In the Last Days: The Black Church, Bishop Marvin Winans, and the Cost of Giving Pt. 1

In the Last Days: The Black Church, Bishop Marvin Winans, and the Cost of Giving

By Queen Connect Publishing

A viral clip from Bishop Marvin Winans’ “Day of Giving” service has once again sparked questions about the financial practices of the Black Church and how faith leaders handle money in front of their congregations.

In the short clip that spread across social media, Bishop Winans is seen responding to a woman, identified as longtime church member Roberta McCoy, who approached the pulpit with an offering of $1,200. When Bishop Winans corrected her, saying, “That’s not what I asked for,” and reminded the congregation that the requested offering was $2,000 - $1,000 from each person and $1,000 from a friend, viewers online reacted with disbelief.

The crowd laughed, the church musician played the “Womp Womp” tune from the Peanuts cartoon, and McCoy and a child quietly walked away. To many, the moment symbolized a deeper issue: Has money become the new measure of faith in the modern church?

As the clip circulated, people flooded social media with reactions — some saying they would have taken their money back, others expressing heartbreak and frustration with what they see as greed among megachurch leaders.

Days later, another clip emerged showing a young mother giving a few envelopes containing change — reportedly around $3.00 — which Bishop Winans tossed behind him onto the pulpit while celebrating a later $500 donation from another member. That image reignited debate about compassion, optics, and leadership in the pulpit.

To clarify the viral moment, both Bishop Winans and McCoy spoke out. McCoy told WXYZ Detroit that her pastor “absolutely did not rebuke me” and that his correction was about order, not disrespect. Bishop Winans explained that he was organizing the lines by offering amounts to keep elderly members from standing too long, not belittling anyone’s gift.

Still, the conversation did not end there. Gospel icons Bishop Marvin Sapp and Fred Hammond weighed in.

Sapp posted a lengthy reflection questioning the double standard of public critique:

“One raises resources to build the Body. The other uses the Body’s perceived flaws to build a brand,” he wrote. “If both are benefitting financially, one for ministry and the other for personal gain, why is one labeled manipulation while the other is celebrated as authenticity?”

Fred Hammond echoed that sentiment, questioning the editing and motives behind the viral clip, while acknowledging the complexity of church transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, YouTuber Saint James, who admitted to clipping and posting the footage, said his intent was to highlight what he viewed as “improper handling of the moment.” His confession only intensified the debate about whether social media exposure helps the church grow or simply deepens the divide.

In the end, “In the Last Days” is less about one pastor and more about a community grappling with faith, money, and trust. For many Black Christians, it’s a reckoning, asking:

When did giving become proof of devotion, and how can the church rebuild its credibility while staying true to its mission?