Show Me The money?!

[Nikkol]

I can't believe this discussion over Jakes is still going on......

Anyways, although I'm not a fan of Jakes, the point is that we all have our different ideas of what those in leadership should/should not do. That in and of itself isn't a bad thing.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you want to look at it), those in leadership sometimes have "2 full time jobs". They are a pastor as well as an entrepreneur. And in separating the two it can become difficult. It is easy to ask questions regarding what to some can be seen as possibly hypocritical. But, at the end of the day, people will do what they choose and I think instead of going and "attacking" each other, let's not take it personal and attack the issue and I believe that both of you (KITTY and AT) can do that. :-)

On a lighter note, I did find this line funny: To ensure he is able to meet as many customers as possible,
Jakes will be unable to personalize his signature.

Um.... so I'm standing in line for possibly hours for a book signing and he's only gonna write his name??? LOL

[Poetricia (G.A.P.)]

the problem is that some people defend these "preaching entreprenuers" like they defend the very gospel

THAT to me is the biggest shame of all

[Poetricia (G.A.P.)]

speaking of the gospel, isn't that what we were commanded to preach? go ye into all the world and preach the GOSPEL

i work in christian radio and i can tell you there are alot of preachers preaching but less than HALF of it is the GOSPEL!!!!!

and THAT is an even bigger shame!!!!!

[Nikkol]

Jul 31, 2009 7:13:32 GMT -5 Poetricia (G.A.P.) said:

the problem is that some people defend these "preaching entreprenuers" like they defend the very gospel

THAT to me is the biggest shame of all

So for you, is the issue that preachers are making money? or the fact that the money is being made via books?

I ask because if we can all put the exact "issue" maybe we can better discuss. And since we don't "snap at each other" (LOL) I thought that we could start. Make sense?

Additionally "the gospel" and "gospel music" can't really be definied the same....

[anointedteacher]

Jul 31, 2009 5:54:57 GMT -5 livinganewlife said:

I really want to jump in on this Borders bookstore incident.....as former manager for a musical artist:

It is the artist / author that sets the stipulations and not the venue..the venue has to comply to the request of the artist....In the music industry we send out riders that specify all the requirements the particular artist has...down to bottle water and green only M & M's......

So I venture to say that authors have the same criteria in place....

Also, AT you are trying to prove a point based upon a press release announcing the event; however unless you negotiated the contract or was actually at the event you are arguing a moot point....

I say that from experience because there are alot of things that goes on behind scene that will disappoint the masses if they really knew how these preachers, actors, singers and politicians really acted......

I have experience in help setting up conferences... and the negotiation with contracts... every facility has their rules and limits... The bookstore had to consider the crowd, space, insurance and security, etc. T. D. Jakes has been doing book signing for a while and his ppl know what to expect. I don't see anything wrong with the set up... I think it was smart and save alot of time and work for the employee at the bookstore.. T. D. Jakes most likely have ppl working for him to do all the negotiation and setting up for him, he just show up and expacrthing to be inorder...

MY QUESTION IS: WHAT THE PROBLEM? WHY IS THERE AN ISSUE? I used cap because these question are overlooked.

[kitty]

Uhhhm AT,
T.D Jakes request required WAY MORE WORK than for the other authors that visited that Borders....

WHY?

Becuase the employees of Borders are rquired to "Police" the crowd to make sure that only people with his current book... Not just any book of his but his current book were in line...

At MOST BOOK signing... the author are glad to SIGN ANY BOOK THAT THEY HAVE WRITEN!!!

Most are especially happy if you bring them the FIRST BOOK because if the first one didn't sell then they wouldn't have gone on get a deal to publish any others... TD Jake IS THE FIRST AUTHOR that I have personally run acrossed that was making it a POINT to FORCE people to BUY his CURRENT BOOK...

What about all the people who had all his other books but the last one? They supported him for years... But he doesn't have the common sense to HONOR them with a minute because IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!!

And I don't know about the rest of you but I have amny favorite author but rarely do I have ALL OF THEIR BOOKS...

And lastly AT Why is the Preacher acting more money hungry than authors in the world who were more gracious about their fans... and SIGN ANY BOOK???

Especially when his book is supposed to be based the word?


Kitty

[krazeeboi]

I don't even get the whole book signing thing myself. But that's probably because I'm not star struck.

[anointedteacher]

Jul 31, 2009 17:39:22 GMT -5 krazeeboi said:

I don't even get the whole book signing thing myself. But that's probably because I'm not star struck.

Do you have a book?

I helped Tommy Ford (from Martin, the guy who didn't have a job, but always have money) with his book signing.... There wasn't a crowd... but you had to purchase his books to get it signed. I just collected the money and send them (mostly kids) to him. He wrote three easy to read children books... I was helping out a youth program in Overtown Miami... at a park.. I got by book signed, I should have gotten a free book ... I am not into that signing thing too.... I don't believe in paying full price for books....

[And Such Were Some Of You]

I also don't get the whole book signing but I am not against it. I don't understand this whole back and forth regarding TD Jakes!!! I mean, really?

