COMMENTARY: Bling in the Pulpit by C. Ellen Connally

This past Sunday, Bishop Lamor Miller-Whitehead of the Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries of Brooklyn, New York, and his wife were robbed of jewelry, which was originally valued at $400,000 but now estimated at $1 million as the bishop live streamed his message. My immediate reaction was “There’s something wrong with this picture.” When I put that comment on social media, I got a lot of  “Amens.” 

As I thought about it longer, I reflected on the T-shirts and bumper stickers that I’ve seen over the years:  “What would Jesus do?” 

Bishop Miller-Whitehead deflected questions regarding the reason for such extravagance by saying that it was his prerogative to purchase what he wished with his earnings. Since he does not list any outside employment other than being a bishop and a pastor, and apparently did not win the most recent Powerball lottery, it sounds like Miller-Whitehead, who did five years in prison for identity theft and grand larceny, has done very well in the ministry. 

I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I was extremely fortunate to have been born to parents who worked hard, saved their money and paid for my education. I’ve been a public servant for most of my career. I am in no  way complaining about the salary that I made in serving as a judge, or as a member of County Council. I thank God every day for Ohio Public Employees Retirement System that  provides me with a decent income in retirement.  

I say all that to say, how in Sam Hill can a pastor have jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and drive around in a Rolls Royce? People in his congregation are probably going to the local food bank to make ends meet and trying to figure out how they can spend $5 on a gallon of gas — there is something wrong. 

There is a doctrine in the law called “clean hands.” It means that when you come into court you better have your duckies in a row. In other words, you can’t come in claiming something when your own shit is not in order. I hope for the sake of Bishop Miller-Whitehead that his shit is in order. I have every reason to believe that the local prosecutors, the IRS  and police are looking at him and his finances  with a fine-tooth comb. 

After watching the live streamed video, the whole thing looked kind of phony to me. What I found curious was the deacon or elder or whatever he was that was sitting to the left of the bishop as the bishop cowered down while being robbed. Whoever the guy was sitting to the side never moved. He never reacted. Once again, there is something wrong with this picture. 

Bishop Miller-Whitehead said that he felt the demonic spirit come into the door as the robbers broke down the door of the church. Really? 

I guess in my old age I have become a cynic. But in my book, the jury is still out on the good pastor.  

He clearly has the right to spend his money any way that he wants. But what kind of role model does he set? How many young people in his congregation could go to college or trade school with jewelry which is now reported to be valued at $1 million dollars or the cost of his Rolls Royce? According to a quick internet search, an oil change for a Rolls Royce is between $650 and $2000 — you can’t just stop by Jiffy Lub. The cost of an oil change alone is enough to feed a heck of a lot of  hungry people or put roofs over the heads of a lot of homeless.  

I don’t want to say that I told you so, but in my humble opinion, I smell a rat. Maybe I have bats in my belfry, but it sounds to me like the pastor has some explaining to do in terms of how he can explain and justify this kind of extravagance. 

I anticipate that I will get all kind of flack from my friends among the clergy. I certainly am not saying that the clergy should live in poverty, but living the lifestyle of Bishop Miller-Whitehead sounds to me more like bling in the pulpit than a man of God. 

(This article is dedicated to my late friend and long-time CoolCleveland journalist, Mansfield Frazier.  From his grave it seemed like he dictated this article to me. I have no doubt that he would share my feelings.) 

 

C. Ellen Connally is a retired judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court. From 2010 to 2014 she served as the President of the Cuyahoga County Council. An avid reader and student of American history, she serves on the Board of the Ohio History Connection, is currently vice president of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers and Sailors Monument Commission and past president of the Cleveland Civil War Round Table. She holds degrees from BGSU, CSU and is all but dissertation for a PhD from the University of Akron.

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