So, let me get this straight. Marvin Sapp says the reason people supported and purchased a million copies of Jay Z’s album (in 6 days) is because they/we, Christians or people in general, are quicker to forgive them of their issues before those of gospel singers. I disagree. Lakisha’s opinion says, the reason folk are not quick to support gospel artists is the same reason a lot of youth and young adults don’t support church … there is no transparency. We, preachers, pastors, intercessors, prophets, bishops, apostles and etc. stand as if there is no hell going on in our life or like we don’t want a beer or glass of wine sometimes. Too many times, those in ministry and leadership put on a front like all is well when most of them is a cry away from suicide. Some of us (I’m a member of ministry too) preach that the only way a woman can stand in the pulpit is with a shirt button up to her chin, sleeves pass her wrists, skirt down to her ankles with stockings and kitten heels. Or that a man has to dress in a suit and tie otherwise he won’t be taken serious. Well, what about reaching those whose only form of clothes, for the moment, is cutoff jeans and a t-shirt.? How do you reach the young lady who don’t know how to properly dress for service? How do you reach a young man who doesn’t own nor know how to tie a tie? 
Where is the transparency in ministry? When will you drop the act and let folk know you’re just as damaged as they are? Yes, Jay Z sold millions of albums but he owned his truth? What’s yours? When I accepted my calling to ministry, I toiled months with the assignment because I was fearful of how folk would look at and accept me. I mean, here I am 5’5 with curves who likes to rock a pair of 5 or 6 inch heels with no stockings, jeans occasionally with holes in them and a dress that hits right at my knees. I raise my arm that has tattoos. I pray with the same mouth I sometimes curse with. I like to have a margarita every once in a while. My attitude is sometimes jacked up and there are times I don’t feel like being holy but this is my truth. I don’t stand in the pulpit nor do I carry myself in ministry with an act like I got it all together, I don’t. No, I am not saying you have to spill the entire truth of your life but don’t act like me wanting a glass of wine is sinful when you have one too, yours is just in secret. You can’t preach deliverance from bondage when it is the very thing that has you bound. Faith works with facts and Grace works within weakness. Be willing to change and don’t be afraid to testify of what you’ve overcome. Your weakness could be the very thing to save somebody else.
Lakisha, the Author 
Wow Keish! I was just talking about this to a friend last week! You are on it. I was speaking to her about the youth and how they really want to talk to somebody but that somebody is always telling them they shouldn’t do this or they shouldn’t do that. They forgot where they came from and it hurts me when I find her are you are you are too afraid to talk to so call season Christians. Thanks for the confirmation.
Absolutely! I believe in meeting people at their level of need and sometimes that starts with saying, “I’m not perfect.”