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10%, 20%, a current affair, brainwashing, crowd control, cult, dangerous cult, money, prosperity cult, ten per cent, tithe, twenty per cent, word of faith cult
Tonight (the 21st of April, 2015), Australia’s ‘A Current Affair’ aired this report on Hillsong.
In spite of Hillsong’s continual lies, their facades of “relevancy” and their contemporary nonsensical gimmicks, the world still sees through it. The reality is this: the world is not being won over to Jesus Christ. In fact, Hillsong is giving the world an excuse to hate Christianity while Hillsong is militantly campaigning against biblical Christianity. Not only that, Hillsongis stealing Christians from other churches and taking over churches by force under the guise of “blessing” churches.
It is time the media, the Australian Government and more importantly church leaders, stop calling Hillsong a church. Cults have always declared war on Christianity. Hillsong for decades have proven again and again to be a word of faith and prosperity cult.
When will Christianity finally say enough is enough?
Hillsong Church Watch 
You do realise how one sided this so called “investigation” is right? It’s journalism going out of whack.
If you expose con artists and liars as con artists and liars of course reporting is going to look one sided. Nothing is wrong with calling out the obvious.
Concluding of course that Hillsong are con
artists?
“Concluding of course that Hillsong are con
artists?”
Obviously you haven’t been paying attention: the fact that hillsong are con artists is self-evident (furthermore, they are also far worse things than that).
Anyone who takes A Current Affair seriously cannot themselves be taken seriously. Next you’ll be congratulating ACA on their one hundredth “exclusive” on bread at supermarkets. Ben McCormack asking Bill Crews about what Jesus would do was very odd. McCormack is a rabid atheist, similar to Peter FitzSimons. So why would McCormack ask what Jesus would do when he doesn’t believe Jesus has ever existed – Jesus is a myth according to McCormack.
“Cults have always declared war on Christianity”.
By your own definition, Church Watch is a cult.
By percentage, my total giving is around 0.05%. I never feel pressured to give more. I know, and have always know, that you can’t buy your way to Heaven and that you can’t buy the blessing and grace of God. Anyone who says that people at Hillsong are forced or pressured to give 10% or more of their gross income is flat out lying.
“By your own definition, Church Watch is a cult.”
That made our day newtaste.
That’s actually an observation from Dr Walter Martin who is famous for studying the cults which we’ve also adopted to be a true statement.
If you did not realise newtaste, our sites sprang up to reinforce to Christians that it is actually Hillsong and these C3 cults that are not Christian, not the Christians that leave. Those that have left have woken up to the fact that the gods of C3 and Hillsong are gods of lies.
Their false gospels and false covenants cannot save anyone. You even believe that.
By that we know that you do not believe that Jesus Christ died to make you rich.
We know that you know that your faith does not reflect material blessing.
We know that you know that you don’t believe you’re cursed if you don’t tithe.
Ravi Zacharias edited and updated Walter Martin’s The Kingdom of the Cults. Ravi Zacharias will be preaching at Hillsong in Sydney in August. Zacharias’ itinerary is on his website. Ravi Zacharias is an expert in cults and clearly doesn’t consider that Hillsong is cult.
On the topic of Ravi accepting invitations to speak to cults:
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (MORMONISM)
“Last weekend, a friend of mine named Marty and I, drove down from Boise Idaho, to Salt Lake City. We met another friend of mine named Bill McKeever of the Mormonism Research Ministry (www.mrm.org). Bill, and Marty, and I attended a lecture given by Dr. Ravi Zacharias in Temple Square.
Temple Square is the mecca of Mormonism. It is the spiritual world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons. It is an extremely rare event to have an evangelical Christian present a lecture in the tabernacle in Temple Square on a Sunday evening. But, Dr. Zacharias is a world-renowned Christian defender of the faith and after two years of planning, he spoke from the same pulpit at Brigham Young and other Mormon “prophets” have also spoken. Dr. Zacharias was of course polite, being a guest, and yet at the same time quite profound in his address. He is an excellent speaker and an excellent communicator of the Christian faith.
There were many memorable moments. The president of Fuller seminary, Dr. Mouw, who attended the lecture and who spoke briefly prior to Dr. Zacharias, stated that we evangelicals have sinned against Mormons. He then offered an apology to the Mormons and asked their forgiveness for our misrepresentations of Mormon theology. Mouw then mentioned celebrating the 200 year anniversary of Joseph Smith’s birth (Dec. 23, 2005). I couldn’t believe my ears. Mouw then said the following about Joseph Smith and justification. You won’t believe it.
“What a wonderful thing it is that we can meet together to talk about the Lord Jesus and about who he is and what he has done on our behalf. There is much here to talk about. I personally take great encouragement from words that Joseph Smith uttered on the occasion of the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April of 1830: “We know,” Joseph said, “that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.” And then he added: “And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, and we know also that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.”
