Atlanta pastor responds after church goes viral for 'Swag Surfin'

After days of being in the social media spotlight, the Atlanta pastor seen "Swag Surfin" with his congregation at a New Year's Eve worship experience is sharing the meaning behind his message.
Bishop William Murphy is the lead pastor of the dReam Center Church of Atlanta. Clips from his Sunday night service went viral as the crowd was seen dancing to the famous rap songs "Walk It Out and "Swag Surfin." The internet was divided over the moment, with some in support of the move and others calling out the church for doing so.

[@reneejohnson1452]

Jesus says, "My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout"

[@BuildingYourInheritance]

💯

[@ChristopherBlacksher]

And a den of thieves

[@Proficient80wayz]

Jesus was also in the streets healing and preaching.

[@YourGraceMyLady]

😂😂😂

[@stevenwheat2286]

Romans 12:2 ”And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.“

[@fairiemorris2890]

Amen. He is going on whatever show he can to make excuses for his carnal ways. He really need to get out of the pulpit.

[@Porter5habazz]

👏🏿👏🏿🙏🏿

[@BuildingYourInheritance]

💯

[@joemoe05]

Àaaaaymen

[@Pamela-cx7mh]

Thank you for schooling me

[@lawrencelewis1656]

The fact that you say clean version means the song should not be in the church at all.

[@CiscooKidd817]

It's fine. It's the clean version

[@Lavyew]

​@@CiscooKidd817😂😅 no

[@ICYMIINMIY]

I thought it was “come as you are”. Now a clean version of a song can’t come into the house of God? Party poopers 🚽

[@sherricason1548]

Ikr 😲😲😲😲?!

[@tonyaharrod9987]

One-liner Woe unto these Pastor's 😮clean version okay " whatever 🙄 🤦🏿‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

[@ShirleyHaneyStabler]

You can not serve God and man

[@bassinbillRC5300]

TRUER WORDS!

[@sherricason1548]

Pick which one you WILL choose!

[@JerubbaalgodSlayer]

You cannot serve God & *other* gods! *EXODUS 20:3* *Thou shalt have no other gods before me.* 🇨🇦

[@labelle6]

Hes not a man of God. Satan have enter him. JESUS SAID MY HOUSE IS A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. PEOPLE READ YOUR BIBLE

[@aliashudson6882]

Amen

[@fairiemorris2890]

These Hollywood preachers need to repent and be delivered from the way of this world.

[@doebaby6222]

No excuse. It’s not right

[@BuildingYourInheritance]

💯💯💯

[@aliashudson6882]

Amen

[@loisg70]

We are not of the world!!!

[@1erinjames]

they are

[@sonjamckenzie-kemp]

They bring the world into the church SMH🤦🏿‍♀️

[@spoiledlaii6832]

No Excuses!Please send us pastor's that teach straight from the word of God!!Because his word is true! Don't disrespect the Lord's house!People will not take salvation seriously with this foolishness! That's why we're to know the word for ourselves! Let's go back to the old time way! It's all about souls being taught from real,true men of God!!wheww praying for this dying world! And even me! 🙏🙏

[@Kornbread1431]

Has nothing to do with salvation..😢

[@loveme1729]

That song had no business being played in the church.

[@poobear7]

We living in the last days it's all in the good book 😢pray🙏🙏🙏🙏😢

[@josephineyisrael6284]

Come out from among them and be separated.. what does light have 8ncommon with darkness?.... I'm so glad The Most High YAH pulled me out of these dense of sin.

[@cb5766]

He's leading these people to hell!! 😔

[@fairiemorris2890]

Straight to hell. They better wake up and stop following his teaching.

[@labelle6]

HE NEED TO GO TO DELIVERANCE. JESUS SAID MY HOUSE SHOULD BE A HOUSE IF WORSHIP NOT A CLUB. CHILD OF THE DEVIL SENDING PEOPLE TO HELL. BROTHERS AND SISTERS BE VIGILANT SATAN IS LOOKING TO DESTROY YOUR SOUL.

