Hillsong Church

Hillsong Church, commonly known as Hillsong, is a charismatic Christian megachurch based in Australia.[2] The church, originally called Hills Christian Life Centre, was established in 1983 in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, by Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie. The church is also known for its worship music, with groups such as Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United and Hillsong Young & Free. Until separating from it in 2018, Hillsong was a member of the Australian Christian Churches (the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God).

Hillsong Church
Hillsong Convention Centre in the Norwest Business Park
CountryAustralia
DenominationHillsong, Evangelical, Charismatic
Weekly attendanceclaims 150,000 (World), 43,000 (Australia)
Websitehillsong.com
History
Founded1983
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Brian and Bobbie Houston
Laity
Music group(s)
Hillsong Church
TheologyPentecostal
Members150,000
Church buildings80[1]
Aid organizationHillsong City Care

History

Hillsong is a megachurch that has been described by popular music scholar Tom Wagner as a "confluence of sophisticated marketing techniques and popular music".[3] The music of Hillsong United and Hillsong Worship are credited with driving Hillsong's global popularity.[3] Through the 1980s and 1990s, the congregation grew from 45 members to nearly 20,000 and emerged as a significant influence in the area of contemporary worship music. This was a result of strategic marketing that targeted younger generations and Hillsong's success at establishing itself as a global music standard.[4]

Early Hills Christian Life Centre logo

Originally, services were held at the Baulkham Hills Public School hall.[5] In 1997, the church moved into its new building at Baulkham Hills' Norwest Business Park. A new convention centre at the church's "Hills" location, was opened on 19 October 2002 by John Howard, the then Prime Minister of Australia.[6] During the 1990s, Kiev Christian Life Centre, now Hillsong Kiev, and London Christian Life Centre, now Hillsong London, were planted from Hillsong Church as independent churches.

In March 2007, Hillsong Kiev planted an offshoot church in Moscow, which started regular services in July 2007.[7] It was announced in October 2007 that Phil Dooley and Lucinda Dooley would plant a Hillsong Church in South Africa in March 2008. Hillsong Stockholm, Sweden, formerly known as Passion Church, was planted in 2008–2009.[8][9]

In 2017, Hillsong announced it would be opening a church in Tel Aviv, Israel.[10] Hillsong United featured Daher Nassar, a Palestinian Christian, in their music video Prince of Peace. The video was recorded live in Israel and shows a stone at the entrance of Nassar's farm, which has the words "We refuse to be enemies" written on it.[11]

In 2018, it was announced that Hillsong would be expanding into Canada and Mexico, with the launch of Hillsong Toronto on 23 September 2018[12] and Hillsong Monterrey later that year.[13]

In September 2018, Hillsong left the Australian Christian Churches (of which Houston had been national superintendent/president from 1997 to 2009) to become an autonomous denomination, identifying itself more as a global and charismatic church.[14] According to both Hillsong and ACC, the parting was amicable.[15]

In October 2020, they purchased the Festival Hall venue in Melbourne to become the home of Hillsong Church Melbourne City's weekly church services after undergoing renovations to better suit the new uses.[16][17]

Statistics

Hillsong Church reports 150,000 members in 23 countries.[18] In Australia, the denomination reported 30 churches and 43,000 members in 2018.[19]

Organisation

Leadership

The founders, Brian and Bobbie Houston, are currently the global senior pastors of Hillsong Church. The church is governed by a board of elders.[20] The elders lead the church spiritually as well as act as a board of directors. The members of "The Hillsong Eldership" are senior executive staff and business leaders from Hillsong's congregation. Elders are appointed for one year, with renewable terms.[21]

Ministry

Hillsong's various ministries include Hillsong Music, Hillsong Kids, Hillsong Youth, Hillsong Sisterhood, Hillsong Men, Hillsong Conference, Hillsong CityCare, Hillsong International Leadership College, Hillsong Channel, TV & Film, Hillsong Performing Arts Academy and Hillsong Health Centre. Their total facilities are estimated to be worth around $100 million.[22]

Hillsong Sisterhood

Bobbie Houston has been especially influential in Hillsong's ministry for women, called Sisterhood. She is a mentor to many of Hillsong's women leaders. Although Hillsong generally supports the traditional roles of wife and mother for women, the church's position is that their ministries "empower" women. Riches found via interviews with attendees that the ministries increased women's choice regarding around sexuality and child rearing; encouraged women to start small businesses and to take on promotions at work; facilitated women's participation in cultural events, as well as promoted women's voices in religious teaching and public life.[23] Church members have described Hillsong's leadership development as a process that supports women's movement from timid, supportive wife into leadership roles within the Church. The Sisterhood is involved in issues like HIV, domestic violence and human trafficking. Their midweek gathering is primarily for women. It is attended by all female staff members and is the foundation of Hillsong's women's ministries. The Thursday meeting for mothers increasingly now includes businesswomen. They also have special quarterly "Sisterhood United" night meetings that include working women. Members of the church say that Bobbie's authority as a leader comes from "a pentecostal understanding of Spirit empowerment".[5]

