Pastor Berates “Broke” Congregation for Neglecting To Buy Him a Luxury Watch
Carlton Funderburke, senior pastor at Church of the Well, was captured on video admonishing churchgoers for not “honoring” him with the pricey purchase.
A Missouri pastor is under fire for a series of comments he made during an August 7 sermon, calling his congregation “poor, broke, busted, and disgusted” for failing to purchase a luxury Movado watch for him.
Carlton Funderburke, senior pastor at Church at the Well, was captured on video admonishing churchgoers for not “honoring” him with the pricey purchase. “This is how I know you’re still poor, broke, busted and disgusted, because of how you been honoring me. I’m not worth your McDonald’s money? I’m not worth your Red Lobster money? I ain’t worth your St. John Knits — y’all can’t afford nohow. I ain’t worth y'all Louis Vuitton? I ain’t worth your Prada? I’m not worth your Gucci?” he continued.
Funderburke added that the Movado watch could be purchased from the retail warehouse, Sam’s Club, saying, “And y’all know I asked for one last year. Here it is all the way in August and 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.”
Funderburke posted an apology video to Facebook on Tuesday in response to the video’s virality, calling his remarks “inexcusable.” “Though there is context behind the content of the clip, no context will suffice to explain the hurt and anguish caused by my words. I've spoken to those I am accountable to and have received their correction and instruction,” he said. “I have also privately apologized to our church, who has extended their love and support to me.”