When he said this I turned to my friend Bill and said, “Is Fuller seminary going liberal?” Bill’s expression to me was one of disbelief at Dr. Mouw’s words. It is very unfortunate. Bill later wrote an email that he sent to all on his ministry’s email list. I quote Bill:
“For Mouw to quote Joseph Smith regarding justification and sanctification demonstrates that he has no clue as to what the issues really are, unless perhaps Mouw believes that justification is, ‘All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations’ (D. & C. 132:7), in which men must abide to be saved and exalted, must be entered into and performed in righteousness so that the Holy Spirit can justify the candidate for salvation in what has been done. (1 Ne. 16:2; Jac. 2:13-14; Alma 41:15; D. & C. 98; 132:1, 62.).’ I can only hope for the sake of every student attending Fuller Seminary that he doesn’t. And BTW, I will definitely pass on his invitation to join in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s birth. The fact that millions of souls will be cursing Smith’s name throughout eternity gives me no cause to celebrate. To suggest we join in the celebration of a man who was clearly a false prophet is unthinkable. Fuller Seminary should be hanging its head in shame. Since some may not have read what he said…”
One last thing. I had the privilege of sitting about seven rows back from the front on the aisle seat as Dr. Zacharias spoke. During his presentation, he described the biblical position of man’s depravity and sinfulness before a holy God (by contrast, Mormonism teaches that we are basically good). During a crescendo of illustrations and Scripture quotes that were describing the sinful nature that we all possess, one of the general authorities of the Mormon Church (Bruce Porter, a member of the Seventy), looked at me. We were separated by about 40 or 50 feet. It was a perfect opportunity for me to mouth silently the words “That’s you.” He then turned his head away.”
https://carm.org/more-stuff/newsletters/carm-newsletter-11-22-04
Fuller, where Tanya Riches goes though she claims she’s checked out all her instructors there and there’s no problem. Sure thing Tanya.
You know everyone at Hill Song? You would have to be God? That is blasphemous? How do you know the sincerity and heart of all those people. I was at Danks St recently. They were worshiping Jesus only! My spirit went from underground to souring in 2 seconds once inside. So enjoyed praising God with them. Down the road was a night club praising sex, drugs and pop singers: Living for themselves trying to find something to satisfy their soul. Hill Song plant churches to the Glory of God. That does cost money so I’m sure Brian has some nerve racking times and tends to the flesh for funds. That is no doubt God’s way of testing him and all their congregation. Hill Song must trust their people and their people must trust Hill Song: All of them must trust God and His Son Jesus. My thoughts.
“That does cost money so I’m sure Brian has some nerve racking times and tends to the flesh for funds. That is no doubt God’s way of testing him and all their congregation.”
You’re probably right, with that $55M / year tax-free church income, Brian’s sure to have some nerve racking times. He probably spends most of his time stooping outside looking for pennies on subway platforms to help Hillsong make ends meet.
That’s gotta be a big test right there.
Darius, Christian music – no matter how wonderfully performed / exhilarating – is no substitute for the Gospel itself.
If an atheist walked in off the street later in the service would they have learnt *from the preacher* anything about the bible/ Gospel *in context*?
If music worship is so essential can you find a bible passage where Christians are told music is an essential tool to win souls to Christ?
@Darius,
“My spirit went […] to souring in 2 seconds […]”
So sorry to hear that your hillsong experience was a sour one (you probably need to be more diligent in your tithing).
“By percentage, my total giving is around 0.05%. I never feel pressured to give more.”
That’s great that you don’t tithe. But you do realise that your very presence contradicts the teachings of Hillsong?
“Anyone who says that people at Hillsong are forced or pressured to give 10% or more of their gross income is flat out lying.”
You can’t be serious. I attended Hillsong for a few years and know full well how they manipulate people into giving at minimum 10%! They twist the Bible to guilt trip people into giving and coerce them at every opportunity; at church services (tithes, offerings, love offerings), connect groups, youth meetings, as well as yearly miracle offerings where they say to give sacrificially.
Then there’s the clubs you have to buy into, like kingdom people where you must give a minimum of $10000 per year on top of your tithes and offerings. I knew some people on very low salaries who sacrificed a lot to be in that club. Can’t afford $10k? No worries, you can join the lesser “Vision Impacters” club for only $5000 per year, on top of tithes and offerings. The plebs who can’t afford $5k don’t get to be part of a club, they are just the “army of faithful believers”.
Uppercut, they’re my experiences almost to a T!
While I would take any reporting by A Current Affair with a very generous pinch of salt, I think they ask some very valid questions.
I have kept silent on my experiences for many years, but no more. I have some friends who still attend Hillsong churches, and after they madly started posting to Facebook the media statement from Hillsong, (which only made me watch the ACA segment), I made the following comment on a friend’s post:
“Hill$ong for a reason I’m afraid. They do themselves no favours. I was sitting in a service once, and during the mandatory tithing sermon they give every time, the speaker actually said we need to give so we’re blessed so we can get our Gucci purses…”
I was then asked if I’m certain it was Hillsong and which campus and speaker.
