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TD Jakes Tells Church Leaders 'If You're Not Making Any Change, You're Taking Up Space'
Christian Post ^ | March 10, 2014 | Jessica Martinez

Posted on 03/11/2014 2:50:00 PM PDT by Gamecock

Critical self-introspection is necessary in order to be an effective leader, Bishop T.D. Jakes said during the 2014 International Pastors and Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla.. The megachurch pastor added that an individual's effectiveness can only be measured by how much they multiply their gifts and talents.

"If God gave you two or five talents and He comes back and you still have what he gave you, you didn't lead…if you're not making any change, you're taking up space," said Jakes during the conference Friday.

Aimed at helping leaders strengthen their church infrastructure, Jakes' message focused on reevaluating the qualities that make an individual influential. He also urged attendees to ask themselves three questions when self-assessing.

"What drives you? What disturbs you? Because what disturbs you might be an indicator of what drives you…don't work in an area that doesn't disturb you when it's wrong or doesn't drive you to get it right," said Jakes.

He added, "What do you disturb? When you walk in somewhere, what do you change? Are you the pebble that was thrown in to the pond that never made a ripple? Your presence should disturb the tranquility of the moment…change some things, stop being so passive."

While speaking about introspection, he also said leaders, regardless of their position in church, should be able to identify what makes them different from other individuals. Furthermore, he urged participants to ask themselves what they offer to people that others do not.

Jakes noted that an individual will not effectively lead a church or anything else for that matter, without remaining loyal to their core values.

"How much of whom you are permeates what you do?," asked Jakes. "Your ministry should be a mirror of what God put in your spirit…you have to peel away the camouflage…you can't transform outwardly into something you are not inwardly."

When an ineffective leader is at the helm of an organization, the people whom they lead tend to take after them, according to Jakes. He gave the example of pastor's personalities and how their church members are prone to behave like them.

"I know from years of being an evangelist that churches take on the personality of their pastors. An arrogant church has an arrogant pastor. I don't even need to meet the pastor, I start with the person who meets me at the airport…I've already met the pastor through the people who represent him," said Jakes, while noting that unsuccessful leadership also fails to foster people that are meant to fulfill the gospel's mission onto the world.

He also pressed upon church leaders to begin change with themselves before thinking about revolutionizing their congregations, cities and communities, while noting that churches are prone to embrace a negative culture if they have a passive pastor.

"Once a culture gets into a church, it takes years to change and you can't teach it out. Sometimes you have to let people go so the culture can get down to something that you can straighten out," said Jakes.

The 2014 International Pastors and Leadership Conference included other notable speakers including Pastor Brian Houston of Hillsong Church in Australia, Bishop Charles E. Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, and more.

In addition to leadership discussions, the event focused on technology, fine arts and administrative support within the church.


TOPICS: General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: christians; megachurch; pastor; tdjakes; ybpdln
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1 posted on 03/11/2014 2:50:00 PM PDT by Gamecock
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Sounds like Jakes failed an Introduction to Business course at the local community college.


2 posted on 03/11/2014 2:51:20 PM PDT by Gamecock
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To: Gamecock

Did T.D. Jakes mention to his fellow pastors that the Bible needs to be taught?


3 posted on 03/11/2014 2:52:10 PM PDT by SoFloFreeper
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To: markomalley; DocRock; del4hope; Alex Murphy; Gamecock; Dr. Eckleburg; jude24; Ottofire; fishtank; ..
YBPDLN* Ping List Ping!

The YBPDLN Ping List is generally published infrequently but based on the exploits of the megachurch pastors posts can spike for a season. If you would like on or off of this list please FReepmail me.

Because 18,000 People Can’t Be Wrong!

*YBPDLN=Your Best Purpose Driven Life Now

4 posted on 03/11/2014 2:53:27 PM PDT by Gamecock
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To: Gamecock

“What disturbs you?”

Your son trolling for gay sex in a park.