Unless we read the contract for ourselves, none of us know for sure who did or did not do anything. I say give it a rest. Is it that serious? Also, if we could please watch the personal attacks (as Nikkol has stated) and please address the issue.

I have the book "Reposition Yourself" and wish I could give it back!! It is just a bunch of psycho-babble to me.

But as for the OP, I am with brother giants. We cannot lump all in one basket. Sure there are people who take advantage of the flock but I believe there are MORE out there actually taking care of the community and those in the congregation - we just don't hear about those as much.

[Beulah5]

I have a different view on the book signing episode but then again i will be because i admire Bishop Jakes a lot and have truly been blessed by his ministry.

As far as i can see it is easy to criticize folks however if many of these folks have more than i do and i dont mean in terms of money necessarily but longevity in ministry, consistency in their walk with God and are a blessing in general i eat my humble pie and keep my mouth off them unless they have been involved in sin.

A book signing is a business venture. I have a number of books coming out in december. Some of them are partnerships with the publisher-if i get to go around doing a launch and book signing it will be purely from a business perspective and not from a ministerial point of view-my outreach dept is a different thing altogether.

People have a choice to come or not to come. There is a christian motivational speaker i am dealing with who is also a huge blessing in our nation. When it comes to his speaking business he charges 3000 dollars a day.

If you want him you can have him and if you dont you also have the choice.

If people need encouragement then they shd buy jakes' tapes or go to his church when he is preaching or turn on the television. Better still they could get one from their local church or make some friends who will serve as a source of encouragement.

A book signing does not state that there will be preaching or an outreach the purpose is to promote that particular book and the message so you can garner sales.

In short a book signing is a promotion of your current book and a way of publicizing it so you are there for the book and that only.



I am not blindly siding with anyone but i am also tired of all these 'whiny victims' who perpetually allow themselves to be fleeced.

Yes preachers have a duty before God however we also are responsible for our personal salvation and our finances as stewards of Christ.

If someone comes selling their book for a 100 dollars and says i can get in otherwise then obviously it is my choice if i go take my 100 to buy that book or i could just find a 5 dollar motivational book that will do me just as good.

That is also my opinion on these so called people who sit by and watch their pastors blindly fleece them or the church and then later complain.

I am always sad to hear of someone misuing someone's cash however we also should have our priorities right for instance i will not join a church which does not have a transparent accountability money policy.

I also do not know what i will be personally doing in a church which does not have outreach programs and support overseas missions and local ones.

In other words for me to be a member of any church i must see love in action via finances or at least a willingness towards that not just meetings where pastors wear shiny suits and we do not affect the local community.

We actually can harness our leaders. If we actually started becoming bereans and not taking just anything but asking questions and requesting things they will actually step up in line so we are also directly responsible for the demise of our leaders.

Happy Monday!

[giantsdodie]

Aug 3, 2009 5:50:29 GMT -5 Beulah5 said:

I have a different view on the book signing episode but then again i will be because i admire Bishop Jakes a lot and have truly been blessed by his ministry.

As far as i can see it is easy to criticize folks however if many of these folks have more than i do and i dont mean in terms of money necessarily but longevity in ministry, consistency in their walk with God and are a blessing in general i eat my humble pie and keep my mouth off them unless they have been involved in sin.

A book signing is a business venture. I have a number of books coming out in december. Some of them are partnerships with the publisher-if i get to go around doing a launch and book signing it will be purely from a business perspective and not from a ministerial point of view-my outreach dept is a different thing altogether.

People have a choice to come or not to come. There is a christian motivational speaker i am dealing with who is also a huge blessing in our nation. When it comes to his speaking business he charges 3000 dollars a day.

If you want him you can have him and if you dont you also have the choice.

If people need encouragement then they shd buy jakes' tapes or go to his church when he is preaching or turn on the television. Better still they could get one from their local church or make some friends who will serve as a source of encouragement.

A book signing does not state that there will be preaching or an outreach the purpose is to promote that particular book and the message so you can garner sales.

In short a book signing is a promotion of your current book and a way of publicizing it so you are there for the book and that only.



I am not blindly siding with anyone but i am also tired of all these 'whiny victims' who perpetually allow themselves to be fleeced.

Yes preachers have a duty before God however we also are responsible for our personal salvation and our finances as stewards of Christ.

If someone comes selling their book for a 100 dollars and says i can get in otherwise then obviously it is my choice if i go take my 100 to buy that book or i could just find a 5 dollar motivational book that will do me just as good.

That is also my opinion on these so called people who sit by and watch their pastors blindly fleece them or the church and then later complain.

I am always sad to hear of someone misuing someone's cash however we also should have our priorities right for instance i will not join a church which does not have a transparent accountability money policy.

I also do not know what i will be personally doing in a church which does not have outreach programs and support overseas missions and local ones.

In other words for me to be a member of any church i must see love in action via finances or at least a willingness towards that not just meetings where pastors wear shiny suits and we do not affect the local community.

We actually can harness our leaders. If we actually started becoming bereans and not taking just anything but asking questions and requesting things they will actually step up in line so we are also directly responsible for the demise of our leaders.

Happy Monday!

Thank you for providing some clarity and a well balanced response.

This post had deteriorated and maybe now it can get back on track.