According to Soulforce press, he is indeed.
On Sunday, May 18, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) families and their allies attended worship and met with staff and families from The Potter’s House, a 35,000-member multiracial, nondenominational mega-church in Dallas, Texas. Lead by Bishop T.D. Jakes, The Potter’s House is nationally recognized for its advocacy on social issues such as domestic violence, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. We commend the staff of The Potter’s House for the gracious manner in which they extended hospitality and respect for our visiting families. After the worship service and before a family mixer, Soulforce staff and volunteers engaged four top leaders in Bishop Jakes’ administrative team during a private meeting focused on finding common ground. Jeff Lutes, Dr. Sylvia Rhue, Rev. Gil Caldwell, Rev. Linda Craig, and Rev. Troy Sanders participated in the meeting to represent Soulforce and our partnering organizations. Afterwards, Bishop Jakes (who was recovering from back surgery) called Jeff Lutes and expressed appreciation for the manner in which Soulforce had reached out to him for dialogue. Bishop Jakes agreed to Jeff’s request for ongoing conversations.
There has been no statement from the Potter’s House refuting any of Soulforce’s claims.
Listen to a discussion on the issue with Pastor Foster and Bishop Youngblood.
While Bishop Jakes may think that he is being “loving”, “tolerant” and “open minded” about agreeing to ongoing discussions with Soulforce, the Bible has a completely different perspective.
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” (1 Cor 5:9-13).
By virtue of their unrepentant sexual sin, the scripture calls the Soulforce/gay christian crowd “wicked”.
Further, it provides a clear resolution: (1) do not keep company with them (2) put them out of the church(es) and (3) if they repent receive them back.
If we follow TD Jakes false, unbiblical model we actually help people in their rebellion against God and become partakers in their sins. Which example would you choose to follow: God’s or TD Jakes?
Gay Christian Movement Watch 
Praise the Lord Pastor Foster,
You can respond to my question off-line if you so desire. You and I know the truth concerning sinners, but I am asking this question in regards to Caesar. From Caesar’s stance, can a 501C-3 church legally discriminate against anyone, saint, sinner, backslider, apostate, the abominable etc. if that 501C-3 church (Mega-Church to Traditonal to Storefront to Homechurch) is receiving funds (****Filthy Lucre****)
and receiving tax-free advantages (****Caesar’s Favor***)? Because if a 501C-3 Church’s donors are apostates and Abominable or reprobate persons, Caesar can shut you down–Hear me saints! I am 100% true blue to Scripture! If a 501C-3 Church is receiving “Faith-Based” Funds (Caesar’s money) and getting favors from the world (Marketing and sponsors at Mega-fest, Coca Cola, At&T, etc.) Caesar can shut you down!
Remember the Pharisees were afraid of losing their status, position, fame, fortune, and favors and they sold out Christ to Caesar-Pontius Pilate. I am not discerning that Bishop Jakes and maybe these other ministries being targeted are willing to lose everything to stand for Christ!
Follow the money, follow the money!
God Bless You Pastor Foster as you continue to shine the light and expose the darkness!
EW, I am in 100% agreement with that. There’s probably a spiritual component to it also, but as you noted Jesus said the love (lust for) money is the root of all evil. Certainly willful disobedience to God’s word cannot be seen as good. To gain the applause and approval of the world is a sure sign that you have sold something else for 30 pieces of silver.
Hey, dont be a stranger. You always have a good word to share.
Pastor Foster,
I read the link about SoulForce’s visit to the Potter’s House. 5 Questions.
1.Why were they given preferential seating/treatment?
2. Where was the conviction of the Holy Spirit?
3. Was the gospel of Jesus Christ preached that day?
4. Was there a discerning prophet to confront these people in private and give them a “Thus saith the Lord”?
5. If these people did not show any fruit of repentance, why is Bishop Jakes continuing the dialogue?????
Pastor Foster I Corinthians 5:9-13. The passage you have used in this article is very widely translated and makes no inference or reference to homosexuaity at all. I arrived at this with just nominal research. Just looking up the words in a concordance revealed it. I can appreciate your passion and your zeal to convey your convictions but to twist scripture is the same kind of deceit the devil uses.
