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 realises 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
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