After 50 years of preaching, Bishop T.D. Jakes is stepping down from his position as lead pastor of the viral megachurch, The Potter’s Home, in Dallas, TX. This weekend, Jakes shocked church members when he introduced his retirement from the place throughout Sunday’s morning service.
“Main strikes take time. It could appear like it was [sudden], however you don’t know what the background work was,” Jakes instructed his congregation. “I’ve seen too many males construct one thing and keep so lengthy that they kill what they constructed.”
“I can’t afford, particularly after November, to threat one thing occurring to me and also you be sheep with out a shepherd,” he continued, referencing his coronary heart assault that occurred on stage final 12 months.
Since “The Potter’s Home” was based in 1996, Jakes has led the megachurch and its 30,000+ members. With over 50 years within the pulpit, the veteran pastor revealed that the choice was over six years within the making. Now, he’s passing on the duties to his daughter, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Touré Roberts.
“As I enter my fiftieth 12 months within the public highlight, I acknowledge the pressing want to deal with extra challenges of our time, significantly the looming risk of a disappearing center class, social unrest and shutting alternative gaps,” he added in a press release to the Dallas Morning Information. “Elevating Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah as the brand new senior pastors of The Potter’s Home, we are going to honor our wealthy historical past whereas embracing a future that calls for revolutionary ministry for the approaching age.”
With plans to proceed his work as chairman of the T.D. Jakes Group, which homes his varied enterprise initiatives and his non-profit, the bishop says he’ll proceed to serve his group.
“There’s some issues I wanna do in the neighborhood earlier than I get too outdated to do it,” he stated earlier than introducing The Potter’s Home’s new lead pastors. “I wished to introduce to you your pastors…I do know the crown is heavy, however I additionally know that if God is for you, who may be in opposition to you?”
“It’s arduous to place into phrases, however we really feel deeply honored,” Pastor Touré Roberts shared.
“Thanks for letting us construct this in your shoulders. As your senior co-pastor elect, I’m grateful. I’m honored,” Sarah added, getting emotional. “As your daughter, I’m so completely happy you’re going to get some relaxation.”
Whereas some social media customers celebrated the bishop’s legacy and his resolution to go the torch to his daughter, others speculate that Jakes’ surprising retirement as lead pastor was motivated by reported allegations linking him to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who’s going to trial subsequent month.
“Idk what Bishop TD Jakes does behind closed doorways however that man is anointed! He has gotten me by way of so many robust occasions! I can’t even rely. I’m eternally grateful for him & his teachings. Sarah is up subsequent,” one person wrote.
“TD Jakes simply introduced he’s stepping down from his position as a Pastor at The Potters Home. All of them know that P. Diddy’s trial goes to disclose uncomfortable information that can now not be swept up underneath the rug. We are going to know what goes on behind the pulpit,” one skeptic wrote.