My response was thus (I’ve removed some identifying info) – I tried to be balanced:
“I won’t name the speaker, as I’m assuming the senior ministry team had a quiet word in their ear and it’s been dealt with. And to be fair, the senior pastor did preach a few weeks later a sermon entitled ‘God is not your genie’.
It’s a Hillsong church plant in Glasgow, called C7. The senior pastors are from Sydney, and the initial planting team all attended Hillsong College … They often have the London and Stockholm pastors visiting and other ACC ‘dignitaries’ are over quite often. There’s also been a visit from Brian and Bobbie!
Having attended ACC (AOG-Australia prior to the name change) all my life to that point, I was horrified by the statement. It was not said in jest. Imagine how it sounded to someone visiting for the first time.
Good corporate governance would dictate that Hillsong should be more open with their finances, given their charity status. There is obviously a call for it. It is also biblical: “We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” 2 Cor 8:20-21.
People like to be certain where the money they’ve given to charity is going; that it is going to help those in need, with minimal amounts on administration. Obviously A Current Affair didn’t do much homework either, because there wasn’t any mention of the Shine program, or the affiliations with A21 or Compassion.
There is an obsession with their focus on tithing and giving, so calling them Hill$ong is justified. 10 min sermons every service, just for the offering! Also a coercion to give at Life Group! No other church I have ever attended obsesses over it as much (that includes Baptist, Church of Scotland, independents and The Salvation Army).
On another occasion I was sitting in a service when Pat Mesiti said if you don’t give a min. of 10% pre-tax income, you’re cursed. Where in the bible does it say that!? [Note – I’ve since had poor old Malachi 3 thrown at me again…] I have a friend that will still say to me in utter astonishment, “He really did say that didn’t he!?” We thought we were hearing things! Then of course there is the hard sell to join Kingdom Builders, to give a minimum amount of money (£1,000 last time I was there) over and above your tithe & offering.
If you’re going to focus on the Old Testament law of the tithe, then focus on it fully – there are various tithes and it would actually work out at over 20%. Then again, if you read Deuteronomy 14, for two years you’re to celebrate your blessing by eating your own tithe in a place of the Lord’s choosing, (while also remembering the Levites), and then in the third year the tithe goes to the Levites, widows, orphans and immigrants/asylum seekers. That’s roughly 3% – 5%. That’s a tithing passage I’ve never heard a sermon on. Usually it’s just Malachi 3:10.
Do not misunderstand, I believe it is very important to give to church; salaries need paid, overheads met and outreaches funded, but the constant obsession over a compulsory 10% is misguided.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). The Lord would rather see someone give 9% cheerfully, than 10% because they were hounded or guilt-tripped into it, and therefore giving it begrudgingly. You should also give in keeping with your income (1 Cor 16:2). To some people, even giving 1% would be too sacrificial; to others they can afford to and joyfully give 20%.
I don’t want to detract from the good Hillsong do. Obviously their music is great, and they are attracting a lot of people into Christianity. But they do need to focus less on tithing as we are under a new covenant and no longer under the law.”
(Although I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t included the first 2 sentences of that last paragraph after reading people’s experiences on here!)
I’m afraid their response was a resort to type:
– people who are offended when talking about money have issues for which they need to seek God. (Which I find hilarious as I’m currently treasurer at my own church, and I’m studying professional accounting qualifications – I have no issues talking about money!),
-“Someone who is seasoned in the Word has no excuse to be offended”. (Was Jesus not offended by seeing the temple turned into a ‘den of thieves’?),
– this is mud throwing, God would be more upset by that. (Who knew stating the facts about my own personal experiences is mudslinging and degrading the church!?)
No church is perfect, but I am so thankful for my current church. They actively seek suggestions on how to improve, the ministers are very accessible (none of this ‘green room’ mentality), the people who attend are genuine, most importantly it is Bible based. You know you’ve found ‘home’ when you’re welcome to wander into the kitchen and make yourself a cup of tea!
DisHillusioned: Thanks for your very clear and fair comment. Sums up very well the experience of many who leave these movements.
You refer to Pat Mesiti stating “… if you don’t give a min. of 10% pre-tax income, you’re cursed.”
That’s not surprising, we’ve heard that said many times, at many pente churches over the years, but particularly C3 Oxford Falls (where Pat Mesiti spent time before he was “restored to ministry” and returned to Hillsong).
The latest purveyor of this nonsense is Robert Morris, a keynote speaker at both Hillsong and C3, so we’re not surprised to see your comment stating the same.
If you read the link attached, you’ll see Houston (and Pringle’s) good buddy Rick warren encouraging the same false teaching by having Morris at Saddleback.
http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/rick-warren-exposes-his-congregation-to.html
When will people wake up and see what these wolves, yes, “wolves”, are up too? They all run in the same pack, all speak at each other’s churches on the same circuit, year in, year out.
Matthew 17:15-16 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?….”
“Anyone who says that people at Hillsong are forced or pressured to give 10% or more of their gross income is flat out lying.”
