Hillsong’s worship music has been criticized for its vague lyrical content, unclear theological message, and emphasis on style over substance. It’s often described as “just music” – a collection of catchy melodies and instrumental arrangements designed to evoke an emotional response rather than a deep spiritual connection.
The church services themselves resemble rock concerts, with flashy visuals and amplified sound bombarding the senses. While traditional elements like prayer, worship, and teaching are present, they often feel secondary to the overall sensory experience. The focus is on creating a feeling of excitement and engagement, rather than fostering a genuine encounter with God.
This emphasis on style over substance raises questions about the true nature of worship at Hillsong. Is it simply entertainment disguised as spirituality? Is it possible to have a meaningful worship experience when the focus is on outward appearances and emotional highs? These are questions that many Christians are grappling with as they seek to define what true worship looks like in a world dominated by entertainment and consumerism.
The scandals that have rocked Hillsong Church, once a global powerhouse in the evangelical Christian world, have left many disillusioned and questioning the integrity of its leadership. The seemingly endless revelations of financial impropriety, moral failings, and abuse of power have exposed a dark underbelly beneath the church’s glossy facade. While the shockwaves reverberate throughout the Christian community, one question lingers: why were we so surprised?
It’s baffling that anyone could be shocked by scandals like Hillsong, where pastors live lavishly, flaunting designer clothes and luxury watches on social media, while church funds mysteriously disappear. Isn’t it obvious where the money is going?
The signs were always there, hidden in plain sight. The opulent lifestyle of Hillsong’s pastors, their obsession with material wealth, and their blatant disregard for biblical principles should have raised red flags long ago. Yet, many remained blind to the truth, seduced by the church’s charismatic leaders with their promises of prosperity, healing, and charismatic gifts. In retrospect, the downfall of Hillsong seems less like a shocking revelation and more like an inevitable consequence of a toxic culture built on greed, ambition, and spiritual manipulation.
Hillsong Church Global Investigation | 7NEWS Spotlight Full Documentary
Introduction to the Hillsong Church Phenomenon
Joel Timothy Houston is an Australian musician, songwriter, pastor, and leader in the Sydney-based band Hillsong United, a worship band of Hillsong Church. He was co-pastor at Hillsong NYC between 2010 and 2017.
Hillsong Church, founded in 1983 by Brian and Bobbie Houston in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, has grown into a global phenomenon. Known for its contemporary worship music, charismatic leadership, and massive congregations, Hillsong has established branches in major cities worldwide, including New York, London, and Los Angeles. The church’s music ministry, in particular, has had a profound impact on Christian worship across denominations, producing hits like “Oceans” and “What a Beautiful Name.”
However, behind the polished image and the feel-good messages, Hillsong has been plagued by a series of controversies that raise serious questions about its leadership, financial practices, and the integrity of its mission. From allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety to the lavish lifestyles of its pastors, the Hillsong controversy reveals a darker side of this mega-church empire.
The leadership of Hillsong, particularly its founder Brian Houston and his son Joel, seemed to operate with a sense of impunity, believing themselves to be above reproach. This arrogance and lack of accountability created an environment where financial mismanagement, sexual misconduct, and abuse of power could thrive unchecked.
The Rise of Hillsong: A Mega-Church Success Story
The Hillsong saga is not an isolated incident. It is, in many ways, a microcosm of the larger issues plaguing the mega-church movement. The rise of charismatic leaders, the emphasis on prosperity and personal success, and the lack of accountability within these organizations have created a breeding ground for corruption and abuse of power.
Hillsong’s rise to prominence can be attributed to its innovative approach to worship and its ability to connect with younger generations. The church’s services are characterized by high-energy music, professional-quality lighting and sound, and charismatic preaching. This formula has proven incredibly successful, attracting tens of thousands of followers and generating significant revenue through album sales, concert tickets, and merchandise.
