"The Narcissist on the Pulpit: When Charisma Replaces Character"

By Apostle D. Jerome Garrett

The sanctuary was packed. The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and all eyes turned to the pulpit—not for the Word, but for the man. He entered like a headliner, greeted with cheers as if the King of Glory had walked in Himself. But He hadn’t. What had walked in was a man intoxicated by his own image, dressed in spiritual robes but fueled by flesh—a narcissistic personality cloaked in ministry.

We are in a time where image often outweighs integrity, and presentation has eclipsed presence. The pulpit—once a sacred place of humility, truth, and transformation—can now be a stage for spiritual narcissism. But what does that look like?

Let me tell you a story, or rather, a pattern I’ve seen over and over again. A pastor starts with genuine zeal. They preach with fire, draw crowds, and carry a seeming anointing. But slowly, the center shifts. The messages become more about their testimony than the testimony of Jesus. Their social media is filled with photoshoots, titles, and accolades. The sermons are sprinkled with, "When I..." and "I prophesied..." and "They didn't believe in me but God raised me up..." And somewhere in all the noise, Christ gets lost.

This is the subtle seduction of narcissism on the pulpit.

When the Mirror Replaces the Cross

The narcissistic leader is driven not by a burden for souls but by a hunger for applause. They crave admiration and are addicted to affirmation. They are not satisfied unless they are the center of attention. They say it’s about Jesus, but if you watch closely, everything revolves around their name, their brand, their next event. They are "kingdom" in language but "empire" in operation.

They need to be constantly validated, often through titles and grand introductions: “Chief Apostle,” “Major Prophet,” “God’s End-Time Voice.” They may not say it, but they believe the pulpit belongs to them. Correction feels like betrayal. Disagreement feels like rebellion. And in their eyes, anyone who questions them is either a devil or spiritually immature.

The Misuse of Scripture and the Manipulation of Saints

One of the most dangerous traits of a narcissistic preacher is their ability to weaponize scripture. They know just enough Word to sound holy but twist it enough to suit their ego. They’ll say, “Touch not my anointed,” to shut down accountability. They’ll teach obedience, but only when it benefits their agenda. They’ll speak about humility, while building monuments to their own greatness.

They do not pastor people—they possess them. They do not raise up leaders—they hoard influence. And rather than equip the saints for the work of ministry, they exhaust them for the glory of their ministry.

The Absence of Empathy and the Death of True Shepherding

A narcissistic preacher has a heart that appears passionate, but it is detached. You’ll rarely see them weep with those who weep or sit in silence with the broken. Their compassion is often reserved for the camera. They are quick to dismiss pain, quick to spiritualize trauma, and slow to admit when they’ve caused harm.

They thrive in environments where they cannot be questioned. They isolate themselves from accountability. And they build church cultures that worship them more than they worship God. The result? Churches full of burned-out volunteers, silenced victims, stunted growth, and members who walk away from God because they were wounded by a man who claimed to represent Him.

Scriptural Warnings and the Call to Discernment

The Apostle Paul warned us in 2 Timothy 3:2–5 about leaders who are “lovers of themselves… having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Jesus warned about the Pharisees who loved titles, greetings in the marketplace, and the chief seats (Matthew 23). And Ezekiel 34 gives a scathing rebuke to shepherds who feed themselves but not the flock. It's happening now. And it’s happening far too often.

The Proof of Apostleship is Sonship, Not Showmanship

Let me be clear: the proof of true leadership is not your gift, your followers, or your title. The proof of apostleship is sonship—walking in submission to the Father, carrying the heart of the Son, and being led by the Spirit. It is not about being the loudest in the room or the most followed online. It's about washing feet, not elevating yourself above them.

The narcissist forgets that ministry is not about building platforms—it’s about building people. And when your charisma outpaces your character, you become a danger to the very sheep you’re called to feed.

A Final Word

So how do we respond?

We call it out—not to cancel people, but to protect the body. We train up discerning leaders who know the difference between gifting and godliness. And we return the pulpit to its rightful purpose: to preach Christ crucified, not man glorified.

Beware of the pulpit where the preacher is the star.

The cross has no room for narcissism.

And neither should the church.