So they have never referred to “tithing”? Because I think you should really check out the definition of “tithe”, you’ll be astounded how they snuck that one past you all this time…
Hillsong are leaches. They talk a lot about Jesus but I doubt if Jesus had that kind of money he’d be investing it in things like audio/visual studios and interments, and empire building. it’s all about money and more money for churches like them and C3, that’s how they measure success although you’d never hear them say it in those words. The money should be spend on worthwhile causes like helping the poor, and the sick. There are Christian cancer patients begging for funds for treatment which is expensive – Hillsong could easily help them. Also they really should consider allocating a significant sum to i) victims of Frank’s abuse and ii) victims of child abuse in general. It’s the only way they can take a tragedy which they are very deep in and do something positive.
While I’m at it, I think they need to hand back their tax exempt status. They are in the same boat as the scientologists in my eyes.
*Instruments”, not “interments”…random autocorrect…
I went to hillsong for half my life and yes I felt extremely pressured to give 10 percent.. nobody directly supervised my giving or anything absurd like that, but they have created a culture where the leaders discuss it as such an elementary aspect of Christianity that you would basically have to be am unbeliever to not give generously
I wonder if there is time to include the Brian Houston Royal Commission footage in the movie.
That would only be fair and balanced….they wouldn’t have a problem with that would they?
Probably when your website and ‘OPINION” is taken off social media!! love to be behind you at the ‘pearly gates’… bah ha ah… then all truth will be revealed. Out of the heart the mouth speaks.. time for a heart transplant i feel for you. Lord , make his words soft, for one day he may have to eat them!!!!!!
Thanks for commenting Deanna. Just curious though, are you going to “stopped at the pearly gates” so your “good works”, like Hillsong, can be weighed? Or will you, like those believers and administrators commenting here, be “absent from the body, present with the Lord”, based on the finished work of Christ?
“Probably when your website and ‘OPINION’ is taken off social media!!”
Hey Dee,
Jesus Christ said “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
But *Brian* has said that Christians should travel on the broad road.
So since the words of Jesus contradict Brian Houston, would you say that Jesus was simply expressing His “OPINION”?
Jesus Christ said “[…] life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
But *Brian* has said “You Need More Money”.
So, again, since the words of Jesus contradict Brian Houston, would you say that Jesus was simply expressing His “OPINION”?
Jesus Christ, when praying to God the Father, stated “[…] your word is truth.” Since both God the Father and Jesus Christ claim to speak the truth, and yet consistently and flatly contradict the words of Brian Houston, would you say that both Jesus Christ and God the Father are liars?
Dee, your appeal to ignorance rather than what Christ has already to us about these men is saddening. If you just read the scriptures, it is as clear as day that Hillsong is not a church.
“So since the words of Jesus contradict Brian Houston, would you say that Jesus was simply expressing His ‘OPINION’?”
At Hillsong Brian Houston’s words take precedence over anything Jesus ever said. One may well conclude that Prophet Brian Houston is to Hillsong, what Joseph Smith is to the Mormons.
Yes Indeed, Dee. Just wait until brian houston tells God that He is the same as allah. Or even when brian tells Jesus Christ that he had NO financial or MORAL responsibility for the sexual victims of frank houston. I might be waiting behind brian a VERY long time. Then again, brian will be at the wide gate…not the narrow one.
Hi Dee. Put your money where your mouth is, and post some links to *biblically-accurate* teachings that Brian has made. Since Brian has been ‘leading’ this ‘marvelous church’ for so many years, that should not be difficult.
If you don’t, we’ll assume you can’t find any, because Brian has never done *ONE*.
The fact that you actually watch ACA and seemingly take it seriously says a lot about this blog and its demographic.
“The fact that you actually watch ACA and seemingly take it seriously says a lot about this blog and its demographic.”
Actually Troy, the fact that you actually listen to Brian Houston and take him seriously says far more about you.
Tell us this: are you taking heed of Brian’s advice that you should walk on the broad road? If not, could you please explain to us the reason?
Can you verify “The broad road” comment? And if so I guess you are referring to the parable of Jesus when he said to enter by the narrow gate? Do you think Brian is saying go the AC/DC road? Highway to Hell? If you had time to talk you would no doubt see the sincerity of his and your heart. Problem is we are all condemning each other here, something Jesus told us NOT to do. Do the most important things: pray, read your Bible then be guided by the Holy Spirit in your outreach to others. Not bottom feeding on scorn and judgement of others; just saying?
Darius – how would you feel if someone like Brian Houston condemned your saviour for being narrow minded?
Read some of the quotes from Brian Houston below and tune in to the sermon review in the link provided:
http://churchwatchcentral.com/2015/04/08/brian-houston-insisting-christians-take-the-wide-road/
“Problem is we are all condemning each other here […]”
No, the problem is that you don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
It’s multitudes of people like you who have made Brian so wealthy (I hope it gives you a warm inner glow when you think about that, because that’s the only benefit you’ll ever receive from him or his cult).
“If you had time to talk […]”
I wouldn’t waste my time talking to Brian Houston.
