Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church

Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church

Many Christian leaders use their fame and influence to effectively say to their followers, "Follow me as I follow Christ." But when fame is cultivated for its own sake without spiritual maturity and accountability, it has a shadow side that betrays the heart of the gospel. Celebrity--defined as social power without proximity --has led to abuses of power, the cultivation of persona, and a fixation on profits. The time has come for the church to reexamine its relationship with celebrity. Award-winning journalist Katelyn Beaty explores the ways fame has reshaped the American church, explains how and why celebrity is woven into the fabric of the evangelical movement, and identifies many ways fame has gone awry in recent years. She shows us how evangelical culture is uniquely attracted to celebrity gurus over and against institutions, and she offers a renewed vision of ordinary faithfulness, helping us all keep fame in its proper place. Now in paperback. "This book is a great gift and should be required reading for all who love the church."-- Rich Villodas , pastor of New Life Fellowship; author of The Deeply Formed Life "Beaty's journalism bona fides are on full display as she highlights familiar and maybe unfamiliar stories about large segments of American Christianity filled with unchecked power, manipulative charisma, and cultures of enablement. Her vulnerable self-reflection and theological survey are an added bonus that strengthens her credibility." -- Christina Edmondson , leadership development consultant, Certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, and cohost of the Truth's Table podcast " Celebrities for Jesus perfectly captures how and why we continuously see popular Christian celebrity leaders fall from the high pedestals we put them on. Amid the scandals and heartbreak caused by trusted leaders, this book is a reminder of the power of proximity and true friendship that we Christians need the most." -- Kellie Koch , strategic communications professional "With insight and empathy, Beaty diagnoses the broken patterns of leadership we see in the church. But this book is no mere jeremiad. It points the way forward to renewed visions of power, accountability, and humility." -- Russell Moore , chair of public theology, Christianity Today " Celebrities for Jesus chronicles the abuses and scandals invited by the rise of eminent Christian personalities. It persuasively demonstrates that the embrace of celebrity culture is folly: whatever growth or outreach it achieves for the church comes at great personal and institutional costs." -- James Havey , attorney "For evangelicalism a celebrity is someone who has formed, cultivated, and platformed a persona of themselves that attracts a following. We need a demotion of the celebrity culture and an expansion of leaders who are followers of Jesus. I am so glad to see Beaty expose this serious problem in our churches. It will be a must-read for all those who want to lead." -- Scot McKnight , professor, Northern Seminary "Required reading for all who love the church" Many Christian leaders use their fame and influence to great effect, effectively saying to their followers, "Follow me as I follow Christ." But fame that is cultivated for its own sake, without attendant spiritual maturity and accountability, has a shadow side that runs counter to the heart of the gospel. Celebrity--defined as social power without proximity-- has led to abuses of power, the cultivation of persona, and a fixation on profits. Award-winning journalist Katelyn Beaty explores the ways fame has reshaped the American church, explains how and why celebrity is woven into the fabric of the evangelical movement, and identifies many ways fame has gone awry in recent years. She shows us how evangelical culture is uniquely attracted to celebrity gurus over and against institutions, and she offers a renewed vision of ordinary faithfulness, helping us all keep fame in its proper place. "This book is a great gift and should be required reading for all who love the church." -- Rich Villodas , pastor of New Life Fellowship; author of The Deeply Formed Life "Beaty beautifully reminds us that pastors and churches should work toward resembling the life of Jesus by making 'little Christs.' Celebrities for Jesus is a much-needed book at this very moment in the church." -- Chris Hennessey , stay-at-home dad "Stupendously convicting and well-researched. Celebrities for Jesus provides a timely, sober reflection on the toxic culture that often arises when piety and popularity mix." -- Jemar Tisby , New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism "With the tone of a trusted confidant, Beaty shines a light on what happens behind the scenes of Christian celebrity culture. She illuminates the problem this presents to the church, while offering hints of ways we might change our current trajectory to prevent repeating history. It's a timely read." --