#Hillsong Church

[intriguingpeoplebyangelafloyd]

BRIAN HOUSTON

BRIAN HOUSTON

HILLSONG

            Hillsong came about thanks to (or ‘no thanks’) to Frank Houston who was a pastor (and another word that starts with P), which turned into Hillsong Church. Hillsong was run by his son Brian Houston in Baulkham Hills, which is known for its Christian community. Hillsong grew more popular, it appealed to young people due to singing rock music about Jesus in its church and it turned more into a concert. Houston made lots of money, lots of lots of money. With his wife Bobbie, Brian and his family gained followers all over the world.

            Houston was ousted by his church in 2022 due to misconduct, there were allegations that he was sleeping with another woman and other matters. Only their son Joel Houston is still connected with Hillsong, he is best known for his music.

            Their son Ben is also a churchy who works in California, their daughter Laura and her husband left Hillsong last year and runs a new church, Prable in Dural.

            Brian Houston hasn’t given up on Jesus, he has started an online ministry called JesusFollowers.tv, where they post videos of sermons onto Facebook and YouTube. It is said that it’s not too popular, however, Facebook and YouTube are old school. Most people are on Tik Tok and Instagram and Tumblr today, especially young people. Oh well, he’ll work it out.

#brianhouston #hillsongchurch

[jerickreforba25]

Influence of Megachurch Music Despite Controversies

Jerick Combate Reforba

This article by Bob Smietana, published in Religion News Service on July 11, 2023, explores how worship leaders in the U.S. and Canada select music for their church services, focusing on a study that reveals a dominant trend: despite scandals and controversies surrounding megachurches like Hillsong Church (Australia) and Bethel Church (California), their music remains central to many congregations.

Dominance of Megachurches in Worship Music

For over a decade, a few megachurches, referred to as the “Big Four” in contemporary worship music, have produced many of the most popular Christian worship songs. These include Hillsong Church and Bethel Church, which, despite facing controversies, scandals, and leadership issues, continue to influence a large portion of church music. Songs such as Goodness of God (Jenn Johnson & Bethel Music), What a Beautiful Name (Brooke Ligertwood & Hillsong Worship), King of Kings (Brooke Ligertwood & Hillsong Worship), and Graves Into Gardens (Brandon Lake, Bethel Music & Elevation Worship) are among the most sung songs in churches.

Controversy and Continued Popularity

While Hillsong and Bethel have faced public scrutiny — Hillsong for leadership scandals, including the fall of its global pastor Brian Houston, and Bethel for certain theological controversies — these issues haven’t significantly impacted the use of their music in most churches. The study shows that:

• 62% of worship leaders are likely to choose songs with ties to Hillsong.

• 48% of worship leaders are likely to choose Bethel-related songs.

On the other hand, only 16% of worship leaders say they are less likely to pick Hillsong songs due to these controversies, while 27% say they avoid songs from Bethel. This suggests that, while some leaders may be cautious, the majority continue to embrace the music.

Influence of Social and Personal Factors

The study also highlights how worship leaders discover and choose new songs. Interestingly, many do not rely on charts or rankings but on personal recommendations and experiences. The top factors that influence song selection include:

• Recommendations from church leaders (76%) and congregation members (56%) play a significant role.

• Attending live events (76%) and streaming services like YouTube (70%) also contribute heavily to their decision-making process.

These results show how deeply personal experience and social networks shape the choices worship leaders make, often more than considerations of a song’s source or controversies associated with its creators.

Overwhelming Amount of New Music

The research uncovered mixed feelings among worship leaders about the sheer volume of new worship songs. The four big megachurches collectively release 40-50 new songs annually, contributing to the hundreds of songs already available from other sources, such as independent artists and YouTube.

• 40% of worship leaders feel there’s a bit too much new music.

• 4% are completely overwhelmed by the amount of music.

• However, 27% would still welcome even more.

This variety of responses highlights the differing needs and capacities of churches regarding music, with some churches desiring more diversity in song styles, theological perspectives, or voices.