Hillsong City Care

In 1986 a social engagement program called CityCare was established offering various community services including personal development programs, counseling services, a health centre and youth mentoring. CityCare's "street teams" worked within the community to care for, feed and clothe the homeless. Also in 1986, the first Hillsong conference was held with 150 attendees. In 1999 Hillsong Church was founded when the Hills Christian Life Centre merged with the Sydney Christian Life Centre.[5]

In July 2008, concerns were raised by some teachers, parents and experts about the Hillsong City Care Shine program for girls being run in New South Wales public schools, community groups and the juvenile justice system. The concerns include that the program is "inappropriate for troubled young women, that the under-qualified facilitators are reinforcing gender stereotypes and that some parents have not been properly informed" and that "the program encourages girls to be subservient by teaching them that they need to be attractive to men".[24] Hillsong claimed that parents were supportive and that the program broke down barriers in a group situation.[25] In a further response, Hillsong denied that the program had been used for evangelism,[26] but a teacher's federation representative insisted that children had been exposed to religious content, such as people relating stories about finding religion and joining the Hillsong Church.[27]

Beliefs

Hillsong was formerly affiliated with Australian Christian Churches (the Assemblies of God in Australia), part of Pentecostal Christianity. The church's beliefs are Evangelical and Pentecostal.[28]

Hillsong's positions on non-central doctrines of the faith are diverse, although individuals may have taken a public stand on many topical issues in contemporary Christianity is in keeping with mainstream Pentecostalism – e.g. opposing embryonic stem cell research and abortion based on a belief that human life commences at conception.[29] Hillsong has also declared support for Creationism and Intelligent Design and believes this should be taught in schools.[30][31][32][33]

Hillsong's prosperity teachings have been criticised by Christian leaders Tim Costello[34] and George Pell.[35] Subsequent statements by Tim Costello indicated that he was satisfied with changes made by Brian Houston to Hillsong's teaching in response to criticism.[36] Costello also wrote a foreword in Hillsong's 2019 annual report.[37] Hillsong's teachings have been commented on favourably by Peter Costello, Tim Costello's brother, also a Baptist and a former Treasurer of Australia who has defended the church against accusations of unorthodoxy.[38]

Music
Main articles: Hillsong Music, Hillsong musicians, List of Hillsong albums, and List of Hillsong songs

Hillsong Church has produced over 40 albums, which have sold over 11 million copies. Albums are produced for different target audiences including Hillsong Kids for children. Hillsong Chapel features acoustic arrangements, which are "quieter" than the electric guitar, keyboard and drums that are typical of Hillsong's music.[3] Hillsong's albums are produced by Hillsong Music Australia. Hillsong's congregational music has been the dominant source of the church's influence in the Charismatic Christianity movement.

Music is central to worship at the church. Hillsong's worship leaders have generally enjoyed a high-profile international position. Early worship leaders included Geoff Bullock and Darlene Zschech.[5] Zschech was Hillsong's second worship leader and Hillsong achieved international acclaim during her ministry.[4] Zschech's "Shout to the Lord" was an early hit for Hillsong in mid-1990s.[39] In 2008, Reuben Morgan became Hillsong's third worship leader.[4]

Hillsong's worship music has been widely influential not only in Pentecostal churches, but more broadly in Evangelical churches. Many of Hillsong's "worship expressions" have been incorporated into Evangelical services including raised hands, vocal utterance and dance.[4] Hillsong Music has released over 40 albums since 1992, many of them achieving gold status in Australia and one of them, People Just Like Us, achieving platinum status.[40] The church's 2004 live praise and worship album For All You've Done reached No. 1 in the mainstream Australian album charts (ARIA).[41]

In September 2012, Hillsong produced The Global Project, a collection of their most popular songs released in nine different languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin, Indonesian, German, French, Swedish and Russian.[42]

Hillsong United
Main article: Hillsong United

Hillsong United is Hillsong's most popular band. Their song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs list for a full year.[5] It was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Christian Songs chart in 2014[43] and 2016,[44] No. 2 for 2015,[45] and the No. 1 song of the 2010s decade.[46] The New York Times described their music as "ornate mainstream arena rock but with God-only lyrics that are vetted for adherence to theology".[39] Joel Houston, Hillsong's creative director, leads Hillsong United.

