We have something in our world called ‘celebrity culture.’ You may have heard of it! In truth the phrase will mean different things to different people. Let me define my understanding so we can start at the same place.

It begins when an individual is ‘celebrated’ because of a skill, a hit song/book, a position, an inheritance, perhaps a family/friendship connection, or perhaps even a controversy. They gain the attention of others because of something they have done.

This celebration tends to ‘elevate‘ these people to a different place in our minds. They are talented. We begin to treat them differently than we used to because on one level we believe they are no longer like us.

This usually gives them an influence that they previously didn’t have. They usually gives them a level of wealth they previously didn’t have. Whilst this might be a welcome thing in their lives it brings change and challenge.

Quite often people come around them simply because of that influence and wealth, making what is a true and a false relationship difficult to discern. Depending on their level of fame, every word, outfit and interaction is scrutinised, quite often publicly, on one level or another. Often the thing that first caused them to be celebrated takes a back seat as the ‘celebrity culture’ takes precedent. Like anyone who is treated differently, those who have been celebrated can begin to act differently.

Most of us will find the culture of celebrity distressing on some level. Of course we love that it produces great entertainment, content, learning etc. but we should be concerned by some of the other stuff around it.

I worry for the celebrity – the person at the centre of the culture. Whilst they may or may not have desired this lifestyle, few, if any, are equipped to deal with it. I don’t think anyone could be. I worry for those of us who are influenced by the culture. I worry about the desire to be a ‘celebrity.’ I worry about the influence we allow the celebrity culture to have, and ultimately I worry about what all of this is doing to our souls.

This isn’t simply something happening in ‘the world.’ We see it within the church as well. It has always operated on a micro level as far as I can tell. A local pastor, minister, or priest often has minor celebrity status in their town or village – I remember witnessing it as a child. However as churches have grown and the internet/ social media has mushroomed Christian leaders who are gifted in ministry are now experiencing higher levels of notoriety. Whilst its great that their ministry is reaching so many more, the ‘celebrity’ that comes with it is tricky to manage. Perhaps in the church its even more tricky because our job is to point people to Jesus – no true Christian leader would want to divert attention from Him, but ‘celebrity culture’ will try.

Naturally because of our concerns, and all the complexities, many want to remove the whole thing. “Lets get rid of it all”. No broadcast, no names, no conferences, social media accounts, books, podcasts etc. and then we will be fine.

I get it. The desire is good but are we in danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Every year at our church we invite people who carry something that is important – they are people whom we celebrate God through. I think this is good but I don’t want to do anything more than that. I don’t want to add to the celebrity culture!

Is there a way that we can honour someone’s gifting and receive from God, through them, without all the other stuff?

How can we celebrate someone without creating a celebrity?

Here are a couple of growing thoughts I have;

• Lets keep God first – God is always the one that we elevate and whilst He is also in the habit of elevating us, we must remember that every good and perfect gift comes from Him and no one else. The danger is that we end up putting more faith in our favourite speaker or worship leader than our Heavenly Father. Let’s resist that temptation.
• Lets keep those we celebrate ‘human sized’ – this is a term I have borrowed from a friend but I think it works well here. Those women and men who God has used powerfully are just women and men like you and me. They are fearfully and wonderfully made but they are human. They eat, drink, get wind, use the bathroom, make mistakes, upset people, get angry at their dog, the same way anyone else does. We must treat them as humans the way we would hope to be treated. They aren’t God and its unfair to expect more from them than anyone else. Treat them as we would like to be treated, let them off the hook when they get it wrong (I’m not about legal stuff here), and give them the grace we desire.
• Lets value their heart before their hands – Too often we come to events, services, or conferences they are contributing at, and expect them to heal, prophecy, or validate something that will change our lives to forever. I don’t think this is a particularly healthy approach as it completely reverses the previous two points, but as well as that it puts huge pressure on those people and tells them that we care less about who they are and more about what they can do. What it we changed that and we cared more about what was in their heart and than what was in their hands?
• Pray for them – because we often do the opposite of the points above these people have to work hard not to pull away from life or adopt the ‘celebrity’ status. No human was built to be worshipped and when they are it is harmful to them. I’ve experienced this is the most minuscule of ways and I know how harmful it can be for my heart. I can’t imagine how it feels on a bigger level and I don’t want to. We must pray for them. Pray that God will protect them. Pray they will grow in their love and knowledge of Him. Pray that they will know deep friendship in their lives. Pray.

Truthfully I’m unsure if we can do one (celebration) without the other (celebrity) but I’ve met enough people who have navigated it well to know that it can be done. Yes, there will be moments where it goes wrong, these will grieve our hearts and all cause damage to those involved, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate what God is doing through His people.

Lord, we need your wisdom