Donnie McClurkin Disgusted with Pastoral Excesses
Gospel | Apr 01, 2009 | Comments 42
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 Donnie McClurkin in the article.”
In venting his frustration over the behavior of some in the church community, Pastor Donnie 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 Donnie 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.says McClurkin.
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.
Source: Gospel Today Magazine
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Donnie McClurkin raises a solid, yet saddening point about pastoralism. These pastors have taken the role of being servants in their community, yet it’s awful to see those that are almost glorifying themselves to the point that they are bigger than Jesus himself. I’m glad he’s speaking out on this issue.
-Charley
He calls it like it is. The problem is that money talks, and a lot of these pastors are seeing the money in Jesus, more than Jesus himself. I understand they need to survive, but they need to remember their love of God too.
Thanks to Pastor Donnie for speaking the truth. Every person will have to stand face to face and toe to toe to answer to Jesus for their ‘work’ or actions in this life. Even the prosperity pimps–let us all be assured that he will not ask us how much stuff we acquired or how many souls we impacted for kingdom purpose because he knows the answer. God is not against us having stuff he is against stuff having us! As a balance to our modern day form of idolatry(that’s what this is the church and many leaders have become our golden calfs) I have released a broadcast called “Who’s Pimpin Who”. Yes, the leaders are pimpin the people but the people are pimin the leaders also–OH the games people play. Listen Church, you have a brain–a GOD brain, read your bible, pray to Jesus and he will infuse you with power to overcome. Yes, I got gove’t aid, yes, I was supposed to be a statistic, yes I ain’t always been saved, yes I had to go through deliverance –YES, YES and YES! Follow leaders that follow Christ and having stuff is not the ‘sign’ of following Christ.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY PASTOR McCLURKIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BOLDNESS IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. I’M GOING TO DO MY PART BY FORWARDING THIS ARTICLE TO MY RELIGIOUS FRIENDS IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL OPEN THEIR EYES AND REALIZE THAT “JESUS” AND “JESUS” ALONE IS THE ANSWER….NOT MANKIND OR ANY REPRESENTATIVES OF MANKIND INCLUDING PREACHERS, BISHOPS, SOOTHSAYERS, PROPHETS, APOSTLES, OR ANY FACMILE THEREOF.
CLAP!! CLAP!!! CLAP!!1 Proud of U Pastor Donnie McClurkin
U’ve taken a bold stance!!!!!!!!!!! Lets pray the body of
christ take heed. Especially the leaders b/c some of them
think they R god!!!!!!!!!
I applaud Pastor McClurkin’s stance on excesses behind the pulpit, however I can’t help but consider his comments a bit self-serving and somewhat hypocritical. Pastor McClurkin doesn’t have to take a salary from the church because he’s a successful recording artist. When you are already “well off” and don’t need the money, then forgive me if I don’t see the incredible humilty in not taking any money from the church. In the words of my dear mom, “whoopty doo”.
That’s the self-serving part. Let’s talk about the hypocritical part. I’ve seen Pastor McClurkin perform as a recording artist, on programs on TBN and others that support the excessive lifestyle of the very church leaders that he is being critical of. I didn’t see him speaking out against this then. I’m sure he has sung at some of these very churches, and I’m also quite sure that HE received HIS fee! Interesting. Why not refuse the money? Don’t take money from the very churches of the pastors you are now attacking.
Just my .02.
Well, to comment on the article and Dame’s perspective at the same time without being judgment but perceptive, I’d have to say that Pastor McClurkin shouldn’t be judged on his past. As a matter of fact he shouldn’t be judged at all. Dame, I beg you to hold him to this standard AFTER what he’s stated, because then it would be true hypocrisy if he went on TBN or accepted offerings in his favor.
We still don’t pass judgment on the fact that at one point he was a homosexual do we? I think what is one’s past should not be brought up to be relevant in a current matter if they are striving to live differently from it.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of pastors around the world, especially those that preach the prosperity message, feel about his statements. I personally agree with what he is saying and feel that the leader of a congregation should be the example that the rest should follow. He has a job outside of his duties and responsibility as pastor, and I think that other pastors should as well without having to rely on the church for their salary. Like I said before, they are a living example since they have been bestowed with the responsibility to be the vessel of God for others to follow. If they don’t expect their congregation to have someone pay for their lifestyle, they shouldn’t exhibit that type of behavior before the eyes of their congregation.
May God bless them in sorting this out, and Donny McClurkin for bringing up this most important issue…
Hernan, I appreciate your insight on the manner, and your comments are well-taken. However, I have a couple of additional points to make, in light of your post.
You mentioned that we should not hold Pastor McClurkin’s past against him, and I agree, but he brings up his OWN past in this matter, by stating that he hasn’t taken money from the church in 7.5 years. He himself is comparing his past actions to those of the other pastors. The only point I make is to assert that one should be consistent and tell the WHOLE story, not just the part that makes YOU look good in comparison to these pastors. Or give any money back that you earned performing in ANY of the churches of these “flamboyant” pastors. The whole thing still sounds hypocritical to me.