MB, if you would be so kind Id like for you to cite at least three examples of this “widely translated” references. Also please include who did the wide translations.
Also in what way is homosexuality exempt from being sexual immorality according to scripture. Even with your nominal research you fail to substantiate any of your claims.
Until you can at least provide that, its rather impossible to conclude whether your assertions are personally prejudicial or not.
Bishop Jakes’ administrative team during a private meeting focused on finding common ground. ????
FINDING COMMON GROUND, are you kidding?
I am so happy that Jesus wasnt such a push over like T.D.”I wont stand for anything” Jakes.
I remember The Potters House. I used to go there every Sunday. They had a rumor going around the church that I was gay. Guess what I am not gay, turns out I am just trans gendered…
I don’t see why its such a big deal though about a church having an open invite for the LGBT community? I am sure they want all of them to “repent of there sins.” Its just too bad that their “sins” are not as out in the public as others. I really don’t blame them for seeing that I was different, its as plain as day. I just don’t like how Christianity is about being selfless and to treat others as you have them treat yourself: Yet no one in the churches I have been to really believes that or acts that way.
digitaltrans2, do you claim to follow the Lord Jesus and do you understand that homosexuality and changing gender is sinful behavior?
“By virtue of their unrepentant sexual sin, the scripture calls the Soulforce/gay christian crowd “wicked”.
Further, it provides a clear resolution: (1) do not keep company with them (2) put them out of the church(es) and (3) if they repent receive them back.”
Funny… but didn’t Jesus spent more time hanging out with prostitutes than he did in the synagogue?
In fact… the only people he showed any real contempt for were the religious leaders of the times.
How do you account for Jesus’ actions in comparison to what you’re promoting?
“Its sad that you havent actually read the Bible”
On what grounds do you assert that I haven’t read the Bible? I have read the Bible. Numerous time through. And the new testament many times more than that. And the Gospels even more. I’ve lost count, it has been so many.
I used the word “prostitute” because it seemed easiest to equate to the current topic. However, if you would rather, substitute that for a more overarching people group, the “marginalized social outcasts” which includes prostitutes, adulterers, sinners, tax collectors, lepers, etc. These people were ostracized for a variety of reasons, including questionable morality (sexual morality included).
No maybe Jesus didn’t show contempt for anyone. But if you analyse the disposition of his interactions towards the “marginalized social outcasts” compared to the religious clergy of the time… you will see that his actions towards the marginalized social outcasts were much softer than his actions towards the religious clergy.
In fact, the religious clergy were the only ones to whom Jesus’ actions even remotely resembled these: “do not keep company with them (2) put them out of the church(es) and (3) if they repent receive them back.”
Of course Jesus desires healing and forgiveness of sins. But he didn’t seek to accomplish such feats through dissociating himself from sinners. But maybe I’m mistaken here. Can you cite an example of when Jesus refused to keep company with sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, and others who were considered the dregs of society?
Of course Jesus is interested in forgiveness and healing. But I can’t think of a single example of Jesus choosing “do not keep company with” the socially marginalized, tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, sinners, the dregs of society.
I will admit I may be wrong in this. Can you cite an example of him choosing to not keep company with sinners and the morally decrepit?
GCMW: Davo, you are using a narrow perspective to arrive at your conclusions. The scripture we cited is Bible with equal weight as the red letter words of Jesus and the written actions of Jesus. As the early church developed under the auspices of the apostles they instructed the church as the Holy Spirit guided them. Your point seems to be “Jesus hung out with sinners”. We are not refuting that, rather we are simply saying that the consequence of his assocations with sinners resulted in change for each one of them. In other words they no longer engaged in the same sin. Can you can that of the “modern” homosexual movement aka gay christians? Hardly.
