It’s a question that should shake every pulpit and pierce every heart:
Are we gathering fans—or are we making disciples?
When the Stage Becomes a Spotlight
We live in an era where charisma often overshadows character. Many churches—perhaps unintentionally—have drifted from Christ-centred discipleship into celebrity-driven Christianity. The goal has subtly shifted from formation to fame, from servanthood to status. We celebrate brands over brokenness, and image over intimacy with God.
But the Great Commission was never, “Go and build your platform.”
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV).
The Greek word for “make disciples” is μαθητεύσατε (mathēteusate), derived from mathētēs, meaning learner or student. Discipleship in Jesus’ time wasn’t just attending a class or following a page—it was a lifelong apprenticeship of becoming like the Master.
A true mathētēs didn’t just listen to teachings; they imitated the teacher’s life, values, and mission.
Today, we have a generation that follows influencers (in-flow-ers) more than they follow imitators of Christ (Christ-followers). We subscribe, click, and scroll—but how many of us are still surrendering, serving, and obeying?
When the Messenger Outshines the Message
We must ask ourselves: What are we really building? Are we creating celebrities of the sanctuary instead of servants of the Saviour?
The apostle Paul confronted this same issue in Corinth. Some said, “I follow Paul,” others, “I follow Apollos” (1 Corinthians 3:4). Division had crept in because loyalty had shifted from Christ to charisma.
Paul’s response was sharp and sobering: “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed…” (1 Corinthians 3:5, ESV).
The Greek word for “servants” here is διάκονοι (diakonoi), meaning table-waiters or attendants. In other words, Paul was saying: We are not stars—we are stewards.
The platform is not for self-promotion but for service.
If Paul were here today, he might remind us that the pulpit is not a stage, and the altar is not a spotlight. Ministry was never meant to make us known—it was meant to make Christ known.
When Worship Becomes a Show
Worship has become a performance in many places—a carefully curated production where people applaud talent more than they encounter Truth.
But the Hebrew word for “worship” paints a very different picture.
In the Old Testament, worship is often the translation of the Hebrew word שָׁחָה (shachah), meaning “to bow down, to prostrate oneself.” It signifies reverence, surrender, and submission—not entertainment.
True worship doesn’t elevate the singer or the song—it lowers the self before the sovereignty of God.
Jesus Himself declared, “The Father is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23, NKJV).
That word “truth” in Greek, ἀλήθεια (alētheia), doesn’t just mean factual correctness—it means unhiddenness, authenticity, or reality.
So when Jesus said “in truth,” He was inviting worship that is unfiltered, undiluted, and unpretentious.
The Hunger for Authenticity
I believe this generation is weary of hype. They crave real over reel. They want honesty over optics.
They’re not impressed by the next famous preacher—they’re drawn to the quiet, consistent disciple who lives out what they preach.
The generation coming up is not looking for a celebrity with a microphone but for a mentor with a limp—someone whose wounds have been healed by grace, whose scars tell stories of surrender.
Jesus didn’t say, “Take up your mic and follow Me.”
He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).
In the Greek, the phrase “follow Me” is ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō), which means to walk in the same way, to accompany on the same road.
It implies proximity and imitation. Following Jesus is not about admiration from afar but alignment in the dust of His steps.
When Popularity Becomes a Poor Substitute for Presence
Churches today measure success by metrics—attendance, views, subscribers, or engagement rates. But heaven measures obedience.
Jesus never said, “Well done, good and successful servant.”
He said, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
The Greek for “faithful” is πιστός (pistos), meaning trustworthy, reliable, steady. God values faithfulness over fame, integrity over influence, and consistency over charisma.
Let’s not forget: fans will cheer you when you’re trending; disciples will follow you when you’re bleeding. Fans celebrate your platform; disciples carry your burdens.
One is built on applause; the other on allegiance.
So the real question is not “How many people follow us online?”
The question is, “How many follow Jesus because of our lives?”
The Call Back to Simplicity
I’m no longer impressed by “big names.” The preachers, the singers, the global bands—thank God for them—but I am far more moved by the quiet saints who pray in hidden corners, who serve the poor, who walk humbly with God.
They may never trend on earth—but their names are known in heaven.
At the end of the day, it’s not about who comes to town—it’s about whether Christ is lifted up.
Not about whose name trends—but whose name transforms hearts.
Because when we truly lift Him up, He draws all people to Himself (John 12:32).
And when He draws them, He makes disciples—not fans.
Final Reflection
The world doesn’t need more celebrities in the Church.
It needs disciples who reflect Christ.
It needs pastors who serve, worshippers who weep, and believers who bow.
The Church was never meant to compete with culture but to counter it with Christlikeness.
Let’s go back to the heart of Jesus’ invitation—simple, powerful, and life-changing:
“Follow Me.”
Reflection Questions
1. Have I been more focused on building a following than following Jesus?
2. What areas of my ministry or life have become performance-driven instead of presence-driven?
3. How can I return to the posture of a mathētēs—a learner, not a performer?
4. When people encounter me, do they walk away impressed by me or impacted by Christ?
5. What practical steps can I take this week to deepen my discipleship rather than grow my platform?
