Do It For The Brand

Performance has many meanings, according to Merriam-Webster:

1a: the execution of an action

1b: something accomplished : deed, feat

2: the fulfillment of a claim, promise, or request : implementation

3a: the action of representing a character in a play

3b: a public presentation or exhibition, a benefit performance

4a: the ability to perform : efficiency

4b: the manner in which a mechanism performs, engine performance

5: the manner of reacting to stimuli : behavior

6: the linguistic behavior of an individual : parole also : the ability to speak a certain language

That's no small list! I want to focus on 3b for today. A public presentation or exhibition, a benefit performance. Many of the "altars" of the church are now simply referred to as "stages". Sanctuaries are now auditoriums, or worship centers:

The place of standing before the people of God and leading, guiding, and mentoring seems to have lost it's reverence. Looking at the pinnacle of evangelical achievement in 2026, Elevation Church, you look at their about us page and their first principle already seems off to a confusing start (their clear use of AI generation for much of their content aside):

Jesus is the center. It’s about: Integrated Priorities

Is Jesus at the center? It seems as though we are placing ourselves at the center instead. Churches add new campuses without adding additional preaching pastors. Paul said to the church in Corinth:

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. - 1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV)

If each of us has a skill to add to the church, why are we hoarding those opportunities for just the well-known? A church opens a new campus and places the "senior global pastor" onto a screen in those other churches, instead of raising up a pastor who leads, knows, and teaches that congregation. At what point is that about the brand of the church and the pastor, more than the brand of Jesus?

Anyone who speaks "they are here to see me" in private before expounding the word of the Lord in public should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit before they continue. The "worship leader" who steps on stage in designer clothing and a $40,000 Rolex watch should consider the message they are showing. If Jesus is praised the same in Kirkland Signature, what additional glory to you bring the King by showing off?

Not all large communities fall into this trap. 2819 Church in Georgia, helmed by Philip Anthony Mitchel has their worship team face each other so they are not inclined to perform to the audience over worship:

I applaud how PAM runs his church, and how well he points to heaven with all of his decisions.

The reality is that members of the church will look up to and be tempted to place those in leadership, on a pedestal. The decision that we are left with, is whether or not we will climb down, or stand atop and proclaim that it's not our fault that others put us there.

Jesus, His Word, and His direction, are all that should be raised to such a degree of worship in our churches.

A passion to preach without a burden to study is a desire to perform. - Pastor H.B. Charles Jr.

I would modify his quote a bit to encompass all levels of leadership within the church:

A passion to be in the spotlight of the church without a burden to mirror that spotlight to Christ, is a desire to perform.

The modern church needs to take a deep look inward on our motivations. If we have a standing order with the production staff that one side of our face is the better one, it's time to repent. The God of Creation deserves us taking a back seat more often than not.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. - Philippians 2:5-16 (ESV)

Jesus humbled himself when he came to Earth, showing the ultimate example for us. He spent 33 years living humbly every day to be that perfect example of service to the King. We have the burden to show a portion of that example one day a week publicly. I challenge each of you to evaluate where you stand.

Tomorrow, as you enter whatever you call your gathering space, are you worried about how people perceive you, or are you hoping they perceive the King, through you?