Hillsong Church Review

Do we really need more money?

Hillsong is a thoroughly modern free church that started in NZ and has since spread to Australia, London and Ukraine. They perfectly blend music, The Bible and showmanship to create what can only be described as the ‘Hillsong experience’. It’s an experience on the whole that is pretty good. There are lots of sermons that contain self help stuff – lots of positive motivational stuff for teenage kids that need direction. That’s all good in my view. It does focus quite a bit on self – ie what can god do for me. And I haven’t yet heard a great deal of the hard to swallow stuff that Jesus taught though I’ve no doubt I just missed it as Im not a regular goer.

Prosperity teaching with a sugary message to go!

Also known as Word-faith theology is one of the hallmarks of Hillsong church’s teaching as in Houston’s book ‘You Need More Money’. Essentially the theology teaches that God wants his people wealthy and prosperous, and has given them the ability to “unleash” this power from within. Many Christians, including Tim Costello (the brother of Hillsong conference addressee and Federal Treasurer Peter Costello) as well as those from the Assemblies of God in Australia, oppose this teaching as being unbiblical and heterodox. I guess the answer to this might be seen simply by looking at Christ’s wealth whilst on earth.

Negative stuff: is it really McDonald’s for Christians?

There is a lot of ‘negative’ stuff flying round about Hillsong Church recently. Usually focused on money as you’d expect the media to do with any rich religious organisation. The old saying goes – “If you wanna get rich… build a church!” But is that the real Motive behind churches like Hillsong or are their motives to really serve and help the needy? It’s very hard to tell without an open book policy when it comes to their accounts, which would instantly dispel any negatives and only increase their popularity – come on Brian – put those people to shame!:)

In any case – normally those people and organisations with bad intentions evade and avoid and say “it’s not your business” – “we’ll do things the way we want – right church – yea!!!” After all – The Bible says “it is is not for man to judge other men”. Brian Houston says “you can arrange a meeting and see the Hillsong books if you so wish – there’s absolutely nothing to hide”.

Part of the new (old) pic ‘n’ mix prosperity church phenomenon?

I read one article entitled “we collect money and spend it on video screens”. I found this statement about Hillsong Church an unfair thing to print which is not here to defend itself, but after 2 years of attending Hillsong’s Church and seeing the good but also hearing and to some degree – experiencing some reservations, I felt compelled to explore my own feelings and try to work out why people and occasionally I had these negative thoughts. Are they the spirit of truth pervading my thoughts or are they the inevitable doubts of a jaded believer that has encountered the works of God in a strong way? Maybe it’s bitterness at seeing such a ‘successful’ church or, maybe I’m not right when I react to seeing young kids putting money into envelopes three times in one meeting – after all – the church need to pay bills like everyone else and have frankly huge expenses. And God also doesn’t intend any of us to be poor.

The question is – was he talking about life on earth, or the afterlife – or perhaps were expected to be happy with our lot – live from day to day and some will be poor and some will be rich – ie we are not to be in the pursuit of money and must accept that some will be given riches and some not. Imagine if all believers became rich on earth. It would be the opposite of Christ himself’s lifestyle whom we are asked to follow by picking up our cross. Being poor does not mean you are not blessed. Some of the poorest people on earth are the most blessed and vice versa. God can’t be confined to anything. I believe God doesn’t want to bless – but that we must be happy if we are not financially rich – and strive to make ourselves better – more skilled, more giving – yes – but not strive to be financially secure as in reality there is no such thing!:)

Perhaps I should I just shut up and get on with giving myself – after all I do believe 100% that the only way to receive true fulfilment in life is to give of yourself. But God only requires the minimum donation of our love does he not according to the Bible – or is he happier when we give up our money too? I think he may well be – but it’s what happens to it afterwards that concerns me. All I needed was a little reasurance that the money was going to be used in ways that Christ would have endorsed. How one would find out exactly how the money was being used I have no clue – hey Hillsong people… can u tell me where it goes – do you have an open accounts policy?

More About Hillsong Church History

Hillsong was founded in the Sydney CBD in the late seventies by Frank Houston. This next bit is what I picked up from the web and various other sources and I have no idea if it’s true. If it is – it doesn’t necessarily make Brian Houston responsible or in any way mean he has done something wrong. Here’s what they say – true or false – “Frank confessed to being a paedophile and was pushed out of the Church by his son Brian, who then took the church to the Hills district and built it up to what it is today”.