Again, Paul was clear that he was not talking about not associating with sinners. He specifically noted that these were people who claimed to be brothers and sisters, yet refused to repent of their sins. That describes accurately the gay christian movement ala Soulforce.
On what grounds do you assert that I haven’t read the Bible? I have read the Bible. Numerous time through. And the new testament many times more than that. And the Gospels even more. I’ve lost count, it has been so many.
Davo, you made assertions which indicated that you were unfamiliar with what is actually written in the Bible. I addressed that specifically above. If you have read perhaps your understanding of what you read was somewhat amiss. In either case, your comments were not representative of what is wrriten.
I used the word “prostitute” because it seemed easiest to equate to the current topic.
Use of the word prostitute as a general euphemism is unnecssary in this case. We are all smart enough to know that adultery, prostitution and a polygamist while all sexually based, are different forms of illicit sexual expression. Again, we made those distinctions from the scripture.
What’s more, if your concern is with “marginalized social outcasts”, why arent you addressing your concerns to a government agency? The church is not a social institution. It is a supernatural product of the blood of Jesus. Its fundamental purpose is to advocate for reconciliation with God by repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Christ. Getting a “seat at the table” is a bargaining tactic for people who want to be equal, not those who want to submit and serve the Lord. Jesus died so that we would be free from sin. In that case, all may come to get this FREEDOM from their sins. Otherwise, the intent of the cross is perverted.
“Your point seems to be .Jesus hung out with sinners’. We are not refuting that, rather we are simply saying that the consequence of his assocations with sinners resulted in change for each one of them.”
Right, but I’m saying that advocating for “not keeping company with sinners” is something that Jesus didn’t do. Is keeping company with such people sinful? If so, then did Jesus sin? If not, then why is there a problem with it?
As for the dissonance between Jesus’ actions and Paul’s words, I would suggest looking deeper into the historical and cultural contexts of Paul’s passage. Accepting the Word without seeking to understand cultural and historical contexts leaves the meaning of the Word open to the manipulation of the reader.
“What’s more, if your concern is with ‘marginalized social outcasts’, why arent you addressing your concerns to a government agency?”
I am.
“The church is not a social institution.”
But the book of Acts clearly indicates that the church was one of the most effective social institutions of its time, often organizing to help others when even the local governments failed to be able to do so. I’m not disputing that the church is also a mechanism to bring spiritual reconciliation. I’m just saying that to say it’s not a social institution isn’t entirely historically accurate.
Jesus did not hang out with prostitutes & tax collectors as a practice, it was not an everyday thing that He did, but when ever they were in His presence He did not condemed them He offered them a better way ,and once they acknowledged their sins and repented He was able to forgave them,and they went away changed meaning they did not induldge in their sinful ways anymore.
I’m sorry but to try and compromise with homosexuals transgender and the like is to tell them it’s okay but if we are to be the carriers of the light what do light have to do with darkness, light is suppose to expose darkness.These ministers of the gospel should not compromise, sin is sin. In the bible I read it is an abomination .Gayness is a sin .Jesus came to set the captives free, gay and lesbians or captives and they need the light of Christ shed in their hearts so they can be free.
Thanks for your comment Anna. I can definitely understand where you’re coming from.
You said that hanging out with such people, “was not an everyday thing that He did, but when ever they were in His presence.” Perhaps it wasn’t something he did every day (the Bible doesn’t specify how often he was with such people), but his interaction with them was much less passive than you seem to espouse. He intentionally initiated with such people on numerous occasions. Zaccheus and the Samaritan woman at the well are perfect examples of this.
My point is that Jesus didn’t “not keep company with them.” Quite the opposite, he actually initiated with them: going to their homes for dinner, talking to them when it was culturally taboo.
No one has answered my questions yet:
Is keeping company with such people sinful? If so, then did Jesus sin? If not, then why is there a problem with it?
