Today's Peacock is Tomorrow's Feather Duster
It appears that celebrity and contrived popularity often come at the expense of competence and rational judgment. This seems to best explain the "Bernie" factor and the "AOC" syndrome.
Unfortunately, this is not only true in the political world, but it is also seen in the church of Jesus Christ. The self-importance of some pastors and church leaders is disconcerting and their self-efficacy rating is disturbing. As of late many evangelical rock stars have crumbled, fallen, imploded.
Imagine pastors of churches with tens of thousands caught up in materialistic idolatry and marital infidelity. Many are belligerent, pugnacious, self-willed, egomaniac bullies! Pride comes before the fall and oh, how many of the mighty have fallen....and others will.
Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon. The Apostle Paul warned the elders at the church of Ephesus (which was founded by Paul and pastored by Timothy) that some from the that church and even from the elders themselves would come and do harm to the church (Acts 20:28-30).
The Apostle John warned the church that a church leader named Diotrephes "who loved to be first among the church" would not listen to the Apostle's instruction (3 John :9). Sounds like hubris to me!
Please do not stop going to church and do continue to pray for your pastor. But we must be aware to beware of the schemes and methods that Satan seeks to use to harm the saints. And one of the oldest involves and includes the tinsel sham of a temporal world that deludes the eye and beguiles the heart.
Celebrity on earth is not that difficult to achieve. But true celebrity in the kingdom of God is achieved by faith and fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is to be found in those who have done unknown and unhistorical acts, but have lived a faithfully hidden life and rest in unvisited tombs. But one day, true celebrity will be on display for all to see.
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,
Fred