Synopsis
Fed up with the divisive bumper sticker mentality overtaking America, director (and follower) Dan Merchant donned his Bumper Sticker Man suit and set out on the daring search for meaningful dialogue and the true face of faith.
Fed up with the divisive bumper sticker mentality overtaking America, director (and follower) Dan Merchant donned his Bumper Sticker Man suit and set out on the daring search for meaningful dialogue and the true face of faith.
Actors | Dan Merchant |
Producers | Dan Merchant |
Director | Dan Merchant |
Writers | Dan Merchant |
The documentary compares the black church's origins to its modern day cultural relevance. The film focuses on modern mega-churches and asks hard-hitting questions about service vs. the extravagant lifestyles of its multi-million dollar ministers and ministries. As the nation attempts to bounce back from a recession, mega-churches continue to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to fund their pastors' exorbitant lifestyles. Through interviews with clergy members, politicians, community leaders and journalists, we explore whether the preachers, parishioners or communities are the benefactors of the millions of tax free revenue generated by religious organizations.
Black Church, Inc. attempts to justify the dichotomy of the profits of prophets. It compares pastors who are seen as activists such as Rev. Taharka Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton and Pastor Raphael Warnock with pastors who are criticized for being celebrity brands such as Rev. Eddie Long, Rev. Creflo Dollar and Rev. T.D. Jakes. The documentary takes a deep dive into controversial issues clouding the church including "love offerings" (cash payments given to ministers), financial abuse and the deification of the mega-church pastor all while asking... is prayer-for-profit moral?
Even the most seasoned and celebrated have lost it all. The list of celebrities gone broke includes Toni Braxton, Antione Walker, TLC, Wesley Snipes, Allen Iverson, MC Hammer, Dennis Rodman… it goes on and on. Moguldom Studios interviews celebrities, managers, agents, and their financial advisors to learn how much was being spent and how these celebs spared no expense for the glitz and glamour that was their ultimate demise.
This documentary looks behind the curtain and into the lives of black celebrities to find out how they got into financial trouble and what advice they would give to others in hindsight. Be it lavish lifestyles, poor financial management, child support, or tax evasion, When the Checks Stop Coming In explores how these celebrities perpetuate an underlying issue within the African American community: An obsession with the American dollar.