You mentioned that we shouldn’t judge, which is also true, but is that NOT what Pastor McClurkin is doing here??? Although I realize and agree that what some call judging, others call pointing out fault. We can judge actions without placing the person under judgement. In my original post, I did not judge Pastor McClurkin, however I did point out his actions that appeared hypocritical.
When you criticize, you open YOURSELF up to criticism. So be ready for it. And if you are going to call out other “pastors” then be specific, and don’t hide behind generalizations.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely share his sentiments (although my personal opinions on the matter go quite a bit deeper than Pastor McClurkin’s assertions). But let’s not be “Holier Than Thou”. He has some level of culpability here, and he should point that out.
Dame
the truth is the truth and the truth hurts. we should not take from the church, but give service to it.read 1 peter chapter 5. pastor are not to be greedy for money.
Amen Amen Amen! Pastor Mcklurkin.
What can I say that has already been said, except “they allure through the lust of the flesh”; “they lead captive silly women”; “many shall follow their pernicious (hellbound) ways;
“they are greedy dog, yea dumb dogs”; “who serve their own bellys”; “they prophesied,but not by me(God Said), they ran, but I did not send them” “they prophecy lies in my name (say the Lord)” “whose judgement now of along time lingereth not and their damnation slumbereth not.”
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when it;s all said & done the truth is the truth,& he’s telling the truth,no matter where he’s been or what he’s done,the truth is the truth,but you know what?they still is going to follow them because they have their blinder’s on & don’t have baycist common sence,read your bible for your self ask God for guideance he will give it to u,all u have to do is ask.
I agree 100%, if you are called by God to bring is word u should not receive a salary from the church. I had a pastor that refused is salary and work fulltime as a school teacher, we respected an appreciated him for that, church have become a business and in some aspects corporation (how have we set ourselves apart from the world. Pastor Mcklurkin, thank u for raising this point. I live in the hood and there is a huge church in the community.The pastor drives a phantom, and still begging for money from the congregation, and you cannot speak to him without an appointment and he is not willing to help you until he can verify if you tithe or not.
How do I get an email to Pastor McClurkin?
Wow..how profound pastor Donnie!!! you hit the nail right on the head. I wish that christians and pastors all over the world could read this. This happens everywhere. It’s getting really bad here in Nigeria. But there are still a few good men with a heart for the people ..like you. I think more of us should speak up! God bless you!
Well said, and thank you.
I agree with pastor Donnie hundred percent,pastor’s should be in the restoration business of people building,dream restorers,and give hope, to the hopeless,and over all, build are deprived communities throughout the Unites States.This is done by investing in various positive programs for unwed mothers, job training skills ,higher education support,and wealth building,and enconomical joint efforts through the church.Taking all the money, spending it on lavish self indulgent material things is Satan’s way,not Christ’s way.Gaining remarkable riches, by taking from poor people who barely have a roof over their head is first rate pimpin.The bible states,”What will a man profit if he gains the riches of the world and lose his soul.
Its always great to hear from Pastor Donnie
I like this article
Donnie McClurkin saying that now keep watching and lets see how this will pan out. If he’s dating Sherri Sheppard from the view, not that’s a mix, but let’s see if he stays that way. So Donnie it’s ok for rappers, athletes and movie stars to have wealth but not pastors. Come on, if you choose to live that way go ahead. You say you could buy a Bentley what you saving it for? all the kids you have or will have by these different women you’re messing around around with and won’t marry. I thought you were marrying in 2009, but I guess you don’t think there’s no one good enough for you so you decided to settle for Sherri Sheppard. You’re in for a big awakening fooling with her. Your standards will change soon as she gets what she wants from you and want the luxurie things in life, what you going to do then.
Stop hating on prosperous pastors. God will take care of them if they’re not doing what they should. These are your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Is it worse for them to get wealth than for you to practice sex with men and have children out of wedlock? They fall down and get up like you do so stop bashing the success and wealth of pastors.
It’s a individual affair and God will take care of it. You need to pray about it along with your relationships and you want keep falling into the situations you find yourself in so you won’t have to keep falling and getting up, you can stay up.
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What an interesting point of view on this topic. I am happy you shared your thoughts and ideas and I find myself agreeing. I enjoy your clear writing style and the effort you have spent on this article. Many thanks for the good work and good luck with your blog, I greatly look forward to future updates.
[...] Donnie McClurkin Disgusted with Pastoral Excesses [...]
