We Are Messengers frontman Darren Mulligan recently issued a bold and unapologetic warning to the modern church: stop glorifying men and start glorifying God. In an Instagram reel viewed by thousands, Mulligan directly addressed what he sees as a dangerous trend infecting congregations—celebrity worship within Christian communities.
The singer, known for his chart-topping Christian music and bold evangelism, delivered a heartfelt and convicting statement that challenges the church’s current trajectory toward fame-driven leadership and personality cults.
In the video, Mulligan lamented the Church’s increasing infatuation with platform and profile, asserting that modern Christianity has begun to mimic the entertainment industry rather than remain grounded in biblical humility. “One of the things I’m seeing is people being drawn more to the men on platforms than to the God those men are proclaiming,” he stated. This clear-eyed rebuke underscores the risk of replacing reverence for God with admiration for well-dressed, well-spoken personalities.
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Mulligan’s message stands as a needed correction in a time when social media algorithms and follower counts can dictate ministry success more than scriptural faithfulness. Rather than drawing people into deeper worship of Christ, the modern church seems increasingly content with drawing people to men. “I do not want to be part of a church that glorifies man,” Mulligan said. “I want to be part of a church that glorifies Christ.” His tone was not bitter but passionate—a pastor’s heart sounding an alarm against compromise.
His warning also drew a sharp contrast between authentic worship and the pursuit of popularity. While he acknowledged the importance of sharing testimonies and music that uplift, Mulligan emphasized that the mission of the Church must never be hijacked by self-promotion. “If we build churches around men, they will fall,” he warned. This observation is not merely theoretical; numerous fallen megachurch leaders in recent years have proven the point.
The culture of celebrity that Mulligan critiques has long been a soft entry point for progressive ideologies into the Church. By replacing Scripture with branding, and discipleship with digital influence, churches risk losing their salt and light in a culture already saturated with secular narcissism. Conservative believers have long recognized that when the Church chases cultural relevance, it inevitably sacrifices theological integrity. Mulligan’s commentary highlights that such compromise starts not in theology textbooks but on stages and in Instagram reels.
A common liberal defense of platformed Christianity is the claim that large followings help “spread the gospel more effectively.” Yet Mulligan challenges that very premise by pointing to the danger of confusing charisma with calling. “I don’t need more Darren,” he said. “I need more Jesus. And so do you.” That statement cuts through the noise with surgical clarity. For decades, conservative theologians have warned that emotionalism and entertainment disguised as ministry distort the biblical gospel. Mulligan’s critique offers a frontline confirmation of that analysis from inside the music industry itself.
He also revealed the internal toll that celebrity culture has taken on Christian leaders. “I’ve been there. I know what it feels like,” Mulligan admitted, referring to the seduction of fame even within Christian service. This isn’t just a theoretical conversation—it’s personal, and his vulnerability brings authenticity to the warning. It also highlights that no one, not even the most sincere artist or pastor, is immune to the corrupting influence of applause.
Many conservative Christians, weary of watching their churches drift leftward under the guise of cultural engagement, see Mulligan’s message as a welcome call to repentance. Celebrity pastors, influencer worship leaders, and fame-fueled ministries have too often replaced elder-led churches, expository preaching, and humble service. The Church cannot survive on style alone—it needs substance rooted in Scripture. When the people of God are more excited about a speaker’s podcast than the Word of God, something is spiritually wrong.
Ultimately, Darren Mulligan’s message is not an attack on Christian leaders but a plea for the Church to reclaim its true purpose. “The Church is not a business,” he said. “It is a body.” His voice joins a growing number of conservative believers urging the American Church to return to its biblical foundation. As political correctness and cultural appeasement continue to threaten theological clarity, voices like Mulligan’s serve as a prophetic reminder that Christ—not charisma—must be at the center of every pulpit, platform, and praise song.
The time has come for churches to evaluate whether they are building monuments to men or altars to God. As Mulligan powerfully stated, “If we keep lifting up men, we will lose our witness. But if we lift up Christ, we’ll find our way home.” Conservatives have long held that the Church must be set apart, not sold out. Mulligan’s words reaffirm that conviction with unmistakable clarity.