As Hillsong’s Brian and Bobbie Houston returned to the pulpit in 2022 on a tour of the United States, their gated estate in Sydney’s Hills District was put up for sale for $4.5 million.
Brian Houston, the church’s founder, has been a central figure in Hillsong’s growth. Known for his dynamic speaking style and business acumen, Houston has effectively marketed Hillsong as a brand, expanding its reach far beyond the traditional confines of a church. Under his leadership, Hillsong has launched conferences, leadership training programs, and even a college, all aimed at spreading its influence and message.
The Cracks Begin to Show: Financial Transparency and Accountability
One of the most damning revelations of the Hillsong scandal was the extent of the church’s financial misconduct. Critics argue that the church operates more like a corporation than a religious institution, with little transparency about how its funds are used. In Australia, Hillsong has been classified as a “basic religious charity,” which exempts it from certain reporting requirements. This lack of oversight has led to concerns about potential misuse of church funds.
One glaring issue is the lavish lifestyle of Hillsong’s pastors. Brian Houston and other senior leaders have been known to flaunt their wealth, sporting designer clothing, expensive watches, and driving luxury cars. In some cases, these items are even showcased on social media, raising questions about where the money comes from. Given that Hillsong relies heavily on donations from its congregation, many of whom are encouraged to give generously, the disparity between the wealth of its leaders and the financial struggles of its members is troubling.
A cache of leaked financial documents alleges staggering misconduct and outrageous spending at the Australian megachurch.
Andrew Wilkie, a member of Australia’s Parliament, alleges Hillsong Church has broken financial laws in Australia and around the world, The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting.
Wilkie accused Hillsong founder Brian Houston and church leaders of misusing church funds to spend lavishly on private jets, luxury retreats, designer goods and even custom skateboards. The allegations are based on thousands of documents, including credit card statements, which were leaked to him by a whistleblower and show the church earned $80 million more income in Australia than it reported publicly.
The documents show Houston, who stepped down from his position at Hillsong last year and is currently involved in a separate legal battle, spent large sums of money on private jets, with Wilkie claiming that he “treated private jets like Ubers.” For example, in one three-month period, Houston’s flights cost $55,000, $52,000, $30,000, $22,000 and $2,000.
“For example, this document shows how in 2021 four members of the Houston family and their friends enjoyed a three-day luxury retreat in Cancun, Mexico, using $150,000 of church money,” he said. “A $6,500 Cartier watch for Bobbie Houston, $2,500 for Louis Vuitton luggage, a $2,500 watch for Phil Dooley, two watches worth $15,000 for Joel and Julia A’Bell, shopping sprees for designer clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue and even $16,000 for custom skateboards.”
Sexual Misconduct Allegations: A Tainted Legacy
In addition to financial controversies, Hillsong has been rocked by a series of sexual misconduct allegations involving its leaders. In 2020, Carl Lentz, the pastor of Hillsong New York City and one of the church’s most high-profile figures, was fired for “moral failures.” It was later revealed that Lentz had engaged in multiple extramarital affairs, leading to a public scandal that tarnished Hillsong’s reputation.
Lentz’s downfall was particularly shocking given his close relationship with celebrities like Justin Bieber and his role in promoting Hillsong’s brand in the United States. His charismatic personality and trendy image had made him a poster child for the church’s appeal to young, urban audiences. However, the revelations about his personal life exposed a pattern of deception and hypocrisy that raised serious questions about the integrity of Hillsong’s leadership.
Woman takes Hillsong megachurch to court over indecent assault
May 5, 2024, 60 Minutes Australia: The Hillsong Megachurch wants us to believe it’s a place of love and caring, but that’s not what Anna Crenshaw thinks. When she was 18, she was indecently assaulted by a married Hillsong staff member. He pleaded guilty in 2020 and received a two-year good behaviour bond, but the punishment did little to ease Anna’s trauma. She wanted Hillsong to take some responsibility for its employee, so she took civil action against the church. Hillsong’s response has been not very Christian.