Hillsong is a slight variant on the Assemblies of God Pentecostal doctrine. They read from the standard Bible, believe in faith healing (Benny Hinn style), water submersion baptisms and more in a non-canon ethos called the ‘prosperity doctrine’.

You do see a lot of good when you go to a Hillsong Church… but It’s difficult for even those that are behind Hillsong to ignore 3 money collections for which they need for “to pay bills and launch a new TV station in the UK”. This kind of thing is bound to arouse suspicion – but at the same time – has to be done as you need money to do things. As far as I am concerned if Hillsong are accountable with their money – they can have as much as they like. All money is Gods and if Christians are going to use it for the good then great.

Most churches offer up their accounts freely for all to see – and so they should… anything else would be to arouse suspicion. Brian Houston says you can see their books any time you want – good for him. Some say “There is nothing really Biblical about the prosperity Gospel that he preaches – that it is a materialistic system whereby adherents are encouraged to give in order to receive greater rewards from God.

Music really is the most useful tool that man has either for good or bad and Hillsong realised straight away that if they wanted to get kids into church – or anyone for that matter. They needed to tailor the music for the specific audience they wanted. Music is hugely powerful – sometimes I worry that the church is church is copying the rubbish secular music that and gets them used to mundaneness and sameness of pop culture.

Hillsong invests a lot of money into its music program, this has paid off big time recently with a national number one album. Wealthy, successful, happy and beautiful is the way Christians can be according to Hillsong – they’re probably right.

Hillsong sponsor a village in Uganda, they’re opening up an outreach centre in Blacktown to help poor people with their problems. Where does the money come from? Donations and contributions from Hillsong’s congregation of 15000 – who are encouraged to contribute millions of dollars a year via collections and fundraising. I’ve looked for more of their charity work but haven’t found anything as of yet.

Hillsong For the Girls!

If you’re a girl, you probably love fashion, shopping, having fun, & living life in your own special way, well guess what? We think you’re amazing & we’re giving you an place on the day totally devoted to chix! You can get your hair done, nails painted, make-up done, talk amongst your friends, all whilst hangin’ in a fun & relaxing environment, away from loud Motox Bikes & flying Skateboards! If you’re an exo chick, you’ll love EXO CHIX at BIGEXODAY ’04.

More Information on Hillsong Church

Hillsong Church is a Pentecostal Evangelical Christian church. The first Church was in Australia north-west of Sydney – Baulkham Hills Norwest Business Park with a smaller site in the central business district. Newer Hillsong projects are Hillsong Church London (United Kingdom) and Hillsong Kiev Ukraine. Started by Pastors Brian Houston and Bobbie Houston it’s a member of Assemblies of God congregation. Hillsongs new 3500 seat convention centre was opened in 2002 by John Howard Australian Prime Minister.

Hillsong History
Brian Houston and Bobbie Houston got married in 1977 and moved from New Zealand in 1978 and joined the Sydney Christian Life Centre. In Aug 83, they formed the Hills Christian Life Centre with an initial congregation of 45.

As the Hillsong music ministry of the church developed with an annual conference called The Hillsong Conference was created to teach and train Christian musicians. In the early 1990s, Praise and Worship CDs from Hills Christian Life Centre were released in Australia and internationally. This raised the profile of the church. Eventually the church realised that the name “Hillsong” was more well-known than Hills Christian Life Centre. The church was then renamed Hillsong Church in the late 1990s.

Current Operations

The Hillsong Church has spearheaded the growth of the Pentecostal Church in Australia, which is the fastest growing Christian denomination in Australia. The Hillsong Church has a number of associated operations including:
the annual Hillsong Conference, which 25000 people attended at the Sydney Superdome in 2005
the Colour Your World Women’s Conference;
the Hillsong Men’s Conference;
the Hillsong International Leadership College which trains aspiring Assembly of God ministers and lay leaders from around the world.
Hillsong Church provides many other services, descriptions of which are available in an A-Z list.
The Hillsong Church has congregations in London UK, Kiev and in many locations in Africa.

Hillsong Church Political Life

The Hillsong Church has attracted support from high profile politicians especially in the Liberal Party of Australia. Prime Minister John Howard opened its Baulkman Hills campus and Treasurer Peter Costello spoke at its annual conference in July 04 and 05. Opposition Leader Mark Latham declined Hillsong’s invitation to the annual 04 conference,[1] although Bob Carr, the Premier of New South Wales, (from the Australian Labor Party) did attend the 05 conference.

This access to high level Federal politicians may be, in part, due to the fact that the former New South Wales Liberal Party state director Scott Morrison (to November 04) and now chief executive of Tourism Australia is a prominent member of Hillsong Church.

