On Monday afternoon, hundreds of people lined up on 125th and Frederick Douglass Blvd. in Harlem waiting to gain entry to the world-famous Apollo Theater. Why? Because Bishop T.D. Jakes was appearing of course. The topic? The title of his new book, REPOSITION YOURSELF: LIVING LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS.Along with a few other journalists, I had the opportunity to speak with Bishop Jakes for about 6.5 minutes before his sold-out event. His people were rushing him because apparently Radio One's Cathy Hughes was waiting to speak with him.
T.D. Jakes looks just like he does on television. As he talked to the small group of us, he was pleasant and humble. He spoke with sincerity and soft passion. And he was honest about his own fears. Which made me forget that he's a New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 books, that he started a gospel music record label, founded a Christian preparatory school, helms a Dallas-based megachurch that boasts more than 30,000 members, and that his TV show The Potter's Touch reaches 67 million households per month.
His new book is touted as a makeover for the soul and aims to provide tools to anyone who wants to attain success and prosperity. He addresses such issues as: facing failure and understanding that it's a prelude to success; creating your own personal brand by combining Identity + Expectations; getting rid of credit card debt; coping with setbacks; succeeding as a woman in business; keeping your family close; and giving back to your community. In August, he'll release a workbook to accompany REPOSITION YOURSELF and in November, he'll release a book of meditations.
Here's a snippet of the conversation with T.D. Jakes:
Did he think he was going to be head of a megachurch with a congregation of more than 30,000 people?
Not at all. It would have scared me to death. I started preaching in a small room. I didn't know about big churches in West Virginia. I didn't know about television, payroll, or staff. It would have scared me to death. I didn't really set out to do it. It happened. But you have to learn to manage it once it does happen.
How does he manage the fear that comes along with success?
The hardest part to manage is the fear. There's an unbelievable fear that comes with [success]. You rely on friends, prayer, and some days, quite frankly, you don't manage the fear. But you feel the fear and do it anyway. Work your way out of the fear. There are people in my life that when I'm really feeling overwhelmed, they calm me down. My wife is one of them.
How does he categorize himself?
I wanted to be a helpmate to my generation. A comfort to my community. Preaching became a vehicle to do that. I wanted to give people what I wanted: support, encouragement and help. My ministry, books, my movies and everything I do, is me saying, 'don't give up and quit, you can do this.' So I started to say to people what I really wanted to hear and hoped that it helped them.
How does he manage a megachurch with 30,000 members and maintain the necessary order?
I think a megachurch is a bunch of mini-churches that come together on Sunday. We have to be organized to service our people. That's why my books talk about organize and structure because that's what my church needed. As you start to grow, you need to have a plan in place.
I speak to people about putting the structure in place that you need to go to the next level, so that you don't become stuck. Sometimes our people fall in love with "low." And anything that is upwardly, we avoid. Somehow that slavery mentality has affected us so that we don't feel entitled to anything better. And anyone who escapes or goes higher, we think it's wrong. When some of us do make it to a high level, we want to take their black card away. I'm trying to get our people to understand that it's okay to go to the next level. And that's what REPOSITION YOURSELF is about.
After speaking with Bishop Jakes, I decided to stay for part of the program. I was feeling inspired. And I'm glad I did.
The elegant Ruby Dee recited stirring poetry. For such a small woman, she's incredibly powerful. One line that she spoke has stayed with me, "The day is ours, let's take it."
As a nice surprise, Donnie McClurkin sang Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song," as a tribute to Bishop Jakes. Then he brought church to the Apollo Theater and sang his famous, "Stand." He told the crowd he felt like singing. And did just that.
Each attendee walked away with a copy of REPOSITION YOURSELF and probably an urge to live a life without limits.
Comments: (78)
Add a comment
By: Sojourner P. Williams on 5/11/2007 12:15PM
Praise the Lord! The way God uses his people is so powerful it is staggering - it gives me chills!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Denise on 5/09/2007 6:16PM
speak to people about putting the structure in place that you need to go to the next level, so that you don't become stuck. Sometimes our people fall in love with "low." And anything that is upwardly, we avoid. Somehow that slavery mentality has affected us so that we don't feel entitled to anything better. And anyone who escapes or goes higher, we think it's wrong. When some of us do make it to a high level, we want to take their black card away. I'm trying to get our people to understand that it's okay to go to the next level. And that's what REPOSITION YOURSELF is about.
