Thaddeus Matthews

For another pastor was known as "The Cussing Pastor", see Mark Driscoll.

Thaddeus Augustus Matthews (April 1, 1957 – February 24, 2025), also known as "The Cussing Pastor", was an American pastor and broadcaster who gained popularity for using profanity in his preaching.

Thaddeus Matthews
Matthews in 2023
Born	Thaddeus Augustus Matthews (1957-04-01)April 1, 1957 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	February 24, 2025(2025-02-24) (aged 67)
Occupations	Pastor broadcaster
Known for	Explicit preaching

Career

Born April 1, 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee,^[1] Matthews gained popularity in December 2017 after a Facebook livestream where he went on a vulgar rant on cursing in religion.^[2][3] In 2018, he was featured in an episode of Tosh.0.^[4] An Instagram video of his, titled "I Don't Give a Shit Saturday", was sampled by Madlib for the song "Situations" in his collaboration album with Freddie Gibbs, Bandana.^[5]

Controversy

In 2016, he was accused by a woman of harassing her, to which he responded by saying she was lying.^[1][6] That same year, he was arrested for harassment after he posted nude photos of himself to a blog.^[7]

In 2019, Matthews received criticism after holding a twerking contest at his church.^[8] That same year, he got into a screaming match with singer and television personality K. Michelle.^[9][10] He also made homophobic remarks towards Davin Clemons, Memphis' first openly LGBT councilmember.^[11]

In 2022, Matthews turned himself into the Memphis Police Department for using social media for sexual harassment and violating a restraining order placed by his girlfriend.^[12][13]

Death

Matthews died from congestive heart failure on February 24, 2025, at the age of 67.^[14]