The bible talks about rightous judging.The bible says we are to pray one for another.the bible also saysPsalm 51-6 that God desires truth in the inward part.That means we need to be honest with GOD about what is on the inside of each of us.That means we all need to Repent daily. So that God can impart HIS WISDOM.GOD is showing the nation that there is no compassion one for another.Remember the prays of the rightous avail much.GOD BLess Thelight
Pastor Donnie Is studying the Word of God.God has him studying the book of 1Peter if you know the book then you will know that God is reproofing Pastors.It takes a lot for you to get on the pulpit wekly before millions and become transparent.But it is GODS doing.It should encourage all of us to allow GOD to do the same in us.Stop Judging Pastor Donnie out of your flesh.Remember You will be judged by GOD for every idle word.When God gives a Pastor a Word from above it is for the whole body.The bible says that we who preach the Gospel are suppose to live off of the gospel.REmember that GOD rewards us for our obedience to him.We should be praising GOd for Donnie”s breakthroughs.Were would we be if Jesus kept on bringing back our past?Jesus throws our sins into the sea of forgetfulness and remembers them no more.SO WHY ARE WE.MY prayer for You pastor is to keep looking up toJesus and draw nigh to HIM.Psalm 3 God bless thelight
Giving credit where credit is due
I praise God for the integrity, boldness, Godly character, unfinished journey, testimoney and beautiful life altering lyrics of inspiration, I and many others around the world have been blessed to recognised in Donnie.
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul to vanity.
Donnie is unlike many Ministers delivering the unchangable Word of God. Donnie is and has remained a dearly appreciated an extremely remarkable humble servant of God my favourite male vocalst, whose not become materialist, self gratifying vain, puffed up by his God given success.
God has to truely have us experience something to be able to help and appreciate the plight of others.
I myself have yielded to God and the my former elders/shepherd and only to face avoidance techniques, fincially abused, busted and disgusted, rejection because of my past. Praise God for His loving kindness, Holy Spirit and Ministering Angels. I have moved on to a God fearing, loving, caring pastures new, where all are welcome, despite of your past, materialistic status or who knows who ‘in the gospel business’.
Keepng it real and being true to myself before the sight of God, all that Donnie expressed had previously totally turned off and away from only experience I had in the Pentecostal Movement of manipulative lust and gain, till this month.
I am extremely proud and thankfull to how God is using DONNIE around the world , may His Light and Unconditional Love continue to shine in and through you, as you ‘Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus’. Praising Him who started a great works within you, shall be faithfull to complete it, in Jesus name, Amen
It was time someone was bold enough to say something. Pastor Donnie McClurkin calls it exactly as it is today. Without naming names, you know exactly who these “Preachers” are — these wolves in sheep’s clothing. Blessings of the Lord be upon Pastor McClurkin’s ministries. What a humble human-being!
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Ok. Dame so he is a recording artist and maybe he does not have to take a salary. Have you been to his church and have you seen what he is doing for his community, probably not.
I agree with him fully. I attend a church that does not pay the Pastor, the church is 15 year old and the Pastor refuses to take anything from the church. He works to full time.
Pastor Donnie works full time in his music ministry so that is his pay and how do we know that he accepts a salary for every engagement that he attends ?
Maybe he has sung for some of these “pimpin pastors” so what that was then lets see what the future hold, maybe he has heard from God on that and so now he is speaking out.
Pastor Donnie wasn’t judging; he boldly expressed the burden that the Spirit of the Lord laid on his heart. I say Amen Pastor!!!
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It is all relative….because what he considers excess..others consider normal. I haven’t seen him standing on the corner holding a sign….”will work for food”. I am more than certain he is taken care of very well in his church, and with his business ventures. I personally feel he needs to stop talking about what other pastors or doing, because it causes a deeper division in the body. For example…. The little white church on the corner may have a pastor who drives a caddilac as many of them do, wear fine suits…live in moderate homes, and maybe own several pairs of croccadile shoes caring a few hundred dollars in his money clip…lol. People judge them as excessive too…so again…it is all relative. The Church is under enough persecution from anti-Christians…why do we continue to fight over trivial issues. When I read the history of Moses, Abraham, David, Solomon….they lived with greater wealth than any of our modern day pastors/presidents/kings can even fathom…only because the Lord chose to bless them…and my bible says…God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And further more…presidents of major banks recieved a bailout on our tax payer dollars…they live in high rises, fly in corporate jets, wear the best, drive the best….and never missed a beat during this recession. Our senators, governors, congressman, etc….live the best lives on our backs. If Pastor Donnie really wants to talk he should talk about that. Besides, many of these pastors he is talking about have their own businesses and work harder than most…pastoring is afterall a 24/7 job…with no vacations, or days off. And regarding his comment regarding “members taking care of” him….of course he does not require love offerings or a salary from his members…because the last I heard he was a very successful national recording artist prior to becoming a pastor…which I am sure he has royalties and can go minister anywhere anytime to take care of his own personal “excesses”. It is time to grow up….seriously.
Robin you must be one of those pastors abusing church funds while congregation suffers. What Donnie says makes a lot of sense period. A lot of pastors are in this to enrich themselves not for God, their lives riddled with controversy. This is why catholoc churches initially stressed on sisters etc not benefiting materially from the church but being in it to serve, (though that in now being abused as well.. sad).. People have lost focus of what serving God is all about…
thank you very my Pastor i pray to God that he will keep you every day God Bless you. love alway Pastor Dannie
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