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7 News, Australian economy, Brian Houston, economy, Hillsong, houston, money
The below 7 News report only confirms our website, many other Christian and non-Christian blogs and the media (specifically the Sydney Morning Herald’s report on Hillsong, titled “The Lord’s Profits”), that Hillsong is about the money.
“I think about the impact on the economy. And Australia has a lot to thank us [Hillsong] for.”
Since when does a pastor think a country owes his church thanks because he thinks his church leaves an impact on that country’s economy? And how on earth is that remotely biblical for a pastor to be thinking?
7 News reports,
TRANSCRIPT
Hillsong continues its global expansion and will soon have a presence in fourteen countries. Its numbers are growing on the back of its highly commercial church music division. Hillsong’s founder, Brian Houston is convinced that Australia has a lot to thank his church for, saying its growth at home is spreading economic benefits.
REPORT
Lining up outside a theatre in Los Angelos, not on a path to conversion, but already converted:
“Went to HS New York City for a couple of times and I loved it.”
“They really care about you as an individual, and I think that really touched my heart when I first started coming here.”
They are preaching to the converted in London too.
“We said where do you go here to Sunday in London, and everyone said come to Hillsong.”
Brian Houston never imagined such popularity, when he founded Hillsong at Baulkham Hills in 1983. So what is the secret to the churches success?
BH: [laugh] “That’s a great question. It’s a miracle as far as I’m concerned.”
In Australia, services attract 38,000 worshipers a week, one hundred thousand 100,000 across the world. They are now held in 12 countries on 5 continents. Soon it will be 14 countries, with Brazil and Argentina added early next year. Beyond the churches there are 3 Hillsong record labels, a film and television production house, global conferences and an international leadership college in Sydney.
BH: “I think about the impact on the economy. And Australia has a lot to thank us for.” [Laughs]
Far from being thankful, many Australians are still skeptical about Hillsong, and believe the church’s success is not a cause for celebration.
BH: “That’s the Ozzie way isn’t it? If something, you know, is successful and to people it doesn’t make sense, your criticise it.”
Controversies haven’t helped. Brian’s father Frank confessed to child sex abuse; there are constant questions about the wealth Brian has amassed from the church; and more recently, backlash over a controversial preacher’s sexist comments forced Hillsong to drop him from its conference.
Brian says the movement is misunderstood.
BH: “I do understand that not everyone understands it. But it is disappointing when people trivialise it or marginalise it.”
Not that detractors will deter him.
BH: “Still there a lot of cities in the world we can reach.”
It’s seems only a matter of time.
Alex Hart, 7 News
Hillsong Church Watch 
Haha I think ‘The Morning Show and Sunrise’ (Channel 7) should know this blog because Brian Houston are keen to blocking people on twitter, like whoever protest him for right reasons. I really love this place my captain!
Let’s keep it up, regards.
The stand-up comedian girl in the video says:
“They (Hillsong) really care about you as an individual…”
Now there’s a joke.
But she thought it touched her heart when she first started coming.
That is a neuron-free response.
Exactly.
A neuron-free response in a neuron-free zone.
“Oooo they made me feel so good about myself. This must be where God wants me because this is all about me.”
http://hillsong.com/London/foundation/
for anyone who doesn’t believe Hillsong are all about the money, please take a look at the above link,
there are actual tiers depending on how much you give, this is diabolical!
Depending on how much you give depends on what “Group” or “title” you belong to
Appallling Hill$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ong
Well I really want to know every hillsongs giving money to homeless people or not. They must PAY, we want to see it. Guess Hillsong will lie to us again.
Are you referring to this bit here?
“Whether you’re a Kingdom Builder, a Vision Impacter, or in the Army of Faithful Believers, The Hillsong Foundation is for you.”
“Whether you’re a Kingdom Builder, a Vision Impacter, or in the Army of Faithful Believers, The Hillsong Foundation is for you.”
But what if you decide to spend your money direct on (for example) a charity which supports poor families rather than giving it to Hillsong so that they can upgrade their recording studio? What are you then? Persona non grata?
From the link …
“through normal tithes and offerings”
There is nothing “normal” about tithes. That website is built on lies.
How appropriate.
Naming it “Hillsong Foundation” makes sense, since this organization was not built on the foundation of Christ. It was instead built on Brian Houston’s vision, dreams, goals, false teachings, and yes lies (unfortunately).
