow, regular attender and married, in our church that I've had to actually move away from where I'm sitting because of his BO.

Really, who cares what TD Jakes wore in the pulpit. Loosen up, people. Some churches are way over the top in what you can or cannot wear.

Actually they look pretty good. I personally wouldn't have done the ripped ones (I just don't like them) but more power to him. I have only worn jeans to preach and teach for years.

Heck, my pastor wears jeans and flip flops sometimes, and a few of the people that minister wear shorts and flip flops sometimes in the summer. :)

I think part of the reason they look funny to me is that I am used to a certain style on him.

I've been going to churches (actually I've only attended 2 main churches in the past 15 years) where the leadership doesn't dress up and mostly wears jeans/casual. I've never preached in shorts but I'm not above it. :)

He came up ( and is still around) a type of Pentecostal culture that expects Bishops to dress in a certain decorum. Dressing in tattered Jeans on a sunday, in the pulpit would be almost sacrilegious. I've been around this sort of church culture and I understand the mentality, but in many cases, I think they OVER dress, and I think the image needs a bit of an overhauling. Many people today view these over dressed Bishops as money grubbing pimp preachers.

I read the comment that the person wrote to Jakes a few weeks ago. I think they should have kept it to themselves. Oddly enough, this persons user name was "dressed to impress" lol. Jakes cleaned their clock and let them have it!

But since this is a discussion forum, I think it's ok to leave an opinion I don't have a problem with Jakes wearing casual attire but torn jeans on a 60 yr old Bishop is like seeing an older women trying to dress like her teen age grand daughter

Originally Posted by Pentecali

He came up ( and is still around) a type of Pentecostal culture that expects Bishops to dress in a certain decorum. Dressing in tattered Jeans on a sunday, in the pulpit would be almost sacrilegious. I've been around this sort of church culture and I understand the mentality, but in many cases, I think they OVER dress, and I think the image needs a bit of an overhauling. Many people today view these over dressed Bishops as money grubbing pimp preachers.

Good observation. And I agree on the rest.

I personally wouldn't do the torn thing myself. But whatever floats his boat. Ain't no skin off my nose. :)

I posted a comment on the Charisma article:

It's blue jeans people. Don't have a cow. I haven't gone to a church where the ministers dress up in years. It really ain't a big deal. Major on the majors, don't major on the minors, or less than minors like this is. :)

Plus, it was his daughter and SIL's church he preached at...that's probably part of the church culture there.

that whole family has been thru the fire in recent years, I sorta feel for them.