It is fascinating, though I wish we would stop doing this to ourselves. Churches these days seem to be built around the leader. It makes me wonder what would happen to a mammoth place like The Potters House if, God forbid, something happened to Bishop Jakes. As the leader goes, so do the congregants it seems.
Y'know... I wrote about that.... 
But yeah, today's churches are definitely built around the leader - especially unaffiliated, independent churches, and especially pentecostal-type churches. I think that's part of a much larger problem, and I don't even have the brain capacity right now to unpack that... but it starts with pride and the ego. It trickles into this title problem we have, and it trickles into manipulation, it certainly trickles into the pastor as the central attraction of the church, and it trickles into the enterprise that the church has become.
As for Bishop Jakes, I have a hard time believing that a man as wise as he, doesn't have an effective succession plan. But hey, you never know. Pride is a beast.
Very true.
The pastor is meant to be an undershepherd. Someone who helps us and guides us to walk in righteousness. He delivers the Word, teaches, admonishes.
We have elevated the man of God to demigod status. He must NEVER be questioned. Questioning him is rebellion. His word is law and must be obeyed at all times. There are many, many wonderful blessings that he is authorized to pronounce on us for our unwavering loyalty.
Did I mention obey? ALWAYS obey.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't obey our pastor. It's more a matter of how we see the pastor, and more importantly, how the pastor sees him/herself.
Is there any question as to why he would end up in sin? We've enabled him. He goes and comes unchecked, unquestioned. There is no accountability.
How do we change this culture? That's hard to answer...seeing as the people in authority have a vested interest in continuing this hero worship.
