The Potter's House
6777 West Kiest Blvd
Dallas
Texas
75236
Senior Pastor:
Td Jakes
Intense, Exciting, Predatory
Yeah, it's like that: a "1."
Not only that, but a horrible word like "predatory" used to describe the experience.
But before I explain this lowest rating, I will say this: It was incredibly exciting. We were there for nearly two hours and it felt like a few minutes. I would go back in a minute.
Why? The SHOW! The drama!
People screaming they've been healed!
Spit flying from the preacher's lips as the "holy spirit moved them," (yes, quotes: I would call what was happening "acting").
The music: loud, intense, melismatic!
The message: I am going to experience abundance! This--and I don't have to check what I wrote in the book: I STILL have this phrase in my head--this is the year of the manifestation of the glory of God in my life!
The envelopes filled with money being waved in the air like a ticker tape parade.
Ahhhh, the money! The "professional ministry technicians" with white gloves who 1) came around and helped people write checks and prepare their envelopes, and 2) came around with buckets and carried that money away.
Where did it go? I don't know!
So preach the word of God all you want. You are still taking loads of money from people who are barely getting by and you should be ashamed of yourself.
So why would I "go back in minute?" Because I still can't quite believe what I saw...
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I didn't appreciate what was said about the offering being taken during their service. It is in the bible that we give to the house of God and must do this without judgement, geniunely.
It is not the way that the minister acts or the order of the service that is Key but where those present are blessed by the word of God and what is being taught is in accordance with the word of God - the Bible.
We are all human and are not perfect, even the leaders in the church.
Thanks, Michelle... I understand that there is a passage in the bible where it talks about a percentage of the harvest being given, but that wasn't said by Jesus, as far as I know.
What's happening at Potter's House is, in my opinion, wrong. Promises of getting rich and promises of being healed are being offered, all in exchange for giving money to the church.
To me, being an atheist who doesn't believe there's a heaven or an after life, this is nothing more than a scam, like Orel Roberts asking for millions or God'll take him home.
It really upsets me that T.D. Jakes and other people who profess to be doing the work of God are simply taking advantage of people. It's hypocrisy, and if I'm wrong, and there is a God and an afterlife, I think these so-called "prosperity preachers" are in a heap of trouble.
In the bible, one of Jesus's disciples shows him a coin with Caesar's face on it, asks him if he wants the money. Jesus says, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's."
Christianity should be about love and devotion to following Jesus, not about money and devotion to following a church...
That's mt two cents (which I kept, rather than give to T.D., et al).
Matt,
If you as an atheist can see through these prosperity ministries, what is wrong with the church! You may not realize it, but you are preaching a message that the so-called church better listen to. I said so-called because they go to a church building, but they are not worshipping the one true God. Rather, they are worshipping money, riches, and position. Unless they repent, they might as well join you and become an atheist because the outcome will be the same.
Gwen, what is Frochrist? Is that a theological word I've yet to hear? Or is that from the original Hebrew or Greek? Possibly Aramaic? Or is that a new religion of some kind? Or an old one? That's an interesting word.
Do the 'ministry techs' have guns or pliers to get the money out of all of those people? Or are they professional pick pockets? Who goes to those people's homes and forces them to drive out there to Potter's House? I guess, being in South Dallas, they may just use knives and threaten the folks with them.
You people are funny! Is this a humor site? I know I'm laughing.
Kewl,
This is the second defense you have made of people taking money from others in the name of Jesus.
I am not against people making money at all. It's just--as I mentioned in my response to your comments on our Osteen review--that making money using Jesus' name is incredibly hypocritical.
Did Jesus ever talk about tithing? Did he ever ask people for money? No. He didn't.
If TD and Joel positioned themselves as motivational speakers, I would support what they do.
But they position themselves as men of God and men of God should not be in any kind of business where they massively profit off of others.
TD promises heaven on earth if you give cash. Joel promises salvation. Kewl, If you are really a follower of that street preacher from 1st century Palestine named Jesus--the man who urged people to love each other and do unto others as you would have them do unto you--how can you possibly excuse that behavior?
please, tell me.
Thanks,
Matt
I've always wanted to go to The Potter's House to see what it was about, but I don't know if I'll go any time soon.
When it comes to issues of money and promises of wealth, churches that follow that path tend to go along the lines of Deuteronomy 8:18, either that or more Prayer of Jabez style arguments: "If I ask God for what I want, He will provide it."
While the idea of riches in this world are appealing to people, is it really what God intended? Look at the many people Jesus turned away from following him: "Sell everything you have and give it to the poor", "Let the dead bury their dead" (which, when put in Jewish traditional context isn't as heartless as it sounds on first reading), etc.
But how can one do the work of God with nothing? Thus, you have to ask people to give. Where is the money going? Toward good works, toward what the leaders of churches truly believe is God's mission in this world?
As long as churches have effective ministries (the Potter's House does a lot of local prison ministry, something that few WASP-ish congregations are happy to delegate to others), I'm OK with the calls to give. But I think Jim said it best in the book about Lakewood: "when you don't get rich, who do you blame?"
You're right and you are wrong, Jesus certainly talked lots about giving, He said in regards to giving to give ALL - 100% He is totally radical forget about the 10% He said to sell ALL you have and follow HIM. So you are worried about 10%?
(Look at Mr Colgate he gives 90% and keeps 10%).
But there IS a catch you give out of love, not from compulsion. If you were a follower of Christ you would understand because you would actually read the bible and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in understanding what you are reading, otherwise you woun't even understand what you read.
God made the foolish things of this earth to confuse people like you who do not read the bible in this way or in any way full stop.
If you do things under a law it is wrong, everything about God hangs on faith and love. Rom 6:14 sin will have no dominion over you because you are not under law but under grace .
I hope someone out there will use common sense when reading this and see that God loves you, and He does have a purpose for your life too as He does for mine and my household.
I pray that you will be blessed in your life and don't get so hung up about the stuff the pharisees used to, just get on and read the bible and let God do the rest. He will help you and will give you the answers you are all looking for. You don't need to blog and ask anyones elses opinion when you have the author of the bible right there in front of your face 24 x 7.