Davo, your questions have been answered. You are either intentionally playing dumb or you cant read english. Which is it?
From this blog’s comment policy:
“We expect mature, responsible discussion.”
This comment seems to violate that policy:
“You are either intentionally playing dumb or you cant read english.”
I would appreciate being shown respect, rather than insinuating that I am unintelligent or illiterate. I was not trying to be pragmatic or cheeky. I honestly didn’t see an answer to those questions. Perhaps you could direct me to where specifically those questions are answered.
To restate them, is it wrong to keep company with such people? If so, how do you reconcile Jesus’ actions (intentionally seeking out those of questionable morality) with advocating to “not keep company” with those of questionable morality? If not, why advocate such actions?
Davo lets get this straight.
You posted on this blog assertions that I specifically refuted with scripture.
So you really want me to believe that you are not reading my responses to your questions? If you are not going to read my responses, then just say that your questions are rhetorical.
Yes, we do expect mature, intelligent discussion. You are hindering that by not paying any attention to very obvious answers to your questions. At this point if you have not demonstrated a propensity to read what is written in reponse to what you asked, one can only assume a level of immaturity exists.
Return to the beginning of the discussion you started and read from there.
To Davo,
Pastor Foster has already answered your questions. I concur with answers to you. The word of God says that out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses let every word be established….Mat 18:15-16
(15) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
(16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
I will attempt to answer your concerns of sharing the Christ to sinners and unbelievers. The Lord Jesus did not present himself to every man during his time on earth as the son of man. The Lord Jesus Christ was divinely guided by the Holy Ghost to who would receive Him and who would reject Him. He showed mercy to the cast-offs because they were in bondage to the religious system that the Pharisees and Saducees had in operation along with the government of Herod and oversight of Rome. That’s why he condemned the Pharisees because they were being religious and not fulfilling the full intent of the law.
Please take heed to the following scriptures.
John 2:23-25
(23) Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
(24) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
(25) And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
The Lord Jesus Christ did not hang with lepers, publicans, etc., etc., to befriend them or tolerate their condition….HE Teached the Kingdom, Preached Repentance, and Healed to confirm that HE is the SON of the Living GOD.
In other words, GOD will have mercy whom HE will have mercy. If they came to HIM by faith in HIM HE received them and delivered them. But if they came like Pharisees (Soulforce) to present their point of view and their evil agenda–whether political or religious–HE flat out rebuked them and condemned them!
This is the only thing any church, pastor, minister or any lay christian are here to do are the following.
The Lord Jesus and His True Church are sent to GOD’s lost sheep!
Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Now some might ask, what are you to do when one comes into your presence, church, or website
Please read the following scriptures very carefully…
These scriptures specifically apply to Soulforce visiting these 6 churches or any other church…
2Jn 1:9-11 KJV
(9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
(11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Verse 9 applies to Soulforce and all of its members no matter what their gender or sexual orientation is–they are transgressors–Period!
A true New Testament Church knows this is the case…SEE we have so many Big Time Ministries so far from the BIBLE that they make the whole Church look weak, foolish, and a bunch of compromisers…
Verses 10 and 11 specifically tell a True Christian what they are to do…they are not to even bid the transgressor God speed!
Davo, here what the Holy Spirit is saying to you in this time and hour.
When Jesus spent time with people of ill repute, they were people who had not heard the gospel message of salvation through Him. This is not the case with Soulforce and others today who are claiming to follow Jesus, but attempt to claim Jesus affirms the abomination of homosexual behavior. Those today like Soulforce heard the truth, that ALL homosexuality is sin and have rejected it. Embracing a false god, a false christ of their flesh. One that serves them, instead of them serving the true Christ in repentance and turning from their wicked ways.
So, then, it is wrong to keep company with these people.
It just seems to me that if you’re really interested in helping these people change their ways, ignoring and ostracizing them may not be the most effective way. I mean, how do you expect sincere change to happen in their lives if you refuse to even speak to them? You won’t even have the opportunity to explain to them why you think they’re wrong.
