Tag Archives: tithes

News articles covering Hillsong unethically fleecing $100 million from members

21 Tuesday Jul 2015

Posted by in Brian Houston's Beliefs

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INTRODUCTION

Brian Houston has been publicly exposed by both Christian pastors as a heretic and as a false teacher by even the secular media. Sadly, people insist on calling Brian Houston a teacher in spite of him financially ripping off people through his false tithe doctrine. This is a key mark of a Prosperity cult leader. And sure enough, Brian Houston preaches the false Prosperity Jesus, the false Prosperity Gospel and many other false Prosperity Doctines (see his books You Need More Money, You Can Change the Future, Get A Life, For This Cause, For This I Was Born, How To Live A Blessed Life; and also see Brian Houston’s father’s book, The Release of the Human Spirit).

03Flag_HAW

The symbol Christians use to mark a Prosperity Heretic and their cult.

According to scripture, Brian Houston is not a Christian. This is because he continually throws people “into confusion” and is “trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” This is why Christians and even media have difficulty getting straight, honest answers from him. Even scripture identifies these traits of a fraud:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:6-9

If that is not clear enough, scriptures also fulfil the exact criteria of what the media expose him to be:

“Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” Philippians 3:19

Men like Brian Houston stand condemned and are no way associated to the Christian faith. If they want to be considered a Christian church, saying that everyone sings their music does not qualify. They are attempting to look Christian and this only fulfils Jesus’ warning to watch out for false teachers/prophets who come to us disguised in shepherd’s/sheep’s clothing. Good works does not make them legitimate. Their teaching does. And Jesus calls men like Brian Houston “lawless ones” (Matthew 7). Our opinion on this is that his track record also fulfills this criteria as an impostor of the Christian faith.

It is such a shame that Brian Houston has not been exposed by pastors in the past for his immoral and unethical teachings – specifically the doctrine on the tithe which has destroyed so many people financially. It is a con-mans doctrine that has been altered in such a way that it reflects the modern-day Amway money-making scheme (See Richard DeVos, Compassionate Capitalism – People helping people help themselves). Hillsong is simply a ponzi scheme with spirituality attached to it.

This article is a collection of media outlets that are concerned with the unhealthy focus Hillsong has on money among it’s many other issues.

Hillsong-Paper

In reading these articles, remember that Brian Houston personally disclosed back in 2010 that he earned over $300k a year. The fact that he is not disclosing this information now makes us wonder if he is earning more cash from new recruited members (see the end of second article).

The Daily Telegraph reports,

HILLSONG Church rakes in $100 million a year from its tax-exempt Australian operations as its weekly flock of 34,000 supporters hands over their hard-earned cash.

The church that started in suburban Sydney in the 1980s has expanded to 15 countries and now boasts an A-list of celebrity followers and “rock star” pastors.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Hillsong brand increased its revenue by more than $10 million last year as it expands its business operations.

Hillsong, which receives tax breaks as a religious charity, employs 584 workers and has thousands of volunteers.

Senior pastor Brian Houston — son of alleged pedophile Pentecostal Christian pastor Frank Houston — said weekly attendance at its churches had grown by 8.5 per cent.

“We have been encouraged this year with the number of new people joining our church,” Mr Houston said.

Hillsong, which has opened new churches in LA, Hobart and the Gold Coast, was merged with his father’s Christian Life Centre in the 1990s. Mr Houston has described his father’s sexual abuse of boys as “repulsive”.

Pastor Brian Houston giving his first sermon at Hillsong Church, Baulkham Hills, today, f

Pastor Brian Houston giving his first sermon at Hillsong Church, Baulkham Hills, today, following his appearance at the royal commission this week. Picture: Justin Lloyd

A Belieber: Justin taking a selfie with a fan.

A Belieber: Justin taking a selfie with a fan.

Through its music label and push into the lucrative US market, the Hillsong brand has become a magnet for celebrities, including singer Justin Bieber, NBA star Kevin Durant and NRL/NFL player Jarryd Hayne.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal more than $42.5 million was collected by Hillsong from “general tithes, offerings and donations”, according to the group’s most recent financial disclosure. It also collects millions from music royalties and its childcare and tuition services, which are put back into the church’s operations and expenses.

A Hillsong spokesman would not reveal how much Mr Houston was paid, citing a church policy to “not divulge personal details including salaries of its staff”.

Hillsong parishioners leaving the Waterloo campus in Sydney after attending a Fathers Day

“Pastor Brian Houston is paid a salary determined by the Hillsong Church board, as are all of our Australian staff of over 400 people,” he said. “His salary is determined independently, a decision that he is not a part of.”

