Celebrity v.s Servanthood

There's a phenomenon taking place in our churches and in the world of Christianity that, if we're going to see a sustained Move of God in our country, needs to be addressed and dealt with. We're finding that more than a few of our ministers and preachers are aspiring to what could be described as "Christian Celebrity Status". This, of course, is not a new thing; but it has a little different twist with the technology of social media. With youtube and twitter and other forms of social media, people can try to become a "star" in the ministry practically overnight. Let me say very quickly that this is not the Will of God. A lot of times we see preachers on tv that are genuinely gifted and anointed, and experience a lot of fame and notoriety. Nothing is wrong with this, as fame and name recognition is actually part of the Blessing of God (Genesis 12). But this is not what we're supposed to be reaching for as ministers of the Gospel and the Ambassadors for Christ. This selfish ambition is affecting the spirit and focus that a lot of young ministers come into the ministry with; thinking that being "famous" in the Ministry is the distinguishing mark of success. This assessment is incorrect. We must clarify and distinguish between being a Celebrity and Servanthood.

We have not been called to be celebrities in the church. That's not what God has called us to do. God has called us to be Servants of the Most High God. This is what we have been called and anointed to do. If you've been called to preach or to the ministry, and you're reaching or positioning yourself for people to "know who you are", then your focus is off. The danger with reaching for being a Christian Celebrity is that when you follow this particular path, you begin to make decisions that are more catered towards pleasing the people as opposed to pleasing God. A celebrity is someone of the "people's choice". A celebrity is someone who is "celebrated" by the masses. However, the biblical record shows that most of the people that God used for His Kingdom Purposes were not always popular (Acts 6). King Saul messed up in this area, trying to please the people rather than be obedient to God (1Samuel 15). As a result he lost his crown and he lost his kingship. In other words, he lost his ministry.

As always, Jesus is the perfect example. The scripture says that Jesus, "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a Servant" (Philippians 2). Jesus making Himself of no reputation means that He wasn't trying to be a star. He wasn't trying to be a celebrity. He wasn't trying to be accepted and affirmed by the people. Jesus' focus was on being a Servant; and remember He was God. Which means He was worthy of worship. But that was not His focus, and neither should it be ours. That's why Jesus gave the lesson to the disciples of washing their feet (John 13). This is why Jesus told the disciples that the greatest among you is your servant (Matthew 23). Let's quit trying to please the crowd. Let's quit trying to draw the masses, just for the sake of numbers. Let us commit ourselves to the spirit of ministry for which Jesus demonstrated and exemplified all during his earthly sojourn. Let us aspire to be Spiritual Servants, not Christian Celebrities.