The Houston Legacy: A Family Affair
The Houston family has been at the center of Hillsong since its inception, and their influence extends across multiple generations. Brian Houston’s father, Frank Houston, was also a prominent pastor, but his legacy has been marred by allegations of sexual abuse. In 1999, it was revealed that Frank Houston had sexually abused a young boy in the 1970s, leading to his resignation from the ministry.
Brian Houston has faced criticism for his handling of the situation, with allegations that he failed to report his father’s abuse to the authorities and instead sought to cover it up. In 2021, Brian Houston was charged by Australian police with concealing child sex abuse, further damaging his reputation and casting a shadow over Hillsong’s leadership, despite being cleared of the charges in court.
The Prosperity Gospel: A Dangerous Distortion of the Christian Message
Many religious leaders who preach the prosperity gospel seem to be the primary beneficiaries of its promises of wealth. Their model operates similarly to a pyramid scheme, with Jesus Christ as the figurehead used to attract and motivate followers. This contrasts sharply with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized spiritual wealth over material riches.
A central tenet of Hillsong’s preaching is the prosperity gospel, a doctrine that claims financial success and physical well-being are signs of God’s favor. This message has proven incredibly popular, particularly in affluent Western countries, where it aligns with cultural values of material success and individual achievement.
Hillsong’s leaders, including its founder Brian Houston and his son Joel, have been vocal proponents of the prosperity gospel. They have amassed enormous personal fortunes, living in multi-million dollar mansions, driving luxury cars, and wearing designer clothes. Their extravagant lifestyles often flaunted on social media, have become a symbol of the church’s distorted values.
However, the prosperity gospel has been widely criticized for its theological and ethical implications. Critics argue that it distorts the core message of Christianity, reducing faith to a transactional relationship where believers are promised blessings in exchange for their donations and devotion. This focus on material wealth can also exploit vulnerable individuals, encouraging them to give beyond their means in the hope of receiving divine rewards.
A Culture of Silence and Fear
A culture of silence and fear facilitated the abuse of power at Hillsong. Whistleblowers who dared to speak out against the church’s leadership were often ostracized, silenced, or even threatened with legal action. This created an environment where wrongdoing could thrive unchecked, with victims feeling powerless to seek justice.
Lessons? The practice of speaking in tongues within Pentecostalism differs significantly from the biblical gift described in the New Testament. The original gift, as prophesied in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, has ceased. While modern-day expressions of speaking in tongues might be a spiritual experience, they do not align with the biblical description and likely originate from a source other than the Holy Spirit.
The church’s hierarchical structure, with Brian Houston at the top, further reinforced this culture of silence. Decisions were made behind closed doors, and dissent was not tolerated. This lack of transparency and accountability allowed the church’s leaders to operate with impunity, perpetuating a system of abuse and exploitation.
Unbiblical Practices: Speaking in Tongues and Other Controversies
Hillsong’s worship services often include practices such as speaking in tongues, prophesying, and faith healing. While these practices are rooted in Pentecostal tradition, they have been criticized by some Christians as unbiblical and sensationalist. The emphasis on supernatural experiences can create a culture of emotionalism, where personal encounters with the divine are prioritized over sound doctrine and spiritual growth.
In addition, Hillsong’s emphasis on modern worship music and entertainment-style services has drawn criticism for its commercialization of faith. Detractors argue that the church’s focus on attracting large crowds and generating revenue can dilute the gospel message, with more attention given to style than substance.
The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Crisis of Leadership
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge for Hillsong, as it did for many religious institutions. However, the church’s response, particularly regarding public health guidelines, has been met with controversy. Some of Brian Houston’s public statements about the pandemic have been inconsistent, leading to confusion among followers.
In 2020, Carl Lentz, then a pastor at Hillsong, contracted COVID-19. While this should have highlighted the seriousness of the virus, Lentz continued to downplay its severity in public remarks. This contributed to a perception that Hillsong was not adequately addressing the risks of the pandemic, further damaging the church’s credibility in the eyes of some.
