“Preachers of LA” is a reality show based in Los Angeles, California that appears on the Oxygen network.
The concept of the series is to follow the lives and ministries of certain megachurch preachers such as Bishop Clarence McClendon, Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor Jay Haizlip, and singer Deitrick Haddon.
Oxygen’s website summarizes the show this way:
Known for their fiery sermons, community outreach and passionate followings, pastors have become iconic, beloved, and sometimes polarizing figures in modern culture. Yet, few people have access to these larger-than-life men away from the pulpit. Until now.
We're thrilled to introduce Preachers of L.A, a rare glimpse into the lives of six high-profile pastors from Los Angeles. From pro skateboarder Pastor Jay Haizlip to Grace Jones' brother Bishop Noel Jones to Bishop Clarence McClendon, who reaches 250 million homes via international broadcast each week, Preachers of L.A. will explore the human side of these ambitious and very powerful men of faith.
Episodes of the show feature such things as interviews with the preachers, scenes from church services and leadership meetings, and various outreach attempts to people living on the streets, who are dealing with addiction issues and gang life. The preachers' wives are also main participants in the show.
In one episode, Pastor Jay Haizlip and his wife discuss how to best serve a former member of their church that was born a female, yet has decided to live as a male. The show records conversations between the two of them as well as Pastor's Jay's conversation with the former member.
One of the show's featured moments is when the preachers in the show meet together and discuss life and ministry, during which time the discussion can become intense.
The Preachers
- Bishop Clarence McClendon is the preacher and pastor of Full Harvest International Church; he travels often, leading speaking and healing conferences
- Bishop Noel Jones is the preacher and senior pastor of City of Refuge Church; Bishop Jones was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica
- Pastor Jay Haizlip is the preacher and senior pastor of The Sanctuary Church; Pastor Jay is a former professional skateboarder, and he also struggle with drug addiction for over a decade
- Bishop Ron Gibson is the preacher and senior pastor of Life Church of God in Christ; Bishop Gibson is from Los Angeles, California
- Minister Deitrick Haddon is a gospel recording artists who has released numerous gospel albums; he is the former pastor of Kingdom Culture Church in Detroit
The Controversy
In its first weeks on television, the show proved to be controversial. Bishop T.D. Jakes, a Dallas-area pastor, criticized the show during a sermon:
Now, I know you been watching that junk on TV. I want to tell you right now, not one dime of what you're sowing right now will buy my suit, I want you to know my car is paid for. I want you to know I got my house on my own. I want you to know I'm not bling-blinging. I am not shake and bake. I had money when I came to Dallas and I plan to have some when I leave… I don't need your offering to pay for this little slimy suit. So I rebuke that spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
One of the most controversial aspects of the show, alluded to by Jakes, involves the theology held by the featured preachers. The pastors of “Preachers of LA” adhere to what is often called “The Prosperity Gospel,” a term that the show’s preachers strongly disagree with. The doctrine teaches that God's blessing to people often manifests through physical health and financial prosperity.
One preacher on the show, Ron Gibson, is quoted by CNN as saying, “P. Diddy, Jay Z. They’re not the only ones who should be driving Ferraris and living in nice houses.” Clarence McClendon added, “The Bible says that I wish above all things that you would prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”
Although many of the preachers on “Preachers of LA” are African-American, the so-called prosperity gospel has also been used to describe the ministry of certain Caucasian ministers such as Oral Roberts and Joel Osteen.