Complexities of Songwriting and Song Selection

The article also delves into the motivations and inspirations behind worship songs. Only 33% of worship leaders believe that songs are written with the specific needs of local churches in mind, while slightly more feel the songs are divinely inspired. The majority believe songs often emerge from personal experiences of the songwriters rather than purely theological purposes. This more personal origin of songs is reinforced by the testimony of songwriters who say they often start their writing process by discussing what’s happening in their own lives, waiting for a theme to naturally arise.

This is illustrated by Glenn Packiam, a pastor and former worship leader, who shared an example of the song Overcome, written by Jon Egan for New Life Church in Colorado Springs. This song became a powerful anthem for the church during times of trial, including the resignation of their pastor, Ted Haggard, after a scandal and later, a tragic shooting at the church.

Packiam underscores how songs, once written and sung in a congregation, take on a life of their own and can be used for various emotional, spiritual, or situational needs of the community. He emphasizes that while consumer-driven forces might influence some aspects of worship music, the spiritual impact and fruits of such songs should not be ignored.

Conclusion: The Intersection of Art, Worship, and Commerce

In summary, while the article acknowledges the controversies surrounding megachurches like Hillsong and Bethel, it also points out that their music continues to have significant influence within the Christian worship scene. Social and relational factors largely drive song choices, and despite the influx of new music, these large churches remain dominant in shaping what congregations sing.

The relationship between worship music, commercial forces, and spiritual experience is complex. Though some worship leaders may be selective about the sources of their music, most seem focused on how well a song resonates with their congregation, often relying on trusted friends, experiences, and recommendations to make their choices.

© 2024 Jerick Combate Reforba. All rights reserved.

[sophiaphile]

he's never ending, he's always trentding and he deserves the best of me jesus fucking slays he fucking slays all goddamn day, and you know it jesus fucking slays so we should party in his name, do real dope shit

[beggars-opera]

Sometimes you re-stumble upon photos of musicians trying out various styles before settling on their final form and

This is cursed

[swinging-stars-from-satellites]

I realize that the internet is a breeding ground for attitude problems and people being little jerks to each other but it drives me crazy when I see Christians acting holier than thou and like their specific opinion is the only proper opinion and anyone who disagrees is a heretic.

[potsticker1234]

if you were raised in a christian household/ went to a christian school and it gave you The Big Ick, let me know if this resonates with you:

they always tried to tell us that you would feel something moving in your heart and soul during worship music, and if you don't, then you're not a real believer

but tell me why my friend never felt anything during worship songs, but she felt those chills at her first AJR concert lmao

don't even get me started on how worship songs are musically written and engineered to pull emotions out of you to feel like an encounter with God

[snowangeldotmp3]

started watching a documentary about exposing hill song church…not sure if this was a good idea….

[strugglinguist]

I’ve been watching the Hillsong documentary on Hulu, and I’m feeling all of the exvangelical feels dude.

[theworldiswhispering]

A warm and welcoming presence from the security guard at this megachurch coffee shop

[jerickreforba25]

Reckoning with Brokenness: Carl Lentz, Hillsong, and the Complexities of Evangelical Leadership

Jerick Combate Reforba

Carl Lentz’s public reemergence and his revelations about his past mark a complex chapter in the narrative of modern evangelical leadership scandals. Lentz’s admission of his struggles with sex and prescription drug addiction, along with his account of the fallout from his leadership at Hillsong NYC, exposes deep and multifaceted issues within the structure and culture of prominent megachurches.

Lentz’s story is emblematic of the broader struggles faced by leaders in highly public religious organizations, where personal failings can become magnified and institutional responses scrutinized. His acknowledgment of “deep brokenness” and the subsequent manifestation of this in various destructive behaviors underscores the pressures and vulnerabilities of those in high-profile spiritual roles. The conflation of his personal issues with his professional responsibilities reveals how intertwined personal and public lives can become, especially within the evangelical framework where leaders often serve as moral exemplars.

The breakdown in Lentz’s relationship with Hillsong founders Brian and Bobbie Houston adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and institutional politics. Lentz’s feelings of abandonment and his critique of how quickly the Houstons distanced themselves post-scandal illuminate the often harsh realities of institutional preservation. His disappointment in their response, given their past close relationship, suggests a tension between personal bonds and organizational survival.

