Op-Ed: Theophobia Is the Real Silent Pastor In The Pulpit
A recently resurfaced video clip showing Bishop Marvin Sapp allegedly firmly requiring ushers to barricade a congregation in until they raised $40,000 has sparked significant social media controversy. While the action appears concerning on the surface, it reveals a complex interplay between leadership intentions and congregational responses rooted in what I term “theophobia” – a concept I explore in “Triumph in the Trenches: The Green Book for Black Professionals.”
Theophobia manifests as an irrational fear of God and those claiming to represent Him, often resulting in traumatic experiences many describe as “church hurt.” The congregation’s willingness to remain despite the circumstances demonstrates how this fear can override personal boundaries. I once counseled a young woman who was pressured at a revival. She placed her subway fare in the offering plate and walked home from Harlem to Queens — a troubling testament to how these dynamics can harm vulnerable people.
Even well-intentioned sacred spaces can unintentionally become transactional rather than transformational. Those seeking spiritual connection deserve environments where they’re seen, loved, and ministered to — not subjected to financial pressures that compound their vulnerabilities.
During the video, Bishop Sapp stated, “Giving is worship.” While giving can indeed be an act of worship, true worship springs from a willing heart. When we give freely — whether time, love, or resources — we transform obligation into genuine devotion. This sacred essence of worship cannot be demanded, only offered.
The doors may have been closed for security purposes, and the congregation may have been given exit options not evident in the video. Perhaps they remained partly in awe of the Bishop’s celebrity status. However, as ministers of the Gospel, we should arrive not as celebrities requiring compensation for us or others, but as humble facilitators of the Divine Presence.
When worship morphs into fundraising operations, we fundamentally compromise the gospel’s integrity, reducing the experience to mere entertainment. While congregants may certainly opt to support operational needs, when monetary demands become central, authentic spiritual transformation becomes difficult, if not impossible.
Let’s join the urgent revival for authentic faith and create spaces where service and love triumph over transactions. Today’s wounded world needs sanctuaries of genuine transformation, not marketplaces of spiritual commodification. What might such a revival look like? A revival centered on authentic faith demands honest self-reflection. Your spiritual journey should never be imprisoned by FEAR but liberated through FAITH and fueled by FIRE.
When facing toxic spiritual environments where speaking truth feels dangerous, remember this essential truth: Transform your FEAR into FIRE. Let the very thing that intimidates you become the catalyst for your boldest expression of faith.
The body of Christ thrives when its members are driven by an unquenchable desire to grow closer to God. Before rushing to confront leadership or seeking external validation, retreat to your sacred space of prayer and meditation. Here, in intimate communion with the Divine, you’ll find wisdom that transcends human reasoning and tools of oppression.
As you cultivate this inner flame, you become a beacon for others trapped in similar circumstances. True revival spreads not through institutional mandates but through individuals ablaze with authentic purpose, illuminating paths for those still walking in darkness. Your personal transformation becomes the spark that ignites collective renewal.