1st Corinthians 3:11 :
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The question is churchwatcher……. Which one will you be???? lol, no seriously, this is so bad, i wonder of you get a special card or badge when you “sign up” i know for a fact they have these grand Dinners once a quarter in some huge mansion or facility, and all the “Kingdom Builders” are there sitting round a huge table discussing Hillsong……. When i saw some pics it did look slightly Masonic dare i say it… like some sort of Hillsong elite club….
Hillsong supporters, does Hillsong follow the commandment from James chapter 2?
James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Read whole chapter to see for yourselves that the above passage IS in context. http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/James-Chapter-2/
Q: How much respect does the wealthy “Kingdom Builder” get compared to a poor “Faithful believer”?
A: see how much attention Hill$ong gives celebrities like Justin Bieber get compared to a person who can only afford to volunteer time and not much else….
“For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;”
James chapter 2 has perfectly describes Brian Houston. Houston’s own words:
“So, if a SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON walked into Hillsong, clearly blessed by God, and they understand that God blesses them to be a blessing to others, then Houston says, THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.”
http://www.biblesociety.org.au/news/brian-houston-theres-huge-difference-living-rich-living-blessed
Gasp! Why must it be a “SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON?”
Little slip there, huh? All Houston really cares about is the “SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON.”
I think you need a different quote Jerry. How can Brian say something like that and say “then Houston says” – people don’t refer to themselves like that when they speak. It’s totally made up or cut and pasted.
“I think you need a different quote Jerry.
It’s totally made up or cut and pasted.”
I think you need to switch to a better cult.
Who do you think this interview was with, Brian Houston, or the Tooth Fairy?
You don’t like what the article says, so you claim the article is made up. That’s lame.
>> Tell us, Bible Scholar, how many times have you read the Bible straight through? Even once? Obviously not even once, so might I suggest you stop ignorantly commenting on forums, and use that time to go read your Bible instead.
>> How much of your $$$ have you discarded down into the Hillsong Hellhole, further propagating its asinine fables?
Jerry, my point is that if you were speaking about yourself you would not say “and Jerry said”. It’s just not natural. That quote you used was not from the interview.
So the bible society lied? You might want to contact Mr Houston so he can send a letter from his lawyers to the Bible Society.
“That quote you used was not from the interview.”
I think you shouldn’t be worrying so much about quotes that are (allegedly) not from an interview, but about Brian Houston teaching things that are not in the Bible.
Perhaps Brian should write a book just for you: “You Need More Neurons”.
“I think you should….be worrying….about Brian Houston teaching things that are not in the Bible.”
What?? Oh come on. You mean to tell me we Christians really DON’T serve the Allah of islam?? If Brian says we do, then I believe it!!
HANNAH: “Jerry, my point is that if you were speaking about yourself you would not say “and Jerry said”. It’s just not natural.”
NOT JERRY, BUT I: Hannah, who are you talking to? It was not I who wrote that comment, Jerry wrote it.
HANNAH: “That quote you used was not from the interview.”
NOT YOU, BUT ME: I think you’re onto something. A webpage from Forbes’ website must have leaked onto the webpage with Brian Houston’s interview. Like when ink from a page in a book shows through onto the other side of the paper. It happens all the time with Internet Explorer.
hillsong reach out to the homeless through their greenlight organisation.
check it out here, they offer medical assistance to the homeless. they dont provide employment or housing.
http://hillsong.com/london/bwc/greenlight/
Wow what a dodge way… Shame on Hillsong
I think Hillsong have the second weakness here –> Homeless people request money from it.
Have any of you actually been to Hillsong?? or are you basing it on what you consider fact?? Have any of you looked at how Hillsong is helping around the world such as rescueing women who have been conned into slavery?? I know from first hand experience that my life has changed since going to HIllsong and becoming a Christian. They wouldn’t have so many people attending of all different educational and levels of status if they were just about money.
“They wouldn’t have so many people attending of all different educational and levels of status if they were just about money.”
Don’t tell us Hannah, tell Brian Houston. After all, it was Brian who wrote the book “You Need More Money”, wasn’t it? No one who comments here has ever made such a fatuous statement, much less been so unambiguously asinine as to write a book about it.
So it’s Brian who doesn’t have a clue what the Gospel is, and it is him alone whom you need to convince. Good luck with that.
“I know from first hand experience that my life has changed since going to HIllsong and becoming a Christian.”
We know for a fact that the bible is God’s Word, that we behave ethically and that we abide by the laws of Australia. Are you suggesting that Hillsong ticks these boxes based on your “experience”?
You are judging by mere appearance which Jesus rebukes. He calls you to judge righteously.
