Pastor Shames Flock As ‘Broke, Busted And Disgusted’ In Plea For Watch

KANSAS CITY, MO — A pastor in Kansas City has apologized for calling his congregants “poor, broke, busted and disgusted” for not “honoring” him with a luxury watch.

The Rev. Carlton Funderburke, who leads the Church at the Well, rebuked the “cheap sons and daughters” in his congregation in a fiery sermon shared in TikTok video by the Kansas City Defender, a nonprofit startup news and culture platform.

Mavado watches are available at the Sam’s Club warehouse store, the pastor pointed out, reminding his flock he’d asked for a luxury watch last year, “and here it is all the way in August and I still ain’t got it.”

“That’s how I know you still poor, broke, busted and disgusted, because of how you been honoring me,” Funderburke told his congregation, according to a video. “I’m not worth your McDonald’s money? I’m not worth your Red Lobster money? I ain’t worth your St. John Knit — y’all can’t afford it nohow. I ain’t worth y’all Louis Vuitton? I ain’t worth your Prada? I’m not worth your Gucci?”

The Defender is an innovative journalism site geared toward young audiences that strives to cover underserved communities in Kansas City, where The Kansas City Star in 2020 apologized for its past racist coverage, and throughout the Midwest. It is unapologetic about its abolitionist, advocacy approach, according to a story by Harvard University-based Nieman Journalism Lab, which explores the future of journalism.

With the post, The Defender wrote, “It’s pastors like these that give the church a bad name,” as well as “why a lot of our generation left the church.

“What y’all think?”

Not much, according to the feedback.

The Defender made a point of saying in the comments that Church of the Well, which describes itself as a “charismatic, non-denominational church,” and its pastor aren’t representative of all Black churches and leaders.

They “do a lot of good in the community,” the site said.

However, salvo after salvo called out, put down and set Funderburke straight.

Sarcasm dripped.

“Say what [you] want about him,” one person wrote, “people like him are the bravest people on the planet, saying that in God’s name with no fear of being struck down.”

“So isn’t that the pot calling the kettle broke because he’s obviously broke, busted and disgusted if he [hasn’t] purchased his own watch yet.”

Others who saw the video noted glaring omissions.

Funderburke was “preaching his feelings,” not scripture, one person commented.

“He never mentioned Jesus! That should say a lot! He just kept talking about himself and what wasn’t done for him!”

“That would have been my last day in church,” someone else noted — a sentiment shared multiple times in the comment thread.

“Does anyone know which part of the gospel mentions Movado watches at Sam’s Club? Asking for a friend.”

“Mind games with old folks that look forward to church every Sunday.”

“Manipulation at its finest.”

“As a pastor, I’ve got to say this. It’s the Lord's command to tithe, but it’s not the churches job to buy the pastor anything!”

Another person pointed out, “My pastor never preaches about money and STUFF. We just have an offering basket at the back door on your way out if you choose. Between you and God!”

Funderburke apologized, saying in a Facebook video that the Aug. 7 sermon “does not reflect my heart or my sentiments toward God’s people.”

“Therefore, I offer this sincere apology to … all who have been hurt, angered or in any way damaged by my words. The zeal of any presentation must be tempered with love and respect, and that was not displayed.”

He apologized for the collateral damage to other preachers and pastors who had to “stand up under the controversy” stirred up by his sermon.He has apologized to his congregation, and they support him, he said.

“To those who know and love me, thank you for your support,” Funderburke said. “To those who now know me because of this video clip, I regret that your first impression of me is one of anger, hate and resentment. My actions and my words are inexcusable. I offer no justification or defense.”