In the premiere of “Preachers of Atlanta,” cast members discussed issues including on sex, music and the fast life. According to Pastor Kim aka @realtalkkim, one of the stars of the show, “God turned my mess into a message and my scars into stars.” Kim’s cast mates include hip-hop rapper-turned-Pastor Canton Jones, Pastor Corey Hambrick, Pastor Le’Andria Johnson, Pastor Kimberly Jones-Pothier, and Pastor Judah Swilley.
The series kicked off with a debate on sexuality after it was announced that Pastor Le’Andria Johnson passes out condoms and cigarettes to strangers in an attempt to engage their conversation and lead them to church. Johnson didn’t deny the allegations, and instead suggested the church needed to “catch up.” “Passing out condoms has nothing to do with someone’s salvation,” she said.
Pastor Judah Swilley agreed with Johnson on both accounts and suggested that a gay person could indeed pastor a Christian church. “My dad is a pastor and he’s gay so I definitely believe a gay person can lead,” she said.
In addition to the highly controversial conversations on sexuality and cigarettes, the premiere also touched on hip-hop music and its place in the church. “I believe hip-hop is just as important to the church as the hymns and other forms of praise and worship,” Jones said.
The premiere centered around Jones’ listening session at his studio where he and members of his entourage played gospel messages over street-laced hip hop tracks. The feedback was mixed but it opened a discussion that divides Christians down the line. How can a pastor or church appeal to the world and yet uphold its standard?
Whether a middle ground exists or not, “Preachers of Atlanta” is sure to get people talking. What do you think?
