One of the greatest dangers in modern church life is the tendency to elevate leaders into figures of awe, turning them into idols in the hearts of believers. Across history and even today, many have fallen into the trap of following a preacher’s personality rather than the Word of God, seeking excitement, spectacle or emotional highs instead of spiritual growth and obedience to Christ.
People are naturally drawn to those who are charismatic, eloquent or authoritative. In church contexts, this often manifests as crowds flocking to a particular preacher, not primarily because of the gospel, but because of the preacher’s style, reputation or the magnitude of their ministry. Big sermons, impressive conferences and dynamic preaching can create admiration, yet this admiration can easily turn into dependence or even worship of the messenger rather than the message.
When the focus shifts from Christ to a human leader, the church becomes vulnerable to manipulation, compromise and spiritual immaturity and the excitement of a personality-driven ministry may overshadow the transformative work of the Spirit in the hearts of believers.
Personality cults in the church lead to serious consequences. People may begin to depend on the leader rather than on God, seeking guidance, approval or blessing from the human figure instead of consulting Scripture and the Holy Spirit. (I am not saying that one should avoid seeking advice, but I trust you understand my point). When a leader fails, makes mistakes or falls into grave sins, followers are often crushed spiritually, questioning God’s work itself. Also groups may form around various leaders, creating rivalry, jealousy and competition instead of unity.
It is worth noting that Paul himself was not a figure people would describe as charismatic in the modern sense. Scripture tells us that 'he was not physically impressive and even had a weakness in his eyes, and he did not rely on eloquent words or human wisdom to persuade others'. (2 Corinthians 10:10; Galatians 4:13–15; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5). 2 Corinthians 10:10 also notes, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account."
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 emphasizes, "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Despite his lack of worldly charisma, Paul faithfully planted churches, trained leaders and wrote letters that continue to guide the church. His life reminds us that true ministry is measured by obedience, faithfulness and fruitfulness, not by charm, eloquence or popularity.
The early church fathers consistently warned against elevating human leaders above Christ and emphasized humility. St. John Chrysostom, quoting Scripture, taught that "he who is greatest among you should become as the least, and the leader as a servant," highlighting that true Christian leadership is rooted in humility, not status or praise. St. Augustine of Hippo reminded believers that "the greater the office, the greater the need for humility," calling leaders to serve with humility and not seek honor for themselves. These voices from the early centuries echo the Bible’s own warnings about pride and the need to lift Christ above all, showing this was an issue back then as well.
John the Baptist declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), acknowledging that his ministry existed to point people to Christ. This same attitude is crucial for anyone in ministry today. Leaders must remain humble, always directing attention to God rather than themselves. Likewise, criticism, opposition, or even curses should not shake the servant’s focus.
(If praise lifts you up, but criticism, curses, or behind-the-back talk brings you down or discourages you, it shows that this truth has not yet fully taken root in your heart. Your attitude should remain steady and unchanged, no matter how others speak or behave.)
There are ministers who use their personality to exploit poor believers for money or fame, and Scripture makes it clear that their judgment will be far more severe. James 3:1 reminds us, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."
The foolish listeners believe whatever is told because they themselves do not read Scripture. True ministry flows from dependence on God alone, allowing His work to shine while the servant remains in the background. Nothing, whether honor or disfavor, should distract from the priority of exalting Christ above all.
True leadership in the church is always Christ-centered. Leaders are stewards, servants and shepherds of God’s flock. Their role is to point people to Jesus, equip the saints for service and help believers mature spiritually. The focus must remain on Christ, not on the individual delivering the sermon, performing miracles or drawing the crowd. Scripture reminds us, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." The apostles consistently redirected attention to God’s work, not their own charisma or achievements.
Believers should evaluate ministries by Scripture and focus on whether teaching aligns with God’s Word rather than the popularity or eloquence of the speaker. They should guard their hearts against emotional attraction to personalities, ensuring admiration does not turn into devotion. Leaders should model humility, transparency and accountability, never accepting elevation above Christ.
Unity within the church must be prioritized over allegiance to particular leaders, and believers should cultivate personal spiritual growth through prayer, Scripture reading and obedience rather than attending popular conferences or programs alone. Many people attend conferences every six months to experience a spiritual high, only to return home and backslide until the next big event. They focus on receiving a temporary boost rather than continually growing in holiness, deepening their personal Bible study, and strengthening their prayer life.
The church is Christ’s body, not a stage for celebrity pastors or charismatic figures. While God uses gifted leaders to teach, equip, and shepherd, they are servants, not objects of worship. MEN ARE WEAK; THEY WILL DISAPPOINT YOU AND LET YOU DOWN, BUT CHRIST NEVER WILL. Believers must anchor their faith in Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit, not in the charisma or personality of a preacher. When the church remains Christ-centered, it grows in unity, maturity and true spiritual power, independent of human personalities.
Made with Bullet