Pastoral Excesses and Abuse

[Minister T]

Donnie McClurkin Disgusted with Pastoral Excesses and Abusesed
by Bishop Andy er, D. Min. on March 29, 2009 at 1:00am w Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.'s blog

Pastor Donnie Mcclurkin
Perfecting Church, Freeport , New York

This past week, popular preacher, recording artist and pastor, Donnie McClurkin, went on record to declare his deep disappointment with what he sees as pastoral abuses in the body of Christ. His comments has raised a legitimate question about abuse and excesses in the body of Christ and has brought attention to a topic that has largely been ignored in the church community.

In an article appearing in Essence this past week Pastor McCLurkin is quoted as saying:“As pastors, we have to link arms and have bi-partisanships. The [Black] church has always been the face of the community. Now we have to take on the responsibility of becoming true servants to the people from all walks of life. I get so mad when I see these pimpin' preachers driving Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, flying around in their private jets, and making it seem like prosperity and money is the way of God when 90 percent of your congregation is on Section 8 or can't figure out how they are going to keep their lights on or feed their kids. I'm big on perception, and what would it look like for me to live so lavishly if the people in my church are struggling?” says Pastor McClurkin in the article."

In venting his frustration over the behavior of some in the church community, Pastor McCLurkin reveals his own humility and sense of service to God and God’s people, by outlining his own relationship, financial and otherwise, with his church and his refusal to take revenue from a congregation that he has built from the ground up.

“I've done great in gospel music, and only a few of us have
accomplished what I have, and guess what? I live in the ‘hood, not
some place on the outskirts of the ‘hood. There ain't no gate
around my house; I have a white fence because the people I pastor
live in that community. I have one vehicle and it's not a
Mercedes, it's a Lincoln Navigator. I don't receive a dime—not an
Abraham Lincoln copper coin—and haven't for the last
seven-and-a-half years because I'm okay.” he tells Kenya Byrd of
Essence Magazine.

As such, Pastor McCLurkin has become a model and an example for others to emulate. His mentality and actions, that places a greater emphasis on service than profit, can only be admired by all of those who love the Lord and are seeking to do his will to the best of their ability. Pastor McCLurkin makes it clear that he has options, but chooses to live a modest and humble lifestyle because that what God has called him to do.

If I wanted to buy a Phantom or Bentley I could and not hurt my
pockets, but I'm okay with what I have. I can sing and work and I
let all that money go back into the church so we can buy the
delicatessen on the corner, or the house next door to make it
state-of-the-art low-income housing. We've trained our people to
put their leaders on pedestals, and some people want to live
vicariously through their pastor and say, "My pastor has this and
he's on television and so on," but then what do you have? How have
you prospered and grown? So when I hear other pastors say, "My
people take care of me," I'm thinking, But you're supposed to be
taking care of the people. I just don't get it. Pastor McCLurkin
goes on to say..

What is best gleaned from the wisdom and honesty of Pastor McCLurkin is his healthy attitude about the church and who it belongs to. His “ecclesiology”, which is worthy of our consideration, perhaps best represents what Christ had in mind when he gave pastors to the body of Christ in the first place.

I don't have a church, but I do have a church that I pastor. I
can't name something the Donnie McClurkin Temple because the
people do not belong to me and if they did that would mean I have
slaves. I am simply a vessel to deliver God's word. At the end of
the day, it's God's church, not mine. advises Pastor McCLurkin.

[Chad A. White]

Pastor Young i wholeheartedly agree with you. I dont know anyone who makes 35k an hr. for doing anything!!!!! I am not blasting anyone for beign blessed but its not a sign of humilty to only drive a Navigator as opposed to a benz. I applaud Pastor McClurklin for his frugality and choice to live in the hood. But lets not blast those who work hard, minister to thier congregants and are financial blessed.

[John]

Brother White, I'm not getting into a debate because this isn't what this is about but your statement of:

but I am also advocating that it is ok for the pastor to reap the fruit of their labor. Unfortunately everyone does not posses the ability to sing and make the money that Pastor McClurkin makes for concerts.
If a preacher goes to school for years, earns their degrees and/or works and sheds blood sweat and tears they should be compensated accordingly.

