The Risk of Christian Celebrity
Australian Michael Guglielmucci’s story is an interesting case of the dangerous place that “Christian celebrity” can lead. My friends in Australia tell me that he apparently hoodwinked the entire Christian community there, by lying about having terminal cancer for 2 ½ years. No one knew – not even his wife.
His father’s a pastor from one of the larger Churches in the country, and he’s a leader there. It’s a huge story among churches in the country. His cancer story had a big run in the Adelaide paper (where his father’s church is) and ran on one national TV program and apparently thousands were praying for his healing.
He even appeared on the stage with what they now know was fake oxygen tubes and I’m told there might be criminal charges that he could face for fraud. The question becomes, “How far will some ministry leaders go to stay in the limelight?”
What happens when pastors and ministry leaders get addicted to the attention?
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