Why are you set on judging, as Jesus said, on external things? Examine the internal side of the cup, not the exterior. Jesus expects this of you. And if you love him, you will do this (as he instructs).
So Hannah, test what Hillsong says against scripture. Look into the findings of the Royal Commission – and then make a judgment before carelessly judging those who have put a lot of time helping Christians leave an abusive movement.
There have been no findings yet on the Hillsong/ACC case study at the Royal Commission. Your judgements are based on the proceedings and recommendations, not the yet to be released findings. So why are you giving someone advice to read the findings then make a judgement when you haven’t waited to read the findings before condemning Brian Houston??
As we stated,
“The excerpt below is from the submission prepared by Simeon Beckett, Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission on 14 November 2014. It only includes sections that cover the Australian abuse case of AHA and the AOG/ACC response (ie. most of Part A and some of Part D). It is shorter and has some points highlighted.”
If you follow the link into this document you will find headings of “Available Findings” at the end of each Part and a “Summary of Available Findings” at the end.
It seems to me that you are judging Hillsong from the exterior, Churchwatcher.
“t seems to me that you are judging Hillsong from the exterior, Churchwatcher.”
It seems to everyone else that you do not pay attention to the world you live in.
“They wouldn’t have so many people attending of all different educational and levels of status if they were just about money.”
Your logic defies reason. Jehovah’s Witnesses have people attending from all different educational / status levels too, do you think that has stopped them from getting their weekly fill of lies?
Hillsong revolves around: tithing, money, success.
Brian Houston can’t stop talking about it.
Notice how he can take any portion of the Bible and turn it into “success for you.”
Raymond, what are the lies that you are suggesting? If you had ever been to Hillsong, you would know that tithing is optional and not obligatory in any way. Tithing is Biblical in case you didn’t know.
“Tithing is Biblical […]”
So is gouging out your right if it offends you, or cutting off your right hand.
Does that mean that we should expect that Brian is going to proffer a tome entitled “You Need Fewer Fingers”?
“[…] in case you didn’t know.”
My, my: a hillsonger wants to lecture others on sound theology. Aren’t you such a clever girl, then! Tell us, are you going to take up “preaching”? You could end up following in the footsteps of Bobbie Houston, and perhaps even write books yourself (are you a “Kingdom Woman”, Hannah?)
“Brian is going to proffer a tome entitled “You Need Fewer Fingers”?”
The next two in HS’s trashy ‘Self-help’ series….
“Kingdom Women Love Rich Men who Tithe.”
and
“You Need More False Teachings.”
I quitted Hillsong City Campus for long agos because all cults won’t welcome me to make friends anymore, I am still following god without it. But really. Are you Hannah Hobbs?
Ok I felt so bad from Taya Smith, all right, I quitted it cause I don’t need the money machine church, It won’t help me through.
Haha, tax free.
Jimmy, Hillsong is not a cult. If it were a cult it means that all other churches in the ACC are too. You should know that tithing is optional at Hillsong having been there.
“Hillsong is not a cult.”
Proof please.
No thanks Hannah, Hillsong never forgave me sometimes.
Sorry, It is too late.
Hannah, Hillsong does not openly and directly *command* people to tithe or else, e.g. saying things like “not tithing 10% of your income will bring a curse you from God”.
* Are money offering timeslots after prolonged worship session, when people are in a state of altered consciousness?
* Are phrases like “we strongly encourage you…”, “you’ll be blessed if you tithe/ donate…”, “people’s prayers were answered/ miracles happened when they gave extra to our ministry”, “you prove your love for God when you give us your money”, “people will be able to tell how deep/ strong your faith is/ if you’re a REAL Christian by the amount you give to God/ Hillsong…” used?
All people who have heard those phrases (used the way Hillsong always does) knows they are the “other side of the coin” of the 11th commandment of Seeker-Sensitive churchs “Thou must tithe always”.
One side says you’ll be cursed if you DON’T tithe, Hillsong says you’ll be blessed if you DO tithe. Whether the strategy is open coercion or gentle persuasion the outcome is the same. The difference is how long it takes for the sheep to realize it’s being fleeced (or ripped off).
“Jimmy, Hillsong is not a cult.”
And neither are the Mormons…. IF you are a Mormon.
Hannah, Hillsong is a cult because it seeks to own and control people using various well proven techniques and methodologies that recognised cults often use. With that control mechanism in place, Hillsong leaders can then “encourage” their followers to do whatever they want them to.