The Church also attracts a large number of aspirational voters from marginal seats in the west of Sydney such as Lindsay, Macquarie and Greenway. Louise Markus who ran the Hillsong Church’s drug and alcohol outreach service in Blacktown was preselected as the Liberal Party candidate for Greenway in the 04 federal election and was elected to the House of Representatives. Labor had held the seat since it was proclaimed in 84 until she beat the ALP candidate Ed Husic, as well as twelve other candidates, with a two party preferred swing of 3.7%.

Subsequent to the election accusations were made in the New South Wales State Parliament that Mrs Markus’s campaign had inappropriately placed undue emphasis on the Muslim background of her chief opponent. Liberal MP for Mitchell, Alan Cadman and two Family First Senate candidates, Joan Woods and Ivan Herald, who failed to win Senate seats were featured in a Hillsong circular during election with members being asked to pray for them.

The candidates for both the Christian Democrat and Family First parties in Greenway recorded lower percentages of votes than their parties’ candidates in comparable seats. Publicly the church has distanced itself from advocating certain political groups and parties. The Assemblies of God in Australia does not have a political vision and we don’t have a political agenda. I think people need to understand the difference between the church being very involved in politics and individual Christians being involved in politics. There is a big difference. (Brian Houston)

Hillsong Church Music
Hillsong’s music has become well-known internationally amongst Christian groups. Songs such as “Power of Your Love” by Geoff Bullock and “Shout to the Lord” by Darlene Zschech have become popular and are sung throughout churches world-wide. Hillsong have released over 40 albums since 92, many of them achieving gold status in Australia. Their 04 live praise and worship album For All You’ve Done reached no.1 in the secular Christian Australian album charts.

Hillsong Church Controversies

Since Hillsong is one of Australia’s largest and most successful churches, it naturally has come under scrutiny over the years and a number of controversies have arisen. Some specific concerns, namely the church’s political stance, use of donated funds for its ministries, and Prosperity Teaching are addressed on their website.

Downs & Criticisms

Firstly remember no-ones perfect and jesus came to save the bad people – and that’s me and you – everyone in fact is a sinner and in need of saving – not just our church leaders who work all hours to help us! They need our prayers to stay on the straight and narrow and it would be foolish to think they would be ‘sinless’ since that state doesnt exist according to the Bible.

OK that out of the way – of some of the church’s high profile staff over its twenty five year history have led many to question the inner motives of those in charge.

“Pat Mesiti – a pastor and Youth Alive creator. Admitted to adultery in 2002 and was stood down temporarily by Houston until he could be “restored”. At the time he was also the National Director of Australian Christian Churches (a loose grouping of Australian Pentecostal and Charismatic churches) but was stood down.

Geoff Bullock – The church’s former “Worship Pastor” who was the “poster boy” of the church’s influential worship music. After leaving the church his marriage fell apart and he married an “old friend” soon after. Allegations of adultery were made but Bullock has explicitly denied these. Some of Bullock’s comments about his time at the church also seem to indicate that he may not have even been a Christian while he was ministering there.

Frank Houston

Brian Houston’s father who stood down from ministry after sexual misconduct was revealed dating back to the 70s in New Zealand. This includes allegations of sexual abuse against a teenage boy. Frank Houston died on November 8, 2004, aged 82.
Style of Worship of Hillsong, featuring young “happy clappy” worshippers singing to loud contemporary music in a pop concert-like environment, has also drawn criticisms. Some feel the impersonality of the Hillsong services as going contrary to the notion of a Christian fellowship or community; this, coupled with the “Prosperity Teachings”, are leading to a highly self-centred form of Christianity. While others have hailed the Hillsong style of worship as the way to attract a younger generation of worshippers, pointing out Hillsong’s spectacular growth amidst the decline in other traditionalist churches’ memberships.

Some cult church style behaviour allegations have been raised in relation to the use of music as a method of recruiting, allegations of love bombing and social cliques spreading into mainstream social life have also been raised over the past few years by mainstream media sources (SMH/DT). The perceived ulterior motives behind assisting drug affected youth, alcoholics and people in poor financial circumstances has also been criticised.

On 3 August 05 The Australian reported that both Brian Houston and Bobbie Houston were under investigation by the Office of Fair Trading for not filing financial statements. Others have claimed that the reported investigation was really a request for the financial statements documents to be filed and that the request has been satisified. LMI is claimed to be a Christian ministry separate to Hillsong Church. LMI is a not-for-profit organisation and is governed by a board of directors.