I especially enjoyed reading his part of the blog. Being stuck or not going beyond what our neighbors or parents did is not a gift. There's a blessing in thinking big when it comes to God given talents. If God could do something great with talents, then why can't God take your talents and do something great THRU YOU / with YOU?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ms. e on 5/09/2007 6:27PM
Oh great! glad to here the success of the book signing, he'll be at my church on the May 27th in Denver.
http://www.nowfaithdenver.com/news&events.htm
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Winfred Warrick on 5/09/2007 7:40PM
I applaud Bishop Jakes on this "NOW" message! This book is going to be a voice for the people. People, especially our people, need words of encouragement! We are living in a time that is comparable to Sodom & Gomorrah and Bishop Jakes is giving US a rope to lift ourselves up.
I grew up Missionary Baptist and was taught that we better get it "together" before we die so that we may enter into Heaven! Nonetheless, there is so much more to Christianity than dying and going to Heaven. The bible states that "Jesus came to give us life and give it to us more abundantly!" African Americans need to learn how to pray these generational curses out of our lives. Don't get typecast, "just because no one in your family went to college has NOTHING to do with you" and so on.
We also, need to stop letting people put us down. Our women are NOT nappy headed hos or bitches! Our women are the givers of life and do it very well! (Black don't crack sisters! LOL) Our men carved this country out by their blood, sweat and tears. Also, all of us are NOT IN JAIL, DEAD OR GAY; WE ARE RIGHT HERE! Stop letting people tell you anything! We need to surround ourselves with positive people who help us get ahead. Young people if you are in college, join a fraternity or sorority so that you may have an opportunity to "piggy-back" just like whites have been doing for centuries. Stop letting people tell you that you are inferior. God made us the HEAD and NOT the tail. We are the LENDERS and not the BORROWERS.
Again, I applaud Bishop Jakes! He is an annointed man and this messeage in this book is prophesy! African Americans are entering OUR dominion!
Winfred Warrick
Celebrity Columnist & Image Consultant
Shereese Hair & Beauty Magazine
www.shereese.com
www.winfredwarrick.com
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Frank Perez on 5/09/2007 8:04PM
Jakes is again exploiting the masses and he should admit that he is a pimp who is using religion to further his personal riches!What a shame that people continue to support his ass.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Tammie on 5/09/2007 10:02PM
God Bless Bishop Jakes, Perez God Bless you also it is apparent tHat you need prayer
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: To blessed to be to stressed on 5/11/2007 8:26AM
4. Jakes is again exploiting the masses and he should admit that he is a pimp who is using religion to further his personal riches!What a shame that people continue to support his ass.
One thing I pray that you learn Mr. Perez is that putting you mouth on GOD PEOPLE is a NO-NO. You'll be cursed. I pray for you.
God Bless.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Antar on 5/10/2007 2:29PM
I think it's really a shame that we (as a people) have not woke up and realize that without unity, we will fail. I am currently reading Bishop Jakes' book, and I am extremely impressed with with what I have read thus far and excited about whats to come on the pages ahead. I have been a member of Bishop Jakes' church (The Potter's House) for the last 9 years, and I must say that Bishop Jakes is a wonderful man of God, annoited for this day and time, trully sent from God to lead the body of Christ to a new level of thinking and living. The teachings of Bishop Jakes are so profound and yet simple at the same time, anyone from a doctor to a janitor can take his teachings, apply them to thier lives and live a more prosperous life. I thank God for Bishop Jakes, he is a modern day Moses.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Tony on 5/16/2007 3:48PM
It is so amazing how God can give Bishop Jakes such a timely word designed to accommodate the Godly and secular worlds in a time where everyone seems to be at odds. While being a member of The Potter House for over 10 years, this book is very consistant to the teaching,preaching, and persona of Bishop Jakes. 2 Corithians 3:6 says,"The letter killeth, but the Spirit brings life." In this book, even though infancies are place on the word, Bishop Jakes is a master in allowing the spirit of the message to perminate who ever reads this book. THIS BOOK IS A GIANT KILLER!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Minister Hale on 5/11/2007 12:13PM
From confronting myself in “The Intervention” to realizing & understanding that I can not attain overnight what the “Proverbs 31 Woman” perhaps took years to attain, this book has inspired me to accept myself and reposition my thinking.
I can now look forward by faith and understanding to transitioning to what can be a life without limits.
God bless you Bishop Jakes for what you do for the body of Christ!
Reply to this Comment | Report This