'Preachers of LA' Premiere Reveals Deitrick Haddon's 'Comeback;' Debate on 'Charging for the Gospel'
"Being a gospel superstar is no different than being a rock star. We have to be aggressive with our sound in order for it to be played out here on secular radio," explains Haddon.
As for how he felt he was received?
Haddon, says, "I felt a load lifting off of me. I felt like my supporters, my fans that were there, they were there to let me know that I've been forgiven."
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The close-out of the "Comeback" episode involves all six of the Christian ministers at Bishop Ron Gibson's old home, which has been dubbed the "Man Cave," a place where Christian pastors can gather to freely talk things out.
Haddon sets the theme of the discussion: "Should you charge a fee for the Gospel? That's what they're asking us. Would Jesus have charged a fee?"
At one point, Gibson says, "Jesus paid it all [salvation], but in order to keep those lights on and pay those musicians..."
Haddon eventually jumps in: "People have a problem with us asking for an honorarium to come and minister. Churches across the country can't afford the honorariums that we're asking for."
Gibson at another point: "They try to label us as prosperity preachers. It breaks my heart when people see your glory and don't understand your story, know nothing about you."
Haizlip chimes in: "The majority of most pastors are entrepreneurial anyway. Abraham gave God more than one avenue to be able to provide for him, so he wasn't limited to one stream of resources."
Chaney seconds Haizlip's comment: "Everyone assumes that it's coming from the church, off the backs of the people. But there are multiple streams [of revenue] for most people in ministry."
When asked for his view on payment for ministry, McClendon says, "Jesus said, 'freely you have received, freely give...'"
"I don't ask an honorarium," adds McClendon. "I ask them, 'What is it that you have set aside for the man of God or for the ministry, because I don't come alone. Because of how God uses us in miracles and healings, I have to have people with me. … So I travel with four or five people."
McClendon is asked if he would still minister to a church if it didn't have the budget but requested just him alone, without his entourage.
"Well then you don't want me. If you want my ministry, you want what I bring," he responds, getting cut off by Haddon.
Haddon, who found McClendon's response "rough," responds, "And that says that your anointing don't flow unless you have your team with you."
On the defensive, McClendon explains, "Here's the point: my men know how I flow. They know how the anointing flows through me. So I need men around me who will help that anointing flow uninterrupted, because somebody's healing depends on it."
Haddon, as if in a volley with the bishop, responds: "If the anointing is on you, you do not need an entourage. And that is the problem, it's become a big hoopla. … We've got to come away from this stuff, man, and get back to the basics of what ministry is."
While McClendon attempts to support his views, he refers to Haddon for a second time as "young man" — which the recording artist does not appreciate.
"I'm not as young as you think I am," says Haddon, 40.
McClendon, while shaking Haddon's hand to apparently pardon himself from the discussion, shoots back at the recording artist and preacher, "Neither are you as intelligent as I thought you were."
McClendon explains that he feels Haddon's understanding of the Scriptures is "erroneous," and is told by the recording artist that he feels "disrespected."
The "Man Cave" moment soon falls apart as Haddon and McClendon are on their feet and in each other's faces. McClendon's son, and others, get between them.
As he walks out of the room and through the front door, McClendon can be heard muttering, "This is exactly why I didn't want to do this."
"Preachers of L.A." premieres Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 10 p.m. ET on the Oxygen network.