The Opulent Lifestyle: Mansions, Jets, and Luxury
One of the most glaring criticisms of Hillsong’s leadership is the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by its pastors. Brian Houston, Carl Lentz, and other senior figures have been known to live in luxurious homes, travel on private jets, and wear designer clothing. This display of wealth stands in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized humility and service to others.
The financial benefits enjoyed by Hillsong’s leaders are often justified by the church’s success and the demanding nature of their roles. However, the lavish spending raises ethical questions about the use of church funds and the true priorities of its leadership. When pastors live in mansions while members of their congregation struggle to make ends meet, it undermines the message of compassion and generosity that should be at the heart of Christian ministry.
Conclusion: A Call for Accountability and Reform
The controversies surrounding Hillsong Church highlight the dangers of unchecked power and the corrupting influence of wealth within religious institutions. While the church has undoubtedly made a significant impact on contemporary worship and attracted a large following, its success has come at a cost. The scandals involving financial impropriety, sexual misconduct, and theological controversies have exposed a need for greater accountability and transparency within the church.
For those who have been hurt by the actions of Hillsong and its leaders, the path to healing may be long and difficult. However, it is important to remember that the actions of a few do not invalidate the faith of the many. There are countless churches and organizations that are doing good work in the world, and it is important to support and uplift them.
A New Chapter: Rebuilding Trust and Integrity
In the aftermath of the scandal, Hillsong faces the daunting task of rebuilding trust and restoring its reputation. This will require a complete overhaul of its leadership, culture, and financial practices. It will also require a renewed commitment to the true message of the gospel, one that prioritizes spiritual well-being over material wealth.
The global pastor of Hillsong believes they need to “rebuild trust” following a myriad of scandals facing the megachurch.
Speaking on the Australian Christian podcast Hope 103.2 Interviews, Philip Dooley said he understands people’s perception of the church is not “always the greatest” but believes they are “stepping into a new era”.
“We have been through a difficult season,” Pastor Dooley said. “We’ve had quite a bit of media attention and various documentaries and the like so I understand the public perception is not always the greatest. We need to rebuild trust and that’s earned.”
Change?
Following is a media chronology of media coverage of the Hillsong affair.
Terry Crist, a fifth-generation pastor in Phoenix, joined the global megachurch Hillsong in part because of what he describes as its distinctly joyful approach to church life: Hillsong was an institution where leaders seemed “light and free,” offering a church experience that attracted tens of thousands of people around the world.
Starting in Phoenix, Mr. Crist eventually brought six churches in two states into the Hillsong fold. Last week, he took them out.
“We cannot continue in our global family, as much as we love it,” Mr. Crist told his congregation in an emotional sermon on Sunday, citing, among other reasons, the recent resignation of Hillsong’s global leader under a haze of scandal. “I am heartbroken.”
In the last two weeks, Hillsong has lost nine of its 16 American church campuses, a swift and stunning decline for one of the world’s largest and most influential evangelical churches.
The prosperity gospel preached at Hillsong, a charismatic megachurch akin to a multinational corporation, promised volunteers blessings on Earth. Hillsong worship enticed attendees to tithe, purchase merchandise, attend conferences, and financially support the church by facilitating the necessary buzz on social media. In 2020, Hillsong had congregations on six continents and claimed an average weekly attendance of 150,000—a global enterprise that required what volunteers repeatedly describe in the docuseries as “free labor.” One former volunteer from the church’s Los Angeles location stated, “protecting the Hillsong empire” was tantamount.
