Pastor Hilder Stutz,of the Alphaville Presbyterian Church,accompanied the singer Luciano Camargo in the interview with Pedro Bial and was asked what it meant to “shepherd a star”,and he replied that in the Church of Christ there is only ” one Lord of all things.”
Luciano Camargo granted interview al Conversation with BialYES TVGloboand was accompanied by his wife,Flávia Fonseca,and the parish priest of IP Alpha,Reverend Hilder Stutz. At a certain point the presenter wanted to know if the presence of a famous singer in the congregation caused any problems:
“I think it’s a challenge for a pastor to deal with a pop star, because there has to be the temptation to use that star’s fame to benefit the church, the church’s cause, to benefit his own interests, and the famous person also has to be eager to use the media to talk about his conversion, his faith,” he commented.
“What is the risk of this race on both sides?”, Pedro Bial asked Pastor Stutz, who in his response saved one of the pillars of the Protestant Reformation by stating that only God receives praise and adoration:
“One of the tenets of our faith is that all glory should be given to God alone. So Luciano is not a star there. We only have one star, we only have someone who is Lord of all things, and it is a brother to whom God has given a gift, a talent, to whom god has given every blessing to be able to worship him with all this quality”, declared Hilder Stutz.
In the comments, the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Pinheiros, Arival Dias Casimiro, congratulated Luciano Camargo for the interview and praised the attitude of his ministerial colleague: “Congratulations for the interview and the wisdom given to you and to Pastor Hilder.”
How can churches maintain a focus on worship while managing celebrity influence?
Interview with Pastor Hilder Stutz on Faith, Fame, and the Church’s Role in Celebrity Worship
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Pastor Hilder Stutz of the Alphaville Presbyterian Church. Recently, you accompanied the famous singer Luciano Camargo during his interview with Pedro bial. let’s dive into some insights from that conversation. What does it mean to “shepherd a star”?
Pastor Stutz: Thank you for having me. “Shepherding a star” can be quite challenging.In the Church of christ, we believe there is only one Lord of all things.Our role as pastors is to guide and nurture all congregants, regardless of their fame, to ensure their focus remains on God rather than their personal celebrity.
editor: That’s a profound outlook. In your conversation with Bial, you mentioned the temptations that come with having a pop star in the church. Can you elaborate on these challenges?
Pastor Stutz: Certainly. When a celebrity like Luciano joins the congregation, there’s a temptation for the church to leverage that fame for its own interests, creating a skewed narrative about faith that can detract from the core message. There’s also the risk that the celebrity might be tempted to use their platform primarily for self-promotion rather than genuine worship. We must resist these temptations and stay focused on our spiritual mission.
Editor: It’s clear that maintaining integrity is crucial in these situations. You referenced a key tenet of the Protestant Reformation during the interview. Can you explain its relevance today?
Pastor Stutz: Absolutely. A fundamental belief in our faith is that all glory should be given to God alone. This means that, in the context of our church, Luciano is not seen as a star; rather, he is a brother and a talented individual who uses his gifts to worship God.It’s vital that we uphold this principle to prevent the church from becoming a platform for individual fame rather than a place for collective worship and recognition of God’s greatness.
Editor: That’s an enlightening view. How do you think the presence of celebrities in congregations affects the overall church dynamic?
Pastor Stutz: The presence of a celebrity can both inspire and challenge the church community.On one hand, it can attract attention and bring new members who might not have engaged with the church otherwise. On the other hand, it can led to distractions and a misalignment of priorities.The key is to foster an environment where everyone, regardless of their fame, is encouraged to deepen their faith and relationship with God.
Editor: That’s insightful advice for both church leaders and congregants. In your experience, what practical steps can church leaders take to manage the influence of celebrities within their communities?
Pastor Stutz: First, it’s crucial to set clear expectations for how celebrity status will be integrated into the church community. Leaders should encourage humility among congregants and remind everyone of their purpose: to worship and glorify God. Secondly, creating opportunities for genuine connection and service rather than spotlight moments can help nurture a culture of faith that is focused on collective worship and support, rather than individual fame.
Editor: Thank you, pastor Stutz, for your valuable insights on navigating the complexities of faith and celebrity within the church. It’s evident that maintaining a God-centered focus is essential for a healthy church community.
Pastor Stutz: Thank you for having me. it’s been a pleasure to share these thoughts, and I hope they inspire both church leaders and congregants to deepen their faith journey together.