T.D. Jakes Talks Strategy for Church Building at Md. Conference
Bishop T.D. Jakes addressed thousands of church leaders at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro Saturday, talking strategies for building the Church.
During the leadership conference Jakes told a conference of over 2,000 leaders that it will take more than theology and speaking skills to lead today’s congregation.
“It is not enough to have a vision, you need a strategy, structure and servitude,” Jakes told the ministers.
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The First Baptist Church of Glenarden and Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church have sponsored a New Year’s revival featuring Jakes and other prominent speakers and gospel recording artists for many years, according to the Washington Post. This year, however, Jakes delivered a message of tough love to pastors. He said that if leaders stopped babysitting and started leading, they could triple their congregations.
“So you made it to 2012? That’s nice. What are you going to do with it?” Jakes asked. “Champions critique themselves and work on their strategy to get better.”
He also called for members of the congregation, who were younger than 40, to reach more people for the cause of Christ, using social media that their parents didn’t have.
Rev. John K. Jenkins, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden agreed with Jakes, according to the Washington Post.
He said he feels like the upcoming generation has connections that his and Jakes’ did not.
“In order for things to work effectively, we have to work together through mentoring, developing, encouraging and modeling; it is all important,” Jenkins said.
Bishop Alfred Ownens, from the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church enjoyed Jakes’ message, saying that strategies show you the best that you can become.
Bishop Ronald A. Frazier, pastor of the Christ Church Way of the Cross Church of Christ Inc., was also in attendance. He said that it was good for ministers to evaluate where they are in their ministry.
“God has to speak to you as a leader so you can know where to take your ministry,” Frazier said. “I like when Jakes said when I preach I am not in competition with other ministries, but with the voice that’s in me.”