Hillsong Worship
Main article: Hillsong Worship

The Hillsong Worship albums, formerly led by Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan, all achieved gold status in Australia. The live album series was recorded at the Sydney campus(es) and then edited and produced by Hillsong Music Australia. The worship series began as a compilation of songs and developed into studio recorded albums. To help make Hillsong Music mainstream, an agreement with Warner Music Australia took place in 1999. In 2003, Sony Music Australia also signed with Hillsong Music to make the group even more mainstream.[47] In 2018, Hillsong Worship won its first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for "What a Beautiful Name".[48]

Hillsong Young & Free
Main article: Hillsong Young & Free

Hillsong Young & Free was established in 2012 as a new branch of Hillsong's ministry. Hillsong Church has been successful at adjusting the musical style of their ministries to keep up with changing musical trends. Hillsong Young & Free was launched to attract postmillennial youth worshippers. The style of music in this particular ministry reflects features of musical genres that are popular with this target demographic, including electronic dance music.[4]

Hillsong Kids

Hillsong Kids were children's songs from Hillsong's children's ministry. The albums Jesus Is My Superhero and Super Strong God were included on Natalie Gillespie's "Best Christian Children's Albums" lists for 2005 and 2006, respectively (published in Christianity Today).[49][50][51]

Hillsong Channel
Main article: Hillsong Channel

On 9 March 2016, the American religious broadcaster Trinity Broadcasting Network announced a partnership with Hillsong that saw their former sub-network, The Church Channel re-imaged as the Hillsong Channel on 1 June 2016.[52][53]

Hillsong Conference
Main article: Hillsong Conference
Hillsong Conference 2021 Logo

Hillsong Conference is a mid-year week long annual conference in Sydney, London and New York later each year. First started in 1986, it has now grown to be the largest annual conference in Australia.

The conference is hosted by Hillsong Church and Lead Pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston, and involves a variety of guests from across the globe. Baptist minister Michael Frost described the conference as having, "a kind of electric, almost carnival atmosphere... the delegates were full of anticipation and excitement."[54]

Other media

On 16 September 2016, the documentary Hillsong: Let Hope Rise, directed by Michael John Warren, was released to cinemas across the United States.[55] The film explores Hillsong's beginnings and its rise to prominence as an international church. The main focus is on the band Hillsong United as they write songs for their upcoming album and work toward a performance at The Forum in Los Angeles.

Political influence

Hillsong Church has attracted support from high-profile politicians, especially from the Liberal Party of Australia. In 1998, Brian Houston met with then prime minister of Australia, John Howard, and most of his Cabinet, at Parliament House in Canberra before sharing prayers.[56] In 2002, John Howard opened the Hillsong Convention Centre at the Baulkham Hills location.[57] In 2004 and 2005, the then Treasurer of Australia, Peter Costello, spoke at its annual conferences. Mark Latham, the then Leader of the Opposition, declined Hillsong's invitation to the 2004 conference,[58] although Bob Carr, the then Premier of New South Wales (from the NSW Labor Party), did attend the 2005 conference.

Liberal MP for Mitchell, Alan Cadman, and two Family First Party senate candidates, Joan Woods and Ivan Herald, who failed to win senate seats, were featured in a Hillsong circular during the election, with members being asked to pray for them.[59]

Hillsong's high-profile involvement with political leaders[60] has been questioned in the media, and publicly, the church has distanced itself from advocating certain political groups and parties, including the fledgling Family First party.[61] Brian Houston has replied to these criticisms by stating, "I think people need to understand the difference between the church being very involved in politics and individual Christians being involved in politics."[62]

In 2008, it was claimed by a Sydney inner city publication, Central Magazine, that Hillsong had donated A$600 to a Member of the Legislative Council, Kristina Keneally (ALP), for the tickets of a fundraising dinner, featuring the New South Wales' Planning Minister, Frank Sartor (ALP), as a guest speaker one month before the 2007 state election,[63] despite Hillsong's own statement of corporate governance declaring that 'Hillsong Church does not make financial contributions to or align itself with any political party or candidate'.[64] A Hillsong staff member, Maria Ieroianni, claimed that no donation had been made and that the dinner was not a fundraiser. Hillsong also issued a statement on their website denying that the money was a donation.[65] According to the Central Magazine article, Keneally has described the dinner as a fundraiser and the money from Hillsong as a donation. The article also claims that these descriptions are confirmed by the records of the Electoral Commission.[66]

Controversy

Hillsong has been criticised at various times. Concerns have been expressed by politicians,[67] media,[68] community groups,[69] Christian leaders[70][71] and former members.[72][73] Criticisms have covered Hillsong's use of finances, its ties to controversial organisations, its treatment of critics and its alleged involvement in vote stacking of the Australian Idol TV show.