[@bre4000]

And you right there for judging

[@bronze971]

Run… don’t sit under that ministry! Pastor Murphy has become blinded by sin (he’s involved in something) and now he can’t tell the difference between secular and sacred. Pray for him, but please don’t support his foolish behavior. His explanation is very weak and what he did has nothing to do with saving souls.

[@blessgg]

Amen

[@sherricason1548]

Repent, apologize and go on a sabbatical NOW!

[@1erinjames]

Matthew 15:8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. One can take a life using their hands, but wearing gloves. The gloves do not make it any less wicked. Yah is Holy!! Mixing filth with what is Holy will NEVER honor Yah or His Way!! Repent. The Consumation of Time is thoroughly underway.

[@margaretlafferty9087]

Bed time for you.

[@1erinjames]

@@margaretlafferty9087 404 ERROR

[@Robbie1075]

​@@margaretlafferty9087why? Do you not agree with the Truth? Or the Life? What about the Way? It is indeed time for Mr. Murphy's run as a leader of a church. He needs to step down and get himself right with God as all he is doing now is leading a whole church into the pit of hell.

[@ladysingsdablues7615]

The church is not a club. There are people trying to escape the street

[@daughterofgod777]

Fuse secular into the sacred space? The priests in the Old Testament made sure they were washed cleaned and made a sin offering before stepping foot into the sacred holy place of the sanctuary or they would die. Ezekiel 22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane. God was not honored in that service and this pastor needs to check what spirit is actually leading him, because it’s not the Holy Spirit.

[@Locopueblo]

God warned us about people like him

[@WisdomSpeeksLoudly]

Nothing he says will justify his convictions! If you want what’s been preached at the church do like Jesus did and take it to the STREETS

[@bassinbillRC5300]

How is this justified? I've attended both white and black churches here in Georgia after moving here in 1989. I saw faith expressed in both. But this example bothers me. Pray for t h eir deliverance.

[@juliaboyce3345]

That's exactly what he was supposed to do...take the gospel to the streets. The new testament mentions taking the gospel to the "Highways & Hedges", to the streets. How could William Murphy not see this in the scriptures? Furthermore, Acts 3:1-26, as he mentioned, has nothing to do with anything that he's talking about. He just randomly picked out that scripture, randomly. That scripture has nothing to do with the New Years service at his church. Many are called, but few are chosen. They are calling, hearing & choosing themselves. They are not being chosen or hearing from GOD. They are hearing, choosing and answering themselves. 🤷 🤷 🤷 Crazy, but true.

[@josephc.3839]

It's Atlanta, nothing else needs to be said.

[@DanielDiaz-ci4hn]

"A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats." CH Spurgeon.

[@pbelle2899]

Your wrong and foolish.

[@dailypearls]

So called Christians are so quick to judge without seeing another person's perspective. Meet people where they are.

[@alexiswilliams8475]

In this case people responded how Jesus did. We are taught to follow his foot steps. Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Jesus did not ask questions he acted according to the word. Ezekiel 22: 26-28 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. 28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken.

[@lynettebeckles9842]

You cannot mix the holy and the profane. The Bible says so

[@Porter5habazz]

This is ridiculous. 😡😡😡 sick of people playing with God. It’s infuriating.

[@FatEven-i8j]

I was talking to a sinner about getting into church .they told me the church is doing the same thing we are doing out here .when I saw the people dancing to unholy music an doing unholy dance it broke my heart

[@misook7350]

He's all about the money

[@mrsbrown688]

He is full pride!!!

[@HOPE.TheresNoPlaceLikeHomeClub]

Fusing secular songs into the sacred space? In another video he made it seem like the DJ, which who has a DJ at church, played the music spontaneously like an organist would play 'shouting' music. He can't keep his story straight or justify his churches worldliness.

[@deshajames2224]

yes I heard that🙁

[@fairiemorris2890]

Exactly

[@jr75848]

As he sits in a multi-million dollar house... 🤔🧐🧐🧐

[@bassinbillRC5300]

Look at Billy Graham's home. A humble abode. Humble before God and family.

