Carl Lentz, Judah Smith, Rich Wilkerson Jr. What do all these men have in common? They are all Hype-Priests. By mainstream definition a Hype-Priest is a man or woman who leads a mega-church, wears skinny jeans, and hangs with celebrities. Most people hate these men and women because they feel as though Pastors should not be liked or talked about in the mainstream culture. They hate that they are trendy, that they have thousands attending their church weekly. The fact that they want to Pastor secular celebrities!? Oh Mylanta, hold the phone. They don't publicly condemn people makes it even worse right? They don't condemn the gay, or even as recent as yesterday don't clearly say abortion is a terrible thing? They keep the waters muddy, and people don't like that very much. I do. I love Hype-Priests. I love that they don't condemn people on TV. I love that they pastor celebrities. Here's why I love the Hype-Priest:

1. Is Justin Bieber not human too?

Justin Bieber's personal Pastor has come under much scrutiny for the time he spends with the celebrity, even though he is a mainstream secular artist. Carl Lentz, the pastor of Hillsong NYC is personally taking time to invest in the celebrity, and lead him to Christ! Which he has! I mean, he canceled a whole world tour on the basis that he is finally taking his salvation seriously. Is it so bad that we want to take mainstream celebrities and have them rep the kingdom everywhere they go? Is he not human? Does he not deserve the gift of the Gospel just as any other human? If at any point you said no you need a heart check. This does not just go for him, but every celebrity that seeks out Pastoral advice. Selena Gomez, Kanye West, big names like this have sought the Kingdom constantly, and we bash on them. As well as the Pastors who help them! They are people too, and The Hype-Priest is not a terrible pastor for doing so. He is doing what he is called to do. Make disciples. Good for him that he is not shunning them away but bringing them in because they know what's at risk if they don't. I love the Hype-Priest because they don't care who is who they just want everyone for God.

2. Can a man or women of God not be mainstream?

Many people think that because all these Pastors go on talk shows, and late night shows they are fake, and they aren't genuine for the lord. Honey what!? We should be joyful at the fact that through these times of religious persecution people want Pastors on their shows! They go on these shows and spread the good news. They get a platform and we bash them for it? Absolutely not. I love Hype-Priests because of they, through all the criticism and hate, are able to go on TV and use their platform for the Kingdom. When it was Billy Graham we didn't care, but because Judah Smith is younger and more hipster we do? I doubt that is fair. So kudos to the Hype-Priests for being okay with being in the spotlight and staying pure through it.

3. Hype-Priests do not care for condemnation

You always see news articles, especially on Christian Today or something to that extent talking about how Rich Wilkerson or Carl Lentz did not directly condemn abortion or how they won't deny gay men or woman from coming to their churches. Then in the comments below fellow Christians condemning them for not doing it to others. It is funny because our jobs as Christians are to not condemn but to love and bring others to Christ. So why are we judging Pastors who are doing their job? Because if it were you, you would do the exact same thing. I love Hype-Priests because they don't care to ostracize people they bring all people in and love them. That is everyone's job, stop condemning them for doing so. Hype priests are the future of the church that is why I love them.

I love the Hype-Priests because it is because of them that there will be a millennial generation that comes to Christ. It is because of them that young adults will be the leaders of the church. Because of Hype-Priest, God will go mainstream through celebrities and influential people. I love the Hype Priest because they are real.

Love y'all!