As sociologist Orrin Klapp observed in his 1962 book Heroes, Villains, and Fools: The Changing American Character, “The celebrity cult celebrates the triumph of ordinariness — charm without character, showmanship without ability, bodies without minds, information without wisdom.”
The critique highlights a troubling trend of shallow thought and superficial practice that are both normalized and elevated.
The fleeting nature of fame — often condensed into the proverbial “15 minutes” — is not, in itself, the issue. Our social stock may rise unexpectedly, through winning an award or having our work go viral. However, the real challenge lies in the lengths to which we will go to obtain and cling to this fleeting attention.
James Ellis III
Much like a street pharmacist who seeks to maximize profit by peddling poison, we, too, may sacrifice integrity in the pursuit of cheap validation. This desire for recognition can drive us to forgo deeper, more meaningful practices in favor of empty, performative gestures.
One of the Bible’s most incendiary figures, Judas, embodies the tragic reality of betrayal, as a warning against the dangers of exploitation — whether of oneself or others. A recent case study brings this concern into sharper focus.
Lorenzo Sewell
On Jan. 20, Lorenzo Sewell delivered the benediction at the presidential inauguration. As I watched, I was reminded of Sir Walter Scott’s famous poetic rebuke: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” In this moment, the temptation to manipulate and deceive seemed to echo a deeper spiritual crisis marked by a lack of godly character and vocational acumen.
“When the pursuit of personal gain or power takes precedence over sanctification, it leads to profound moral compromise.”
When the pursuit of personal gain or power takes precedence over sanctification, it leads to profound moral compromise. This temptation reveals something much deeper: a spiritual deficiency that, if left unchecked, can easily consume anyone. As Christians, the call is clear: We must guard against the allure of manipulating situations for our own benefit, recognizing that such actions erode and invite spiritual destruction that ruins us from the inside out.
I strive to be self-controlled, joyful, thoughtful and charitable, but none of these qualities compete with my commitment to stand valiantly for the unadulterated, unabridged and insurmountable truth of God and God’s word, which Psalm 119:105 calls “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” While grace abounds, it never is a license to ignore folly, indecency or delusion. In some communities, we warn each other about those who might “hallelujah you to hell” — individuals who, despite your actions being subpar or dishonorable, continue to sing your praises, at least to your face.
This breach of historical, cultural and theological decorum highlights an important point: The mere presence of an audience clapping does not mean there has been a job well done. In fact, they may be laughing at you, not celebrating with you.
Benedictions
Having served as a pastor, university chaplain and now a seminary professor, I have become intimately familiar with benedictions. They are part of what I do regularly, at events like commencements and funerals. Like many pastors, they mark the conclusion of every Sunday service I lead in my current congregation. To the graduate students I teach, I regularly emphasize the importance of approaching God’s throne of grace with both humility and boldness, seeking dialogue over a mere monologue of human concerns. Public prayer, whether formal or informal, is integral to pastoral work.
So when Lorenzo Sewell prayed for the second-term president, who is both the 45th and 47th in office, the petition for the health and safety of President Donald Trump and his family was entirely appropriate. It aligns with the biblical call to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Anyone arguing against this is being intellectually dishonest or is misaligned with sound scriptural interpretation and democratic practice. Regardless of how intense our personal political views are, it is imperative that we uphold the act of praying for our leaders’ well-being as a fundamental Christian duty.
Sewell’s prayer, however, far exceeded the appropriate scope, veering into Constantinian pretense and blatant misappropriation of perhaps one of the greatest speeches in U.S. history — the iconic words of Civil Rights leader and Baptist pastor Martin Luther King Jr. This was not just a matter of style or delivery; it was a minstrel affront.
“On a day commemorating King’s life and legacy, his enduring message was hijacked for political gain by a fellow preacher.”
On a day commemorating King’s life and legacy, his enduring message was hijacked for political gain by a fellow preacher, of all people. If no one else says it, I will: It was an absolute mockery. The entire presentation felt like a sleazy car salesman pandering for acceptance. His attempt to match King’s iconic cadence, with head and hands gesturing heavenward, only underscored Sewell’s lack of understanding and authenticity.
What went wrong
For the record, this was not a homiletical issue; it was a failure of personal devotion, respect and professionalism. The line between political fawning and authentic pastoral care matters deeply. Buffoonery is not only unbecoming; it damages the reputation of Christians and undermines the sacrificial, otherworldly role to which we are called.
As Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon explored in their seminal 1989 book Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony, the Christians are meant to represent a distinct, prophetic presence in the world. That cannot happen when our own leaders chase political power. This is a reminder that the credibility of our testimony is linked to the uprightness of our actions, especially when we step into forward-facing roles.
African Americans, and Black people in general, are not monolithic. Like any other group, while we share common touchpoints, there always has been and always will be a legitimate diversity of opinions on various issues. What individuals choose to believe or how they vote is their personal business. Be a proud Republican, Democrat, independent or whatever else you want.
