A Missouri pastor is receiving heat online after he condemned his congregation for not buying him a luxury gift, The Washington Post reports. Rev. Carlton Funderburke went in on churchgoers, calling them “poor, broke, busted” for not emptying out their pockets in the name of Jesus. A clip of the incident posted on TikTok by The Kansas City Defender went viral, racking up more than 570,000 views in just five days.
“That’s how I know you still poor, broke, busted and disgusted, because of how you been honoring me,” Funderburke told the congregation in the clip. “I’m not worth your McDonald’s money? I’m not worth your Red Lobster money? I ain’t worth your St. John Knit — y’all can’t afford it nohow. I ain’t worth y’all Louis Vuitton? I ain’t worth your Prada? I’m not worth your Gucci?”
@kansascitydefender Kansas City Pastor GOES OFF on congregation calling them “poor, broke busted and disgusted” because they didn’t give him enough money to buy a new watch he’s been wanting. It’s pastors like these that give the church a bad name smh an also why a lot of our generation left the church. What y’all think? 🤔
During the sermon, Funderburke reminded churchgoers that he asked for a Movado watch, telling them the item could be purchased from Sam’s.
“And y’all know I asked for one last year. Here it is the whole way in August — I still ain’t got it. Y’all ain’t said nothing. Let me kick down the door and talk to my cheap sons and daughters,” he said in the clip.
Funderburke received backlash online after viewers were horrified by his comments.
“‘I’m not worth your McDonald’s money?’ me in the back: hell nah,” a TikTok viewer commented.
“Is Carlton Funderburke a real pastor or are y’all yankin my chain? Watching him like watching a skit,” another viewer tweeted.
Is Carlton Funderburke a real pastor or are y’all yankin my chain? Watching him like watching a skit 💀
— ✨ lil Brat Brat ✨ (@habesha_belay) August 17, 2022
One Twitter user pointed out that Funderburke’s actions highlight a major problem in Black churches.
“I’m glad I stopped going to church was I was 13. Way too many pastors have the black communities mind on lock like Pastor Carlton Funderburke. Just taking low income to middle class black peoples money,” they wrote.
I'm glad I stopped going to church was I was 13.
Way too many pastors have the black communities mind on lock like Pastor Carlton Funderburke.
Just taking low income to middle class black peoples money.
— I'm the Mask Wearing Cyclist. (@blackreignfire) August 18, 2022
Amid the backlash, the pastor changed his tune. The Church at the Well shared a video of him apologizing for his “inexcusable” remarks, and noted that “the video clip does not reflect my heart or my sentiments toward God’s people.” He explained that his remarks were not inspired by greed or selfishness, but rather to urge his congregation to choose a path to righteousness.
“I’m saying it because I want you to understand just what God is saying,” Funderburke said.
Funderburke also mentioned that he apologized to his congregation privately, and feels “privileged” to have their full support.