Criticism of finances

Pushes for a charity commission in Australia have stemmed from claims that religious organisations like Hillsong avoid taxes by paying their staff in tax-exempt fringe benefits.[74] In 2010, The Sunday Telegraph reported that the Houston family was enjoying a lavish lifestyle, almost entirely tax-free, including vehicles and expense accounts.[75] Criticisms have been levelled at Hillsong in regard to its finances, especially its use of government grants when it reportedly made $40 million in 2004[76] and $50 million in 2010.[74] It was alleged that Hillsong had paid staff members with money given as a government grant for the assistance of the Riverstone Aboriginal community.[77] However, letters of apology from both the Riverstone Aboriginal Community and from the minister of justice and customs, were later published on the Hillsong website.[78]

Sexual abuse committed by founder's father
Main article: Frank Houston

Frank Houston, the father of Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston, was a pastor in New Zealand and Australia who abused as many as nine boys over the course of his ministry.[79] In the 1960s and '70s, one victim was routinely subjected to sexual abuse from the age of 7 to 12.[80][81][82] In 1999, his mother reported the abuse to the Assemblies of God denomination. Although Brian Houston, then National President of the Assemblies of God denomination in Australia, was legally obligated to report the crime, he did not do so.[82]:6:30 Brian Houston felt it was a reasonable excuse not to report the crime when the victim is an adult when the crime comes to light, and the victim does not want the crime reported.[83][84] The victim later testified to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that Frank Houston offered him AU$10,000 as compensation at a McDonald's in the presence of Nabi Saleh.[85][86] During an internal church investigation, Frank Houston eventually confessed to the crime.[87] The commission also heard that he was involved in the sexual abuse of other children in New Zealand.[88][89] Frank Houston resigned from his church in 2000, which now lacking a pastor, was merged into Hillsong Church.[81][88][90] A further internal investigation by Assemblies of God in Australia, in conjunction with the Assemblies of God in New Zealand, found six additional child sexual abuse allegations, which were regarded as credible.[91][82]

Mercy Ministries
Main article: Mercy Ministries

Hillsong has been criticised for its involvement with Mercy Ministries, an evangelical charity with a right to life view and a conservative perspective on homosexuality.[92] Hillsong responded by praising the work of Mercy Ministries and stating that "we are not involved in the operational aspects of the organization." The church also said: "We have heard many wonderful testimonies about how the work of Mercy has helped the lives of young women facing often debilitating and life-controlling situations. Some would even say that Mercy Ministries has saved their life."[93] Mercy Ministries in Australia was closed down on 31 October 2009, preceding which Hillsong had distanced itself from the organisation despite earlier funding and staffing elements of it.[94]

Criticism from a former member

Hillsong's attitude towards criticism was portrayed negatively by one former member, Tanya Levin, in her book People in Glass Houses: An Insider's Story of a Life In and Out of Hillsong.[95] Specific criticisms covered authoritarian church governance, lack of financial accountability, resistance to free thought, strict fundamentalist teachings and lack of compassion.[96] In an interview with Andrew Denton, Levin further discussed her experience of Hillsong, which she described as "toxic Christianity".[97]

Alleged vote stacking in Australian Idol

In 2007 Hillsong was alleged to have been involved in vote stacking Network Ten's Australian Idol,[98][99] by tabloid TV show Today Tonight, a claim that Network Ten rejected. It was revealed that none of the finalists on Australian Idol were from Hillsong, with two being members of other unrelated Pentecostal Churches[100] However, a Pastor from a different church indicated that some level of co-ordinated support of his church members on Australian Idol has taken place.[101][102]

Michael Guglielmucci cancer scandal
Main article: This Is Our God

On 20 August 2008, Michael Guglielmucci, a then pastor of Influencers Church composed "Healer", a song about his experience of cancer. He was invited by Hillsong to add his song to the album This Is Our God.[103] Later, he confessed that he had lied about having cancer. Hillsong leadership told the press they were unaware of this situation and that the suspended pastor was seeking professional help. The ACC promised that all money donated by listeners inspired by the song would either be returned or donated to charity.[104][105] The track "Healer" has since then been removed from the track listing in future releases of the album.[106][107]

Stance on homosexuality and same-sex marriage

In 2014, Brian Houston discussed being more understanding of gay people. Later, he clarified his position after being criticised by some Christians for allegedly supporting homosexuality. In a statement released on Hillsong's website, he stated: "Nowhere in my answer did I diminish biblical truth or suggest that I or Hillsong Church supported gay marriage."[108][109][110][111]

Mark Driscoll appearance

American preacher Mark Driscoll had been invited to attend the Hillsong Church 2015 annual conference. When it was revealed that Driscoll had made offensive comments about women, Brian Houston announced that Driscoll would no longer attend the conference.[112] A pre-recorded interview with Driscoll was played during the conference.[113]

