Behind the choir robes and televised sermons, some ministers lived a life some would say didn’t live up to what they preached. From speculation about their financial wealth to extramarital affairs to criminal charges and allegations of sexual abuse, these men (and women) of the cloth dominated headlines, sometimes shattering their public image.
Suggested Reading
Without casting the first stone and reserving all judgement for God to handle Himself, we’re pulling back the curtain on the messy scandals that either tainted their legacies entirely or represented a complicated chapter on their path to either redemption or continued controversy.
Bishop Eddie Long
Bishop Eddie Long was a prominent megachurch pastor who led the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for three decades in Stonecrest, Georgia. He was a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and led a public, anti-gay movement. However, in 2010, four young men filed lawsuits against him, accusing him of sexual coercion and abuse. The men alleged that Long used his pastoral authority and lavish gifts to manipulate them.
He initially denied the claims and settled the lawsuits for an undisclosed amount, which many speculated was an admission of guilt. Long died from an aggressive form of cancer in January 2017.
Israel Houghton
In 2016, the worship leader admitted to a “personal failure” in a public Facebook post. The “Our God Reigns” singer confessed he had “sinned” in his marriage to his then-wife Meleasa, whom he had been with for over 20 years. Their divorce was finalized in February 2016, and it was later confirmed that Houghton had fathered two children with another woman during his marriage.
He married 3LW singer Adrienne Bailon in November of that same year, with some fans questioning whether the two relationships overlapped– which Bailon has denied.
Reverend Clarence “C.L.” LaVaughn Franklin
Aretha Franklin’s father, Reverend C. L. Franklin, was an esteemed civil rights leader and pastor of Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church. He was known for having multiple affairs, including an alleged relationship with a 12-year-old girl in his congregation with whom he reportedly fathered a daughter. Decades later, rumors emerged about wild parties he hosted and allegations Aretha was sexually abused at one of them. He also faced charges for allegedly failing to file income taxes and was arrested on a drug charge, though it was later dropped.
In June 1979, Franklin was shot twice at point-blank range during what was believed to have been an attempted robbery at his home in Detroit. After remaining in a coma for the next five years, he died on July 27, 1984. He was 69.
Reverend James Cleveland
Cleveland, dubbed the “King of Gospel” and the founder of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, a major institution in the genre, lived a private life, but it was subject to rumors about his sexuality. After his death in 1991, his personal scandals became public knowledge through a series of lawsuits. The most significant lawsuit came from a former foster son, Christopher Harris, who alleged that Cleveland had sexually abused him and infected him with the HIV virus. The lawsuit also drew attention to Cleveland’s alleged closeted lifestyle. The case was ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, but the allegations permanently altered his legacy.
At 59 years old, he died on February 9, 1991. His official cause of death was listed as congestive heart failure, although rumors suggest he died from AIDS, which hasn’t been confirmed.
Pastor Jamal Bryant
Pastor Jamal Bryant continues to be a prominent minister in the Black church, especially after succeeding Bishop Eddie Long at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
Despite his public image as a spiritual leader, his personal life has been marked by several public scandals, including a divorce from his first wife Gizelle Bryant. He admitted that infidelity was the reason for their marriage’s demise. Following the divorce, he faced a paternity lawsuit from a woman who claimed he was the father of her child.
Bishop Noel Jones
Bishop Noel Jones’ personal life was a source of public debate largely highlighted by his appearance on the reality show “Preachers of L.A.“
During the show, Jones’ relationship with his “friend” and business partner Loretta was a major point of contention. His fellow pastors questioned why he had not married her after decades together, implying that their relationship was improper for a spiritual leader. The City of Refuge Church senior pastor defended himself on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” saying preachers are “flawed messengers” and not meant to be seen as perfect. He ended up marrying Loretta in June 2022.
Pastor Creflo Dollar
Pastor Creflo Dollar, a prominent figure in the prosperity gospel movement, was the subject of a Senate inquiry into the financial practices of six prominent televangelists in 2016, though no legal action was taken. His most notable scandal came in 2015 when he launched a campaign to raise $60 million to purchase a new Gulfstream G650 private jet. After swift backlash, the public campaign was abandoned, but his property holding company, World Heir, reportedly went on to acquire not one, but two used jets, including a Gulfstream G-IV and a Learjet 60.
Juanita Bynum
The televangelist and gospel singer rose to prominence with her landmark “No More Sheets” sermon– a raw and honest message about sexual purity in 1997. After she quietly divorced her husband Bishop Thomas W. Weeks and became an advocate for domestic violence survivors, she faced financial controversies, including an arrest on a civil warrant for failing to appear in court over a $140,000 judgment against her.
She also faced public criticism in 2022 when she announced a four-week prayer course called the “International Prayer Institute.” The course came with a price tag of $1,499.99– a discount on its regular price of $1,999.99. Folks called her out for what they called “charging for prayer,” something Bynum denied, saying folks who signed up was instead paying for her decades of expertise.
Bishop T.D. Jakes
While Bishop T.D. Jakes is a globally recognized figure and highly respected church leader, he has been criticized for his perceived opulent lifestyle. Some critics side-eye his financial success, and Jakes has spoken out about it stating his wealth is a blessing from God and that his ministry’s finances are handled by a board of directors.
Pastor Keion Henderson
In a video that went viral in 2024, Pastor Henderson was seen snapping his fingers at a woman during a service and telling her to “hush” while she was audibly wailing. The incident sparked heated debates online, with some people criticizing his actions as down-right rude while others reasoned he was minimizing distractions. After public outcry, the founding pastor of The Lighthouse Church publicly apologized to the woman.
“I had no idea that my actions would cause you that much pain and I want to say in front of this body that I am so sorry,” he said. He further apologized for the “trouble” his actions had caused her.
Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen isn’t Black, but he’s one of the most famous figures in the prosperity gospel movement. Osteen was widely criticized in 2017 when he was accused of refusing to open his Houston megachurch to serve as a shelter for thousands displaced by Hurricane Harvey as the city flooded.
The immense public backlash led Lakewood Church to open its doors as a shelter a day later. He maintained that the building was never truly closed and that the initial delay was due to safety concerns and a lack of proper city permits to operate as an official shelter.
Deitrick Haddon
Deitrick Haddon, a popular gospel artist and pastor, was at the center of a public church scandal related to the end of his first marriage to Damita Haddon. He publicly accused her of cheating with Isaac Carree, a fellow gospel singer, and claimed Carree broke up his home.
At the same time, the “Sinner’s Prayer” singer admitted to his own infidelity, having a child with his current wife, Dominique, while still married to Damita. He later addressed the situation on “Preachers of L.A.” and apologized for the pain his actions caused.
Tye Tribbett
Tye Tribbett was centerstage of a public scandal when he admitted to an affair that almost ended his marriage to his wife, Shante. The affair was with a woman from his choir, Greater Anointing (G.A.). When his wife found out, she retaliated with her own infidelity. The scandal led Tribbett to take a break from his ministry to focus on his marriage. The couple eventually reconciled and have been open about their journey to restoration.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
