BRIAN HOUSTON PROTESTING TOO MUCH

Althought we have exposed him on this issue, Brian Houston has been emphatically trying to convince people that Hillsong Church has not changed its position on same sex issues. He tweeted,

There has been absolutely no change to Hillsong Church’s stance on homosexuality and gay marriage. Statement pending.

Source: Brian Houston, Twitter, https://twitter.com/BrianCHouston/status/628482424591118336, Published 1:27 AM – 4 Aug 2015. (Accessed 06/08/2015.) (Archived.)

In that statement he said,

“Hillsong’s position on homosexuality and gay marriage has not changed and is consistent with Scripture.”

This article will prove through the writing of Ben Gresham (a close gay friend of Brian Houston) that Houston is still following through with his promises to Ben Gresham after his meeting with him back in 2010 to bring changes to Hillsong.

In other words, Brian Houston has been caught lying… again.

ALONG CAME A GRESHAM

Later, Brian Houston tweeted his blog article on Hillsong’s stance towards homosexuality (an article we will review). Ben Gresham and Houston exchanged the following:

Do I love gay people? My thoughts and my heart toward gay people and Hillsong Church. LTL blog: http://bit.ly/1VZ8yUK

Source: Brian Houston, Twitter, https://twitter.com/BrianCHouston/status/628576173493108736, Published 7:40 AM – 4 Aug 2015. (Accessed 06/08/2015.)

@BrianCHouston not an easy subject to write about. Thanks for being clear and upfront so gay ppl know where you stand. So important.

Source: Ben Gresham, Twitter, https://twitter.com/bengresham/status/628659863413919744, Published 1:12 PM – 4 Aug 2015. (Accessed 06/08/2015.)

@bengresham Thanks Ben. This means so much to me. B.

Source: Brian Houston, Twitter, https://twitter.com/BrianCHouston/status/628661707343171584, Published 1:20 PM – 4 Aug 2015. (Accessed 06/08/2015.)

Ben Gresham decided to write an article about Brian Houston and Hillsong’s latest stance on same sex issues:

Check out my latest blog about recent Hillsong statement on gay people – http://bennygresham.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/gay-people-and-hillsong-church-at.html … #gaychristian #hillsong #gay #clarity

Source: Ben Gresham, Twitter, https://twitter.com/bengresham/status/628765865148747776, Published 8:13 PM – 4 Aug 2015. (Accessed 06/08/2015.)

Although Houston protested that “There has been absolutely no change to Hillsong Church’s stance on homosexuality,” Ben Gresham praised Brian Houston and Hillsong for bringing change towards embracing same sex people and same sex issues. In other words, Ben Gresham accidentally exposed Brian Houston of lying once again to the general public in his media statement.

Remember that Ben thanked Houston for “being clear and upfront” and how Houston thanked him for it, saying, “This means so much to me?” Ben decided to point out the positive changes and developments he saw in his journey and discussion with Hillsong’s Brian Houston in this below article.

Although we have pointed to these changes ourselves, it is good to have Gresham reveal the changes he has seen behind the Hillsong machine in regards to how it has slowly changed it’s stance on same sex issues.

We willhighlight the lines where Gresham exposes how Hillsong CHANGED their stance on same sex issues.

Gresham notes that Hillsong has changed, saying:

• Hillsong has taken some steps forward in the past few years.
• The church is now talking about the issue more
• they no longer support or refer gay people to harmful ‘ex-gay’ or reparative/conversion programs and therapies.
• the church will allow gay and lesbian people to attend and you won’t be kicked out for having a partner […]

He concludes,

“This is a step forward, no matter how you look at it!”

And he is right. No matter how you look at it, Brian Houston is STILL not calling homosexuality a sin and he is still not using the bible as the ultimate authority.

Gresham writes,

Gay people and Hillsong Church? At last… some clarity

Early this morning, Brian Houston, the Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church, issued a statement in response to the controversy surrounding reports that Hillsong NYC had an engaged gay couple leading the church choir. Many people on both sides of the fence (right-wing Christians and left-leaning LGBTs) quickly spread the word that “Hillsong was now gay-affirming” without really checking the facts or asking anybody in senior leadership at Hillsong church what their position really was.

