When Leaders Point People to Themselves Instead of Christ

A true minister of the Gospel understands that their assignment is to lead people to Christ, not to themselves. However, in this generation many spiritual leaders have built ministries that center around their personality, their brand, and their influence rather than the Lord they claim to serve. When a preacher becomes the focal point instead of Jesus, the Gospel becomes distorted and the sheep become misled.

John the Baptist gave us a perfect example of proper spiritual leadership. When people tried to elevate him, he responded, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John understood his role. He was not the Savior. He was the voice preparing the way for the Savior. He did not seek recognition, applause, or status. He sought to make Christ known.

In today’s world some ministers have reversed this pattern. They increase themselves while decreasing Christ. Their identity becomes wrapped in followers, platforms, merchandise, and fame. People become attached to the personality of the leader rather than the teachings of Jesus. This creates spiritual dependency that is unhealthy and unbiblical.

Paul confronted this issue in the early Church when believers were dividing themselves based on human leaders. Some said they followed Paul, others Apollos, and others Peter. Paul rebuked the entire mindset by asking, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). Paul made it clear that no leader, no matter how gifted, is the foundation of the faith. Christ alone is.

False teachers often redirect the attention of the flock to themselves because it grants them power, influence, and control. Instead of shepherding, they gather admirers. Instead of teaching dependence on Christ, they create dependence on their presence, their approval, and their voice. This is why Jesus said of false shepherds, “He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). The thief always seeks to take, while the true shepherd seeks to lead souls to life.

Another sign that a leader has become the center is when their teachings rarely point to the cross. Jesus taught that following Him involves self denial, obedience, and transformation. He said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). A ministry that never calls people to follow Christ but continually calls them to follow the leader is not of God.

True ministers rejoice when people cling to Jesus, not when people cling to them. When the apostle Peter healed a lame man at the temple, the crowd stared at him as if he possessed power within himself. Peter immediately corrected them, saying, “Why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:12). Peter understood that the glory belongs to God alone.

When leaders exalt themselves, they weaken the spiritual maturity of the church. Believers stop growing in Christ because their faith becomes anchored in a human personality. And when that personality falls, fails, or disappears, the faith of the followers collapses with it. This is why Jesus must be the foundation. He is the only one who does not change, fail, or fall.

A true shepherd uses their influence to make Christ more visible. A false shepherd uses Christ to make themselves more visible. The distinction matters because one leads to salvation and discipleship, and the other leads to deception and idolatry.

A healthy church culture exalts Jesus above all. He alone is Savior, He alone is the Healer, He alone is the Redeemer, and He alone is worthy of glory. Any leader who draws the spotlight away from Him is not serving the Gospel but serving themselves.