“The fact that you actually watch ACA and seemingly take it seriously says a lot about this blog and its demographic.”
We don’t. In fact, we have scrutinised ACA’s reporting on the past with their Hillsong coverage.
Their coverage this time was much better. They only failed on minor issues this time. For instance they should have mentioned that Hillsong did run other charities like Shine and Mercy Ministries. But they were disasters. It’s debatable if they had the time to bring that pointless information up.
Or they could have more accurately reported the history of Hillsong (which they in fact presented Hillsong’s version of their church history). They could have added mor weight to their claims but their report were making already valid, on the surface claims.
And let’s say we shouldn’t take ACA seriously. Do you think we should take Nick Xenophon seriously?
To whoever is behind this website – God have mercy with you cause you are clearly a lost soul. If you don’t like this or any church – just don’t go there. But don’t waste your time with a hate blog that achieves nothing. Did you ever go to one of their services yourself? All these ACA reports are onesided and don’t tell the full story. Why don’t you move on and do something useful with your life instead of just making your own and other people’s life miserable? Sure there are many crazy people in the world, but most of them are actually not part of this church. I think you are one of them. Define crazy for me. Most people going to those services are regular families with life struggles like you and me have. Others are professionals running businesses. Others are young kids and teenagers. Would you rather have them hang around in a pub and get drunk or take drugs cause they are bored? Be glad that there is actually a church that attracts young people – certainly a quality that hardly any other church today can match. Surely one day you will face a hard time in your life. Wouldn’t you appreciate to go somewhere like a church service where you can leave with more encouragement and comfort, feeling better than when you came in? A place where people actually care about each other and help the community?
I could go on with this for a long time. But what am I saying…of course you already know all of this so much better. Just remember – don’t judge something you don’t understand. Just leave people alone and spend your time with something that actually contributes to society.
Well said!! These people are typical angry, resentful, selfish “Christians” who think that taking stories out of context from unconfirmed sources is truth. I pray that God truly does reveal Himself to them. Paul formerly Saul did the same thing to Christians in his time and God opened his eyes to the truth. Let’s hope and pray that God does the same for these lost souls.
“These people […] think that taking stories out of context from unconfirmed sources is truth.”
The subconscious is a funny thing, isn’t it Zach? I mean, just look at you: railing against your foes with an accusation that is nothing less than pure projection by proxy on behalf of your beloved Lord and Master, Brian Houston.
Never mind ACA; the hillsong cult and its adherents would provide fertile ground for a case study by psychologists.
Hey not to disrespect you but don’t be so blind. This blog has opened my eyes up to see corruption in the church. Hillsong do preach heresies and the bible tells us to watch out for false teaching.
I’ve been a Christian for most of my life but had never really studied the bible. When I did start, I realised the church that I was attending (a Pentecostal one) for the past decade was not teaching the Truth. Just because people use a few scriptures to go along with a nice story doesn’t make it right. Everything that we did in church, we never questioned we just went along like zombies. Tithing isn’t for Christians, it was food that was tithed and only meant to be from those who were living in The Holy Land. It was never money. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek from the spoils of war! Not from his own money.
Wake up church! Why is it that anytime somebody points out that church leader or a church for that matter isn’t teaching correct doctrine, straight away it’s the “oh you’re so judgemental, Jesus told us not to judge, I’m just going go to get on with teaching people for Christ rather than bag other Christians” We’re not supposed to judge people of sins we ourselves are doing, until we first sort it out then we can ‘take the speck’ out of our brothers eye.
This blog to me isn’t to hate on other Christians it’s to open up people’s eyes. Who said we’re not to question what a church does or our leaders? Who taught us that, because that is a very common belief amongst Charismatic Christians.
When I started to see what was happening to Christians in the middle East, I started to wonder is there two separate faiths here? You couldn’t preach sermons from Hillsong to those people. They are literally dying for their faith and we’re told, God wants to bless us?? It doesn’t make sense. The disciples and apostles were beaten, jailed, stoned and martyred for their love of Christ. But we’re told, you can have your best life now? In Syria they are having more to concerts to Christ than ever, not through an ‘amazing’ worship experience either or loads of money spent trying to reach the ‘next generation’. The scriptures tell us to test every spirit – how do we do that? Through scripture!
We have visited other denominations and I have heard more teaching from the Bible in one sermon, than I did in a year at my old church. It was like water to my soul. No minister is above having his teaching tested, even Paul the apostle had his teachings tested “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” Acts 17:1
Please don’t be ignorant, our youth from our old church would be invited to underage parties from friends who attended Hillsong youth in the City. A lot of the youth from Hillsong were at the party and they were the ones getting drunk! That’s the fruit hey? Come on, please wake up to yourself! Just because people raise their hands and have an emotional experience in worship, or ‘tithe’ or attend a service, or ‘amen’ a preacher, or buy all the boks and know all the right Christian jargon, doesn’t make that person a follower of Christ. We are supposed to share in his suffering, do we do that?