Carl Lentz rise and fall
Main article: Carl Lentz

Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz helped to lead Hillsong's first church in the United States, in New York. He befriended Justin Bieber, and developed a celebrity following.[114]

Hillsong expanded on the East Coast under Lentz, but some members felt that it became unduly focused on fashion, and on servicing the desires of its pastors and its famous patrons.[114] Church volunteers were allegedly expected to work long hours, and were reportedly treated as second-class citizens and gaslighted.[114][115] Around 2017, two Hillsong volunteers who attempted to convey their concerns about Mr Lentz to Hillsong leadership were allegedly intercepted and dismissed.[114]

In 2020, Hillsong fired Lentz after finding that Lentz had engaged in "more than one extra-marital affair" and was currently involved in one.[114] Lentz's lover stated that Hillsong is not "genuine. That's the truth. It's a money machine ... and I think it's wrong ... I think [Lentz] is a victim of his own church. He gave his life to this church, and that's how they played him."[115]

Since Lentz was fired, several former members of the church have come forward to accuse the church of being a cult, claiming that the leaders abuse employees and volunteers by treating them as "slave labour", and interfering with their personal lives, such as requiring them to "ask a pastor's permission to date."[116][117] In November 2020, following testimony from Hillsong volunteers, Hillsong announced an independent investigation into concerns about the New York branch.[118]