“It just seems to me…”
We cant go by what “seems” good to us. Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. You are still missing the intent of shunning fellowship with self professed Christians who continue in unrepentant sexual immoralitry, not sinners. I dont know how much clearer that can get
For those who want a clearer than that understanding, this is a good expository article.
So does shunning them help them realize the errors of their ways and repent? Since God is, after all, interested in reconciliation, how much success have you had in getting them to turn from their unrepentant sexual immorality by shunning them?
GCMW:READ
I can not and will not judge Bishop T.D. Jakes I do not know his intentions, the truth of the matter is Paul was many things to different people at different times. People that know the Word know that homosexuality is a sin, all of this outburst of homosexuality does not shock me. The Lord him said the following concerning these days.
Passage Matthew 24:37:
37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
In the days of Noah, men and women went after strange flesh (Spiritual beings/fallen angels: Jude 1:6-7 (ASV)
“And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.”
But the Lord also said: and just like the days of Sodom so shall it be at the coming of the son of man. People this is not a shock I do not see why we are acting brand new. The truth of the matter is in the days of Sodom it was the norm men and women of the same sex were marrying and drinking and going on in there sin. This world is getting worst, the best thing we can do is snatch those who want to be free out the fire and let the seeds of satan continue to do there sin. Be Holy Spirit led and allow God to connect you to the right people that want to be set free. I could careless what a Yvette Jones or any gay church is doing. I know the truth concerning deliverance, people will rather believe a lie then the truth. All I know is everytime I read about things like that I just have assurance that I am getting closer to being with my God in eternity forever. Heaven is nice but I want to be with God for all eternity.
It is tragic how you have defamed and poorly represented Bishop Jakes. He didn’t keep company with Soul force… I think you have ill will toward him. I was there that Sunday and our church always give special seating to any visitor and with them coming to interact with our members I am GLAD we had them in one area so that we knew where they were and withwhom at all times….Bishop Jakes totally disagreed with thier lifestyle and that was clearly said in several articles but it seems that you choose to ignore that and stir strife… That is sad sir….
David Thomas, I was there too. And there’s a whole lot of ignoring going on, so let’s see who’s really doing it.
You say Bishop Jakes “totally disagreed with their lifestyle”? Where is that in print? What “several articles”? Why didnt you specifically cite them, instead of making generalities? Can you point anyone to that specifically or is it just his personal opinion? He totally disagreed?
How do you explain his personal phone call to the Soulforce director thanking him for coming to PH?
He totally disagreed with them?? Then why have 4 members of your staff meet with them? Were you aware of that?
You said you are “glad” you/PH knew where they were and who they were with. That sounds foolish. Put wolves in a sheep pen in order to keep an eye on them? I wonder if David would have done that? Let the lion in the sheep pen just so he could keep an eye on it. Scripture says he killed it.
What about Bishop Jakes’ other unbiblical statements about homosexuality that ARE on record? You probably dont care or havent read them because you place more value on defending your leader and not the Word of God. PH allowed Soulforce to violate its own policy of no phototaking in the sanctuary. Do you let all other visitors come there and snap photos of them sitting with their sex partners?
If what SOULFORCE wrote on their website about their visit to PH is untrue, where is the statement from Bishop Jakes refuting that David? Please cite it.
Strife is stirred up when so-called leaders refuse to uphold the Word of God and when called on their error. Soulforce made a fool out of PH, just admit it instead of trying to spin it.
If our church wrote a press release every time some one wrote a incorrect blog or web site they would be writing every day.
Who can control pictures?… The church doesn’t allow pictures during service. People have cell phones and everything else.I am not trying to disrespectful, but you do seems to have it out for our church. You say almost nothing about the other churches who ALL handled it the same way… Why are you gunning for our church?
Mr. Thomas, let the record reflect I asked you 11 questions and you halfway answered one.