Ep. 287 - Cult Fiction: Too Blessed to Stress with Alli Hoff Kosik
Megachurch Culture, Evangelical Influencers & the Cost of Performative Faith
Megachurch culture is no longer confined to Sunday mornings. It’s on Instagram. It’s on TikTok. It’s monetized.
And when faith becomes a brand, things get complicated.
In this episode of Culture Changers, I sat down with debut novelist Alli Hoff Kosik to unpack the fascinating world of evangelical influencers and performative faith. Her novel, Too Blessed to Stress, dives into Christian influencer culture, church politics, and the quiet tension between public belief and private doubt.
This conversation explores what happens when your spirituality becomes content — and your income depends on staying consistent.
When Faith Becomes Currency
Evangelical influencers often build entire platforms around purity culture, modest fashion, dating advice, and biblical living.
But what happens if they change their mind?
In megachurch culture, belief isn’t just personal. It’s communal. It’s public. It’s tied to reputation and revenue.
Changing your theology can mean losing followers. Losing brand deals. Losing community.
That raises the stakes dramatically.
The Psychology of Belonging
Religious social media influencers don’t just sell ideas. They sell belonging.
For many people, church offers:
Ritual
Structure
Community
Identity
When you grow up immersed in megachurch culture, that belonging becomes foundational.
And stepping away can feel like social death.
Women, Power & Influence
Historically, many evangelical institutions limit women’s leadership roles.
Social media changed that.
Platforms allow women to:
Preach without pulpits
Build audiences outside church hierarchies
Monetize their voices
Even if you disagree with their theology, the ambition is relatable.
It’s women building influence where formal power structures may exclude them.
The Cost of Living Publicly
The closer you are to the spotlight, the less room you have to evolve.
Influencer culture rewards certainty. It punishes pivoting.
That’s true whether you’re discussing politics, faith, or parenting.
And in Christian influencer culture, the audience expects consistency.
The cost of growth can be enormous.
Why This Conversation Matters
Megachurch culture is influencing politics, gender roles, family dynamics, and online discourse.
Understanding evangelical influencers isn’t about agreeing with them.
It’s about understanding the systems shaping modern culture.
And maybe asking better questions about how we all show up online.
If this topic fascinates you — or frustrates you — this episode will stretch you.
Listen to the full conversation to hear the nuance, the tension, and the unexpected empathy that emerged.
FAQs
What is megachurch culture?
Megachurch culture refers to large evangelical church communities that blend faith, branding, media production, and strong communal identity.
What are evangelical influencers?
Evangelical influencers are social media creators who build platforms around Christian faith, modest living, dating advice, and biblical teachings.
What is performative faith?
Performative faith describes publicly displaying religious belief in ways that may prioritize image, brand, or social capital over private spirituality.
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Alli Hoff Kosik's Links:
Get Alli’s Too Blessed to Stress Book: https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allihoffkosik
Website: https://allihoffkosik.com/
Allison Hare's Links
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