Get ready, because the church is headed to reality TV in Oxygen’s new series Preachers of L.A.
The show, which premieres Wednesday, gives viewers a never-before-seen look into the lives of six high-profile pastors from Los Angeles. From pro skateboarder Pastor Jay Haizlip to Grace Jones’ brother Bishop Noel Jones to Bishop Clarence McClendon, who reaches 250 million homes via international broadcast each week, Preachers of L.A. will explore the human side of these ambitious and very powerful men of faith.
During an interview with theGrio, Bishop Jones responded to those that might find a reality show about pastors to be unsettling.
“There’s absolutely no way to function in any capacity as a religious leader of any kind and not have an understanding of what’s secular and you have to bridge the gap,” Bishop Jones said. “I have to somehow find a way to reach people who aren’t going to walk into my assembly. Does it take the risk of people liking and disliking? Of course, that goes with the territory.”
During a scene in episode 1 of Preachers of L.A. the men of the cloth have an argument while at a gathering at the home of cast member Bishop Ron Gibson. Bishop Jones says he thinks “it’s wonderful” that viewers will get a chance to see preachers outside of the church interacting with each other.
“All pastors don’t keep their tempers. Pastors have conflicts with each other,” Bishop Jones confessed. “Some preachers don’t get along with other preachers. That’s just life. It just shows that all of us have something to overcome. I think it’s wonderful.”
When all is said and done Bishop Jones hopes that Preachers of L.A. brings nonreligious viewers to God.
“I hope this helps to bridge the gap and causes them to feel there is something about this group of men that I could listen, I could here. There’s something they have that I would like to embrace and be a part of.”
Tune into Preachers of L.A. Wednesday at 10/9c on Oxygen.
Watch Bishop Noel Jones discuss ‘down-low’ culture in the black church below:
