Did Bishop T.D. Jakes Really Need a Caged Lion on Stage During Leadership Sermon? Some Critics Think It Was Too Much

http://www.christianpost.com/news/did-bishop-t-d-jakes-really-need-a-caged-lion-on-stage-during-leadership-sermon-some-critics-think-it-was-too-much-115893/  

Popular megachurch pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes surprised attendees at his International Pastors & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., last Friday when he brought a caged lion to emphasize his point that they are like caged lions waiting to break free.

Many praised Jakes'"creative anointing" on social media for the act, but some felt the lion was an unnecessary prop; dismissing it with terms such as "theatrics,""sideshow" and a "distraction."
While twitter lit up with surprised reactions from attendees Friday, it was Gospel singer Marvin Sapp who set-off a fierce debate over the use of the lion after he shared images and video from the event with his 2 million Facebook followers.
"I bet if that lion got out CHURCH would be OVER!" quipped fan Pamela Turner.

"Can't believe people are still being taken in by these stage theatrics, complete with props. ... Stop being so amazed, you are the ones who paid for this spectacle. ... WAKE UP!" wrote Jamal Johnson.
"Poor animal. ... So unnecessary. ... Church shouldn't be a side show," wrote Denise Lewis Privott.
Another fan, Tony Rivera, felt the charismatic leader should have simply stuck with the Bible.
"With the kind of money he's pulling in he can rent the Bronx Zoo to be there! All we need is a Bible!" said Rivera.

While praising Jakes for his message, critic Sean Russell felt the money that was spent on the lion was a waste of money.

"Great message, but the money that was used to rent the lion could've gone toward something else in my opinion," he said.

Some commenters, like Brenda D. Powell, said Jakes' use of the lion was great for her and she is happy the animal was there.

"I see in this thread as with everything there are critics. This is my question to the critics? Are you doing your part to spread the Gospel to the world? This was great for visual people like myself, I learn best with illustrations," she said.

Janice Houston, another supporter of Jakes' use of the lion in the sermon, dismissed critics as jealous "haters."

"Some are haters by nature. Some are hating they didn't come up with the idea before Bishop Jakes. Oh shut up! Naysayers. Hush yo mouth!" she said.

Pastor Ed Young Uses Live Lion and Lamb in 'Wild' Sermon Series (VIDEO)

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Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, is leading a controversial sermon series called "Wild" which uses live animals, including lions, as part of his presentation.

A video from an observer shows the megachurch pastor preaching at an Easter Sunday open-roof sermon holding a lamb before the congregation, while a lion inside a cage stands next to the stage. The video shows a handler walking around the cage trying to get the animal's attention, and the lion responding by bustling around the small enclosure before the curious onlookers.

Pastor Young's "Wild" sermon series also includes other exotic animals like giraffes and elephants, local television news station WFAA reported. The "Wild" series is part of Fellowship Church's initiative to teach children about animals and their role in God's creation. According to Young, God's use of a lion and a lamb are meant to demonstrate Jesus Christ's role as both animals, as the Bible refers to Jesus as the "lamb of God" as well as the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah."

The Easter sermon presentation, however, has attracted criticism from people wondering about the well-being of the animals, particularly the caged lion, and some who attend Fellowship Church services have suggested that Pastor Young does not need live animals to get his message across.

"I don't feel it's necessary," said Fellowship worshipper Lisa Chatlain. "I think Ed Young has a way of getting his point across without live animals as props, entertainment."

"Thousands and thousands of churches are able to convey the same exact message without using live animals," said Stacy Smith, a member of the Humane Society of Flower Mound, who shot the video used by WFAA in its report. Smith, who attended the Easter Sunday sermon, said handlers appeared to be poking the lion.

Speaking to the news station, however, Pastor Young addressed concerns over his use of live animals, and said that he would never do anything to endanger his congregation or the animals. He also revealed that the 17-year-old lion lives on a 55-acre ranch in California, and has starred in movies.
The pastor said that the "Wild" sermons will continue for the next five weeks.

"I think it's great to expose our kids, to expose our church to that," Young said. "I think for far too long, the church has stifled creativity."

Grapevine authorities shared with the news station that they are investigating to make sure Fellowship Church is treating the animals properly and has the required licenses for such exhibitions.