A critique to your critique: in the documentary they clearly state that the issue was mainly that Hillsong presented itself as hip and open and accepting and was not clear on their stance on LGTBQ issues until it was "too late" in some cases. Someone in the documentary even says "what did you expect?" after they explain Hillsong's actual stance. And about the pedophilia, if all you have to say in response to the church's ingrained systems of hypocritical concealing of truth and bribery (while condemning other people's "sins" and preventing them from being in ministry) is that the documentary condemns pedophilia while the secular world is endorsing pedophilia, you are totally missing the point.
Great review. I’ve watched three out of the four episodes. I also watched the documentary Hillsong on Netflix and after watching it came to the conclusion that Hillsong was a cult. I am interested in the last episode of this series and what it has to say. The creators and journalists don’t seem to have any Christian upbringing so at times it’s blatantly clear you can see their agenda Race and homosexuality. Your points on race and leadership within the overall organization is a valid and important point. I think I have an interesting perspective as I attended a church that was tiny dying church until the new young (36 year old pastor) comes with about 100 people. Our church grew so quickly that those in leadership were often exhausted. The paid staff was small and many volunteers did the majority of the work. I got the feeling that the mother daughter duo felt that the daughter should have been hired on staff. They never mention her background, education or qualifications. NY city is a very deserve community and truly Carl Lentz and I think it was Brian Houston’s son were educated in Australia. Like many businesses and churches those in leadership are often friends because your scrambling just to get everything done. I think Carl speaking up and saying all lives matter is important. You can not go in and fire your staff just to be diverse. I don’t know the area for which this church is located in NY city, so I have no idea what the ethnic mix is. Not to be forgotten is the mother clearly felt close to Carl as she was referred to as Momma within the church. Sad they let movement outside of their church family drive them away. The gay worship singer had been brought up in a Christian church. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to him that Brian Houston is taking a Biblical stance on homosexuality. It his organization and he does own it. (Hillsong is not a non profit but and LLC) in a church that size I’d imagine that this guy would be accountable to the senior worship pastor. My bet from attending four different mega churches in Southern California, is that guy might not have been any more than an acquaintance of Carl’s. I would say, the lesson here is the result of growing pains of a mega church. Also that whoever was in charge of the worship team didn’t clearly understand the Biblical doctrine on homosexuality and that the denominations stance on it. I would say, that this time Brian Houston did the Biblical thing. I’m still not convinced that Hillsong isn’t a cult or at the very least that Brian Houston isn’t a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Carl comes across as vain immature guy. I do hope through this all he grows in maturity as a man and a Christian.
The editing is too jagged to allowed continued watching. ...And suddenly zooming in/zooming out isn't comfortable. Suggest getting more talented video-editing staff---and losing the tacky 'swoop' sound effects during the jarring edits/zoom ins & outs.
Its the likes of a person similar to Carl Lentz that as made me leave Christianity . I got involved with A two timing Bible thumping creep . I left him and left the church . Totally gone and not coming back . I am so hurt
I'm sorry for what you had to endure. At the end of the day we should have the faith that Jesus will come back, respectively of what church we go or don't go to. God bless you!
spmoran4703 I'm sorry for your experience and that this person portrayed himself as a Christian but in reality was a wolf in sheep's clothing. But I pose this question to you. If you were a Christian at the time of that relationship, what does what happened to you have to do with Jesus?
A lot of this is a quite reasonable take. However, I think it’s important to note that conflating LGBTQ ideology with condoning pedophilia is both dangerous and misleading. You can say that you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, but it’s another thing to say that those people support pedophilia, creating public fear that isn’t based in truth.
The lack of black people was in the New York church. Not Australia. But thanks for ignoring that and pretending that lack of blank people in leadership in NYC was ok.
I appreciate what Lecrae had to say on the issue. Whatever happens, we've got to end up more in love with God and more on-board with being His Church.
A critique to your critique: in the documentary they clearly state that the issue was mainly that Hillsong presented itself as hip and open and accepting and was not clear on their stance on LGTBQ issues until it was "too late" in some cases. Someone in the documentary even says "what did you expect?" after they explain Hillsong's actual stance.
