Atlanta, Georgia, Pastor Apologizes for Sermon Linking Police Killings to Disobedience

The 2819 Church in Atlanta, pastored by Philip Anthony Mitchell, has grown rapidly, according to a report from Word in Black. The city asked the congregation to relocate because of Sunday traffic disruptions. The new location opened on Palm Sunday and includes overflow parking at a nearby mall and shuttle bus service. Word in Black also reported that Mitchell grew up in Hollis, Queens, and that at age 12 he was a crack dealer. It said he spent his 18th birthday in New York’s Rikers Island jail.

During an April 13 service, Mitchell told Black parents to stop blaming white police officers for the killing of Black children and to teach their children to obey authority, according to Word in Black. Critics cited George Floyd and Philando Castile, who were killed despite obeying police orders, and Tamir Rice and Ahmaud Arbery, who were shot while doing nothing wrong. Christianity Today reported that Mitchell had preached on Matthew’s account of giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, citing paying taxes and complying with parking ordinances as examples of being model citizens. Christianity Today also reported that some members of the congregation cheered along during the sermon.

Mitchell later apologized in an Instagram post for remarks in the recent sermon that linked some police killings to disobedience. Christianity Today reported that he acknowledged his framing of Black children’s relationship with police was harmful. Word in Black reported that he said his words had been taken out of context, while also acknowledging the harm caused by his framing. Both outlets describe the apology as addressing the harm of the remarks, though Word in Black places emphasis on his claim of context and Christianity Today does not report that claim.

The remarks drew significant online backlash from some Black Christians and internet personalities, Christianity Today reported. The criticism was amplified in Black publications such as The Root and Atlanta Black Star. Black theologian Candice Benbow criticized the apology, noting in Word in Black’s account that Mitchell’s theology has long been problematic. Acknowledging harm done to others is a matter of speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Christianity Today reported that some social media users defended Mitchell, saying his comments were biblically grounded though controversial.