We Need To Discuss Our Approach to Money in the Black Church.

Numbers don’t lie y’all, the Black Church has a money problem…

Recently, a video of Gospel music artist and pastor Marvin Sapp went mega-viral. In the video, Pastor Sapp gave a controversial offering appeal during a well-attended worship service. Many people were taken aback by Sapp’s aggressive tone and direct propositioning during the appeal. Some people defended Sapp’s actions and concluded the hoopla was “much ado about nothing.”

The controversy brought the conflicted emotions many Black people feel at the intersection of church and finance to the forefront. For some, it reinforced the age old stereotype— the financially predatory Black preacher, and the exploitative Black Church. For others, the controversy led to discussions around how precious Black dollars are being spent by Black churches. The controversy and subsequent blowback affords Black pastors, and lovers of the Black Church, an awesome opportunity to think and reflect.

In 2020, Dr. Brianna K. Parker, in partnership with the Barna Group, conducted research regarding the state of the Black Church. A shocking sentiment regarding the Black Church’s approach to money was revealed in the research. Certainly, this sentiment was at the bottom of the backlash Pastor Sapp’s appeal received.

We need to think deeply about our financial practices and the myriad of perceptions they engender.

Catch the full conversation around this here.