Thus far, I have watched all the episodes of Preachers of LA.
There are moments that make me cringe and there are moments that make me proud. We all will be affected by this reality show in different ways; some will be more passionate in voicing their opinions about Preachers of LA. Nonetheless, I have come to accept that we hold both subjective and objective opinions about how and what Preachers of LA portrays.
Aside from the obvious issue, the flaunting of wealth and prestige, which these pastors, bishops and preachers have; one of the major issues of the first four episodes surrounds Pastor and Gospel Artiste, Deitrick Haddon. This troubling issues are the themes of ‘shacking’, fornication, lust, sexual desire etc. Bishop Ron Gibson and his wife, First Lady LaVette Gibson, have taken the opportunity to mentor Deitrick Haddon and his then fiancé Dominique Haddon, about marriage and relationships. This is a great gesture on their part.
Deitrick Haddon and his fiancé, see nothing wrong with the concept of shacking; however, being a young christian myself, it gives me pause and I do agree with Bishop Ron Gibson and his wife Lady Gibson, that it is all surrounded by fornication. Couples in love, who have a family and have slept together will find it next to impossible to not want to sleep together; especially if they are under the same roof, alone. Added to that, other young people are looking to Deitrick Haddon and would use his actions as an excuse or reason to do as he would like to do. Note what God tells us below:
16 The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. 17 The quick-tempered do foolish things, and those who devise evil schemes are hated. 18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. 21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed are those who are kind to the needy. 22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. 23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. 25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. 26 Those who fear the LORD have a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. – Proverbs 14:16-26
1 Corinthians 7:2 – Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Matthew 5:28 – But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Ephesians 5:3 – But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh
Matthew 7:21 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
One of the moments of which I am proud of as a Christian, is when Pastor Jay Haizlip saw an anorexic woman in the park. He went up to her, spoke with her and prayed for her. Deitrick Haddon and his fiancé also does this on their visit to the city of New Orléans. These acts are inspiring to me and gives me confidence. They are also teaching moments about how we can reach out to others, spread the gospel and minister to their needs.
Preachers of LA is not all bad or all good. Nonetheless we must take from it what we can and learn, what not to do. At the end of the day, that is as men and servants of God, do not allow your life to be portrayed in such a manner that it sullies the very image, essence and Word of Jesus Christ.
Cast of Preachers of LA:
- Jay Haizlip, Christy Haizlip,
- Clarence McClendon, Priscilla McClendon,
- Deitrick Haddon, Dominique Haddon,
- Ron Gibson, LaVette Gibson,
- Wayne Chaney, Myesha Chaney,
- Noel Jones, Loretta Jones
Episodes of Preachers of LA:
- Season 1, Episode 1 – Comeback
- Season 1, Episode 2 – Acceptance
- Season 1, Episode 3 – Tea & Sympathy
- Season 1, Episode 4 – Family First
Reference
Revealing the Christian Life Ministry 