The spokesman told The Daily Telegraph while the church believed in the “biblical principal of tithing (giving a percentage of income to God)” it did not force ­followers to make financial donations.

Hillsong Church holds a week long convention at Acer Arena in Olympic Park. Attendees gat

Hillsong Church holds a week long convention at Acer Arena in Olympic Park. Attendees gather outside during breaks from the activities.

Hillsong is a member of the Australian Christian Churches (formerly Assemblies of God), which operates 1100 churches across the country attracting more than 250,000 followers.

Mr Houston oversees a board of 12 directors, including LA-based son Ben and millionaire Gloria Jean’s Australia founder Nabi Saleh.

The spokesman said Hillsong’s charity operations had helped build “schools and homes in Africa, sponsored thousands upon thousands of children” and “rescued and rehabilitated” trafficked sex workers.

The church runs youth and children’s programs, family and marriage counselling, and hospital visits.

Source: By Geoff Chambers, HILLSONG Church rakes in $100 million a year from its tax-exempt Australian operations as its weekly flock of 34,000 supporters hands over their hard-earned cash., http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/hillsong-church-rakes-in-100m-a-year-from-its-flock-of-34000/story-fni0cx12-1227448271179, Published 20/07/2015. (Accessed 21/07/2015.)

The Daily Mail reports,

It’s not just Bieber who’s a believer: Hillsong Church ‘makes $100 million a year tax-free’ as its ranks swell

The Australian Hillsong church makes $100 million a year, and it’s all reportedly tax free.

With over 34,000 members, the evangelical church continues to attract believers since its establishment in the early 80s, reported the Daily Telegraph.

As well as attracting celebrity members like Justin Bieber, the church has expanded to 15 countries and has reportedly increased its revenue by $10 million last year.

Justin Bieber climbs up a tree to sing to his fans after the Hillsong conference in Australia

Justin Bieber climbs up a tree to sing to his fans after the Hillsong conference in Australia

Operating as a religious charity, Hillsong receives tax breaks and employs over 500 staff as well as thousands of volunteers.

Senior pastor Brian Houston told the Daily Telegraph that the church had a weekly increase of 8.5 percent parishioner attendance.

‘We’ve been encouraged this year with the number of new people joining our church,’ said Mr Houston.

The Australian Hillsong church makes $100 million a year, according to recent reports

The Australian Hillsong church makes $100 million a year, according to recent reports.

‘We’ve been encouraged this year with the number of new people joining our church,’ said Senior Pastor Brian Houston

‘We’ve been encouraged this year with the number of new people joining our church,’ said Senior Pastor Brian Houston

Which “tabloid trash” do you believe? (UPDATED)

23 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in News Headlines

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(EDIT 29/04/2015: We have uploaded another Hillsong document which is a tithing envelope titled:

HOME
building God’s House
Tithes

It comes with an out of context scripture from Malachi 3:10 [NKJV]. It is in this context where Malachi curses anyone who withholds their tithe to “God’s House” or “storehouse”. You can see this Hillsong tithing envelope at the bottom of this article.)

Hillsong released a statement in response to this A Current Affair report:

Hillsong: The multi-million dollar “crazy cult”

Not only did Hillsong issue to Senator Nick Xenophon mob-like threats, apparently “the vast majority of Australians” see the ‘A Current Affair’ report as “nothing more than tabloid trash.” So in response to the minority in Hillsong who read and believe “tabloid trash,” Hillsong writes:

Statement by Hillsong Church on A Current Affair story April 21, 2015

There was no factual basis whatsoever to the story on A Current Affair about Hillsong Church, and the program made no attempt to contact us to get the facts – or even hear our perspective – before airing this piece of fiction. The movie “Let Hope Rise” is being produced by an outside production company who approached us, and Hillsong Church has not invested one cent into this movie. Furthermore, we operate like any other church financially and support people pastorally across the world. This story was yet again, nothing more than tabloid trash and we believe the vast majority of Australians view it as such. It is disappointing that Senator Nick Xenophon, (who presents himself as a champion of the people) has cooperated with such stories for at least the third time. It is poor behaviour and worth noting by church-going voters and people at large in South Australia, who rightly expect their elected representatives to make comments based on factual information rather than conjecture.

Source: Hillsong, Statement by Hillsong Church on A Current Affair story April 21, 2015, http://hillsong.com/media/statement-by-hillsong-church-on-a-current-affair-story-april-21-2015. (Accessed 23/04/2015.)

proof_Hillsong-StatementOnACA_23-04-2015

There is a lot to extract from this statement. Especially the plethora of fallacious arguments and lack of evidence to back up Hillsong’s claims. However, more people seem to be sharing their experiences or insights into the corruption of the Hillsong cult.

