You’ve probably seen the clips. Judah Smith, the guy with the signature thick-rimmed glasses and the high-energy delivery, standing on a stage—or more likely, on your phone screen via the Churchome app. He’s the "pastor to the stars," the man Justin Bieber calls a second father. But lately, the conversation around him has shifted from his sneaker game to some pretty heavy legal and ethical questions.
What really happened with the Judah Smith controversy isn't just one thing. It’s a messy pile-up of a massive class-action lawsuit, "cult" allegations from former inner-circle friends, and a fundamental shift in how his church actually functions.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. One minute he’s officiating the Bieber wedding, and the next, he’s in a King County courtroom defending his church's tithing policies. If you’re trying to figure out why your feed is suddenly full of people deconstructing their time at Churchome, you aren't alone.
The 10% Rule: A Lawsuit That Changed Everything
The biggest lightning rod for the Judah Smith controversy is a class-action lawsuit filed in 2023. This wasn't just some disgruntled former member. This was a legal claim involving over 100 current and former employees.
Basically, the suit alleges that Churchome—the church Judah and his wife Chelsea lead—forced its staff to tithe 10% of their gross wages back to the church. If they didn't? They allegedly faced "disciplinary action," which is just a fancy way of saying they were threatened with being fired.
Rachel Kellogg, the lead plaintiff and a former video editor for the church, didn't hold back in the filings. She claimed that during a 2020 staff meeting, Judah told everyone point-blank that people had already been "transitioned" (fired) because they weren't tithing. He even reportedly suggested that employees should sell their "possessions and belongings" rather than miss a tithe payment.
Think about that for a second.
You work for a non-profit, and they tell you that to keep your job, you have to give 10% of your paycheck back to the person who signed it. Washington state law generally frowns on that sort of thing—specifically the Wage Rebate Act. Churchome’s defense? They call tithing a "faith practice" and a "core religious belief." They argue that as a religious organization, they have the First Amendment right to set these kinds of expectations for their team.
The "Cult" Question and the Ryan Good Breakup
Then there’s the word nobody wants associated with their brand: "cult."
In early 2025, the Judah Smith controversy took a weirdly personal turn. Ryan Good, who was Justin Bieber's road manager and the co-founder of the Drew House clothing brand, reportedly cut ties with Bieber. Why? According to sources close to the situation, Good was deeply concerned about the influence Judah Smith had over the singer.
Good allegedly described the environment around Churchome as "cult-like."
It wasn't just the vibe. The tension reportedly peaked when Bieber added Judah Smith to the board of Drew House. People were confused. Smith is a preacher, not a fashion executive or a corporate strategist. To outsiders, it looked like the pastor was embedding himself into the singer's business interests, which is a classic red flag for those watching for undue influence.
Judah actually addressed the cult rumors from the pulpit in May 2025. He joked about it, saying, "If we’re a cult, we are the worst cult in the history of all cults. We meet once a month, guys." He was referring to Churchome’s shift away from weekly in-person services toward an app-based model. It was a classic Judah move: use humor to deflate a very serious accusation.
Where Did the $61 Million Go?
Money is always at the center of these things, isn't it?
Beyond the employee tithing suit, a 2025 documentary titled The Religion Business brought up some staggering numbers. The film alleged that Churchome sold off about $61 million in church real estate. The controversy here isn't the sale itself—churches move property all the time. The issue is the lack of transparency.
Where did the $61 million go?
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For a church that received over $1.5 million in PPP loans during the pandemic, the optics of selling off massive amounts of real estate while allegedly "forcing" underpaid staff to give back 10% of their checks are... not great. It creates this image of a "celebrity megachurch" that functions more like a high-tech corporation with very little public accountability.
The App, the Sneakers, and the New Gospel
To understand the Judah Smith controversy, you have to understand the "Churchome Global" shift. Years ago, the Smiths decided to move away from the traditional building model. They wanted to be the "church in the palm of your hand."
On one hand, it's progressive. It meets people where they are (on their phones). On the other hand, critics argue it replaces community with "content." When you’re watching a guy in a $1,200 outfit talk about the "divine dismantling" of your ego, but there’s no local congregation to actually hold that leader accountable, things can get weird fast.
The lifestyle is a huge part of the friction. Judah is often seen in designer gear—Gucci, Balenciaga, you name it. For his supporters, it’s just "meeting the culture where it’s at." For his critics, it’s the definition of the "celebrity preacher scam," where the tithes of the working class fund a lifestyle that looks more like a Hollywood A-lister's than a servant-leader's.
What This Means for You
If you've been following Judah Smith or are part of the Churchome community, this isn't just gossip. It’s a case study in how modern ministry is changing—and where it might be breaking.
The legal outcome of the tithing lawsuit will be a landmark case for religious freedom versus labor rights. If the courts rule against Churchome, it could change how every megachurch in America handles its staff. If they win, it might embolden more organizations to make "giving" a requirement for employment.
Actionable Insights to Consider:
- Check the Bylaws: If you’re joining a church staff or even just a small group, ask for the financial transparency reports. Real churches should have them available for members.
- Vetting Leadership: Look for a "plurality of leadership." If one person has all the power and sits on the boards of their famous friends' companies, that’s a significant red flag.
- Trust Your Gut on "Vibes": If a community feels like it’s becoming more about the "brand" of the leader than the actual service to the community, it might be time to take a step back and reassess.
- Follow the Court Case: Keep an eye on the "Kellogg v. Churchome" filings in Washington. The final ruling will likely set the tone for the next decade of "church-business" relations.
The Judah Smith controversy isn't going away anytime soon. Whether he’s a misunderstood innovator or a cautionary tale of celebrity culture in the church depends largely on which side of the courtroom—or the app screen—you’re standing on.