[@mikemc3524]

CHURCH ISN'T CHURCH ANYMORE,,,,😢

[@bmoney143]

I get what you’re saying but church is still church. If you pray and ask God to lead you where he would have you to go then you will see church hasn’t changed because God doesn’t change

[@sherricason1548]

We can’t say that about ALL churches bc we can’t speak for ALL churches. There are many bible teaching churches that are preaching Jesus so we have to be careful of lumping ALL churches 2gether bc it’s not fair or accurate!

[@ashiah1212]

He's trying to justify his wrong. We as Christians have to live right. Christian means to be Christ like. God knows we're not perfect. And yea we will make mistakes along the way. But, we gotta live the Word. To be only a hearer of the Word and not a doer of the Word, you're deceiving yourself. We can't be conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Something has changed about this man of God. And yes he's still God's chosen vessel. But looking at his fruit. He's lost his connection somewhere with God. God gives us strategies on how to witness to the lost. But that wasn't one of them. Jesus saves. Not William.

[@jamespowell2356]

Just go back to playing Gospel music and you will not need to choose a “clean version” of music.

[@ashab2003]

Man please, give me a break. You don’t believe what you just said. Nobody that truly wants to know Jesus will be in there. Even the world knows this is not Godly. He will give an account for this foolishness one day.

[@erikadee8668]

Don’t watch if he’s not your style. The people in the building were loving it and having a great time.

[@danielturner9832]

That is the problem they come for a good time.

[@erikadee8668]

@@danielturner9832 that’s a problem, why?

[@anamoly.]

Didn't you know that pastors are the real P.I.M.P' s 😂

[@realjohnlove]

Preachers getting too desperate to get the younger generation in. Jesus doesn’t need the whole world to follow him. When he was alive the whole world didn’t follow him & even death for centuries the whole world didn’t follow. If people can’t accept Christ as is, if Christ has to be remixed to fit their scope, then you aren’t getting people who genuinely love Christ. You’re a hustler trying to sell Christ If Jesus is love, Jesus as is should be good enough Kirk Franklin did a good job fusing modern music with Gospel. He should be the way we follow bringing in the new generation, not flat out being lazy taking the clean version. Thats the differencd

[@Chunkybeefbroccolli]

Why would you want to do that in the church 😢🤔thats disrespectful he has lost his mind !!!!!!😒

[@perryp2261]

GOD said my house she'll be called the house of Prayer.

[@renitawilliams]

I can't stand these phony pastors...playing with God. There is a special place in hell for them for leading God's sheep astray. Then have the nerve to say we played the "clean verse" like that mean something...uggh!🙄

[@Jrod110]

Just because the words are “clean” doesn’t mean the rhythm isn’t of this world.

[@Deinesness]

Matthew 15:8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Ain’t that the truth!

[@sherricason1548]

No it should NOT!

[@SuevapinasBby]

He is on drugs, period❗🤨

[@NB-tm7xm]

There is no good excuses! What's happening is people have lost the fear of God and Ichabod is written in some of these Churches. It's not about what your flesh believes it is what the Word of God says! Be ye Holy for I am Holy.😢

[@taysmith6934]

well .... idk bout yall but i would love to go to that church 😭

[@ms.kim2112]

Clean version only means bleeped out cussing. Be careful William be very careful right now 🙏🏽

[@laraecoleman7122]

I love how he was justifying it

[@Deinesness]

“We used the clean version” that hunts at messages that are big i the world with bad messages. This guy’s reasoning mixing wicked with the good doesn’t pass the test.

[@angelafox9522]

If You Are Struggling In The World, Lukewarm, Snning, Etc. Pray To God About It, But Do Not Defile God’s House By Bringing That Mess Into It. As the Lord himself says through Jeremiah, My people have become lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray.

[@virm9599]

That’s how you attract worldly people and there money, give the a show

[@jarebare555]

This isn't a church and that's not worship.

[@legion7193]

Religion = Sell you whatever I can

[@juliaboyce3345]

The pulpit, freedom of speech, say what you want and feel, itching eats will listen. That's the danger of not hearing from GOD. The church and the pulpit is now, anybody can do this. Just get up there and become a mockery. GOD will not be mocked.