This an insightful comment from a former AOG pastors wife:

My mate Tanya Levin did a brilliant job on ACA this week. She’s speaking again about the revenue raising juggernaut that is Hillsong ahead of the release the mega-church’s new Hollywood movie.

In my former life I was for a time an AoG (ACC) pastor’s wife. Even 25 years ago, Brian Houston was recognised in the movement as the one to watch. I can tell you that pastors of churches all around Australia dreamed of being able to count on collections like the ones Brian garnered. Over time Brian’s formula for getting folks to empty their pockets – a complex and emotionally powerful mix of music and clever sales patter with lashings of Jesus – was replicated in hundreds of financially struggling churches around the country and, eventually, around the world. As Tanya so beautifully puts it in this clip, “From London to Cape Town to Copenhagen the message is the same – give, give, give, give, give.”

Although the ACA team was forbidden to film the plea for money, I can tell you that the section of the ‘service’ specifically designed to predispose you to giving generously, runs for about 15 minutes and is the culmination of a cleverly orchestrated, high-production value, highly emotionally manipulative stage show. Those of us in the AoG who despised Houston’s methods had a name for it: fleecing the folk. Nobody does it better than Brian. The report estimates in 2012 Hillsong ‘earned’ $72 million dollars in tax-free income, only a tiny fraction of which is spent on charity work. These guys are crooks, plain and simple, and the Australian public is paying for it. Glad to see Nick Xenophon is trying to increase public accountability of this secretive money printing organisation.

Source: Jane Douglas, FaceBook, https://www.facebook.com/jane.douglas.90/posts/805714359512544, Published 22/04/2015 at 13:03. (Accessed 23/04/2015.)

Her views are worth considering Hillsong states that they “operate like any other church financially and support people pastorally across the world.”

Really? Do you want to know why those people in the ACA Report give 20% at Hillsong?

Hillsong_GivingEnvelope2Hillsong_GivingEnvelope1

Does your church put out giving envelopes to you that are like this? Would you feel comfortable putting your credit card number on the back of the envelope where everyone can see it?

* Tithing is an anti-Christian teaching that uses Malachi 3:8-11 to teach that if you do not tithe, God will curse you.
* This envelope was collected from Hillsong and given to us at the beginning of January 2015.

TithesEnvelope1 TithesEnvelope2

Houston Says Jesus Wants Our Righteousness “to exceed, or go beyond” The Pharisees?

25 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Books, Uncategorized

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Pharisee Houston

This article is broken up into four segments. The last segment provides the snippet of Brian Houston which the earlier segments set out to correct.

WHO IS JUST JUSTIFIED AND MADE RIGHTEOUS?

Jesus told a “parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous.”

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’” Luke 18:10-12, Emphasis added.

Was the pharisee justified and made righteous by his own efforts? Do you believe they could be made righteous by their own efforts? Was it the tither that was justified? Was it the one that kept giving? Jesus continues,

“… But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:13-14, Emphasis added.

Who was made right before God in this parable? The Pharisee or the tax collector? Jesus was making the point in the parable that those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous” were in fact not. Righteousness and justification was given to the man who realised his sin and asked for God’s mercy.

THEN WHO CAN BE SAVED?

In the sermon on the mount, what did Jesus condemn the pharisees of doing that Jesus also demonstrated they did in his above parable? Jesus exposed their sin in trusting themselves in thinking “they were righteous”.

So what do you think Jesus was saying to the multitude about the Pharisees at the beginning of his sermon on the mount?

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:20

Was he telling the Jewish people to try harder than the Pharisees? Is Jesus challenging believers “not to live below the level of righteousness upheld by the Pharisees”? Was Jesus teaching the multitude to “exceed, or go beyond” the righteousness of the Pharisees?

No. Jesus’ message was against them and their false teachings. Instead, Jesus taught people to follow Him and his teachings. The scripture above was to dishearten his listeners to even bother trying to live up to the false teachers standards.

The Pharisees practiced the Law as best they could. The only issue was that the Law was designed to have people to depend on God to forgive and save man from their sins. No one in Israel could follow the Law perfectly, EXCEPT Jesus. The Pharisees and the Lawyers could not obey the law perfectly or be good all the time. Jesus kept EXPOSING the lies and hypocrisy of the false teachers who practiced the Law and believed they could follow it perfectly (Luke 18:9-14; Luke 18:18-26). When Jesus exposed the sin in the heart of the rich young ruler, one of Jesus’ apostles cried out, “Then who can be saved?” (Luke 18:26). This is where Christ wants his audience to be spiritually situated in his sermon on the mount.

