Who Gets God’s Golden Globe? Rethinking Honor in the Church

It’s that cinematic celebration time of year again, as we approach the Oscars. I recently watched its precursor, the foreign press’s Golden Globes. Did you tune in? I enjoy these cultural events because there’s always something worth noting. This year was no different—it came from the words of George Clooney. His thoughts on success and recognition got me thinking about honor in the church and where it truly belongs.

George Clooney’s Take on Success

Picking up his prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award, Clooney told the elite gathering that they were all “winners.” He described how the nominees would be congratulated at the red carpet coming in, only for four out of five to be labeled “losers” on the way out. To this, he rebuffed:

“If you are in this room, you caught the brass ring. You get to do what you always dreamed to do and be celebrated for it.”

He cut through it, didn’t he? Clooney’s words reminded the gathering of how privileged they were to do what they loved. A powerful moment—a recognition of what transcends the trophy. I found it stirring in me a deeper question: Where does honor lie in the church?

Rethinking Honor in the Church: Who Gets the Spotlight?

In North America’s ecclesial circles, who do we celebrate? The answer likely varies from church to church and mission to mission. I’m not here to critique your church culture in specific ways. But, I will speak generally, since honor seems disproportionately placed at the top.

How often do you hear things like:

• “Wasn’t that message amazing?”
• “What a great church service we just had.”
• “Look at what our pastor did this week.”
• “Our pastor is far better than your pastor!”

To be honest—a great amount of attention goes to the pulpit. So much so, that the buzz over the sermon and the service often misses the greater story of the church. The Bible doesn’t center itself exclusively on what is happening in church services, but rather gives ample space for the movement of the gospel through leading figures and everyday believers.

What Should the Church Celebrate?

If we’ve created a church culture that celebrates the platform more than the people, no wonder so many gospel carriers feel overlooked, unsupported, and unappreciated.

In Clooney’s language, have we not all as torchbearers of Jesus received the brass ring? Or did only the pastor get one? Whose message is a better gauge of church vitality—the pastor’s message on Sunday morning or the people’s sharing the news during the week?

Rethinking Honor in the Church: Shifting the Dynamic

Am I being too harsh? When was the last time you saw members brought on stage to share their story of gospel impact? How often do we celebrate outreach efforts happening beyond the church walls?

It reminds me of a moment from the 2012 London Olympics. Gymnast Aly Raisman, upon winning the coveted all-around gold medal, walked over to her coach and placed the medal around his neck—in a rare and beautiful gesture of honor.

This is the kind of honor we need in the church: Celebrating the body’s gospel impact and appreciating the leaders who got them there! (Ephesians 4:15–17). That’s biblical leadership—empowering the church as a workforce to represent Jesus to the world. The true work of the gospel—lived out in neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities—rarely gets the spotlight.

The Movement That Should Have Won the Globe

So, the movement that should have won the Globe didn’t. Maybe it’s time for that to change.

Let’s lift our eyes beyond the platform and start celebrating the mission. Let’s recognize that in God’s kingdom, the real winners aren’t only the ones holding the mic—they’re the ones who are faithfully carrying the gospel into the world.

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Key Takeaway: Honor in the church should reflect biblical priorities—celebrating the body’s mission, not just the pastor’s message.

What’s happening in your church? Are the gospel carriers in your community being celebrated? Let me know in the comments!