Please do an in depth study of scripture in context and ask yourself, would Jesus be ok with the money being spent and received, would He be ok with the pride and arrogance that some of the pastors show, would He be ok with the teaching that God wants to bless us materially? When I asked other Christian friends why we do some of the things we do, they said oh look it’s somewhere in the bible? Why don’t you ask so and so they study the Bible. Shouldn’t we all be studying the Bible in context? Not those silly little devotionals that appeal to our flesh? Come on God wants to give us the meat not the milk!
When is repentance preached these days in Pentecostal churches? You’ll hardly hear it because now we’d rather go on Joseph Prince’s teachings than directly from the Word of God. I’m passionate about these things because I realised that brainwashing does go on in this church and this movement.
@Zach: “angry, resentful, selfish “Christians” who think that taking stories out of context from unconfirmed sources is truth.”
Did you happen to see brian houston at the Royal Commission zac? Very angry, very resentful, then madly railed against another Christian woman outside the court.
Taking things out of context? That is every single ‘sermon’ brian has ever given.
Oh…selfish. Brian recently tweeted he lost a couple of pounds and “feels good about himself”. Do you think his father’s molested victims feel the same?
I also pray God opens your eyes, heart and mind.
“When I started to see what was happening to Christians in the middle East, I started to wonder is there two separate faiths here? You couldn’t preach sermons from Hillsong to those people. They are literally dying for their faith and we’re told, God wants to bless us?? It doesn’t make sense.”
@Lisa C,
Excellent testimony, points, and post. I agree with you, and sites like this are helping to wake more within the Body of Christ to what is being said/done in the name of Christ, that is simply not biblical.
The internet is making it harder than ever before for questionable messages to be taught/preached to Christian flocks, while those teachers remain under the radar.
There is much information-sharing taking place amongst Christians, which instead of being judgmental as many incorrectly claim, all this information-sharing is instead helping a lot to fix this big mess.
And you’re 100% correct on this: the horrible things taking place against many Christians in many parts of the world, CANNOT BE RECONCILED with the “I’m so happy, You’re so happy, We’re all so happy” faux-message being promulgated by Brian C Houston.
These Word Faith, “Name it and Claim it” teachers are out of touch. BCH lives in a comfortable bubble, where as @thetruth pointed out, BCH losing 5 pounds is such a newsflash, that BCH felt compelled to share it with the world. I believe that in BHC’s warped way of thinking, losing 5 pounds was more “success” that “proves” his message can “work for you too.”
Thanks for commenting Lenzi, but in all fairness we should let you know there are those who comment or write articles here who have been church members and/or pastors in these movements. And despite their experience still have a very strong faith in their risen Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ.
Lisa C that was the best post from a Christian I’ve read. Well done!
@Lenzi,
“Define crazy for me.”
Look in the mirror.
So, in essence…You are asking Biblical Christians to “leave you alone” and just act like unconcerned BYSTANDERS? While the Holy Gospel is being twisted and misused, sold as a worldy counterfeit to the unsuspecting? Speaking for myself, No Deal. You need to read the Bible about being lukewarm…and what God thinks about it.
Above comment is for ‘Lenzi’.
“Just don’t judge something you don’t understand”
Lenzi I, and I suspect most of the others that frequent this site, understand very well. The CW team understands very well. We understand because we’ve been there, we heard the lies, the deceptions and the hypocrisy. I used to be just like the Hillsong youth, although I was at C3. Ive told my story on this site before so i won’t repeat it, but needless to say I wish this site was around back in those days, it would have saved a lot of pain and probably my parents marriage.
Shine continues. If it such a disaster why is it still going? Brian Houston admitted that Hillsong’s involvement with Mercy Ministries was a mistake.
Xenophon wondered whether the Hillsong movie was being made tax exempt, implying that Hillsong Church is making the movie. The movie has been made by an independent production company who have provided the finance. That’s how Hollywood works. Hillsong has not funded the production of the movie. Xenophon’s implication was uniformed rubbish. So of course the movie would be subject to the tax laws of the United States.
And while Bill Crews is a decent man, his version of Christianity is more Oprah than traditional.
” post some links to *biblically-accurate* teachings that Brian has made ”
“He sent his Son to die on the cross so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life,”
http://liveloveleadbook.com
“Live, Love, Lead is his story, woven in to the greatest story ever told, with room for chapters all your own to be written and re-written.”
http://liveloveleadbook.com
So the promotional material states that Brian’s new book is Biblical. And you guys can put in your story too, it seems. You claim that Brian Houston’s books are best forgotten. But no doubt you will read this.
Are those same verses addressed/ expanded upon in Houston’s books or are they used as stepping stones to/proof-texts for Houston’s real message?
Cults use the same methods as well…..http://www.apologeticsindex.org/5849-scripture-twisting
Are Hill$ong really claiming to not be making one cent out of the movie? I find that hard to believe.
I haven’t seen Hillsong claim that.
“I haven’t seen Hillsong claim that.”
It’s a funny thing, that, isn’t it?