Not hatin’. Just sayin’.


5 posted on 03/11/2014 2:53:37 PM PDT by AppyPappy
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To: Gamecock
"If God your congregation gave you two or five talents Rollexes and He comes back and 6 months later you still only have what he the number they gave you, you didn't lead…if you're not making any serious change ching-ching and acquiring a new limo, you're taking up space," said Jakes during the conference Friday.
6 posted on 03/11/2014 3:10:17 PM PDT by Col Freeper (FR: A smorgasbord of Conservative Mindfood - dig in and enjoy it!)
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To: SoFloFreeper

TD Jakes threw out the Bible when he threw in with Obama…..race pimp sell out of what was once a good ministry…..


7 posted on 03/11/2014 3:13:00 PM PDT by C. Edmund Wright (Tokyo Rove is more than a name, it's a GREAT WEBSITE)
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To: C. Edmund Wright

Jakes lost any Christian witness when he supported politicians who support abortion and homosexualIty.


8 posted on 03/11/2014 3:25:44 PM PDT by Josa
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To: Gamecock

I don’t want to be on this ping list, but THAT is an awesome graphic, LOL!


9 posted on 03/11/2014 3:30:01 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Gamecock
You're Taking Up Space

The final frontier.

10 posted on 03/11/2014 4:04:58 PM PDT by MUDDOG
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To: Gamecock; HarleyD
"I know from years of being an evangelist that churches take on the personality of their pastors. An arrogant church has an arrogant pastor. I don't even need to meet the pastor, I start with the person who meets me at the airport…I've already met the pastor through the people who represent him," said Jakes...."Once a culture gets into a church, it takes years to change and you can't teach it out. Sometimes you have to let people go so the culture can get down to something that you can straighten out," said Jakes.

Thought you could stump the band, didn't you?

Related thread:
Mega-church downsizes, cuts non-essential members

11 posted on 03/11/2014 4:17:41 PM PDT by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: Josa

…not to mention socialism, black separatist theology, union thugs, theft of property by taxation or regulation etc….being a wise Christian means being concerned about more than just sexuality and marriage.


12 posted on 03/11/2014 4:29:53 PM PDT by C. Edmund Wright (Tokyo Rove is more than a name, it's a GREAT WEBSITE)
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To: Gamecock; Alex Murphy

Rather it sounds like “Brother” Jakes needs a new Cadillac and the church won’t foot the bill.


13 posted on 03/11/2014 4:52:10 PM PDT by HarleyD ("... letters are weighty, but his .. presence is weak, and his speech of no account.")
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To: Gamecock
Bishop T.D. Jakes

In what church is he a bishop?

14 posted on 03/11/2014 4:54:58 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
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To: MUDDOG
Now that you mention it, Jakes does take up a lot of space!


15 posted on 03/11/2014 4:55:08 PM PDT by Gamecock
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To: Gamecock

LOL! That he does.


16 posted on 03/11/2014 4:58:29 PM PDT by MUDDOG
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To: Gamecock

Why was Houston at this conference? In fact, why are the other ‘trinitarian pastors at this conference? Jakes is a ‘Oneness’ Pentecostal, not believing in the Trinity.


17 posted on 03/11/2014 4:59:45 PM PDT by A Formerly Proud Canadian (I once was blind, but now I see...)
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To: hinckley buzzard

Somethign called the Potter’s House.


18 posted on 03/11/2014 5:24:10 PM PDT by Gamecock
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To: Gamecock

“Your ministry should be a mirror of what God put in your spirit…you have to peel away the camouflage…you can’t transform outwardly into something you are not inwardly.”

A very true statement....


19 posted on 03/11/2014 5:36:14 PM PDT by tired&retired
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To: tired&retired

Problem is, sometimes there is crap inside with beautiful gift wrap on the outside.


20 posted on 03/11/2014 5:39:24 PM PDT by tired&retired
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