See also

References
  1. Casidy, Riza. "The rise and rise of Hillsong, and what other Australian churches should learn from them". The Conversation. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  2. "What is Hillsong?". Topics.
  3. Wagner, Tom (2014). "Branding, Music, and Religion: Standardization and Adaptation in the Experience of the 'Hillsong Sound.'" In Religions as Brands: New Perspectives on the Marketization of Religion and Spirituality, edited by Jean-Claude Usunier and Jörg Stolz. Farnham, UK: Routledge. pp. 59–74. ISBN 978-1-4094-6755-7.
  4. Tapper, Michael A. (11 May 2017). Canadian Pentecostals, the Trinity, and Contemporary Worship Music: The Things We Sing. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-34332-0.
  5. Riches, Tanya; Wagner, Tom (2 November 2017). The Hillsong Movement Examined: You Call Me Out Upon the Waters. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-59656-3.
  6. The Sun-Herald, smh.com.au, Hillsong's true believers, Australia, 7 November 2004
  7. "Kyiv Evangelicals Open Hillsong Moscow Church". Religious Information Service of Ukraine. 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
  8. http://www.dagen.se/dagen/article.aspx?id=162417 Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Passion Church now named Hillsong Church Stockholm
  9. http://www.dagen.com/dagen/Article.aspx?ID=122339, Hillsong Church Stockholm Andreas Nielsen
  10. Gledhill, Ruth. "Hillsong To Open Its First Church in Israel, Pastor Brian Houston Announces on Instagram". Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  11. "Hillsong United features Palestinian Christians in Music Video". Bethlehem Bible College. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  12. "Yes, this is Sunday Mass in Toronto". Toronto Life. 11 November 2018.
  13. Pitchford-English, Leila. "Facets of Faith: Australia's Hillsong heads to Baton Rouge". The Advocate. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  14. Leonardo Blair, Hillsong Church Becomes Own Denomination, Splits From Australia's Largest Pentecostal Group, The Christian Post, USA, 19 September 2018
  15. "Hillsong splits from denomination: 'we have no grief or dispute at all' - Premier". Premier. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  16. Fuamoli, Words by Sose (26 October 2020). "Hillsong has bought Melbourne's iconic Festival Hall". triple j. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  17. "Hillsong Church Buys Iconic Melbourne Music Venue". The Music.
  18. Hillsong Church, About Us, hillsong.com, Australia, retrieved 30 May 2020
  19. "2018 Annual Report". Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  20. "Hillsong Church's Leadership". Hillsong Church. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  21. The Sydney Morning Herald, "The lord's profits", 30 January 2003. Archived 4 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  22. James, Jonathan D. (4 February 2015). A Moving Faith: Mega Churches Go South. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-5150-472-6.
  23. (Riches, T. 2016. The Sisterhood: Hillsong in a Feminine Key in Wagner and Riches. The Hillsong Movement Examined: You Call Me Out Upon the Waters. NY: Palgrave McMillan, p 100
  24. Hillsong's school grooming talks 'help girls', AU: ABC, 28 July 2008, archived from the original on 22 February 2009, retrieved 28 July 2008
  25. Bibby, Paul (26 July 2008), "Hillsong hits schools with beauty gospel", The Sydney Morning Herald, archived from the original on 7 October 2016, retrieved 28 July 2008
  26. "Shine: Demystifying the Beauty Myth". Hillsong Church. 29 July 2008. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  27. Bibby, Paul (30 July 2008). "Hillsong accused of closet zealotry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  28. "What We Believe". Hillsong Church. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  29. "He would like to see creationism taught in schools and abortion banned", The Sydney Morning Herald, 'The lord's profits' Archived 4 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine, 30 January 2003.
  30. "At Hillsong Church we believe that God created the world. In other words, the universe is a product of intelligent design. We also believe that science is part of humanity's search for truth, and it is therefore important for science curricula to include all valid viewpoints of the origins of life and the universe, including intelligent design." Hillsong statement 12 December 2005 Archived 27 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  31. "Statement 24 January 2006". Hillsong. Archived from the original on 13 May 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  32. "The Assemblies of God in Australia stands with other religious leaders across the nation in its grave concerns over the recommendations of the Lockhart Review into stem cell research and human cloning released this week. 'We uphold the right for all human life, from fertilisation to death, to be protected and we believe the Committee's recommendations threaten this most basic of human rights', National President of the AOG in Australia, Brian Houston, said." Hillsong statement 21 December 2005 Archived 27 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  33. "The lord's profits", The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 2003, archived from the original on 4 June 2016, Homosexuals are, of course, unwelcome, but Houston says he's not a Fred Nile-type fanatic on these matters.
  34. McDonell, Stephen (9 July 2004). "Evangelist Christian vote wanted". Lateline. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 December 2006.
  35. "Hillsong's true believers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 November 2004. Retrieved 10 August 2006.
  36. "Costello's Hillsong", The Age, 6 July 2005, archived from the original on 12 May 2016, retrieved 18 July 2008
  37. "Hillsong Annual Report 2019". issuu. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  38. Lateline interview, "Costello addresses Hillsong congregation" Archived 31 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  39. Coscarelli, Joe (14 September 2016). "'Hillsong' Casts a Secular Lens on an Evangelical Band". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  40. Donovan, Kevin (5 July 2006). "Hillsong Launches 20th Conference, New Album". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2018.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. "Australian Recording Artists Make ARIA Chart History" (Press release). Australian Recording Industry Association. 3 August 2004. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
