Bishop T.D. Jakes on America’s leadership: ‘We’ve had so much drama’ (2024)

EXCLUSIVE: During theGrio’s ‘Vote For Your Life’ series, the spiritual leader urges the importance to vote on Nov. 3.

During Sunday’s installment of theGrio’s weekly Vote For Your Life panel, Bishop T.D. Jakes was featured alongside Charlamagne Tha God, April Ryan, Byron Allen and Common to discuss the importance for Black Americans to vote in the forthcoming election on Nov. 3.

As the group went over the power of the African-American vote, voter suppression and holding public officials accountable for their actions, the pastor of The Potter’s House spoke candidly on what he feels is the linchpin for success: Leadership.

Bishop Jakes used the first presidential debate last Tuesday, Sept. 29, between President Donald Trump and Former Vice President Joe Biden as an example of what he called “the death of leadership.”

“What happened on that stage that night was a picture of what’s been happening in this country for the last few years,” Bishop Jakes told host and theGrio’s VP of Digital Content Natasha S. Alford. “We have been at each other’s throat and it just epitomized where our country is right now.”

Read More: Charlamagne Tha God, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Common urge ‘Vote For Your Life’

Jakes was speaking of the various crises that have plagued the nation this year, from Black Lives Matter protests spawned from the deaths of police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the numerous setbacks from the coronavirus pandemic, and the overarching political division in the United States.

As a result, Bishop Jakes says the voters must recognize what true leadership is and isn’t in order to allow it into their consciousness, saying that citizens have to be open to voting “across parties” to achieve progress.

“I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, but I am going to tell you what good leadership looks like,” Bishop Jakes stated.

Read More: Trump debate comment pushes Black Americans, others to vote

Good leadership has class, it has respect, it has order in its ranks. It gets things done. It minimizes drama. We have had so much drama. Everyday, there has been so much drama. It’s going to take years to work through this post-traumatic stress disorder when you look at the deaths, when you look at the virus, when you look at the unrest, when you look at the political unrest.”

As a spiritual leader, Bishop Jakes has seen firsthand the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on families — from deaths, imploding marriages to economic hardships.

“As a pastor, I’m on ground level zero. We are the people who bury the dead, we are the people who get the calls in the middle of the night of people screaming. We are the people who are there in the cemeteries. We are there when people stop by on their way to the divorce court. Believe me, the trauma that’s going on in this country right now, irrespective of race, is so dynamic.”

Bishop Jakes continued by also implicating what poor leadership in government will lead to on an international front. He’s noticed that America has been lacking in important categories, despite its reputation for being the best country in the world.

“When I got to other parts of the world, I realize how far behind we are slipping,” Bishop Jakes explained, stating that places like Dubai have lapped the U.S. in technology and other countries are more progressive in schooling and health care.

“America likes to tout that they’re ahead; listen, we are not ahead,” Bishop Jakes said.

“In the education system, we’re only 25 across the world. We are not ahead. Economically, we’re in debt up to our ears. We are not ahead. We couldn’t even come up with our own ventilators. We are not ahead.”

Furthermore, the pastor wanted viewers to be aware that America is being watched all over the world and that it’s lack of leadership is going to put it in further danger, stating that “our enemies are listening.” He feels that Black voters need to look beyond domestic issues, as a result.

Bishop T.D. Jakes on America’s leadership: ‘We’ve had so much drama’ (2)

READ MORE: Charlamagne Tha God, T.D. Jakes and Common urge ‘Vote For Your Life’

“We have international enemies that will wipe out the whole domestic discussion. It won’t be about police brutality, it won’t be about anything else. They will take the whole thing away from us,” Bishop Jakes warned. “An enemy looks for an opening and bad leadership leaves openings, it creates chaos, it spurs confusion and it appeals to the worst in humanity better than the best in humanity.”

Despite this, Bishop Jakes is still hopeful for the future of the nation and Black voters, as long as good leadership is clearly defined among the people. “I think that there is hope. I think that there definitely is hope. But I think that the soul of America is at stake right now,” he said.