This is the very thing I speak of. Preaching is not a business but a blessing from God and to be a servant of God is not to be paid nor look for it. Hopefully these servants are called by God and not call themselves. I find most that call themselves look for pay days. My father-in-law before strickened with a stroke preached and worked a job for 45 years and wasn't a hireling but was joyful in the Lord for being called. What is this compensation to do God's work? That's what Prospertity Preachers think! Compensate me for giving you the Word. And the excuse, provide for me so I can do God's work is another phrase, I dont' fall for. If God can take care of the sparrow He will take care of the servants also! If he can dress the flowers in the meadow, He will dress His Servants also. And those that speak of tithing, it should be to help with the building needs and the needs of those in the congregations that truly need the help, not to pay the servants bills, cars, homes and material needs. God bless.

[Minister T]

I whole heartly agree with you, Elder Williams. I am tired of preachers fleecing the flock with Prosperity Messages. Making it seems that you are not anointed by God unless you have all those golden trinkets. Are we leading people to treat God like an ATM Machine or Santa Clause?

[Minister T]

We still need to deal with the excessess and abuse in the Kingdom of God, no matter who it comes from. Where is it that a preacher must have a jet or two? I love and want preachers to live in nice safe homes but I would rather use the money that may be earmarked for the second jet in world ministry. Excess!!

[Minister T]

Yes, I believe that we should reap the fruit but how much fruit do we need? It is not just making money from singing, a lot of preachers make money from preaching. Then there are the ones who's only message is about money. We have to deal with what they are doing. Some even twist the word of God to twist money from people. A lot of them already have reaped a lot of fruit and they are still trying to get more. Is this not lust?

[Pastor John H. Young, Sr]

It is simply ironic that he would say this, while being paid $35K for a 45 minute concert per night. (How many people in your church make $35K an hour) The money he receives is from poor church folks in other communities. He basically said I am transferring money from one poor neighborhood to another. His car, and anyone elses is a personal choice, which doesn't add up to Greed, only taste.

Im not a hater on those who have worked hard and saved there money, or better yet were good stewards over their finances and credit. Its a shining example of what one can do. If Donnie likes to live in the hood, thats his business, if someone else wants to live in the burbs...its their business.

I chimed in on this because its personal... Donnie cancelled two engagements with our church for gigs that paid more money than he thought his preaching engagement would bring. This is just talk.... Not a walk.

Peace!!!

[Minister T]

I don't believe there is anything wrong with having material blessings, also. But it is the excessess and abuse that I take issue with. When Preachers start to make it the reason that they preach or worse, it becomes their idols. I believe that we do see this happening but a lot of us say nothing. We say nothing, sometimes out of fear of not being in the click. But if we love them, are we not suppose to bring them into correction?

[Chad A. White]

I do agree there is a plethora of abuses and excess in the church. Yet, it is the churches biblcal responsibilty to free the pastor up to do the work of the ministry. I am not suggesting that pastors should pimp their churches but I am also advocating that it is ok for the pastor to reap the fruit of their labor. Unfortunately everyone does not posses the ability to sing and make the money that Pastor McClurkin makes for concerts.
I am a fourth generation preacher/pastor and have seen pastors in my family hve to work two or three jobs to pay their bills as well as other pastors who are extremely wealthy. If a preacher goes to school for years, earns their degrees and/or works and sheds blood sweat and tears they should be compensated accordingly.

[Min. Terry L. Buffaloe]

I am grateful for the transparencey in my church. The only people who don't know what takes place in their church are the ones who don't attend the conference meetings that are held. Christianity is not a spectator activity. If you follow the words of scriptures you will be an active member in so many areas that you will not allow anyone to fleece the flock. You must particate in order that your pastors are accountable for their actions. They cannot be allowed to surround themselves with "yes" men that can be bought off. If they are wicked it will be exposed. Our church issues complete finacial statements every quarter for all who request it, and distribute them to all who are present at the conference meetings.

As the national and local economies continue to crumble the IRS is going to begin to scrutinize churhes and religious organizations because they may be doing things that are taxable, fineable and jailable. Those who have set themselves so high above others in the church are blaspheming God and will be brought low.

There are those too, who stand outside the church and throw bricks claiming this or that is wrong. They use these weak unsubstantiated claims as excuses to avoid christian duty altogether. Many of them study the Bible and twist scriptures to justify their own inactivity and disobedience to the word of God. You too, will be judged according to your action (or lack of).

All in all, it is our responsibility to be part of kingdom building, and not just standing on the sidelines.

[Minister T]

I don't think Pastor McClurkin was talking about tithing. I believe we are all on the same page about that. He is talking about Preachers excessess and abuse. The lust of money has choked the word of God and in some places the sermons focus on the money instead of God. I believe that we need toadmit and confess that is what is happening in some places. REPENT. And move on to do the work of the Kingdom. How many cars do you really need, anyway?