“A Minister’s Public Lesson Domestic Violence”

On the front page of the of the New York Times, distributed Thursday, September 20, 2007, writer Shaila Dewan wrote about the black female televangelist, Juanita Bynum, who accused her husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks III, of assaulting her in a hotel parking lot. Ironically, Reverend Bynum is famous for her frank messages on abstaining from sex outside of marriage and the importance of lifelong commitment in marriage. Why then is she now getting a divorce?

Although Bynum blames her husband, the article made me question the integrity of Reverend Bynum. Her most famous sermon, “No More Sheets”, encourages lonely, single women to stop promiscuity outside of marriage. The focus, however, is in the hope of a prosperous reward - a stable, happy marriage – in return for their struggles in singleness. Dewan quotes Rev. Davis, a pastor in Chicago, about Bynum’s audience who are “interested in self growth, how good they can be and how God loves them.” Bynum’s messages have the same problem as the recent prosperity gospel: the focus is on self, not on God.

Women were even more encouraged when Bynum held her “lavish new York ceremony in 2003 – with a 7.76 carat-diamond, an orchestra and 1,000 guests – shown on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.” It seemed obvious that God had rewarded her with a successful love life and lucrative career. Her husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks III, was a famous Pentecostal preacher who started the Global Destiny Church. In fact, the couple published several books on marriage and held relationship seminars after their marriage. True love, then, was apparently short-lived now that Bynum demands a divorce after five years of marriage. The scandal of their union really ruins their credibility as church leaders.

When I visited JuanitaBynum.com, I found a video that overtly emphasized the woman’s accomplishments and successes. With dramatic music trumpeting in the background, a theatrical announcer praised Bynum as “the prophetess to the nations whose very presence invokes intangible remounting that fills stadiums and changes lives.” Her roles include best-selling author, recording artist with a gospel album that went gold, and successful CEO of several companies including Juanita Bynum Enterprises and Juanita Bynum Entertainment. Coming soon, she will have her own talk show, reality show, magazine, country spa, and her own candle, tea, and makeup lines. No where did it mention God’s faithfulness or doing unless it was through her powerful prophesying and entrepreneurial achievements.

I was more inclined to side with Bishop Weeks after watching his press conference held on September 14, 2007 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=j-I02V58TKs). He claimed that he didn’t assault his wife and still believed in the sanctity of marriage. Weeks also claimed that his wife left the church family and demanded that her products stop being sold there. She also demanded that her name was also not to be mentioned by any church leaders, not even in prayer. Whether or not his claims are verified, Rev. Bynum needs to humbly refocus her ministry and life on Christ, just as all Christians need to.