Personally, I haven’t seen Brian contradict the Bible. I haven’t seen him state “You Need More Money”. I haven’t seen him tell his followers “Take the broad road”. I haven’t seen him pressuring people into giving money. I haven’t seen him taking care to do his good works before men. I haven’t seen him compromising with the world. I haven’t seen him taking a soft line on sin. I haven’t seen him enriching himself by making merchandise of the Gospel. I haven’t seen him behaving as a demagogue. I haven’t seen him engaging in sophistry. I haven’t seen him blaspheming God. I haven’t seen his eyes flashing as his demons manifest.
Apparently Brian is as innocent as a dove and as pure as the driven snow. He has never sinned or made a mistake, because he is always right and God is often wrong. Any appearances to the contrary are a result of Brian being misunderstood or deliberately misrepresented. Brian didn’t mean what he said, he didn’t say what he meant, he had a bad day, he was confused, he wasn’t there, it was somebody else, it’s all lies, he’s being persecuted, people are just jealous of his money / fame / success. Brian is the king of the castle because he is anointed and nobody else is; he is the absolute duck’s guts, and whatever he says and does is true, and right, and noble.
You are living in a fool’s paradise, newtaste – even unsaved people can tell you that; as it is written:
“[…] the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”
“If [Shine is] such a disaster why is it still going?
Look at hillsong, badtaste – that’s a disaster, and yet it’s still going, isn’t it?
(Although, of course, it’s going down the broad road at the urging of “pastor” Brian, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing. Maybe all of Brian’s followers will find “More Money” when they get to the end of the road, do you think?)
“You claim that Brian Houston’s books are best forgotten.”
Well they’re certainly entirely forgettable – even Brian himself has admitted that, hasn’t he?
72 million, hillsong is more like a record company than a church. what a contrast.
without the music, hillsong would be nothing. word of faith, motivational talking, watered down and diluted bible translations and mixed messages.
and there are many other churches like it, planetshakers as well as c3 church.
in London England where I live there are many church popping up like hillsong. there is even a c3 church in London and Cheltenham England.
there are plent of hillsong churches in London, kent, surrey, oxford in England. even the church of England is copying the way hillsong does church.
“So the promotional material states that Brian’s new book is Biblical.”
http://liveloveleadbook.com
thosee webpage/trailer are an Australian Fortune Cookie. compare B.H.’s promise of a beautiful life and chasing after your “BIG” future with these, which rip gigantic holes in the health/wealth lie.
[1 peter 2:19-20] 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
[1 peter 3:17] For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
[1 peter 4:19] So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
[hebrews 11:35b-38] Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
ChurchWatch, please “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1), The false teaches MUST be named and exposed and may they be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9)
@Darius: “Down the road was a night club praising sex, drugs and pop singers”.
Can’t have that….just wait until hillsong have finished ‘training’ Justin Bieber.
We are praying for Hillsong members who visit here. Please hear what we are saying and read the below links. We WILL give you physical evidence to justify our supposed unfair claims.
To all our Hillsong readers, what is missing in all this discussion is the centrality of Christ and His finished work on Calvary. We have physcial evidence that your beloved leaders preach a false Jesus that hopes to bless you with health, wealth and power.
They will preach that Jesus died to make you rich and to find your purpose, destiny and God-given dreams. But to unlock the blessings of God you need to commit to “The Cause” of Christ, tithe, be planted in Hillsong, submit to your leaders, speaking positive, think positive, feel positive… the list goes on.
According to your pastors god, it is up to you to make yourself right standing before it. You have got to do your part. And that is not the gospel. That is not grace. And that is certainly not love.
If you still think we are mean critics and horrible people, please critique us presenting the TRULY good news in contrast to your leader’s ‘good news’:
https://hillsongchurchwatch.com/2012/10/23/from-brian-houstons-own-lips/
https://hillsongchurchwatch.com/2013/03/04/brian-houstons-gospel/
We stand on God’s definition of love – not man’s definition of love. This means love will have to say some heavy things sometimes. In saying that, we pray you receive what we have said in this comment and in the above articles in love. The issues we are talking about have eternal consequences.
Carl Lentz, The Message, Homosexuality
http://mywordlikefire.com/2015/04/09/gay-activist-says-church-leaders-must-be-made-to-take-homosexuality-off-the-sin-list/
I think the biggest tragedy the followers of Christ face are vigilantes who dedicate their life, time and resources to hunting down and exposing the false prophets and cults…all in the name of self-righteous indignation. Unfortunately you make the cause of the Cross so much difficult for the rest of us when the hurting see the infighting and smear campaigns that happens within.
Whether Hillsong or any movement is wrong, the Bible has explicitly warned there will always be counterfeits, predators, false prophets etc and the individual/s have to watch out and rely on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to guide them. If people were taught to think for themselves, spend time with God and embark on intimacy with God, they will not be deceived.
After are we not all sinners? Do you really think your hate riddled personal vendatta will actually produce your desired result. It makes me sick that you can spew so much hatred and malice in the name of “justice”.
