Michael Jackson moonwalked his way into the hearts of millions, perhaps billions, of people around the globe, a glittering icon who could do no wrong in the eyes of his adoring fans. They cheered, screamed, and wept at the mere sight of him, entranced by the aura of untouchable greatness that surrounded him. But then came the headlines—the lawsuits, the whispers, the grotesque truths that couldn’t be silenced by a high note or a perfectly timed spin.

The King of Pop wasn’t just another flawed man, he was a shattered image of what people so desperately wanted to believe. His story ended not with applause but in tragedy, a grim reminder that celebrity idolatry blinds people to reality until it’s too late. Yet, here we are again, bowing at the altar of fame, learning nothing as we anoint new idols who will surely fall just as hard.

Celebrity culture has seeped into every corner of modern society, and the church—where humility and truth should reign—is no exception. With few exceptions, gone are the days of pastors whose hearts burned for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Today, we’re left with a parade of social media influencers in skinny jeans who peddle platitudes instead of preaching the gospel.

Rarely does the congregation even know their pastor, and even more rare does the pastor know the congregation. The megachurch pastorate is an insider’s club, and if you want in, you have to climb the ladder. But the congregation doesn’t need a shepherd anymore—apparently, it needs a brand ambassador. And the worst part? The sheep are not just following these predators, they’re celebrating them.

This is the rot at the heart of the so-called “pastorpreneur” phenomenon. These men—and, increasingly, women—have bartered their pulpits for stages, their organs for smoke machines and rock bands, and worst of all, their Bibles for TED Talks.

Their sermons, if you can even call them that, are full of vague affirmations and feel-good soundbites that wouldn’t offend even the most hardened atheist.

Of course, it’s not about feeding the flock, it’s about feeding their egos. They don’t build churches—they build platforms and kingdoms. They don’t preach the cross—they preach themselves.

And don’t think for a second that this is some organic cultural shift. No, this is an orchestrated attack on Christ Himself and His Church. The celebrity pastor is the logical conclusion of a culture obsessed with image over substance.

But why should the church—the bride of Christ—be any different? After all, when the world dictates your priorities, it’s only a matter of time before your pastor starts looking like he’s auditioning for a reality TV show. It’s all lights, camera, action—but no conviction, no repentance, no truth. Just a shiny facade of charisma masking a hollow core.

The real tragedy is that the so-called “sheep” are complicit in this mess. They’ve traded sound doctrine for entertainment and they want pastors who look good on Instagram, not pastors who know the Word of God.

Just peruse Steven Furtick’s social media followers. You can almost hear them now: “Oh, he’s so relatable! Look at his tattoos and his cool sneakers!” As if a new pair of Jordans can carry the weight of eternity. It’s like hiring a lifeguard because they’re great at posing for pictures—who cares if they can’t swim?

And I’m certainly not against pastors being compensated for their hard work. But these “pastors,” these self-styled celebrities who market themselves as if salvation depends on their brand, are not just selling books, conference speaking sessions, or education and training. They’re not even selling biblical counseling. They’re selling themselves.

They’ve turned their ministries into multi-million-dollar enterprises, complete with merchandise, conferences, and subscription-based access to their “exclusive” content. The gospel? Oh, that’s just the background music to their self-promotional highlight reel. It’s the bait to get you in the door so they can sell you their latest “faith-based” product.

And their theology, if you can call it that, is usually horrendous. They don’t teach exegete the biblical text, they cherry-pick out verses and twist them to fit whatever point they want to make.

If the world wants to hear about self-love, they’ll find a verse to back it up.

If the world demands affirmations of sin, they’ll find a way to “reinterpret” Scripture.

It’s not about what God’s Word says—it’s about what’s trending. They’ve turned the eternal truth of Scripture into a buffet where they can pick and choose what to serve, depending on what will keep the paying customers coming back for more.

But it’s not just the pastors—it’s the entire ecosystem that enables them. Social media has created a generation of Christians who value likes over holiness, who would rather share a viral sermon clip than actually sit under biblical teaching. The church has become a breeding ground for shallow faith and superficial discipleship, all in the name of “relevance.” And the celebrity persona is the perfect leader for a church that doesn’t want to be led to the cross, but to the applause of the world.

Just look at them, Levi Lusko, Steven Furtick…Carl Lentz. They’re not pastors—they’re entertainers. They don’t shepherd souls—they manage audiences. Their ministries aren’t about glorifying God—they’re about glorifying themselves. And yet, people flock to them in droves, desperate for the spiritual equivalent of junk food. It might taste good in the moment, but it leaves you malnourished and starving for real truth.

This is the tragedy of the whole phenomenon. It’s not just that these men (and women) are leading people astray—it’s that the people are willingly following them. They’ve been seduced by the glitz and glamor, by the promise of a faith that requires nothing but weekly tithes, but delivers everything.

True Christianity, however, isn’t about convenience or comfort. It’s about taking up your cross and following Christ. It’s about dying to yourself and being raised to new life in Christ, not building a platform for your brand.

So before we celebrate these so-called leaders, let’s take a hard look at what they’re really offering. Is it the gospel of Jesus Christ, or is it a watered-down, sugar-coated imitation designed to keep you entertained?

Don’t be fooled by the lights and the hype. Behind the polished facade lies a dangerous deception, one that elevates the fleeting applause of men over the eternal glory of God.

The church doesn’t need more celebrities. It needs shepherds. It doesn’t need more influencers. It needs Christ.