Rather than making disciples, Hillsong generated consumers for their music, merchandise, conferences, and college. In order to create consumers, the church needed workers to support Houston’s vision for Hillsong, best summarized in his 1993 mission statement: “The Church that I see is a Church of influence. A Church so large in size that the city and nation cannot ignore it. A Church growing so quickly that buildings struggle to contain the increase…I see a people so kingdom-minded that they will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land.” As Hillsong volunteers describe how they were both inspired and exploited by Houston and the church, connections between varied forms of structural abuse—sexual, spiritual, economic, and emotional—become clearer. Young boys were groomed for sexual abuse by Frank Houston, and church volunteers were groomed for economic abuse by Brian Houston, culminating in traumatic emotional and spiritual abuse.
Hillsong volunteers, such as greeters welcoming congregants or in various roles on the worship team, provided emotional labor on Sundays; however, this labor was unpaid. They worked on sound, lighting, and music to produce feelings of joy and induce tears of catharsis among attendees expecting a concert-like atmosphere and experience, while they had panic attacks out of sight in the break rooms.
Dive into the alleged exploitation, abuse and cover-ups at the star-studded Hillsong megachurch founded by Brian Houston. Hear from insiders, megachurch experts and a woman whose affair with senior pastor Carl Lentz led to his downfall.
A Megachurch Exposed | Official Trailer | Discovery+
Things are going from bad to worse for Australian megachurch Hillsong and its former leaders, Brian and Bobbie Houston. In March 2023, Australian politician Andrew Wilkie presented a giant cache of documents passed onto him from a concerned former Hillgsong employee, turned whistleblower, alleging all kinds of financial misconduct.
If you’re looking for some light bedtime reading, you’re in luck! These documents are now available to the public on the Australian Parliamentary website. Over the past few weeks, I have been pouring over them, and, I have to admit, the misuse of church funds appears to be staggering — absolutely staggering. According to The Saturday Paper, the documents — which include bank statements, receipts, and the like — appear to show a pattern of conspicuous personal enrichment, skimpy spending on charitable causes, and systematic exploitation of tax exemptions. Just your run-of-the-mill church shenanigans, right?
Then, there was a luxury retreat in Cancún, Mexico. According to the documents, Brian Houston and his family and friends enjoyed a three-day getaway using a cool $150,000 of church money. But don’t worry; it was just a high-level strategic church planning meeting.
The custom of inviting and hosting guest speakers is nothing new for churches. Traditionally, host churches have covered travel expenses associated with guest visits, including accommodations, gifts, and flights.
Payments were usually limited to “love offerings” or the opportunity for the visiting speaker to sell books and resources.
Hillsong honorariums merely amounted to a giant “Special Speaker” slush fund.
For example, the highest honorarium payout listed went to Dallas-based Bishop T.D. Jakes at nearly $150,000. According to the document, Jakes has consistently received honorariums starting at $100,000 for speaking at Hillsong Conferences.
Close behind him, Joyce Meyer also topped the list with honorariums ranging from $100,000 to $133,420.
Honorarium totals received for speaking at Hillsong conferences between 2005 and 2011 included $333,842 to Joyce Meyer; $290,924 to T.D. Jakes; $119,153 to Jentezen Franklin; and $88,196 to Louie Giglio.
Before the Hot Priest in the BBC comedy series Fleabag, there was Carl Lentz. For a time the young, tattooed “hype-priest” was the face of the global megachurch Hillsong, preaching a cool brand of Christianity to sports stars and celebrities such as Justin Bieber.
“Carl was incredibly charismatic, an insanely good speaker, able to break down the Bible in relevant, almost street terms,” explains the film-maker Stacey Lee. “He was funny, he was vulnerable, he just gave so much of himself. He unto himself became his own celebrity.”
But to paraphrase John Milton, Lentz dropped from the zenith like a falling star when an extramarital affair came to light and he was fired from Hillsong. The fact that he has now broken his silence in a frank, expansive interview with Lee has made headlines this week.
But Lee’s four-part documentary series, The Secrets of Hillsong, based on original reporting by the Vanity Fair magazine journalists Alex French and Dan Adler, is about more than one turbulent priest. Lentz’s scandal was just the first layer of an onion of allegations of child abuse, sexual assault, racial discrimination and labour exploitation that left Hillsong’s reputation in tatters.