Furthermore, the allegations of manipulation and causing mental distress among staff and volunteers, as noted in the internal investigation, point to systemic issues within Hillsong NYC’s leadership culture. These allegations, coupled with Lentz’s acknowledgment of his brokenness, suggest that the problems were not merely individual failings but possibly indicative of a broader toxic environment. Lentz’s willingness to apologize to those he may have hurt, despite not knowing them personally, can be seen as a step towards accountability and healing, though it also raises questions about the depth of introspection and systemic change within such large ministries.

The accusations by Leona Kimes and Lentz’s vehement denial add a further contentious dimension to his story. This accusation, juxtaposed with his admission of other moral failings, complicates the public's perception of his credibility and the extent of his repentance. It also reflects the difficulties in adjudicating personal misconduct within organizations that often prioritize image and authority over transparency.

Lentz’s and his wife Laura’s reflections on their podcast, “Lights On,” about their experiences with Hillsong Church and their perceived lack of protection from the Houstons after the scandal, highlight the emotional and psychological toll such crises take on leaders and their families. Laura’s sense of betrayal and her eventual decision to voice her grievances to Bobbie Houston suggest a struggle for personal closure and justice, contrasting with the public narrative managed by Hillsong.

The downfall of Brian Houston himself, following serious complaints of misconduct, adds to the complex and often hypocritical dynamics within church leadership. The similarity between Houston’s and Lentz’s issues with moral and ethical failings underscores a potentially pervasive problem within the leadership culture at Hillsong, where charismatic authority might overshadow accountability.

Carl Lentz’s journey of recovery and public confession reflects a broader cultural moment within evangelicalism, where issues of transparency, accountability, and personal morality are increasingly scrutinized. His story, while unique in its specifics, resonates with a wider discourse on the vulnerabilities and responsibilities of religious leaders. It invites a deeper examination of how megachurches manage personal failings, protect their leaders, and maintain their public image while addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of their congregations and staff.

Ultimately, Lentz’s return to the spotlight and his candid discussion of his past and ongoing struggles serve as a potent reminder of the human frailty that underlies even the most seemingly unassailable spiritual leaders. It challenges the evangelical community to rethink how it supports its leaders, handles crises, and fosters a culture of genuine accountability and grace.

© 2024 Jerick Combate Reforba. All rights reserved.

[rogueninja]

idk if many ppl are talking about this (im sure they are) but it’s kinda scary how american megachurches essentially start to behave like a franchise corporation

[headofocs-inklesspen]

New episode of Fundie Friday’s has me deep in remembering the songs I used to sing not only in the cult-y “nondenominational” church I briefly attended in high school but the older 2000s christian gospel rock type songs I sang as a tiny little child in my Methodist Church’s youth choir (Blessed be Your Name in particular comes to mind)

[fly-chicken]

As someone who knows in medical fields life is typically split and clustered into 3 social circles; work, familial, and recreational. So if, say a person, shows that they have ties to hate groups in 2 of the 3 realms, Im going to draw the conclusion that they may not be hateful, but they do TOLERATE hateful ideology enough to consistently surround themselves in it. And that’s concerning and not something, personally, worth tolerating!

I also know a certain celeb has a tie to a church that spouts hateful rhetoric and a close family member who spouts racist rhetoric. This celeb has also been photographed wearing merch from hate group AND has a meticulous PR team scrub his image w good boy stories. People I know in day to day life (from work mainly) who may also associate w said hate groups, also approve this person for the same reasons (ie “well if CP wore this logo, how hateful is it REALLY?!” “Enough that our country has labelled them a terror organization?”)

I may not explicitly claim he is those things, but the fact he allows both his social (church) and familial (brother) circles entertain hate…certainly calls into question how “family friendly” and marketable they are, should it not?

[swinging-stars-from-satellites]

my in-program notes for this song are very professional 👍

[thedarkestgreys]

the hillsong doc utilizing labrinth’s euphoria score is ::chef’s fucking kiss::

[godismightytosave]