November 07, 2013

By Cory Alexander Haywood

EURweb.com

 

It’s no secret that a large sector of the Christian community doesn’t approve of Oxygen’s new, controversial reality show, “Preachers of LA.”  Like moths to a flame, scores of viewers tuned in to watch the highly-anticipated season opener.

With critics up in arms behind the show’s premise, a group of flashy clergyman shoving their congregation-driven wealth in the faces of America, Bishop Noel Jones, who appears regularly on the documentary series, recently addressed his City of Refuge congregation, defending his decision to participate.

Despite faltering health and a recent hospital stay for heart issues, Jones — a pastor in Gardena, C.A. –  has managed to keep his ministry in tact, keeping him busy and financially empowered. During his message to the church,  he mentioned owning a Porsche and insisted that his detractors, including fellow preachers, would receive only love in return for their criticism. Jones admitted on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show” that like everyone else, he has flaws. Sybil Wilkes, co-host of the radio show, fired back at Jones, saying:

“You have a lot of great, fancy words but what you see in this, is men of God who are preaching the word, who are now seen as just regular guys but it is in such a disturbing way.”

To that Jones defended himself by telling Wilkes that every preacher he knows is flawed in some way and that they are just messengers of God and not the message itself.

Category: Arts & Culture