Among the many shades of scandal, the kind that involves religion and the people who practice it very publicly tends to attract a lot of attention. And opinions. And judgment.
The downfall of pastor Carl Lentz, who was unceremoniously fired from his lofty perch as the youthful, charismatic face of Hillsong NYC after he was caught cheating on his wife, was no exception.
But as you might glean from the fact that an FX docuseries called The Secrets of Hillsong premiered May 19, the celebrity-favorite megachurch’s issues didn’t start or stop with Lentz’s ouster. Allegations of other “moral failures”—as Lentz’s indiscretions were referred to by church leadership—and abuses of power within the organization soon followed.
And Lentz, in his first interview since his firing in November 2020, alleges that, while he admittedly screwed up in many ways, Hillsong founder Brian Houston threw him under the bus.
The Secrets of Hillsong, a four-part FX documentary series streaming on Hulu on May 19, traces the rise and fall of the controversial megachurch Hillsong.
Expanding upon source material from a 2021 Vanity Fair exposé on the church, which revealed cracks in the church’s picture-perfect facade, the series features interviews with former pastor Carl Lentz, who is speaking publicly for the first time since being fired from Hillsong Church NYC in 2020 amid a cheating scandal.
A non-denominational Christian church that began in Australia in 1983, Hillsong quickly expanded to a global audience, including the U.S. and nearly 30 other countries–launching its first U.S. location in New York City in 2010. The church’s rapid growth can be credited to its casual, almost secular style–pastors wear shredded jeans and leather jackets while preaching instead of more traditional wear; music for the congregants resembles a Kings of Leon concert; and church services are regularly held in venues like nightclubs.
Since his firing, Carl and Laura Lentz have relocated to Florida with their three children. “Florida is off the radar,” says Lentz, who now works a desk job (likely advertising-adjacent).
Brian Houston founded Hillsong (originally called the Hills Christian Life Centre) in 1983 in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, inspired by his now late-father, Frank Houston, a former pastor who founded Sydney Christian Life Centre, which would later merge into the creation of Hillsong. In his later years, Frank Houston would face allegations that he sexually abused children. In 1999, Frank Houston admitted to one instance of abuse to Brian Houston. He eventually admitted to it in court, but claimed to have no memory of others, before dying in 2004.
To date, there are 13 alleged victims and survivors of Frank Houston, according to the documentary. Brian Houston remained the lead pastor of Hillsong until 2022, when he resigned from his position amid allegations that he concealed information related to the confirmed case of his father’s child sex abuse, rather than bringing it to the police.
Just two years after publicly denouncing Lentz, Houston would face allegations of being inappropriate with two female staffers, which ultimately led to his resignation. In the documentary, Lentz addresses his views on Houston. “If there is one person not qualified to talk about the state of another person in this situation, it would be Brian. But I hate to see what’s happening right now.” He says they have not spoken in the three years since Houston fired him on a Zoom call.
Secrets addresses a long list of allegations of misconduct against the church, including congregants facing racial and LGBTQ+ discrimination.
Hillsong has also been accused of racial discrimination and the documentary addresses the lack of Black leaders in the church. “We struggled with diversity as a leadership team,” says Lentz in the documentary, noting there was diversity among congregants and non-leadership staff. “We do not have a single pastor on a global level that is not a white man.”
The allegations that have led Hillsong to court centers on the church’s mismanagement of funds. In 2019, Hillsong made an annual revenue of nearly $100 million that included tithe money from congregants. Since then, its revenue has fallen by nearly 20%. Ex-congregants of the church recall not knowing where those funds went during times of need for their community. Secrets unveils that some of Hillsong’s misused funds were used for purchases like private jets and luxury watches.
Where does Hillsong stand now?
