When Praise Turns to Idolatry: A Controversial Church Service at New Birth

In a recent video critique, Pastor Frederick, a self-described “by the book” preacher, expressed deep concern over a church service held at New Birth that appeared to elevate Karri Bryant above the teachings of Scripture.

According to Frederick, the entire worship event was focused not on Jesus Christ, but on Karri herself—a move he describes as idolatrous rather than simply honoring.

Frederick begins by recounting the scene: Jamal Bryant and his team dedicated the Lord’s Day to celebrating Karri Bryant.

While acknowledging that honoring individuals is not inherently wrong, he asserts that the manner in which it was done at New Birth was inappropriate and unbiblical.

The service featured repeated exhortations for Karri to “preach,” “teach,” and “lead,” suggesting she was being positioned as a spiritual authority in a public preaching role.

This, Frederick argues, directly conflicts with clear biblical injunctions, specifically referencing 1 Timothy 2:12-13, which restricts women from teaching or exercising authority over men in the church context.

He emphasizes that this is not a trivial detail but a core scriptural mandate that should not be ignored or reinterpreted to fit modern preferences.

Beyond the question of authority, Frederick criticizes the tone and spirit of the service.

He points out a troubling absence of Scripture throughout the event—no biblical texts were cited to justify or frame the praises given to Karri Bryant.

Instead, the service seemed focused on emotional flattery and spectacle, which he condemns as a form of spiritual deception.

One of the most pointed critiques concerns Karri Bryant’s presentation and appearance.

Frederick draws upon 1 Peter 3:3-4 to argue that Christian women are called to modesty and humility rather than outward display.

He contrasts this with what he perceives as a push toward sensuality and vanity, warning that such attitudes are incompatible with godly conduct in the church.

He even likens the style and demeanor promoted at New Birth to what one might see on secular reality television, highlighting how this blurs the line between sacred worship and worldly entertainment.

The video also touches on the broader spiritual climate that allows such practices to flourish.

Frederick warns of a time foretold in Scripture when people will reject sound doctrine in favor of teachers who cater to their desires—those with “itching ears” who seek false comfort rather than truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

He suggests that the popularity and size of ministries like Jamal Bryant’s are not signs of divine blessing but rather indicators of God’s judgment, allowing false teachers to lead many astray.

Frederick recalls Old Testament examples where God permitted false prophets to operate as a test for the people.

Those who followed the false prophets perished, while those who remained faithful survived.

He urges believers to discern carefully and not be deceived by charismatic leaders preaching prosperity gospel or other unbiblical messages.

The pastor closes with a sobering reminder: God is not mocked, and sensuality and immodesty are sins regardless of how they are packaged or presented.

He invokes Proverbs 27:6, which contrasts the painful but healing “wounds of a friend” with the flattering but harmful “kisses of an enemy.”

Frederick positions himself as that friend, offering a difficult but necessary rebuke to Karri and Jamal Bryant and their followers.

He laments that these leaders have surrounded themselves only with yes-men who tickle their ears instead of speaking truth, leading to spiritual blindness.

His final exhortation is for Christians to stand firmly on the Scriptures, even when the truth is uncomfortable or countercultural.

In closing, Frederick calls for prayer for the Bryants, acknowledging they are “in darkness,” and reminds viewers that Jesus Christ alone is worthy of ultimate allegiance.

His message is clear: the church must return to biblical fidelity and resist the temptation to elevate any human above the Word of God.

This incident at New Birth serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions within modern Christianity between tradition and contemporary culture, between biblical authority and personal charisma.

It challenges believers to examine whom they truly follow and what they allow to shape their faith experience.