Skye Jethani: Why Are There So Many Celebrity Pastors?

Every generation has had a few popular preachers, but today there is a whole celebrity class within American evangelicalism. How did this happen, and why do these celebrity pastors often have catastrophic falls? Skye Jethani answers a viewer's question by comparing modern evangelicalism to the "military industrial complex" President Eisenhower warned us about in 1961.

[@c.greystone9825]

Thank you for bringing this up: "Real ministry happens in the context of relationship." Spot on! This however is sadly missing in many churches!

[@ronsteltz7538]

My father was a pastor for 40 years in mostly small low paying churches, he was offered professorships in two local colleges, one of them was the college he graduated from. He turned them both down because he said he was called to preach in the church. He did not go to college until he was 33 and acguired a Bachelors and Masters and also enough credits for a Doctorate but said it would take to much away from the church.

[@waltode6]

Well said, insightful, and very impactful. Over time, Jesus earthly ministry became smaller when folks realized He was calling them to die to themselves and live for God. Keep up the good work.

[@urkoolUncle]

Agree, Demetrius. Most churches covertly teach people to 'be good' and give license to all kind of lifestyles. But the MAIN message of Jesus was 'deny yourself' (so we can be without a 'self' and be a pure Temple for the Holy Spirit to walk through and guide through). I can't count on one hand how many message I heard on the TRUE Gospel in 45 years??????

[@jonathanharkey4141]

I've got one that I will bluntly name ...Steven Furtick of Elevation church So many people "elevators " as they are called put him on a pedestal...its always about him and not God . Saddens me greatly People are missing the whole gospel because they idolize this guy

[@guxt65]

He is building a 2 million house. Thanks to his Elevators.

[@johnyoung6254]

I suggest you read Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola. It helped me understand what Jesus's original church was and how we've gone astray.

[@craiggross8176]

AGREED!! He is "NARCEEE"

[@rider1956a]

Changed my way of thinking about organized religion. I am a child of the late 60's and something was always amiss in churches. Hope to convey these truths - and they are - to the young one's.

[@grahammyers3197]

Main problem is our man made church model is, for most part,i s not biblical.Don't be fooled into thinking it's just large churches

[@katrinam9238]

I don't comment on many videos - this is GREAT! I am thrilled the Lord is raising people to call out the state of the "church" in America. I just saw an article about the top sex scandals in the church in 2017 and was thinking about how integrity and godliness is not valued in the pulpit as much as motivational preaching and status. Pastors don't seem to read the pastoral letters. Anyways, great video.

[@fricasee2000]

I love your metaphors and relevant comparisons. The Evangelical Industrial Complex is something I will be using from now on. It is a new take on an American problem. I would also like to add that the current model of church organization also promotes this lopsided view of a celebrity pastor. Many new churches do not have eldership, do not focus on the priesthood of all believers, focus on hierarchical structures, and operate more like a business than an organic body.

[@rorywynhoff1549]

Thank you Skye, a very good point. We have this bigger is better mentality, if the numbers are big they must be better... right? Not usually. Thanks again.

[@laurengarcia1023]

I didn't know a lot of this but suspected it. I always love hearing your views.

[@Pfsif]

You can't have celebrity clergy without idolaters in the pews.

[@WaynoGur]

Well said. I remember when IKE said this, and saw it played out in Vietnam in the 60's.

[@chang3558]

Makes much sense now

[@EllenSko]

enjoyed hearing your insight!

[@bartlettnate]

lol

[@aaronfochtman3746]

Well said. I applaud your courage and the gentleness of delivery. The American church has as much absorbed it's surrounding dependent, market-driven, capitalistic culture as the Roman Catholic church absorbed it's hierarchical, superstitious, mystery-pagan culture. We are the James 5:3 church and need to make like a steward who's about to get fired. [Luke 16:1-13]

[@billstru]

Spot on, Skye. Good stuff.

[@kelvinwilson9217]

Well articulated and absolutely correct.

[@JamesJones-xv1rr]

Great comments!

[@juanrivera6075]

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Timothy 6:5

[@ws1801]

Amen

[@micahmatthew7104]

Four years later still relevant

[@c.greystone9825]

Well argued and presented! When a pastor/preacher/teacher became prominent (famous), notice that the church (body of Christ) that the pastor is attached to faded into the background? The pastor became the main object of desire instead of Christ or even His church. But all these celebrity pastors will inevitably by design insert themselves with a church so to lend credibility to their so-called ministry. A prominent Christian does not equate genuine Christ follower.

[@marceldavidmitchell]

Nailed it!

[@russgilbertson8689]

Thank you for your views on this subject. Merchandising has taken over the Church. What will happen when ( persecution comes here in America) the Church will go underground using house Churches like in Iran. Russ from Oregon

[@ServantStatusMinistries]

Russ Gilbertson I’m in Portland Oregon currently and can see that happening heavy here.

[@BasementBerean]

1) Tell the truth for free, concisely, in five minutes. 2) Been on KZbin for a decade. 3) About 1500 subs. 4) That's whey there are so many celebrity pastors.

[@ws1801]

Totally agree..sad though

[@n9wff]

Flesh needs motivation and entertainment. They get it as long as the $$$ is provided. Just like the world.

[@BrotherKennyHolland]

Supply and demand!

[@leonardc]

Wisdom from a guy with only 429 KZbin subscribers. Who would have thought? (Sorry Skye, just had to pick on you. Keep up the good work.)

[@fairsky84]

On this topic would I have any credibility with 10,000+ subscribers?

[@JEALSTI]

492 today! Modest growth, but still maintains topical credibility! :-)

[@angelodcollazo]

Including me, 635, as of right now.