Forget Hillsong’s theology – they don’t have any. What they do have, are some sweeteners, in the form of young adults networking (dating), live entertainment, youth activities etcetera, and a smoke screen statement of belief which is more like shop window dressing that it is a serious attempt to explain and stand strong for the gospel.
Tithing, or joining the ‘team’ or handing out literature or attending endless meetings and conferences and supplying their time talents and energy – completely free of charge, is expected even if it’s not expressed so much in words, while the Houstons continue to rake in $60 million+ each year – but it’s NOT about the money???
Trust me when I say this Hannah – tithing is ALWAYS obligatory and NEVER optional in such places. You’ll be watched by others in the crowd and if you consistently decide to not tithe, then you will be ignored. You’ll very quickly become a ‘non person’ within Hillsong, and you’ll never make it into the inner circle of the favoured few. Nor will you make it onto the platform to perform with the band or the drama group – or whatever.
Agreed, Hillsong always used ‘God’ and ‘Jesus Christ’ to make huge money, It was not showing strength of us, musicians are more strengths than it.
Hannah, Why didn’t you wake up? Ok, are all christians putting their hearts to Hillsong Church? God will certain say ‘NO’.
Brian Houston is a loser, oh wait… An angry pastor isn’t he? Yeah right, he blocked somebody on twitter in whole years, obviously we will not believe that money church.
it’s sad how you all waste time ranting about a mega church that is obviously going to stand for a very long time.
do something better with your lives, because of many like you, people do not enjoy going to church. you only want to point out others’ wrong-doings.
good luck trying to bring Hillsong down.
not happening, churchwatcher.
you might as well sign off and actually take a trip to your local Hillsong church.
see for yourself what Jesus is doing.
there are thousands of people in attendance for a reason.
“good luck trying to bring Hillsong down.
not happening, churchwatcher.”
We don’t have to. Brian Houston’s lawless behaviour and immoral deeds will.
“see for yourself what Jesus is doing.”
We are. He has eternally damned Brian Houston and anyone else who embraces his false gospel. Still Christ opens his hand for these people to repent.
“there are thousands of people in attendance for a reason.”
You are right. Christians are staying away from the dangerous and lawless global Hillsong cult – the false are attracted to the light of the world and think they are going to heaven.
Our time is not wasted as we are leading Christians out of wickedness and sin. Their testimonies are amazing.
Walter, our advice: don’t defend the damned. It only proves your faith and love in Christ is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).
This is what your God says:
“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. […] So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”
If you are a Christian, you will love Christ by upholding his Word and likewise “purge the evil from your midst”. Jesus expects you to take Him seriously.
“see for yourself what Jesus is doing.”
@Walt, you better update your plan, that didn’t work for you.
You’re there and you still don’t see what’s going on.
Loving the show everyday…..
“Loving the show everyday…..”
Not as much as the Devil enjoys the show at Hillsong.
Yes klaude – my understanding is that Lucifer recently acquired front row seats, right inside a certain ‘corporate’ box:
“13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”
Does that sound like someone we all know…?
Hi folks – just in case you’ve lost track of what some social/media outlets reported at the time, heres a link to the SMH article from back then:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/outspoken-hillsong-critic-arrested-for-trespass-at-sydney-conference-20150701-gi2sp1.html
Comments from posters on Reddit (I’m not endorsing all of them, but just so we can see some variety of opinion):
https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/3bqoie/hillsong_critic_arrested_at_conference/
… and whatever happened to the words of Jesus:
“…if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Rom 12:20 ESV.
As one poster said at:
http://www.pedestrian.tv/news/arts-and-culture/hillsong-church-locks-horns-with-a-current-affair-/00db1892-00d2-4b0a-8499-35cc51d9a852.htm
(Definitely not endorsing that website, but some of their insights in this matter seem relevant…)
I wouldn’t be surprised if Brian and Bobby Houston died of shame over this one…
Have been a great fun of Hillsong church here in Kenya…. Following you meetings in South Africa., Philippines, States…. Kindly how can i get into contact with…. Such services are needed here in Kenya… You are doing great job God bless… Given a support can do better here in Kenya as well… Thank you
Hi Paul – so you want some Hill$ong fun over there in Africa?
Well I’m sure that Brian and Bobby will be only too happy to meet your needs for some ‘fun’, as long as you’re prepared to pay for it. Nothing from Hill$ong ever comes free, and even if you don’t ‘pay’ for it, someone else will…
“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:18
Looks like you’ve been deceived again Paul…