Celebrity Pastor by Creston Mapes
Publisher: Rooftop Press (June 6, 2024)
Review by Gwen M. Plano
Creston Mapes is one of my favorite writers. His stories are fast-paced and thought-provoking—just what I enjoy. Though a suspense and thriller writer, he sidesteps gruesome details, as well as explicit sexual encounters, and creates stories that stand on their own. This book is no exception.
Full disclosure, I recoiled when I read the title. I didn’t want to read about another fallen pastor. But since Creston wrote it, I decided to take the leap, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Yes, the story is about a pastor who goes off the deep end. But the underlying message is about each of us. Neil Gentry is the pastor of a mega-church. He’s adored, and his family is beloved. Everyone wants a piece of him. At least, that is what Neil believes. Slowly, fame becomes the idol he worships, and God fades into the background.
The bottom line is that a person in this high and visible position absolutely must remain humble and teachable and accountable. I don’t care if it’s a megachurch or a church of a hundred members. He must remain humble and teachable.
It is not about your church or your brand of church, or your group, or how big you are, or your pastor, or what you offer,” Jenkins said. “It is about loving Jesus and loving people. That is the one true safeguard. Jesus himself said we could simplify all his commands by doing two things: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—and love your neighbor as yourself. Do that and remain humble. Be proactive about seeking accountability. Be spiritually prepared before the crisis hits.
Celebrity Pastor, by Creston Mapes
The story’s first few pages move slowly, but then the accusations surface. From that point forward, the pace is fast and furious. One lie leads to another. One cover-up becomes dozens of cover-ups. And – the pastor is preaching, the followers are singing, and the media is indulgent.
It takes one brave person to stand her ground, enduring criticisms and shame, to finally bring the pastor and his elders to their knees. As I read, I thought of the Book of Proverbs, and pride goes before destruction.
Mapes uses an illustrious example to illuminate the little decisions that can ultimately take us down a path of deep sorrow. This was a read that left me with images I won’t soon forget.
I give Celebrity Pastor five highly recommended fish!
I purchased the Kindle version of Celebrity Pastor.
The Well Read Fish 
Another great review, Gwen, and another book by an excellent author, Creston Mapes. Like Romans 8:28, Mapes often shows how adversity works toward our good, real as life.
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Thank you, Grant. I share your observation about Mapes and Romans 8:28. He has a unique skill in revealing sacred truths.
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It is disturbing how many celebrity pastors have fallen in my lifetime. I wonder if pastors have fallen all through the ages but we just know about the contemporary fallen pastors because of technology/media.
Your review is compelling, Gwen. Creston Mapes is such a good storyteller. I haven’t read this one, but it sounds fantastic!
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Thank you, Priscilla. Like you, I’ve seen several pastors who have fallen. Sadly, fame or power can corrupt. Mapes handles the topic well.
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I also enjoy this author, Gwen. In fact, I believe it was one of your reviews here that introduced me to his work. This one sounds like a strong example of the folly of pride and greed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Thank you, Staci. If it were any other writer, I wouldn’t have picked the book up. But Mapes doesn’t disappoint. He created a story I didn’t want to read and made it one I couldn’t put down. That’s an achievement.
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How did it go so wrong?
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I ask that question about politicians as well, Jacqui. In this story, Mapes shows the reader the little sidesteps that became a road that led to a harsh ending.
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Great review, Gwen. I picked this one up.
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I hope you like it, Denise. The topic is harsh, but the story is well written and enlightening.
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I have a feeling I will like it, Gwen.
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This sounds like an intriguing read, Gwen. It’s sad pastors can be lead astray, but we’re all just as guilty of often focusing on ourselves rather than God.
I recently finished reading about King Hezekiah in the Bible. Such a devout man, but he stumbled in his later years bowing to the sin of pride. Reading your review reminded me how easy it is for someone of high standing to stumble. We often view them as “a cut above,” but the reality is they’re every bit as susceptible as us.
Great review!
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So true, Mae, we are all susceptible to pride. Thank you for pointing that out. Mapes gives us much to think about.
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This sounds like a great read, Gwen. While reading your review, I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:12: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” It can happen to anyone. The pastors and leaders of these big churches get a lot of publicity (especially if one stumbles), but it can happen to any of us.
Thanks for your insightful review.
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Thank you for the Biblical reference, Joan. It’s perfect! And, yes, it can happen to any of us.
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Sounds almost like a parable for some of today’s pastors, not all of them, and perhaps more than we realize. Great review.
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Thank you for joining the conversation. It’s a sad truth – about some Pastors and so many others in the limelight. Mapes handled the story brilliantly.
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That title also worried me at first, Gwen, so I’m glad it turned to be another type of book. This is a new author for me. Great review and thanks for sharing it.
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Thank you, Teri. I stumbled upon Creston Mapes last year and became a fan.
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HI Gwen, this is a good review. The messaging that everyone should be humble and grateful is very true and relevant especially now with so much arrogance going on in the world.
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