What was deeply troubling about Sewell’s attempt at a benediction, nevertheless, is the negative impression it had on a national and international audience. His bidding could be taken as representative of the Black Church tradition and Christianity as a whole, and for the record, let me make it abundantly clear: It is not. And this has nothing to do with emotionalism.
The Black Church
Affectionately and proudly, I acknowledge Black people are some of the most emotive you will find in their religious expression, at the least. We are a people of deep feeling and fervent worship. But we also are serious thinkers. We are protesters and prophets, ingenious educators and engineers, entrepreneurs, historians and, for those of us in Christ, blood-bought citizens of God’s kingdom who understand God’s perfect faithfulness, even when human convictions falter and disappoint.
“Pastors who operate as prideful opportunists are not only deluded but are also self-serving in the name of Christ.”
While I do not know if they would have accepted such an overture, I can think of many Black pastors who would have brought both social relevance and biblical depth to the benediction. Colleagues such as Barry C. Black, Terry Anderson, Charlie Dates, Cheryl Sanders, Quonekuia Day, Eric Mason, H. Beecher Hicks Jr., Jada Edwards, Nicole Martin, Sheleta Fomby, Ebony Small, and Dwight McKissic all come to mind. Moreover, even as we each bring unique gifts to the table, I cannot help but reflect on what dearly departed pastors like E.K. Bailey, Peter J. Gomes, S.M. Lockridge, Gardner C. Taylor, Robert L. Gilbert, Harold T. Lewis and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. would have prayed in the same moment.
Sewell’s selection for the occasion was strategic, as those with “eyes to see and ears to hear” can discern. Pastors who operate as prideful opportunists are not only deluded but are also self-serving in the name of Christ. Holiness is the standard to which Christians are called, but conduct like Sewell’s tarnishes the work and witness of two groups already disproportionately maligned: Black people and Black Christians.
In the words of The Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder, speaking during his 2003 C-SPAN lecture: “Black people have always had a certain amount of moral currency that we’ve been using, and let me be the first to tell you that’s used up. White America has been watching us act like fools for long enough where any sympathy they may have had for our plight is completely gone.”
A wake-up call
This unfortunate incident should be a wake-up call to carefully consider how our actions as Christians, especially our leaders, can either build or destroy our credibility and the integrity of the gospel we are called to proclaim.
A pastor who shacks with presidential powers is no doubt hoping for wealth and prestige. It is no coincidence that just minutes after his prayer, Sewell launched his own cryptocurrency platform, appealing to his followers on Twitter/X, saying, “Go and get that coin.” He went on to say, “I want you to be able to see politics manifest not just in a way where we’re praying over political gatherings, but where we’re seeing us become the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. Would you help me?” This speaks volumes.
One critical public service announcement that must be made is this: Countless unnamed Black pastors and preachers — indeed, I would argue the majority of us — are not like this. We are not prophets for hire to the highest bidder, peddling prayers that resemble the empty promises of late-night prosperity gospel infomercials. On average, we check our illusions of grandeur at the door, taking seriously Jesus’ admonition that “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). While some theological traditions may emphasize vows of poverty, most Black pastors do not make such pronouncements, understandably. However, through ordination, a commitment to care for our congregants and communities, and a deep love for God, we attempt to live in a way that avoids foolish behavior which could discourage people from following Jesus.
The historical tensions between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington, or between J.H. Jackson and Martin Luther King Jr., around the best approach to Black equality or the Civil Rights Movement are well known. Although their tactics often clashed, they were highly competent, passionate and ethical practitioners.
In contrast, getting into what the late congressman and Baptist minister John Lewis called “good trouble” is a noble pursuit, but the immature antics of pastors like Sewell set us back. Not every pastor is called to be a scholar or author, but all should possess critical analytical skills, undergo rigorous training and regularly submit to accountability. Beyond this, humility, self-awareness and faithfulness should be non-negotiable traits.
Pastors are not called to be pawns of the state, nor should their ministry efforts be thin or sullied. The Bible advises not arguing with fools (Proverbs 26:4), so I am not. I just know that someone had to say something. The integrity of the pastoral vocation is at stake when we allow ourselves to be co-opted by the political machine, and it is essential for the church to maintain a Spirit-led countenance — not as a tool for personal gain, but as devout ambassadors of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
James Ellis III is an ordained Baptist pastor and assistant professor of practical theology at Winebrenner Theological Seminary. He holds a doctorate from Western Theological Seminary, master’s degrees from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree in African American studies from the University of Maryland. His latest book is An Inward-Outward Witness: Suffering’s Role in Forming Faithful Preachers, with Dysfunction in the Name of Jesus: Confronting the Idol of Pastoral Workaholism soon to be released. Learn more at his website.
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