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 have 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’s 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 have 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 too. 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.

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

www.wpjc.fm

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You can read the complete article by clicking on this link:

http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/do...
Wow Anthony Watson, you're naming names, eh? :-)

I stopped watching Creflo years ago when he went off on this prosperity message to a fault. It got so bad that I have forgotten why I originally watched him in the first place.

I 'think' he originally started off speaking spiritual, edifying messages. Didn't he? Did he? lol

Wow, he's now just waaaaaaaay obviously, out there for the money, amen?
Donnie McClurkin is a man of God that is a true testimony of a Pastor and what it entails. No one is saying Pastors should live in poverty, but those such as Jakes, Dollar, Long and many, many others do a huge disservice to the people and rob them.

Everything these preachers have is for sale, or requires some type of payment. I thought the gospel was free. They have spun around books, tapes, cd's and conferences galore. All to take your money.
You said: It cost money to fund the kingdom of God and it cost money to put on workshop and conferences to feed the body. It is not that they are selling their gifts; they are funding the ministry.

Most of the conferences we see going forth are not of God and are feeding no one. I see them collecting millions from these events but people are still walking away bound and full of sin.
Tithes is old testament law. In the new testament, everything was laid at the Apostles feet and re-distributed to everyone as they needed it. It wasn't just to fund the ministry as it is today. It was for the people as well. Pastors today are so greedy and would not think of sharing the offerings collected from it's members with those who have needs. They keep it for themselves as the members suffer in poverty with lights being shut off and tables being empty.
Well said. It is sad to see churches that boast all types of church activities they call "ministry" when you go to a leadership conference and see that home missions is the smallest portion of the budget and a small fraction of the pastor's salary.
and thats true too
Praise The Lord! Well said woman of GOD. This shows us that most of the churches today is NOT actually in the will of GOD after all, JESUS placed more emphasis on giving alms to the poor(Matt. 6:1-4: Luke 11: 41, 12: 33). Let's continue to lift each other up in prayer. Be blessed in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is blessed forever. Amen.
LOL Amen sister. And where in the word of God is there a mention of conference, workshop, banquet for the pastor, anniversaries, and all these other ministry offerings. Lord help us. And I am sick of pastors, minister etals saying we are not perfect. Where in the word of God does it say that? All I have read is that we are suppose to be perfect. In Genesis Noah, was perfect, Genesis Abraham was perfect, which we got the promise through and Rev. say because we are not perfect we will not see the kingdom of God. Why in the world do we use God's word on one hand and on the other we use what the world say? Christians have become so worldly they don't even know what God say or if the world say it. If we do what the Word of God say it will be so easy, because He say it is, but the world say it is hard, difficult or impossible, but God word say it is possible...that ALL things are possible for those who believe and OBEY. WHAT DOES THE WORD OF GOD SAY...not what we think, feel or hear. Lord have mercy on us. But when He comes He say only a few will enter in, that is because we say we live unto the Lord, but the word of God say we are liars, because we do contrary to the Word of God.

In Love, Sister Denise.
Jesus did not command that we "Go and put on workshops and conferences." That is not the call of the church or a pastor. That is the calling of an event planner. It does not take one conference for Jesus to transform a life and we need to stop telling that lie to broken people. Neither did God say we had to "fund" His kingdom--He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. If He did need funding, who could underwrite God?! He just said: 'feed the hungry and clothe the poor, while you're at it tell them there's good news.' My favorite quote in the Bible is Mary (mother of Jesus) at the wedding at Cana "Whatever He says, just do it." The money spent running to these conferences to have a 'spiritual experience' is money taken away from what Christ has charged the church with. We (Body of Christ) also have to let go of consumerism gospel, paying to "get our praise on." The Apostle Paul made tents while he journeyed on a mission and if it was good enough for Paul ... The tithe is storehouse for the furtherance the gospel not the preacher's kitty. If the preacher is not more than happy with making equal to or less than the median income of those he is serving; if he is considers it right for others to serve him, he can't lead me across the street. The Holy Spirit is not moving on the hearts of true tithers (givers) in some churches because He is disgusted with what leadership is doing with His money. "Tithing" (so to speak) to international missions when the home church is abusing it is becoming more and more common for the giver. When I sponsor a reputable missionary, I know the return on my investment is eternal and dividends are waiting in a city not built by man's hands. It won't rust on a preacher's car--not my money. It is my privilege to hold a job so I and get a payday to pitch in on a food bank in the hood or a well dug in the Sudan where the Water or Life is flowing at no charge. No flyers, CDs or DVDs etc. There is nothing true that is preached at one of these profiteering conferences that can't be preached for free in Sunday school or the pulpit. Lusanne International Conference on World Evangelism is a true event impacting the world for Christ and no one gets paid more than meager daily living expenses as servants. I was led to leave a high profile, big budget church where I was very active in ministry (and conferences) for a small church in the 'hood that just preaches Jesus week in and week out and watches His transforming work....so much peace now.
Kim your comments are well stated
sister all due respect, the issue is not that Black ppl always want something for free, but they certainly shouldnt be worried about how to pay their bills because their pastors are demanding a tithe. The bible says in business be men, that is be mature. In other words handle your business, and that would be rent, lights, gas, water, provision for your family, etc. FIRST. Do the word in your household first. But, because of wrong teaching and therefore a lack of knowledge, people actually believe God would have them to give to the church and leave their family without lights or food. Now tell me is that the result of a sound mind, the mind of Christ? The bottom line is that this generation of preachers represents gross error.

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