  42. "Hillsong takes worship songs to the world". Christian Today. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  43. "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2014 - Billboard". Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  44. "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2016 - Billboard". Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  45. "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2015 - Billboard". Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  46. "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  47. "About us". Hillsong Church. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  48. "Australia's Hillsong musical group wins Grammy Award". 7 News. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  49. Gillespie, Natalie. "The Best Christian Children's Albums of 2005". Preaching.com. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  50. Gillespie, Natalie. "The Best Christian Children's Albums of 2006". Preaching.com. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  51. Gillespie, Natalie (January 2007). "The Best Christian Children's Albums of 2006". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2020.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  52. Ong, Czarina (21 March 2016). "Hillsong Church to launch own TV channel to 'exalt Jesus and empower people' 24/7". Christian Today. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  53. "Christian Television Leader TBN Partnering With Hillsong in Launch of Innovative Worship Network" (Press release). Trinity Broadcasting Network & Hillsong Church. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  54. Frost, Michael (16 July 2011). "Hillsong shows it is in tune with the times". Manly Daily. ProQuest 876848999.
  55. Coscareli, Joe (14 September 2016). "'Hillsong' Casts a Secular Lens on an Evangelical Band". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  56. Houston, Brian; Houston, Bobbie (2003). The Church That I See.…. Hillsong Church. p. 122.
  57. Houston, Brian; Houston, Bobbie (2003). The Church That I See.…. Hillsong Church. p. 142.
  58. Henderson, Gerard (19 October 2004). "Mock Christians at your peril, lefties". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 June 2006.
  59. Price, Sarah; Benns, Matthew (7 November 2004). "Hillsong's true believers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  60. "Politics goes to church at Hillsong". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 July 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  61. "God and politics mix at Hillsong". The 7:30 Report. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  62. Morris, Linda (4 May 2005). "Church expands horizons". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  63. "Hillsong Denies Donation". REDWatch. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  64. "Hillsong statement on corporate governance". .hillsong.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  65. "Claims by Central Magazine - 12 March 2008". .hillsong.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  66. "Hillsong Denies Donation". The 7:30 Report. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  67. "Hillsong Emerge National Community Crime Prevention Funding". Parliament of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  68. Sexton, Jennifer (29 April 2006). "The High Cost of Faith". The Weekend Australian. News Limited. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  69. "No faith in charity". KooriWeb. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  70. "True Believers". The Australian. 7 November 2004. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  71. Funaro, Vincent. "R. Albert Mohler Jr. Calls Hillsong a Prosperity Movement that Waters Down the Gospel". The Christian Post. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  72. "Hillsong success no miracle". The Australian. 1 August 2007. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  73. "Hillsong - the church with no answers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  74. Shand, Adam (25 July 2010). "Tax office push for charity monitoring". SUNDAY HERALD SUN. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  75. Shand, Adam (24 July 2010). "Taxpayers support lavish Hillsong lifestyle". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  76. Ferguson, Adele (26 May 2005). "Pentecostal Churches Are Not Waiting to Inherit the Earth, They Are Taking it Now, Tax-Free". Business Review Weekly Magazine. Archived from the original on 15 May 2006.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  77. Higgins, Ean (19 November 2005). "No faith in charity". The Australian. In Hillsong Emerge's budget for the successful grant, $103,584 would go to the project co-ordinator's salary, $20,715 to the project co-ordinator's 'on-costs,' $46,800 to 'contract management, supervision and support,' $31,200 to 'administration, reception, book-keeping,' $8000 to 'evaluation,' and $7800 to 'IT-communications.' That accounts for more than half the grant, and the largest single allocation for actual activities is for 'sporting-recreational events at $18,000.
  78. "RACA Letter of Apology & Minister of Justice and Customs Letter". .hillsong.com.
  79. Zhou, Naaman (19 November 2018). "Sexual abuse victim pursues Hillsong's Brian Houston over crimes of his father". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  80. Hayes, Liz (19 November 2018). "60 Minutes: Victim of Hillsong Church founder's pedophile father says childhood was destroyed by sexual abuse". Nine News. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  81. Box, Dan (9 October 2014). "Father of Hillsong founder given 'retirement package' after child abuse". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Frank Houston's resignation letter to the City Hillsong Church in November 2000 makes no mention of the allegations. "I hereby wish to tender my resignation ... as I feel it is time for (his wife) Hazel and I to enter retirement", says the letter.
  82. Victim of Hillsong Church founder's father says childhood was destroyed by sexual abuse. 60 Minutes Australia. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  83. "Hillsong founder Brian Houston refused to answer questions over father's child abuse, police told MPs - Preda Foundation, Inc". Preda Foundation, Inc. Brian Houston has defended not reporting his father's confession to police, stating he had a "reasonable excuse" because he said Sengstock had said he did not want to go to the authorities. He also said that because Sengstock was an adult when the abuse was first reported, it was his prerogative to report it. Sengstock has denied telling Houston not to go to the police.
  84. "Sexual abuse victim of Hillsong founder's father blasts PM for supporting Brian Houston". the Guardian. 28 October 2019. In an interview with 2GB host Ben Fordham on Thursday, Brian Houston said Sengstock told Houston he did not want the police informed, at the time the church leader found out about his father's abuse. "He told me that he didn't want the police involved," Houston said. "And the reality is that the law itself actually spells out that very circumstance – that if an adult victim doesn't want the police involved, that's a reasonable excuse for not including the police." Speaking to the New Daily later on Thursday, Sengstock denied he had said that.
