Kim Burrell has apologized after she threatened to sue bloggers for criticizing her recent sermon at Pastor Brian Carn’s Kingdom Church, according to Icecreamconvos.
The 49-year-old gospel singer took to the pulpit and advised churchgoers not to make friends with broke people.
Burrell warned parishioners to interview potential friends to make sure they aren’t in debt or have a history of not paying their bills on time.
She suggested that broke people who are always late paying their bills have bad character and poor judgment.
“You got to choose up. Find you some value, you know?” she said. “Sometimes before we get friends we have to do an interview. ‘How long have you been broke? How many times have you changed your name on your light bill? How many of your bills are in your little cousin’s name? Do you live in a trailer or a house?'”
She clarified: “And it’s not about status or material things. It’s just about choices. You know, life is different now. We are at church. Thank God that we’re here — those of us who are walking by faith without a mask and no vaccine. And, so, we honor the Lord. God is good.”
She went on to ask other church leaders to invite her to speak at their churches.
“I’m not as expensive as I seem. I don’t know, maybe you got a little left over from your PPP loan — Prayer, praise and power. You understand,” she joked.
A video of Burrell’s speech went viral. Some viewers say her message could have been delivered with a little more tact and grace.
Burrell threatened to file defamation lawsuits against bloggers who dragged her on their blogs.
On Tuesday, Burrell apologized via her official Instagram page. She admitted her words were taken out of context, and that even a joke can be offensive.
“As a kingdom citizen, and a woman of integrity, I can acknowledge that some of my words, even if said in jest, can be offensive,” she wrote.
“My intention is never to hurt anyone, but to spread love, laughter and more importantly, the gift which God has given me in song. If anyone was offended, I can sincerely say I apologize.”
Burrell wasn’t done. She mentioned messy bloggers who are guilty of the same things they accused her of.
She wrote: “With that being said, the irony in this is that those who are criticizing my statement are displaying the very thing they have accused me of. However, it’s not been humorous or in jest.
