I cringe and my heart aches as I think about the title of this article. My honest opinion is that we, the church, are totally complicit with “Celebrity Christianity”. We’ve built it, and unfortunately we continue to prop it up. Our very nature as sinners seems to be committed to exalting a man or woman of God to an unhealthy level, making the whole thing reek of self-aggrandizement. We love to belong to something big and exciting, and to have impact. All the better if we can be personally connected to them. With pride we might say, “that’s my pastor, that’s my church, or I’m a part of this ministry”. This isn’t all inherently wrong, but it can become wrong. It reminds me of 1 Samuel 8 when the Israelites demanded a king that they could exalt, which of course would exalt them as a people.
So, what exactly is it that I’m suggesting we abandon?
I’m sure there’s many opinions about what Celebrity Christianity is, so I’ll do my best to clarify what I believe many mean and are rightly disturbed by. Celebrity Christianity prioritizes and exalts the brand of the church or the pastor(s) in an unhealthy way. It’s a form of idolatry and can produce elitism, arrogance, cognitive dissonance and a lack of accountability within the culture of the church. If we’re honest, hints of it are everywhere whether it be a denominational or non-denominational church, whether big or small. Some suggest it’s mostly mega-churches or independent charismatic churches where this is a problem, but I think it’s found across the global church.
From 2004-2014 I was part of a ministry that reached hundreds of thousands from all over the world with an aggressive conference and online ministry. I, along with several friends, traveled several times a month teaching and preaching at various churches and conferences on nearly every continent. I experienced first-hand the ‘conference world’, with events that promote cutting-edge promotional videos, flashing the names of our favorite speakers along with brief clips of these servants of God leading the masses. Many of these events have banners with the names and faces of our favorite speakers adorning the halls of the conference center or church. Some even have life-sized, full-body pictures of the speakers being platformed. It’s weird, and let’s face it, if we get there, we’ve overdone it.
Chances are that most of us have participated in this version of Christianity in some way or another. If we haven’t been on the stage more than likely we’ve promoted, hosted or attended an event like this with great pride.
I’m not saying we should necessarily abandon good marketing or should refuse to honor people whom God is using, but we do need to reevaluate what we’re producing. If we’re emphasizing status and privilege, creating a world of backstage and all access passes, VIP seating, who is who, who knows who, or who gets to go where, then please, let’s stop. It’s nauseating overkill.
Covering event costs is vital, and even turning a profit can be noble stewardship. But are we commercializing our faith, running everything with financial gain primarily in mind?Are we fooling ourselves when we justify this because we’re ‘getting the message out there’ to ‘bless the church’? If this approach goes unchecked, we can end up building a superficial church with superficial disciples, confumsed by materialism and narcissism, with zero crucifixion of self. Let’s not forget Jesus cleansed the temple of this very thing (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46, John 2:13-16).
Instead of this, let’s remember and recommit to Scripture’s narrow path:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30
Let that be true among us.
