A Filmmaker Crashed a Church… What Happened Next Went Viral

A filmmaker shows up uninvited to a church with a camera crew. He accuses the pastor of living an extravagant lifestyle off donations. The pastor fires back. But beneath the drama is a question the church can't ignore: What does financial integrity in ministry really look like? And how do we hold each other accountable in a way that honors God?

Welcome to Provoke and Inspire, where I wrestle with culture and current events by asking, What would Jesus think? What would Jesus do?

A growing controversy has emerged between filmmaker Nathan Appel and Pastor Russell B. Johnson of Pursuit NW Church. The issue centers around Nathan’s upcoming documentary, The Religion Business, which is reportedly heading to a major streaming service like Netflix. The film appears to critique megachurch culture, focusing on money, influence, and authenticity—and features Pastor Russell as a central example.

In response, Pastor Russell has released multiple social media posts, a video, and a formal statement accusing Nathan of betrayal, manipulation, and misrepresenting both his character and ministry. Nathan, on the other hand, has embraced the backlash, using clips and screenshots from the situation to promote the film and fuel online discussion.

This situation has gone viral within Christian circles. Some see Nathan's film as a necessary call for accountability. Others view it as slanderous and self-serving. The way both sides have handled the situation—Russell's defensive posture and Nathan's provocative marketing—has only deepened the controversy.

What could have been a meaningful conversation about money and integrity in the church has instead become a public spectacle.

Pastor Russell’s response comes off as petty, defensive, and insecure. I’m reminded of something A. W. Tozer once wrote: “The truly spiritual man is indeed something of an oddity. He lives not for himself but to promote the interests of another. He finds few who understand him and sometimes he is unable to understand himself. He walks on quietly, letting God vindicate him.”

This exchange looks nothing like that.

But we should not dismiss this entirely. Money and the church is an important topic. Jesus talked about money constantly. Like power and fame, money is incredibly dangerous. It has the potential to do real damage. In ministry especially, there should be a heightened level of caution and accountability.

Scripture makes this clear. Those who labor in ministry are worthy of support. Paul writes, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” In other words, pastors and missionaries should share in the fruit of their work. Ministry is demanding and often thankless, and it is right to financially support those who serve in this way.

But Paul is talking about provision, not indulgence. It’s hard to reconcile extravagant lifestyles—designer clothes, luxury travel, massive homes—with the example Jesus gave us. Having traveled widely and seen churches around the world, I’ve witnessed firsthand the disparity. Some pastors serve in crumbling buildings with no salary. Others live like celebrities.

Conversations about money are hard. And to be clear, I am not exempt. The house I live in, the car I drive, and the equipment I use to record this all place me among the wealthiest people in human history. Still, that doesn't mean we should avoid this topic. But we need to start with humility. Jesus told us to remove the plank from our own eye before calling out the speck in someone else’s.

True discernment starts with humility, not accusation.

I’ve seen the opposite problem, too. My family were missionaries, and I remember people criticizing my parents for owning two cars. Neither was fancy, but there was this belief that because of our calling, we should be barely scraping by. A friend of mine, also a missionary kid, remembers their family receiving used tea bags in care packages, as if to reinforce the idea that ministry should equal suffering.

My parents lived modestly but trusted God to provide. And He did. We lived like normal kids, played sports, rode bikes, and had fun. Many ministry kids end up resenting God because their parents' calling became their burden. But my parents showed us that obedience to God didn't have to come at the cost of our well-being. He provided for all our needs, and even for joy.

So it’s about balance.

Those in ministry should be supported and not shamed for being able to live and support their families. I hesitate to put a number on it, but I think their lifestyle should reflect the average person in their community. Not higher. Not significantly lower. Just normal.

Ultimately, we will all give an account for how we use the resources God entrusts to us. As Christians, we must treat money with caution and stewardship, and those in ministry should be especially mindful, as they are meant to reflect Jesus to the world and to other believers.

As for Nathan’s film, if the reports about his methods are accurate, I don’t like it. It doesn’t feel like his goal is restoration. It feels like exposure and exploitation. I could be wrong, but that’s the impression I get.

And Pastor Johnson? Honestly, I worry about his heart. His reaction has felt harsh and insecure. Again, Tozer said, “The man who is elated by praise and cast down by criticism is not fit to lead a spiritual movement in the church. The man of God must let God defend him.” That kind of steadiness and trust in God is what we need in this moment.

I hope, for both of them and for the church, that good can still come out of this very public mess. The church cannot afford to ignore conversations about money. Jesus didn’t. But we must engage with humility, wisdom, and love.

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