Preachers of LA's Bishop McClendon Defends His 'Entourage'
Bishop Clarence McClendon of Full Harvest International Church is clearing up some misconceptions about him that were showcased on the Oxygen docu-series "Preachers of L.A."
McClendon and his co-star on the show, the minister and gospel singer Deitrick Haddon, engaged in a heated debate when the latter accused the Bishop of focusing more on traveling with an unnecessary entourage than preaching the gospel. Although the debate ended with McClendon leaving out of frustration about the heated exchange, he recently explained his point of view on the matter a bit more.
"Jesus didn't have a mega church, but he had 12 disciples. Some people would refer to that as entourage, but these were men who were trained to assist Jesus in his ministry assignment," McClendon told Hip Hollywood recently. "So the people that I have travel with me have a function in my ministry assignment. The thing that I cleared up and wanted cleared up was that the people I travel with, my ministry pays for those people, they are covered by Clarence McClendon Ministries."
After the first episode aired which featured McClendon and Haddon's heated exchange Bishop T.D. Jakes, the senior pastor of The Potter's House mega church in Dallas, Texas, spoke out about it to his congregation.
"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," Jakes told his congregation, according to EEW magazine reports. "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."
McClendon reacted to Jakes' comments, while respecting his fellow preacher's position.
"I have a great deal of respect for Bishop Jakes…he is entitled to his opinion, but but at the end of the day, it's just that, one man's opinion," he told Hip Hollywood.