[@legion7193]

Which God is that dear? There are over 3600 gods being claimed today. Not one of the has stepped forward to defend themselves either. 🤷

[@ronjiclark8680]

The Things Of The World Are A Enemy Of GOD That Song Doesn't Glorify JESUS Clean Version Doesn't Make A Difference, The Pulpit Suppose To Be Sacred Before GOD, JESUS EMPOWERED The Disciple In The Book Of ACTS Chapter 1:4-5 And ACTS Chapter 2:1-3 JESUS EMPOWERED The Disciples With The Holy GHOST, The Holy GHOST Will Equipped You To Draw All Men To JESUS, The Holy GHOST Will Give You The Wizdom To Minister To The World Not Minister With World Rap Music That's False !!!!!!

[@Robbie1075]

"What some would consider secular songs..." No Mr. Murphy, they aren't considered secular songs, they ARE secular songs. And the song being referenced in this short talks about getting drunk and it talks about hoes. Please explain to me how you think that is something that is okay to be in a sanctified House of God? I can answer that for you, it's not! You need to resign/step down as leader of that church and get whatever help you need to deal with whatever it is to are struggling with and get your self right with God.

[@tamparedd813]

This is what he wanted 🥱

[@bimp581]

he conviction is about making money...sick

[@JustGifted342]

When I tell you, This sick, There is no sound Explanation for this, at all, He couldn’t lead me to a candy store.

[@marcusmerritt3730]

NO SIR 🛑🛑🛑🛑!!!

[@Plentycreamtv]

😂😂😂😂 🏄‍♀️ 🏄‍♂️ 🏄

[@themanofjusticetheladyofju9991]

Yeah whatever bruh

[@Bamhart007]

They are using the lords word to hustle and make a fast buck.

[@rostarr713]

A lot of these pastors have lost their mind. This has no place in the church. What happened to Precious Lord, This little light of mine, Father I stretch my hands to thee songs we grew up on. 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@tiffanymaystweenplace2121]

No comment.

[@valoryyah565]

In other words, he couldn’t give a good answer for going against the word of God! 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

[@treasuretvclassics100]

If the music doesn't honor God and honor His laws, statues, and commandments, then it shouldn't be in the church at all.

[@bekindshine9582]

This is terrible

[@FatEven-i8j]

There know excuses for this conduct !! In a Holy place .!! I actually thought this was.the club until my cousin call an said that's the church .I was saddened it's a different between clean and un cean Holy an unHoly . We are in big trouble when we can't tell the church from the club .if you going to run the church like the club just take church off the building an put club Nikki or something. . this saddened me to see

[@LadyAtheOnly]

He is swallowed up by pride and has become a friend of the world…there is a lot of blood on his hands right now. I pray he repents, turns to the LORD, that his heart is transformed, and he genuinely cleans this up before it’s too late.🙏🏾

[@lorrainesmith1275]

Is God being glorified? He’s Holy, Righteous and Pure! Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty.

[@dmd082676]

He claimed that up well

[@rena0505fun]

Compromised!💯

[@lindascreativeboutique]

What????!!!! 😢

[@ALIxANTxLIFE]

I love this. I don't care what the haters have to say. Get hyped for Jesus. I would rather my children being hyped up in a church than a club where nobody is representing the LORD!

[@rohipsalm2370]

The church is the BODY OF CHRIST (ephesians 1:22). Has nothing to do with a building. Unfortunately much Sin takes place in the building as much as in the streets. It's the condition of the heart.

[@norman6694]

You are a single mom

[@ALIxANTxLIFE]

@@norman6694 ✌🏽

[@dennisyerger84]

You don't need secular songs to "get hyped for Jesus."

[@JayDesLaRae]

He made no sense! I’m so glad you that these false prophets are being held accountable and exposed for their evil doings. The Lord will not be mocked or played with!! Period

[@yvonnewright9444]

God said every man do what is right in their own eyes, but is wrong in His Eyes

[@WasBlind_NowISee]

I always wondered how a pastor could lack such discernment but then again I used to live a life where the Holy Spirit was let in me and what I thought was moral and ethical completely changed after I became a born again. This is why it’s scary to live without repenting. You act a fool and don’t feel any guilt. Sin leads to death. And he’s not talking about the flesh kind either. That’s the easy part of death. He’s talking eternal.