And about the pedophilia, if all you have to say in response to the church's ingrained systems of hypocritical concealing of truth and bribery (while condemning other people's "sins" and preventing them from being in ministry) is that the documentary condemns pedophilia while the secular world is endorsing pedophilia, you are totally missing the point.
Great review. I’ve watched three out of the four episodes. I also watched the documentary Hillsong on Netflix and after watching it came to the conclusion that Hillsong was a cult. I am interested in the last episode of this series and what it has to say. The creators and journalists don’t seem to have any Christian upbringing so at times it’s blatantly clear you can see their agenda Race and homosexuality. Your points on race and leadership within the overall organization is a valid and important point. I think I have an interesting perspective as I attended a church that was tiny dying church until the new young (36 year old pastor) comes with about 100 people. Our church grew so quickly that those in leadership were often exhausted. The paid staff was small and many volunteers did the majority of the work. I got the feeling that the mother daughter duo felt that the daughter should have been hired on staff. They never mention her background, education or qualifications. NY city is a very deserve community and truly Carl Lentz and I think it was Brian Houston’s son were educated in Australia. Like many businesses and churches those in leadership are often friends because your scrambling just to get everything done. I think Carl speaking up and saying all lives matter is important. You can not go in and fire your staff just to be diverse. I don’t know the area for which this church is located in NY city, so I have no idea what the ethnic mix is. Not to be forgotten is the mother clearly felt close to Carl as she was referred to as Momma within the church. Sad they let movement outside of their church family drive them away. The gay worship singer had been brought up in a Christian church. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to him that Brian Houston is taking a Biblical stance on homosexuality. It his organization and he does own it. (Hillsong is not a non profit but and LLC) in a church that size I’d imagine that this guy would be accountable to the senior worship pastor. My bet from attending four different mega churches in Southern California, is that guy might not have been any more than an acquaintance of Carl’s. I would say, the lesson here is the result of growing pains of a mega church. Also that whoever was in charge of the worship team didn’t clearly understand the Biblical doctrine on homosexuality and that the denominations stance on it. I would say, that this time Brian Houston did the Biblical thing. I’m still not convinced that Hillsong isn’t a cult or at the very least that Brian Houston isn’t a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Carl comes across as vain immature guy. I do hope through this all he grows in maturity as a man and a Christian.
The editing is too jagged to allowed continued watching. ...And suddenly zooming in/zooming out isn't comfortable.
Suggest getting more talented video-editing staff---and losing the tacky 'swoop' sound effects during the jarring edits/zoom ins & outs.
Yes they are international but the leadership issues was in NYC which has a large black population.
lol no tfffff it didn’t
This is such a balanced and fair critique - very well stated and explained.
Its the likes of a person similar to Carl Lentz that as made me leave Christianity . I got involved with A two timing Bible thumping creep . I left him and left the church . Totally gone and not coming back . I am so hurt
I'm really sorry for what you went through. A lot of "Christians" are, in fact, narcissists. And they're consistently admired by churchgoers.
I'm sorry for what you had to endure. At the end of the day we should have the faith that Jesus will come back, respectively of what church we go or don't go to.
God bless you!
spmoran4703 I'm sorry for your experience and that this person portrayed himself as a Christian but in reality was a wolf in sheep's clothing. But I pose this question to you. If you were a Christian at the time of that relationship, what does what happened to you have to do with Jesus?
A lot of this is a quite reasonable take. However, I think it’s important to note that conflating LGBTQ ideology with condoning pedophilia is both dangerous and misleading. You can say that you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, but it’s another thing to say that those people support pedophilia, creating public fear that isn’t based in truth.
Point taken, but you shouldn't be concerned with the criticisms of those who are engaging in the opposite of good faith.
Bla bla bla dude is done we need more time to heal JEMAL BRYANT was for given ❤he’s back at a mega church in Atlanta he had a baby while married
The lack of black people was in the New York church. Not Australia. But thanks for ignoring that and pretending that lack of blank people in leadership in NYC was ok.