Houston’s Hillsong global senior position has since been replaced with Phil Dooley, another Australian pastor. At one point, Hillsong had locations in 30 countries and over 150,000 congregants. According to the documentary, as of March 2023, ten out of sixteen U.S. locations have closed, including branches in Phoenix and Dallas. Hillsong Church NYC, known to have hosted thousands of congregations weekly, continues to see about 500 attendees per week.
A new study found that few worship leaders avoid songs from Hillsong and Bethel, two of the so-called Big Four megachurches that dominate modern worship music.
The study found that most worship leaders connect with songs because they’ve experienced them firsthand at a conference or by listening to them online, or because a friend or church member recommended them—rather than seeing the song at the top of the charts or on a list of new songs.
Hillsong, emblematic of contemporary Pentecostalism, places music, singing, and entertainment at the forefront of its worship experience. The emphasis on emotional engagement and feeling God’s presence overshadows key biblical themes. Central tenets of Christianity, such as the teachings of Jesus, the concept of salvation, and the importance of judgment, often take a back seat to entertainment or are even omitted altogether.
Music is important to most Christians. However, most Christians spend very little time thinking about why music matters to the church. To most, corporate worship is just something that’s always done, and all that really matters is that the music somehow talks about God.
However, as we’ll see in this article, there’s far more to what a song teaches than just the lyrics. Pastors and music leaders, especially, have a great burden placed upon them. James 3:1 reminds us that teachers will be judged more strictly by God, which means they need to take the music of their church more seriously than anyone else.
The first article of this series examined the perspective of those who use music from Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation. Likewise, as the title suggests, this article is written from the perspective of those who believe music from these churches isn’t just a matter of preference, but should be completely rejected. The goal in representing both sides is to create a serious discussion that represents the deep-seated beliefs of real people rather than poorly representing one side to make another look stronger. In the end, I desire to fully equip readers to understand why this debate is about more than just music, and why they believe what they believe about the debate.
This article will look at many of the dangers involved in using music from these churches. It’s important to note that this article only makes sense if you understand that we’re talking about false teachers, not just people I or others disagree with.
Promoting heresy to weaker Christians
These churches don’t teach a true gospel. Their music is one of many pipelines designed to direct people back to the main teachings of their church. By bringing false teachers into our church, we tell weaker Christians that these churches are safe.
Financial support of false teaching
Legally using their music requires churches to take part in these groups receiving royalties or boosting their numbers and helping them reach the top of various charts. If a church wouldn’t send money directly to Bethel, Hillsong, or Elevation, they shouldn’t directly support them through other means.
Engaging in a poor theology of worship
These churches have a Pentecostal definition of worship, which is reflected in their songwriting. They emphasize the emotions and experience of worship, believing it literally manifests God’s presence around us.
Participation in manufactured religious experiences
Worship participants are conditioned to associate emotional experiences with the presence of God. However, these emotional experiences are psychological manipulations used by various religions and cults throughout history. This has created a history of emotional experiences that have defined many people’s Christian lives.
“Your mind doesn’t even have to understand what’s happening, it doesn’t matter. Just let your spirit receive, fully, what God’s doing through the sound in this moment.”
Music should primarily glorify God and inspire awe. It should connect the listener with God, not themselves. While beautiful sounds can uplift, the combination of text and tune is most meaningful for Christians. The melody should serve the lyrics, both glorifying God and complementing each other. Music is ultimately a tool to serve the Word of God.
This sounds very pious and spiritual. However, it’s also critical to generate the emotional experience their music seeks to manufacture. The audience is being told to abandon their reason, logic, and critical thinking, and replace them with the emotional experience generated through artistically-crafted music. By doing so, the audience’s mindlessness allows them to simply feel, and in feeling positive emotions they will be influenced by their conditioning to believe that God is present.