[@bre4000]

For all the people that have said the music used is of the world. We all of the world. Every music instrument and words are used by the world to make us feel a certain way. In this case we change the music to praise. Songs like smile have been used in a versatile way. The bible does not speak of rap rock or classic but making a joyful noise. The thing is youll basing things on what you was taught or brainwashed to think..even that Jesus was white that the devil is red with horns, that every thing grandma told you was right and exact and she was taught that by her mother. The problem is youll judge and want others to reach Jesus the way you want but thats not how this works. They say hollywood pastors and pastors should not surf so when did the Bible limit on what body parts or movements we should do. Youll need to focus on your soul and quit using your opinions cause the if the electric gets soul saved...it will be played...

[@Mann2013]

He is messy for a pastor. The fact that I’m called to worship and to know that he once a worshiper is crazy. I can see the difference in his spirit. He should’ve stuck to worshiping.

[@BuildingYourInheritance]

There’s NOTHING clean about DEMONIC songs PERIOD! Call it what you want but it’s clear dude needs to sit down and seek the TRUE & LIVING GOD about his uncleaned delusional heart! Much needed 🛐 REPENTANCE

[@anitrapreston7092]

So, HIS grace is no longer sufficient? And HE has asked a man, HE CREATED, for help? 😢

[@gmichelleb]

The song did not need to be played in church, it’s for the streets. You of all should know, God mandates holiness. We are to meet the lost where they are, but a standard must be kept in doing so and you have missed the mark.

[@willajackson8170]

Holiness, without, no man will see the kingdom ...

[@AaronLKinney]

He Got What He Wanted "The World"

[@triciat8401]

This dude is INSANE... here we go again with these lying pastors

[@vanessabridges7074]

A form of Godliness but denying the power there of🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@beedabee1221]

No “fusing” needed sir.

[@dreamland_1_2_3]

I am a follower of Celestial ( The Master's Voice Prophecy blog). She has a word about, and for, this guy. He's treading on extremely thin ice.

[@meme5478]

That's not GOD'S church. It's a club. GOD'S doesnt correct or rebuke these people because they DON'T BELONG TO HIM!!!!!!!

[@1369brandon]

The fusion of secular and sacred is called synchronism…. And it’s not a good thing

[@gerrimiller3491]

Luv ya gospel music 🎶 William Murphy! Please repent and don't throw a house party in the church. You know better boo😊

[@XoxoMoot]

This man and others like him need a visit from The Drop Squad!

[@jacinta6421]

The preachers know that going to church will not save your mind body spirit complex🙄🙄🙄

[@1313babinski]

Y’all black folks that is saved this is your answer to leave. Y’all other black folks that wanna walk the fence stay. But these pastors are not even hiding their u can not make this stuff up. He can not tell the saints of God this was okay absolutely not!!!!!!

[@dailypearls]

I am not concerned with the church music selection. This is my first time hearing the word swag 🏄. Come as you are. Who ultimately determines what can happen in a church? We are in different times. People changing genders and all kind of stuff is the norm. Live your own life.🤔

[@dianereynolds3327]

That's not a house of GOD it's just what he made it to be 😈

[@shayhall4344]

This man has an impressive catalog of music...I met him years ago before he was elevated...I wasn't there so don't know the entire sermon..I think he could have used his own music another Christian artist

[@jeffersonsmith2991]

Joshua 24:14-15 New International Version 14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” They need to stop, period.

[@deborahalderson3516]

Thank you sir I think you done great Kirk does it all the times. Christian and coming to the Lord house should be fun. Continue

[@Jrod110]

You cannot use music of the world to give the message of Jesus because even if the words are changed the rhythm is still of unclean worldly origin

[@Morethanenuff75]

It must be a difference between holy and unholy…. Be NOT of the world, neither do the things of the world.

[@johnwylie6700]

This man is just going to double down and refuse to admit that this was absolute foolishness 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️