“I think we need to define what good leadership looks like, because some of us didn’t see it in our home, some of us didn’t see it in our school, and we don’t know what good leadership looks like. So, we pick people by silly stuff. We pick people because they look nice, we pick people because they sound nice. Look at how they lead, how they organize their people.”

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The post Bishop T.D. Jakes on America’s leadership: ‘We’ve had so much drama’ appeared first on TheGrio.

Bishop T.D. Jakes on America’s leadership: ‘We’ve had so much drama’ (2024)

FAQs

What did T.D. Jakes' wife say about him? ›

Why was T.D. Jakes Church empty? ›

On Sunday morning at Potter's house, disaster struck. as renowned preacher. TD Jakes attempted to climb on the pulpit to give his sermon. Jakes, who had recently been suspended and excommunicated from the church, had been warned by his followers not to show up at church that day.

What did T.D. Jakes do before becoming a pastor? ›

He often preached to an imaginary congregation and always carried his Bible to school. Due to his early habits, he was nicknamed "Bible Boy." As he grew up, he also worked as a part-time music director at the Baptist Church. Throughout his college career, Jakes attended several institutions.

Which country is Bishop TD Jakes from? ›

South Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.

What language does Jake's wife speak? ›

She is also Jake's girlfriend, and sometimes follows Finn and Jake on their adventures. Unlike other characters in the show, she doesn't speak English, instead she speaks Korean, using English only when equipped with a Universal Translator (however, she is shown to have spoken a bit of English in "Lady & Peebles").

How much does Pastor TD Jakes make? ›

T. D. Jakes is an American bishop, author, and filmmaker who has a net worth of $20 million.

What is the Potter's House church controversy? ›

The Potter's House has received much criticism throughout its existence and has been labelled by many as a cult. Major areas of criticism include the level of control exerted over its members, the intense level of commitment required, and the shunning and mistreatment of those who have left the church.

Why are so many pastors leaving the ministry? ›

Many pastors feel lonely and isolated. They simply don't have any kind of support structure inside the church that allow them to feel satisfied and to lead with confidence. And many times, the lack of good leadership can turn toxic. Without a team, a leader dries up.

Is Bishop Jakes still preaching? ›

After 40 years in ministry, Bishop Jakes continues to be a leading voice of innovation, inspiration, and influence in Christendom today.

Does TD Jakes have a degree in theology? ›

Friends International Christian University awarded Jakes his B.A. degree in biblical studies in 1985, his M.A. degree in biblical studies in 1990, and his D. Min. in 1995.

Is T.D. Jakes daughter a preacher? ›

Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founder and senior pastor of the Dallas, Texas-based megachurch The Potter's House, installed his daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré Roberts as the first-ever assistant pastors to be named to the church's leadership.

Who was the first pastor of Christianity? ›

It was Peter who first “raised his voice” and preached at Pentecost, the day when the church began its mission to the world (Acts 1:14–39). It was Peter who served as an advocate for the Apostles before the Jewish religious court in Jerusalem (Acts 4:5–22).

How much does it cost to book T.D. Jakes? ›

The estimated speaking fee range to book T.D. Jakes for your event is $100,000 - $200,000. T.D. Jakes generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

What religion is bishop from? ›

A bishop is a religious authority figure in some Christian churches. In many churches, a bishop ordains, or appoints, ministers and priests. In Christian traditions ranging from Roman Catholic to Lutheran, bishops play an important role in church oversight.

Do you have to pay to go to the Potter's House? ›

The cost of residents at The Potter's House is $1500 per month. We have a scholarship fund to help subsidize part or all of this for Phase one. Once residents are working, we use a sliding scale to determine monthly program fees. These could be anywhere from $500-$1500 per month.

How many children does T.D. Jakes and his wife have? ›

T.D. Jakes has five children: Sarah Jakes Roberts, Jermaine Jakes, Cora Jakes Coleman, Thomas Jakes Jr., and Jamar Jakes. Each child has their own unique talents and accomplishments, and they have all made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Does T.D. Jakes have a twin brother? ›

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