John Perkins Reflects on the Uselessness of Fame

According to author and theologian Paul Metzger, one of his greatest living heroes is John Perkins, an African American Christian leader from Mississippi who was nearly beaten to death in the '70s for his work in racial justice. From all accounts, Perkins could enjoy the status of a Christian "celebrity," but instead he realizes the fleeting glory of fame. Metzger relates the following story about a recent conversation with Perkins:
One evening in 2007 in Portland, Oregon, I was driving the now-elderly Dr. Perkins to a benefit dinner. He was to serve as the keynote speaker at the dinner, which was raising money for an inner-city community development ministry that brought jobs and housing to ex-offenders and youth. As we drove along … I asked Dr. Perkins what it was like for him now in Mississippi. Dr. Perkins replied matter-of-factly, "I'm kind of a hero now in Mississippi. It seems that every time the state newspapers write something about reconciliation, they quote me. It's as if I created the word," he said with a laugh. There was a pause in the conversation. And then as he was looking out the window, he [said], "But when I think about how many homes my fame has built for the poor in Mississippi, I realise that my fame hasn't built any homes for the poor. So I don't put no stock in my fame."
There were no television or newspaper reporters in the car—just Dr. Perkins, his daughter Elizabeth, and his young chauffeur (me). That young chauffeur almost lost control of the car. I rarely come across such a value system—in others or in my own heart. The Christian celebrity leverages the gospel for his or her own benefit. The saint asks God to leverage his or her own life and "fame" for the gospel and for people. The celebrity wants to be famous. The saint wants to be influential so that others might meet Jesus.

Paul Metzger, The Gospel of John (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2010), pp. 50-51