Women have contributed so much to the ministry of the church throughout history. However, their role in this area has never been free from manipulation, controversy, mental, physical or sexual abuse. Today, in 2019, many church bodies are still debating the place of women in their ministries. Crucial to these discussions for many of us are the matters of faithful biblical interpretation, illegitimate authority and male patriarchy.
Abuse by male church leaders is a topic most of would rather avoid. However, for those who have experienced abuse in this way, the effects can be devastating. What’s more, abuse is often misunderstood, misnamed or completely hidden. Often, those who have been victims are blamed, rather than their perpetrators. This is exactly what was perpetrated in the media immediately following an invasion of privacy towards Dr. Juanita Bynum. On July 21, world-renown Dr. Prophetess Juanita Bynum was expected to preach at the 2019 Breaking the Rules Conference hosted by Pastor John Moore of Experience Church located in Chesapeake, Virginia. Pastor Moore released derogatory statements concerning the work ethic and likeability of Dr. Bynum. After much consideration and guidance, Prophetess Bynum, who has served in ministry 47 years, released a statement concerning the incident.
Upon the arrival of Prophetess, several small incidents that were a breach of contract occurred. Dr. Bynum respectfully addressed those incidents and proceeded to prepare for the speaking engagement. Business as usual, her trusted staff prepared her room before her entry. The preparation of her room entails a certain amount of cleaning and the readiness of her clothing and garments. Before entering the room, she was advised by her staff that someone was given a key to her room and had entered without her knowledge and without the approval of her staff. That person was none other than the married pastor- John Moore. Pastor Moore gained access to Dr. Bynum’s room through the front desk clerk of the Hilton Hotel. Without warning, he entered her hotel room and had access to not only her personal garments and clothing but all her belongings. The hotel clerk advised the staff of Dr. Bynum that Pastor Moore had “the right” to enter her room at any time he pleased because he paid for it. Pastor John Moore did not mention any of this in his statement concerning Dr. Bynum being “high maintenance and hard to work with.”
Last night, Dr. Bynum tearfully and with a broken heart released the following statement: “…I can tolerate a lot. It’s like, I am standing up there preaching knowing you know what I have on underneath my dress. Where I come from and the way I was raised, that’s just too much. That’s just too personal.” When Pastor John Moore was respectfully asked why he would enter her room without her knowledge or their approval, he stated “I just wanted to leave something in her room.” After inspection of the room by Dr. Bynum and her staff, nothing was left in her room. After self-reflection of what she has taken in ministry as a woman, Prophetess Bynum began to weep. “I am not one to get on Facebook and rebuttal anything that anyone has to say about me because in my own mind, I have survived CNN, NBC, ABC, BET, Edition Live- every magazine and newspaper. I am the girl for the job. I am the woman for the job. I can take it. I really can but that just felt like a personal violation.”
Dr. Juanita Bynum is an African American gospel singer, author, and pastor. She was born on born January 16, 1959 and preached her first sermon at 12 years old. She preached her first revival at 16 years old. In 2007, The New York Times described her as "the most prominent black female television evangelist in the country". She is also the author of several books. However,if you ask several women in ministry what was the most influential sermon that changed the trajectory of their lives in ministry, you are bound to hear No More Sheets preached by Prophetess Bynum in 1998 to 17,000 people (the majority women) and brought the crowd to their feet with praise and deliverance. Dr. Bynum, a fashionista in her own right, continues to be a stellar voice in kingdom and a spokesman for billions of women all over the world. Dr. Bynum can be found on all social media outlets and is the president of Juanita Bynum Ministries and CEO of Juanita Bynum Enterprises, with headquarters in New York City. With accomplishments including being a New York Times Best Selling Author, Platinum Recording Artist, Awarded Actress and Television Host, as well as a record-breaking Conference Host, Dr. Juanita Bynum has turned her humble beginnings into an inspirational and philanthropic empire – educating, equipping and empowering people from all walks of life.
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