We don’t need you to defend the church politics that has and will continue to exist. God made it very clear that he will mete out justice – he doesn’t need your help.
If only more Christians were struck dumb and had no form of communication but instead had to rely on living Christ, this world would be such a nice place.
I’m not even a Hillsonger and definitely don’t agree with all their values but on the odd occassion I visit I am up lifted and challenged by the so-called agents of the devil. Funny that? I think when God wants to reach out a hungry heart our supremely powerful and just God can communicate to a greedy prophet (Balaam), by using a a donkey….
I suspect its hard to accept that though…because it then means that most of you will need to become a productive member of society, live in the real world among real people and have to actually live the Christianity that Jesus died for than set up blogs (which I accidentally stumbled across) like this to “influence and educate”…
I suspect you will have plenty of retorts to my email and hopefully you will pray for my poor deluded soul to be snatched from the road to hell…
I wish you the best in your mission to educate the masses of the evil cult that is Hillsong and so many others and hope that I never cross path with you in real life. Somehow I suspect I may get more mercy and kindness from a seasoned crimial than vigilante Christians.
God Bless 🙂
“We don’t need you to defend the church politics that has and will continue to exist. God made it very clear that he will mete out justice – he doesn’t need your help.”
Christians are not meant to be vigilantes but are to contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. Go and do likewise.
Hillsong is not a church – it is a cult. Houston is not a pastor. He is a fraud. A con artist. When it was his job to step up to the plate to defend God’s sheep, he ran and blamed the sheep. And still, he gets fat off their income.
“I think when God wants to reach out a hungry heart our supremely powerful and just God can communicate to a greedy prophet (Balaam), by using a a donkey….”
Well that’s just silly. God can use a donkey but he definitely will not use Houston if Jesus tells us we wont find figs from his thistlebush ministry.
Lastly, this site exists only to expose the fraudulent behaviour of these cults. We even tell committed readers to not read this site for their well-being. It is sad and depressing stuff to read how these cults exploit and abuse people.
“Somehow I suspect I may get more mercy and kindness from a seasoned crimial than vigilante Christians.
God Bless”
God bless? Did you realise what you just typed?
“I think the biggest tragedy the followers of Christ face are vigilantes who dedicate their life, time and resources to hunting down and exposing the false prophets and cults…all in the name of self-righteous indignation.”
Sadly, many atheists quote more Scripture than you. In your long diatribe, there was not 1 Scripture. Perhaps you should make a feeble attempt to find verses to back up all your anti-Biblical positions.
“If only more Christians were struck dumb and had no form of communication but instead had to rely on living Christ, this world would be such a nice place.”
Fortunately, God is in charge and not you, because His will is not something close to your heart. Ever heard of something called the Great Commission?
“I wish you the best in your mission to educate the masses of the evil cult that is Hillsong and so many others and HOPE THAT I NEVER CROSS PATH WITH YOU IN REAL LIFE.”
Your fake ‘love’ for God’s Word and His people is immediately obvious.
1 John 4:20 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
“It makes me sick that you can spew”
No, what makes you ‘sick’ is anyone who applies the Holy Bible to real life, because you couldn’t care less what it says to go and do.
“Somehow I suspect I may get more mercy and kindness from a seasoned crimial than vigilante Christians.”
Perhaps you should put your money where your mouth is… Check yourself into ANY prison somewhere. Then please come back and do brag how much ‘mercy’ you were shown.
“Hillsong is not a church – it is a cult. Houston is not a pastor. He is a fraud. A con artist.”
In fact it’s worse than that…. His close friend Phil Pringle is an obvious con artist also. As well as are most if not all of Houston’s elite clique.
Tares are big marketers and networkers. They know how to paint themselves and promote their cronies. If you fall for any one of them, you get them all. They’re one big package deal.
“I think the biggest tragedy the followers of Christ face are vigilantes who dedicate their life, time and resources to hunting down and exposing the false prophets and
cults…all in the name of self-righteous indignation.”
@ communicationisoverrated:
Many websites you refer to were established by Christians who were directly involved as members of their target group for years before creating their own counter-websites.
These individuals know far more about their target groups than you or I.
I post one example below (to which I am not directly connected):
http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org
This person, author, AND seminarian is highly qualified to discuss her target group:
http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/AboutCANA_Background.html
One could post many similar websites run by many other highly qualified persons.
Considering the close involvement of many website owners, writers, and contributors within these groups, to insist these are ‘vigilantes’ is disingenuous of you.
Current Affairs generally do stories on con artists and frauds in the community. This is why Hillsong is often reported on. It is one of the biggest fraudulent organisations in Australia that presents itself as a “Christian” organisation and a “church”. After much research on Brian Houston and what he has created, he neither holds to Christianity, believes in Christianity nor runs a church by the biblical or Christian idea.
A Current Affairs has had it’s sloppy journalism moments when it has reported on Hillsong in the past. However, their reports are causing it’s cult leaders to maliciously attack, defame and disgrace ACA and other news organisations that accurately report on the unethical and immoral conduct of Brian Houston and Hillsong.