The dispute took an even sharper turn on Sunday, January 4, 2026, when a prominent Church of God in Christ (COGIC) preacher took aim at Bryant’s remarks during his morning sermon. The minister cited long-standing Pentecostal and Holiness traditions regarding separation from worldly trends, arguing that leaders cannot preach holiness inside the sanctuary while embracing revealing secular fashion outside of it.
The preacher used his platform to openly challenge Bryant's dismissal of the issue, questioning how young women in the congregation could be taught modesty when pastoral leadership openly championed garments designed to look nude. The sermon quickly caught fire on YouTube and Black Enterprise, sparking intense back-and-forth between COGIC traditionalists and members of independent Baptist and non-denominational congregations.
This friction highlighted historic tensions in the Black church. On one side are the Holiness and Pentecostal traditions, which have long held strict standards on clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and public behavior. On the other are modern urban megachurches, where cultural engagement, designer fashion, and celebrity influence are often viewed as valid tools for community visibility and generational appeal.
