I grew up with a kid called James Bond. His parents must have known what they were doing, although it was unclear whether they'd had aspirations for him to join the Secret Service, or it had just seemed like an unmissable gag. Either way, he has probably spent his life ever since fielding gentle comedic responses every time he's tried to order a pizza or get buzzed into a building.
To some extent, the same is probably true for this group of church leaders from around the world, who were – unwittingly or otherwise – Christened with the same name as someone else who turned out to become rather well known. Unlike people like the Rev'd Al Green, or the footballer Gavin Peacock, these people only appear to represent celebrity conversion stories; in fact they're just completely separate people. So good people, I call upon your sympathies for these men and women and God, who all may have considered a deed poll change at some point, and have to put up with a lifetime of bad jokes; a problem I realise I've only intensified for them.
Rev Michael Jackson, Tulsa Springdale Church of God
The problem with having the same name as one of the great legends of entertainment is that that joke probably never wears thin (except for you). One imagines that Rev Mike can barely get through a service at his church in Tulsa without having someone yell "do Smooth Criminal!" from the pews. If I was him, I'd fully embrace the inescapable and pepper all my sermons with references to the King of Pop. What should we blame for the ills of the world? Don't blame it on the sunshine, nor the moonlight; not even the boogie... but sin.
Apostle Lionel Blair, Spirit of Elijah Ministries
Older readers will appreciate the apparent difference between this man, a pentecostal pastor from the United States, and the noted camp entertainer who made his name on ITV's long-running 'Give us a clue.' Perhaps Pentecostal Lionel shares Theatrical Lionel's love of mime, and does a much requested silent skit version of Elijah and the child-mauling bear?
Pastor Phil Collins, Willow Park Church, Canada
Against All Odds, there's a church leader with the same name as the former Genesis drummer. Pastor Phil is, according to his church's website, a well-known evangelist and church leader from the United Kingdom. He did not have a breakout acting role in Great Train Robbery drama Buster, nor did he score a chart hit with "Another Day in Paradise." He may very well be prone to telling his congregation "Jesus he knows me, and he knows I'm right," but that's pure speculation.
Reverend Robert Wiliams, Assistant Bishops's Planning Officer, Diocese of Liverpool
Let HIM entertain you (with a detailed breakdown of recent applications for clergy training revisions). I've no idea if this chap affectionately goes by "Robbie", but I do hope he doesn't miss the opportunity to belt out Angels during the staff Christmas party Karaoke session.
Reverend Rowan Williams (no, not that one), University of York
The former Archbishop of Canterbury became a famous face outside the church thanks to his distinctive beard, so he's fair game in this list, which means it's time to introduce his namesake, a chaplain at the University of York who also happens to be a woman. I bet that makes for some awkward moments when she turns up to speak at a conference which booked her over email.
Pastor Matthew Perry - Arapahoe Road Church, Colorado
Could he BE any more tired of all the Friends references? The trouble with your namesake starring in one of the most successful sitcom of all time is that every new generation continues to discover the link afresh thanks to worldwide syndication. If I was him, I'd frustrate the jokers by quoting the wrong Friends character back to them: "Why did you call me at home when I was on my sabbatical? WE WERE ON A BREAK!"
Reverend David Cameron, Stoke On Trent
The Church of England minister made headlines for allegedly ordering a two-year-old child to leave his parents' wedding for making too much noise. He entirely rejected the allegations, and probably also can't be held responsible for the poor performance of the pound or serious problems in the NHS. I'm sure that wouldn't stop the Daily Mail from trying though.
Dr Sharon Stone, founder, Christian International Europe
Don't worry, I'll keep this clean. The star of various er, romantic movies from the 1990s has an unlikely namesake in Christian ministry - a woman who likes to move in both the prophetic, and indeed the apostolic. She's serious about it too – in fact her website is full of books, DVDs, teaching resources and even an app full of videos which you can pause and re-watch at your leisure. By comparison, all the actress managed was a bit of notoriety and a cameo in Will & Grace.
Come on, you know you're going to spend the next hour googling celebrities alongside the word 'pastor', just to see...
Martin Saunders is a Contributing Editor for Christian Today and the Deputy CEO of Youthscape. Follow him on Twitter @martinsaunders.