[@sliklatin]

I am subscriber 839 and have read "with" and "futureville" which I enjoyed a great deal.

[@tripletse]

@@fairsky84 good point

[@mikerobertson4041]

Check out 2 Timothy 4:3.

[@waynejeez5620]

Once you take that which is of the Spirit; add "your own spin to it", you have "nullified" God's word. Because you have been deceived, you, by default, WILL deceive others. The Lord is longsuffering with us, and requires that we repent.

[@jorgegonzalez134]

I don’t put no man on a pedestal. That goes for my pastors at he church I attend. They are sinners just like me. I know them personally and we talk about our shortcomings and struggles openly because we are friends. That being said, the church of today will suffer persecution in the future because it’s the only way for the church to rise up. I don’t watch Christian television or tv of any type so I couldn’t name a celebrity pastor thank you.

[@urkoolUncle]

American-churchianity is more about trying to GET THINGS from God instead of GETTING HIS NATURE by self denial and the Holy Spirit. Celebrity pastors are appealing to those who prefer the world, matter, success on this planet without sacrificing their personal, flesh-driven ambitions. In american-churchianity, all you need to to is 'accept Christ' and recite a prayer. It's then said that the person is on their way to heaven. (No talk about GOD calling or drawing one apart. It's assumed you can go on living your OWN life and just attach the sinners prayer at the end of everything). I heard Christine Caine say once, about christian musicians in most of christendom today: 'They strive to get a dove award because they don't have the Real DOVE." Imagine a book with the title: "Self Denial and Self Surrender is the Way." Won't pass the grade here. The title must have something like, '6 ways to prosperity' or 10 steps toward your Abrahamic blessing.' American-churchianity is self-based and it will not lead a person to God.....nor to heaven (regardless of saying a 'sinner's prayer' or being dunked in a pool of water). He must increase; I must disappear.

[@richardwright1358]

Why does Man to be Married to preach the word of God

[@repentuklondonwatchman1373]

Erm,,,, DID THIS MAN JUST SAY "FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO MY EMAIL DEVOTIONAL" ?

[@ServantStatusMinistries]

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 1-3 I want to give everything to people freely as God has given to me. It even says to not buy knowledge in Ecclesiastes. People need to go to the source of all knowledge which is Jesus. But as scripture states the people that are deceived covet.

[@dsonar9826]

I find myself agreeing with what you say, but aren't you being on the ironic side giving a free subscription to your writing as a "reward" for sending in a good question?

[@ruthiepooh86]

Worship the Master; not the pastor.

[@davidrhenley]

3 celebrity pastors downvoted this.

[@valentinamorales2403]

7 billion dollar what is all about the money.

[@kendiggins2306]

My pastors and confidants Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and Mike Murdock say you're way off base, and Joel Osteen agrees. There are many other examples to chose from, I just like pointing out the obvious. Signed..a moderate charismatic.

[@BrotherKennyHolland]

Better get back to the word of a God!

[@ws1801]

Some of the main ones racking it in..

[@markrossington6884]

LOL ... Like YOU!

[@musicappreciate]

I know it was a little late to come in on this, but Skye missed a golden opportunity here and it might be because he’s protecting his own $ machine. Just “reduce your authority given to the industrial complex?“ if something dilutes and distorts Christianity it’s not a sector of Christianity, it is an enemy. I say throw all you have behind your local church, it’s missionaries, and it’s mission to the community and region and have nothing to do with these machines

[@2wheelz3504]

The answer is money. The modern mega church that reigns today is a sham. I'm tired of celebrity pastors who dress like Justin Bieber, play music that sounds like his and throw in a "god" or "praise" now and then, preach a "be a better person" 20 minute sermon and call it church. Take away all the music and dressing like a 14 year old and preach the Bible, not from the Bible and see how many devoted congregants you have in your service in 30 days. Their churches are nothing like Jesus' ministry or the NT church. They are shallow and devoid of the Holy Spirit while creating an abundance of manipulative emotion. They are materialistic fakes. They are worse that the worst reprobates of the world. Christians should do church discipline on their pastors and throw them out.

[@johnyoung6254]

There is only one God and only one mediator between God and man, JESUS. The problem with this whole scenario to begin with is. In the new covenant no one needs a priest and the real church is not a building or institution but you and others in Christ being personal ly led by the Holy Spirit.

[@anilphilip546]

@skyejethani you miss the most important point: Tithe. Why should I give 10% of my income to the church organization when God does not require it? Celebrity pastors get rich because they push tithing on members. Members also give directly to the pastors.

[@daveme7]

Come on now. Video was good until you came up with the most infamous words by a President and copy them. Kitch-I think that is the word for it. Just come up with something original. Why are there celeberty pastors these days? Internet for one but the reality becomes this-fame, money, and having your own groupies.

[@TheMostEccentric]

If it’s the same teachings from the same few mostly-white mostly-men emphasizing the same political messaging & approaching Scripture in the same ways uncritically, or writing the same songs with the same lyrics and the same musical tropes, published by the same labels and bankrolled by the same donors, i group it in the Evangelical Industrial Complex

[@gayleliman3423]

Interesting, aren't you 'the pot calling the kettle black?'

[@danielmccarty5979]

We get it. You got burned by a church and now you are trying to make money bashing people. Just like them you sell books, podcasts, etc. There may be some truth to what you're saying but you are doing the same thing. Building a following and then selling books, etc. to make money. Jesus had 5000 men in one sitting. It isn't about the size of a following that makes the speaker wrong it is their heart.

[@shelley8270]

I am also guessing that Jesus didn't pass a collection plate and He didn't have a book table selling His latest book.

[@guccisuede54321]

Relisten to everthing he is saying. There is more than 'some' truth How do you know that he is building a following TO make money?