Nowhere in God’s word are we told to abandon our minds for the sake of our emotions. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus told His followers to love God with their minds. Those who confuse faith with mindless emotionalism fail to realize that Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith comes from using our reason (see my series on how the Bible defines faith here). Proverbs, Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1, and many other areas of God’s word remind us to test, evaluate, and practice discernment. These things are not only ignored but subtly discouraged by groups like Bethel.
Music and brain chemistry
Scientists and psychologists are well aware of music’s power to put people into an “altered state of consciousness.” Music so powerfully affects the mind that it can be used similarly to mind-altering drugs, creating abnormal thinking patterns and even altering a person’s sense of reality. Working in tandem with a call to mindlessness, music can have a near-hypnotic effect on listeners who are open to it.
The science of chanting and mantras
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. (Matthew 6:7 LSB)
Pagan practices in the past and present often feature repetitive chanting or mantras, such as religious phrases or the “OMMM” we associate with meditation. Repetition is a key part of many pagan religions because it seems to offer some sort of religious experience that can almost feel out-of-body. Repetition of simple song lyrics is also prominent in many popular worship songs, creating a unique emotional experience that participants assume is God’s presence. But there’s a reason why pagan monks and genuine Christians share similar experiences through the “meaningless repetition” that Jesus warned His followers about.
Pragmatic justification
We must be careful not to use music just because it creates a positive result. Basing music decisions on human-centered goals is dangerous. Leaving the ultimate decision for music on its popularity in the local church, its use by others, or the experience it creates can make us the standard for truth instead of God.
Like anything else in the church, it’s dangerous to approach music pragmatically. It claims to want to honor God, yet humans set the measurement of that music’s success. Songs are chosen based on how the audience feels about them. Successful worship is determined by whether people had an emotional experience. The issues surrounding these churches are overlooked because of the positive results their music brings or because other churches use them.
YouTube, August 17, 2023: Hillsong founder Brian Houston
found not guilty of abuse cover-up | 9 News Australia
The Hillsong Church scandal is a strong argument in the need for apostolic leadership. Throughout church history, God has endowed people with administrative gifts and abilities to help build and lead the church. If we understand apostolic leadership in the New Testament, the apostles primarily worked (in their ministry discipline) to establish churches and then work with leaders. It was the apostle who installed pastors and elders, communicated important truths to them, and instructed these leaders in doctrinal and interpersonal matters. It seems God recognized something in Biblical times that we don’t today: leaders need leaders, too.
Can we also deal with the elephant in the room? Church is not meant to be megachurch size. The troupe of the fallen megachurch leader alone should cause us concern. These churches are so big, it’s impossible to foster the necessary relationships involved to create church family. Without relationship, there is no discipleship, nor accountability. What results are massive churches that might produce fantastic atmospheres and great songs, but no true, lasting fellowship.
Brian Houston, the founder and former global senior pastor of Sydney’s Hillsong Church, announced that he and his wife Bobbie will be launching a new church next year.
“Bobbie and I are starting a weekly online ministry and church in 2024,” Houston wrote on Twitter/X. “I’m excited about building this new community.”
Bobbie and I are starting a weekly online ministry and church in 2024. I’m excited about building this new community.
Here is Houston telling his story recently at … “Potential Church,” Florida
YouTube, April 14, 2024: It’s Not The End Of Your Era | Pastor Brian Houston
Pastor Troy & Steph Gramling lead Potential Church. They have faithfully served and led the church toward expansion and the launch of multiple campuses across the world. Their vision is fueled by a passion and burden to partner with people to reach their God potential, to impact our world for good. Pastor Troy excels in leadership development and is well known for his extreme creativity in designing unexpected worship and teaching experiences. He is a powerful communicator with the unique ability to captivate an audience while sharing bold truths that inspire a transformation of the heart.
As of this writing, there is no new Brian Houston ministry information in 2024.
The Scandals of A Hillsong Singer & Pastor Who Lied About Having Cancer
The Secrets of Hillsong, a four-part FX documentary series streaming on Hulu on May 19, traces the rise and fall of the controversial megachurch Hillsong.
