On Mitigating Celebritistic Culture in Western Ecclesial Contexts

Abstract

This article explores the influence of celebrification and celebritisation within Western ecclesial contexts while addressing the ways in which this phenomenon bolsters pressures to structure orthopraxy around pragmatism, popularity, and efficiency. Examining the social effects of celebritisation, such as ‘parasocial relationships’ and ‘mimicry’, on ecclesial dynamics, the article argues that such influences lead to the elevation of those who exhibit impressive or culturally ‘popular’ traits, while marginalising those who ‘fail’ according to the larger system’s standards. Further study elucidates the intersection of celebritisation with Western leadership models, critiquing a perceived over-reliance on strict, ‘ladder’ hierarchy. Western ecclesial contexts have suffered from a celebritisation that is contradictory to communal health, and the paper concludes that its mitigation will require a reorientation of ecclesial structure and practices. Proposing a rejection of these trends, the study first advocates the mitigation of celebrification through internal self-emptying among ecclesial leaders, before suggesting an undermining of celebritisation through trading a ‘ladder’ hierarchy for a ‘lattice’ hierarchy that will serve to enhance community participation.