Hillsong’s position on homosexuality has been rather murky and misunderstood by many. Pastor Brian Houston and the church have done a better job in recent years communicating with the public, however, they have often been wary of discussing their stance on homosexuality, marriage equality and gay people in leadership.

In an effort to clear up the matter once and for all, Pastor Brian Houston issued this statement today – “Do I Love Gay People”. This statement answers the questions that many of us have been asking for some time. I have quoted parts of the statement from Pastor Brian Houston below some key observations.

Hillsong still views homosexuality as a lifestyle choice:

“Hillsong Church welcomes ALL people but does not affirm all lifestyles. Put clearly, we do not affirm a gay lifestyle and because of this we do not knowingly have actively gay people in positions of leadership, either paid or unpaid. I recognise this one statement alone is upsetting to people on both sides of this discussion, which points to the complexity of the issue for churches all over the world”.

Hillsong reaffirms its position against same-sex marriage:

“I also live by my own convictions, and hold to traditional Christian thought on gay lifestyles and gay marriage. I do believe God’s word is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. The writings of the apostle Paul in scripture on the subject of homosexuality are also clear, as I have mentioned in previous public statements”.

Gay people can attend Hillsong but not be part of leadership roles:

“So if you are gay, are you welcome at Hillsong Church? Of course! You are welcome to attend, worship with us, and participate as a congregation member with the assurance that you are personally included and accepted within our community. But (this is where it gets vexing), can you take an active leadership role? No”.

My thoughts:

I understand that this statement can be upsetting for many people, particularly if you are gay or lesbian and part of Hillsong Church. I know that there are many of you hoping that the church will move forward on this issue and one day welcome you to participate fully in the life of the church. Although I am upset too, it’s important to remember that Hillsong has taken some steps forward in the past few years. The church is now talking about the issue more and they no longer support or refer gay people to harmful ‘ex-gay’ or reparative/conversion programs and therapies.

This statement includes a really important note from Pastor Brian confirming that the church will allow gay and lesbian people to attend and you won’t be kicked out for having a partner – “So if you are gay, are you welcome at Hillsong Church? Of course!”. This is a step forward, no matter how you look at it!

If you are looking for an affirming church, then sadly Hillsong isn’t the place for you but thankfully there are a growing number of welcoming churches who fully support and include LGBTI people and recognise that being gay is not a choice, nor is it a sin. There are also a growing number of support and social groups like freedom2b in Australia and the Gay Christian Network in the United States that can connect you with other people like you and support you on your journey.

Keeping the conversation going:

It can be easy to dismiss this recent statement from Pastor Brian and Hillsong and label the church as homophobic, but I think that does a disservice to other LGBT people in the church and to those in leadership who are trying to handle this the best way that they know how to. It’s important to acknowledge small steps and to encourage leadership to keep moving forward. We owe it to the many gay and lesbian people who call Hillsong church home and to the many church members who have a gay son, lesbian sister, transgender daughter, etc. The conversation must continue and it must always be full of grace, on both sides.

After reading the statement this morning, I took the time to send a quick tweet to Pastor Brian just to thank him for his clarity and to keep the conversation going. We may not agree 100% but I won’t let our disagreements get in the way of a friendship or an important conversation.

Have a great week. Lots of love!
Ben

Source: Ben Gresham, Gay people and Hillsong Church? At last… some clarity, BennyGresham, http://bennygresham.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/gay-people-and-hillsong-church-at.html, Published 05/08/2015. (Accessed 06/08/2015.

Why is Brian Houston SO hellbent to reject the “writings of Paul [which] are clear on this subject” on homosexuality and instead follow the journey and discussion with a young man that cares only about his hormones? (Hormones can’t save you.)

You have to wonder what Brian Houston will be teaching people at Bill Hybel’s Leadership Summit.

How to leave your bible in a coffee shop? How to exchange the bible for an opinion?