  85. Browne, Rachel (23 November 2015). "Royal Commission sex abuse inquiry censures Hillsong head Brian Houston". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  86. McClellan, Ben (13 October 2014). "Hillsong leader Brian Houston breaks silence on paedophile father: 'It was wrong not to report him'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  87. Submissions of Counsel Assisting The Royal Commission. The Response of Australian Christian Churches and Affiliated Pentecostal Churches to Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse Case Study 18 (Report). 7 October 2014. Pastor Brian Houston said that his father spoke to him over a number of years about assuming the position of Senior Pastor at Sydney Christian Life Centre. In May 1999, Frank Houston suddenly retired from the position of Senior Pastor at Sydney Christian Life Centre and asked Pastor Brian Houston to take over his position. Pastor Brian Houston was the only nominee for Senior Pastor put to the Board of Sydney Christian Life Centre for approval. From May 1999 Pastor Brian Houston was the Senior Pastor of both churches for a period of 18 months. In that year the two churches merged and in 2001 were renamed Hillsong Church. Today Hillsong Church is an affiliate of the Australian Christian Churches, successor of the Assemblies of God.
  88. Chettle, Nicole (7 October 2014). "Hillsong church head Brian Houston accused alleged child abuse victim of 'tempting' father, inquiry told". ABC News. AHA said he saw a television address by Brian Houston, who was now the senior Pastor of the church, around the year 2000 when he told the congregation that his father had been involved in a minor indiscretion in New Zealand 30 years ago. He said he was appalled that Brian Houston did not reveal the extent of allegations against his father, including his case. "He avoided using the term paedophilia", AHA said. "I thought it was corrupt that he had used the phrase 'involved in a minor indiscretion'. "As far as I was aware Pastor Frank was still preaching at this time and was also doing seminars."
  89. Davidson, Helen (23 November 2015). "Hillsong's Brian Houston failed to report abuse and had conflict of interest – royal commission". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  90. "Church failed to follow procedure for sex abuse allegations, royal commission hears". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 October 2014. Frank Houston, the founder of the Sydney Christian Life Centre, which merged with his son Brian's Hills Christian Life Centre to become Hillsong Church, wrote to churchgoers in November 2000, informing them of his resignation due to "retirement". "I hereby wish to tender my resignation from the staff and eldership of the City Hillsong Church as I feel it is time for (my wife) Hazel and I to enter retirement", he wrote. "It has been a privilege to minister in the church and to work with you all." Minutes tendered to the commission show that at a November 2000 meeting of the senior ranks of the Assemblies of God, now known as Australian Christian Churches, it was agreed that Frank Houston should be thanked for "his immeasurable contribution to the church". The provision of "financial support" for Frank Houston and his wife was discussed at the same meeting.
  91. "Report on trip of John Lewis and Keith Ainge to New Zealand and Sydney, 28th 29th November 2000" (PDF). Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  92. Capone, Alesha (14 November 2007). "Borders passes the hat for anti-gay, pro-life charity". Crikey.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  93. "Hillsong media response 18 March 2008". .hillsong.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  94. "Mercy Ministries to close". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  95. Marr, David (13 April 2007). "Singing flat at Hillsong". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  96. Marr, David (4 August 2007). "Hillsong - the church with no answers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  97. Enough Rope With Andrew Denton, Tanya Levin interview Archived 11 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  98. Nethercote, Jane. "Australian Idol: Where are the singing Buddhists?". Private Media Pty Ltd, Publishers of Crikey.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  99. Montgomery, Garth (10 October 2007). "Idol fans angry at vote bloc". News Limited. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  100. 'On Monday night Australian Idol issued a formal statement live on air to dismiss allegations that the finalists were members of Hillsong, as claimed by Channel 7's Today Tonight'Montgomery, Garth (10 October 2007). "Idol fans angry at vote bloc". News Limited. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  101. 'Today Tonight's been in there right from the beginning with the tough questions. They spoke to two former Hillsong members, "fallen angels in confession mode", about the church's tactics recently; how AOG pastors strongly urged members to watch Idol and vote for church-sanctioned contestants.'Nethercote, Jane. "Australian Idol: Where are the singing Buddhists?". Private Media Pty Ltd, Publishers of Crikey.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  102. 'Shirelive pastor Michael Murphy said he had been "unashamedly supporting Matt Corby and Tarisai Vushe as church family".'Montgomery, Garth (10 October 2007). "Idol fans angry at vote bloc". News Limited. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  103. "Hillsong Pastor Michael Guglielmucci on Today Tonight - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  104. Lawrence, Elissa (24 August 2008). "Fake illness preacher Michael Guglielmucci told to go to police". news.com.au. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
  105. "Pop star pastor lied about cancer". National Nine News. 21 August 2008. Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
  106. "Hillsong Music Australia - This Is Our God - CD /DVD - Pre Order Now and receive free shipping! Released July 2008". 7 April 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2008.
  107. Resource, Youth Work (21 November 2008). "Hillsong – Healer". Youth Work Resource.
  108. "Hillsong megachurch pastor says church should be more understanding of gays". gaystarnews.com. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  109. "Megachurch Pastor Signals Shift in Tone on Gay Marriage". The New York Times. 18 October 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2014.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  110. "Hillsong pastor Brian Houston denies gay marriage support". 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  111. "Re: recent media comments on homosexuality". Hillsong.com. October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  112. McKenny, Leesha (7 June 2015). "Hillsong Church cancels pastor Mark Driscoll's Australian visit after backlash". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  113. "Hillsong Church gives platform for 'penis house' preacher Mark Driscol". news.com.au. 1 July 2015.
  114. Graham, Ruth (5 December 2020). "The Rise and Fall of Carl Lentz, the Celebrity Pastor of Hillsong Church". Retrieved 13 December 2020 – via NYTimes.com.
  115. McHugh, Rich. ""He Is a Victim of His Own Church": Carl Lentz, Ranin Karim, and Hillsong's Unfurling Scandal". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  116. Hannah Frishberg (23 December 2020). "'It's a cult': Ex-Hillsong members claim church demanded 'slave labor'". New York Post.
  117. Dan Adler (24 December 2020). "Hillsong Church Faces New Allegations of Abusive Behavior". Vanity Fair.
  118. "Hillsong founder Brian Houston announces investigation after NYC pastor Carl Lentz's firing". Religion News Service. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.