Mike- thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. Having seen the rise and fall of the likes of Mars Hill, Hillsong, et al, it seems there are far too many cases of toxic leadership within the Megachurch movement. Of course, not all are bad, but the corporatizing of these churches leaves much to be desired when there’s a lack of integrity and accountability.
I'm with Katelyn Beaty on this. Yes, we as Christians must "follow the money." If your church is knowingly paying into an abusive system, then your church is complicit in the abuse. That does not glorify God.
Also, singing Hillsong signals to congregants and guests that your church doesn't care about sexual abuse. I've heard that message, loud and clear, too many times and from far too many Christians. Can we just stop with that message already? Please?
There are plenty of other songs & hymns to sing in worship.
I struggled with Hillsong for a good long while. A lot of it was just bad experience: I've been to a church in Poland, a Hillsong church, that felt more like a disco than a church service. The sermon was *terrible*, the pastor spoke for 40 minutes without once citing verses or having done any kind of exegesis.
But on the other hand Hillsong, if you go past the brand, is full of good charismatic Christians excited to worship God and do evangelism. It was hard to contend, as a Presbyterian myself, that they're out there in the weeds participating in culture and making Christianity, dare I say Evangelicalism, approachable. And in a world seemingly filled with brokenness, I'll have to admit that much of the Reformed space I'm in focuses more on curating theological precision than sharing the beauty of their Reformed faith to a hurting world.
What really broke my mold was my understanding of polity. As I kept Reforming I viewed Hillsong less like the "Church of the Houstons" and more like a denomination. Just like mainlines of America, not everything the PCUSA touches is evil but not all is good either. It's finding the wheat amongst the chaff and encouraging them. In time, I hope Americans can learn to distinguish these things rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Well said. TRUE accountability in the megachurch movement would prevent some of this.
I appreciate the reasonable approach. I loved their music before I got to Australia (1998). God is faithful to love and correct.
Plus, I’m in NO position to judge.
Oh. I DO NOT condone abuse of especially innocent children!!!
Mike- thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. Having seen the rise and fall of the likes of Mars Hill, Hillsong, et al, it seems there are far too many cases of toxic leadership within the Megachurch movement. Of course, not all are bad, but the corporatizing of these churches leaves much to be desired when there’s a lack of integrity and accountability.
I'm with Katelyn Beaty on this. Yes, we as Christians must "follow the money." If your church is knowingly paying into an abusive system, then your church is complicit in the abuse. That does not glorify God.
Also, singing Hillsong signals to congregants and guests that your church doesn't care about sexual abuse. I've heard that message, loud and clear, too many times and from far too many Christians. Can we just stop with that message already? Please?
There are plenty of other songs & hymns to sing in worship.
I struggled with Hillsong for a good long while. A lot of it was just bad experience: I've been to a church in Poland, a Hillsong church, that felt more like a disco than a church service. The sermon was *terrible*, the pastor spoke for 40 minutes without once citing verses or having done any kind of exegesis.
But on the other hand Hillsong, if you go past the brand, is full of good charismatic Christians excited to worship God and do evangelism. It was hard to contend, as a Presbyterian myself, that they're out there in the weeds participating in culture and making Christianity, dare I say Evangelicalism, approachable. And in a world seemingly filled with brokenness, I'll have to admit that much of the Reformed space I'm in focuses more on curating theological precision than sharing the beauty of their Reformed faith to a hurting world.
What really broke my mold was my understanding of polity. As I kept Reforming I viewed Hillsong less like the "Church of the Houstons" and more like a denomination. Just like mainlines of America, not everything the PCUSA touches is evil but not all is good either. It's finding the wheat amongst the chaff and encouraging them. In time, I hope Americans can learn to distinguish these things rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater.