Fleecing the Flock - An Evangeilcal Pastor Shouts Abuse at His Followers For Not Buying Him a Luxury Watch

Carlton Funderburke, Senior Pastor and co-founder,
Church of the Well, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

US pastor calls congregation ‘cheap’ for not buying him a luxury watch | Missouri | The Guardian

Self-styled 'prophet', Pastor Carlton Funderburke of the non-denominational Church of the Well in Kansas City, Missouri, thought he had hit upon a new method of extracting wealth from his followers - demand they give him expensive gifts, then shouts abuse at them to try to make them feel guilt and shame for not obeying him.

Having asked his dupes er… congregation, to buy him an expensive Movado watch, he pointed out that the watch he wanted was on sale in the warehouse at 'Sam's Club' and he had told them he wanted one last year, "and here it is, August", and they still haven't bought it for him!

In a jaw-dropping display of hypocrisy, he then shouted at them like a spoiled toddler who didn’t get what he wanted for his birthday, complaining that they think more of their own possessions than they do of him:

@kansascitydefender

Kansas City Pastor GOES OFF on congregation calling them "poor, broke busted and disgusted" because they didn't give him enough money to buy a new watch he's been wanting. It's pastors like these that give the church a bad name smh an also why a lot of our generation left the church. What y'all think? 🤔

♬ original sound - kcdefender

Y’all know I asked for one last year. Here it is all the way in August and I still ain’t got it.

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 y’all Louis Vuitton? I ain’t worth your Prada? I’m not worth your Gucci?

Y’all ain’t said nothing. Let me kick down the door and talk to my cheap sons and daughters.

The 'sermon' was captured on TikTok and went viral, but the reaction was not entirely what Pastor Funderburke had in mind. Not only did he not get his expensive watch, but he was in danger of losing the church’s income from its members, some of whom said they thought it was time to say goodbye to the Church of the Well. The negative reaction was such that Funderburke, another senior pastor of the Church of the Well, and his wife, the self-styled 'Lady' Sylvarena Funderburke, also a pastor at the church, went onto Facebook to issue a grovelling, 'heartfelt' apology, claiming his words were:

…inexcusable [and] does [sic] not reflect my heart or my sentiments towards God’s people.

He continued:

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. I have also privately apologized to our church, who [sic] has extended their love and support to me. No context could erase the words I used. I apologize to all who have been hurt, angered or in any way damaged by my words.

I apologize to every preacher and pastor who must stand up under the controversy I have caused.

Wherever would they be without that 'out of context' excuse?

Obviously, nothing quite makes an evangelical Christian 'prophet' realise the error of his ways like the impending loss of income his repugnant greed and hypocrisy has produced.
On the Church of the Well's website, in addition to the traditional 'donate' button, Pastor Carlton Funderburke is described as:

Pastor Carlton Funderburke I, Senior Leader

Prophet Carlton Funderburke, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, began his ministry at the age of seventeen. Formally educated at Drake University, Prophet Funderburke is a highly sought after conference speaker and lecturer. An ordained elder in the Lord’s church, Prophet Funderburke is the founding senior pastor of Church at the Well, in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to his pastoral duties at The Well Kansas City, Prophet Funderburke is also the founder and chief executive officer of Anointed One Ministries, a para-church organization with specialized emphasis in the ministry of reconciliation. With his eye also trained on the marketplace, Pastor Funderburke founded and incorporated His Hands Extended, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization linking corporate America to grass roots Christian organizations, creating synergy, funding and partnership between the two.

Realizing the need for spiritual covering and accountability, he remains submitted to the voice and mantle of his father-in-love, Bishop L.W. Bolton, Jr. Having been duly appointed to the office of Overseer, he humbly serves as a General Overseer of the We Have Not Many Fathers Fellowship International, presided by Bishop Bolton. Pastor Funderburke also serves on the leadership team of the North Central Province of the Global United Fellowship, presided by Bishop Neil C. Ellis.

In acknowledgement of his service and commitment to ministry, Overseer Funderburke received a doctorate of divinity (honoris causa) from the Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary, Daytona Beach, Florida.

He and his wife, Pastor Sylvarena Funderburke, make an awesome ministry team and are a great kingdom force assigned to these modern times. Currently, Overseer & Lady Funderburke reside in South Kansas City with their three children.e. It's easy.

Presumably, that last sentence refers to the ease with which he was able to extract money from his followers to finance the lifestyle he felt accustomed as a 'Prophet of God'.

The same site has this to say about his partner in this lucrative venture 'Lady' Sylvarena Funderburke for whom scamming the credulous seems to run in the family:

Pastor 'Lady' Sylvarena Funderburke, Senior Leader and co-founder
Church of the Well, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Pastor Sylvarena Funderburke, Senior Leader

Lady Sylvarena Funderburke The eldest daughter of Bishop L.W. ∓ First Lady Effie Bolton Jr., Lady Sylvarena Funderburke began her preaching ministry in September 1997. This anointed woman of God flows in a three fold ministry of singing, preaching and healing. Her ministry is sought after nationally and soon internationally. Lady Funderburke was ordained an elder in the Lord's church in 2011 at It Is Written Evangelistic Ministries Kansas City, MO. Currently, she is Co-Founder and Co-Pastor of Church at the Well Kansas City where she faithful serves as the director of the Women's Department. She is also Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Anointed One Ministries, based in Kansas City, Missouri. Lady Funderburke also serves on the Advisory board of "We Have not Many Fathers Fellowship International" Bishop L. W. Bolton Jr., Presiding Prelate.

Lady Funderburke has been singing since she was a little girl with her family called the BCM Singers. She also sung with a all female group called One Accord. In September of 2016 Lady Funderburke released her first single called "Awaken Us". September 15, 2018 she released her second single called "Amazing God" featuring her father, Bishop L. W. Bolton Jr.

Lady Funderburke is a college graduate with a degree in accounting. She currently uses her accounting skills at a local landscaping company and at Accounting the Cost Tax Service owned by Lady Funderburke. She and her husband, Prophet Carlton L. Funderburke, currently reside in Kansas City, Missouri with their three children.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he hath anointed me...

Well, when you're in it for the money, nothing beats having a graduate accountant on the team, qualified to show the effects of a blunder such as being a Grade A hypocrite and shouting abuse at your donors for not given you enough, can have on the bottom line of the balance sheet.

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Sometimes, the best arguments against gods can be found in the behaviour of their followers!

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