Detroit pastor Bishop Marvin Winans is under scrutiny again after a video from his Perfecting Church went viral, showing him publicly challenging a member who contributed less than his requested amount during a fundraising service. According to Atlanta Black Star, the moment occurred during the congregation’s “Day of Giving,” when Winans asked participants to present a “$1,000 plus $1,000” offering.

In the clip, a woman approaches the pulpit with her young son and announces that she is donating $1,235 “in faith.” Winans immediately interrupts, noting, “That’s only $1,200,” and proceeds to explain that he had asked for two separate thousand-dollar offerings. When the woman responds that she plans to provide the remainder later, Winans replies, “That’s not what I asked you to do.” The exchange quickly spread across social media, where many viewers accused the bishop of embarrassing a member in front of the entire congregation.

See the clip below:

Perfecting Church has been raising funds for years to complete a massive worship center. Construction began two decades ago but stalled after the 2008 recession halted financing. City officials sued in 2023, calling the unfinished building a public eyesore. A new agreement later revised the design, with completion expected in 2025, Atlanta Black Star reports. 

The situation has also drawn comparisons to other church controversies. Gospel singer Marvin Sapp faced criticism in August 2024 when footage resurfaced of him requesting $40,000 in donations at a convention and instructing ushers to “close the doors” during the offering. Sapp later said the order was meant to ensure safety, explaining that movement during collection periods can expose finance teams to risk. He later turned the incident into a creative statement, releasing a single titled “Close the Doors.”

Revisit the moment below: