2819 Church Pastor Apologizes After Controversial Sermon on Obedience to Authority

The rapid growth of 2819 Church in Atlanta has prompted the city to relocate the congregation due to traffic disruptions on Sundays. The new location, opened on Palm Sunday, includes overflow parking at a nearby mall and shuttle bus service to accommodate the large crowds.

Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, the church’s leader, has a complex history. He grew up in Hollis, Queens, as a 12-year-old crack dealer, spent his 18th birthday in New York’s Rikers Island jail, and was once pointed a gun by a white police officer, who dared him to “say something.”

Mitchell’s recent sermon sparked significant backlash in Black social media. During an April 13 service, he told Black parents to stop blaming white cops for the killing of Black children and to teach their children to obey authority. The message, which came just a month before the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, drew intense criticism.

Critics highlighted cases like George Floyd and Philando Castile, who were killed despite obeying police orders, and others like Tamir Rice and Ahmaud Arbery, who were shot while doing nothing wrong. Some questioned why Mitchell would address this issue at such a sensitive time.

Mitchell later apologized, stating his words were taken out of context. He acknowledged the harm caused by his framing and explained his intent was to illustrate the tension between compliance and non-compliance with authority, drawing from his own experiences.

Black theologian Candice Benbow criticized the apology, noting Mitchell’s theology has long been problematic. She argued that Black people deserve faith leaders who advocate on their behalf, not just those who quote scripture.

Mitchell’s journey from a troubled youth to a prominent church leader has been marked by controversy. His recent remarks have raised questions about the role of faith leaders in addressing systemic issues and the responsibility of the church to speak out on justice.

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