JESUS VS PHARISEES

Jesus continually challenged the false teachers, leaders and prophets through His sermon on the mount. He exposed their false teachings, shows and hypocrisy (Matt 6:2; Matt 6:6; Matt 6:16). He warned people to not be like them and do the opposite to them (Matt 6:1; Matt 6:6; Mat 6:17). He is not encouraging people to exceed in the ways of the Pharisees. He is warning people not to follow them but instead follow him. Christ preached Himself. In this sermon, Jesus used the Law to point all his listeners to his teachings and to Himself.

In his sermon, the climax falls on the false teachers again. Jesus teaches about two ways, two trees, two gates and two foundations. Only one way leads to life. Only one tree offers life. Only one gate allows you to enter life and only one foundation offers true life.

Jesus associated the pharisees and their teachings (“false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves”) to the false road, the false gate, the bad trees and the bad foundations. 

Through out the gospel accounts, Jesus reveals he is The Way, The Truth and The Life (John 14:6) and The Gate (John 10:7). When Jesus told people to watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing, he was actually describing a wolf disguised as a shepherd. Jesus says HE is The True Shepherd (John 10:11). He is pointing the people away from the Pharisees, their false practices and their false teachings. The only option that Jesus offered was always Himself.

The people in this sermon were left with these two options:

    1. Follow Jesus and His teachings to life. Reject the Pharisees. Or…
    2. Follow the Pharisees and their teachings to life. Reject Jesus.

This is why after hearing this controversial sermon the writer states

“the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt 7:28-29)

The Pharisees were the image of righteousness before the people. But Jesus was calling the Pharisees the “least in the kingdom of heaven” for nullifying or twisting “one of the least of these commandments” and for teaching “others to do the same”. He was reforming the people. He was rightly using the Law to bring them to despair. Who can honestly say that your own righteousness can surpass the righteousness of dedicated religious leaders? Who can honestly say that Jesus wants our own righteousness to exceed the Pharisees?

Well… Brian Houston does.

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WHAT JESUS WOULD NEVER TEACH

Houston says that Jesus teaches that “your righteousness” can “exceed, or go beyond” the righteousness of the Pharisees through all means possible (especially in  giving). He teaches “what the Pharisees did is only a starting point” and we are meant to exceed their righteousness. Houston believes that WE are to take “everything one step further.”

If Brian Houston actually believes this, any Christians should actually question if Houston is a pastor or a Christian at all. Brian Houston has missed the entire point of the New Testament, the gospel and how one becomes a Christian if he believes this.

Not only does he misquote Jesus saying, (“Jesus said we shouldn’t get angry”), Houston twists Jesus’ sermon to teach people that they can be made righteous through their efforts, especially in their tithing.

Houston then further demonstrates biblical incompetence by teaching that “You tithe because you put the Kingdom first in your life, and it is with a spirit of faith that you sow into God’s Word”. As we already have seen, tithing is not a requirement for Godly righteousness. It was of the Mosaic Law and not taught by Jesus and His disciples. Because tithing is of the Law, Brian Houston is flat out wrong saying, “You tithe… with a spirit of faith”. God rebukes Houston with this:

“Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.” Galatians 3:21

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” Galatians 2:21

“The law is not based on faith.” Galatians 3:12

According to Brian Houston and his beliefs, he must be an even greater Pharisee than the Apostle Paul (Acts 26:10). Paul says,

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as dung, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” Philippians 3:2-10, Emphasis ours.

We will now leave you with the Pharisee of Pharisees to teach you how “to exceed” your own righteousness. This excerpt is found in the chapter, ‘The Power of Tithing’ from Houston’s book ‘You Need More Money’.

“Exceeds

For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righeousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)

Jesus said that he didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfil [sic] it. This is why the Old Testament is so relevant today. However, the challenge to believers is not to live below the level of righteousness upheld by the Pharisees – His challenge to us is to exceed, or go beyond, it.

What the Pharisees did is only a starting point. Jesus took everything one step further. For instance, one of the Ten Commandments is not to kill or murder. Jesus said we shouldn’t get angry, because that would lead us to sin.

When Jesus said that the Pharisees ought to tithe, that sets a precedent for us to go further. New Testament tithing is different to the bondage and legalism of the Old Covenant. You shouldn’t feel depressed or miserable about it. You tithe because you put the Kingdom first in your life, and it is with a spirit of faith that you sow into God’s Word.” – Brian Houston, You Need More Money, Smithfield, NSW: Alken Press, 1999, pg. 72.