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Hillsong Church

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Hillsong Church
File:Hillsong logo.png
Map
Address1-5 Solent Circuit
Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
(hills campus)
188 Young Street
Waterloo NSW 2017
(city campus)
Country Australia
DenominationAustralian Christian Churches (Pentecostal)
Websitehillsong.com
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Brian and Bobbie Houston

Hillsong Church (formerly Hills Christian Life Centre) is a Pentecostal Christian church affiliated with Australian Christian Churches, the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God denomination. The church is located in Sydney, Australia, headquartered at its "Hills" campus in Baulkham Hills' Norwest Business Park in the Hills District. It also has a congregation designated the "City" campus which is located in Waterloo, near Sydney's central business district. The church is led by Senior Pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston, who started the church in Baulkham Hills in 1983, later to merge with a church in the city to form Hillsong Church.

Apart from the two main campuses, Hillsong Church currently has 14 extension services across Sydney. These extension services are based on either location or culture and rely on Hillsong Church for support and leadership. Hillsong Church's international offshoots include Hillsong Church London, in the United Kingdom, Hillsong Church Kiev in Ukraine, Hillsong Church Cape Town in South Africa. These churches also have services in Paris, Berlin and Moscow.

Hillsong Church has grown in both size and influence over the years.[vague] Hillsong Music has topped Australian charts, with albums achieving gold and platinum sales status. Hillsong has made its mark internationally with many travelling to Sydney for the annual Hillsong Conference, which attracts over 26,000 people, as well as the sales of albums and teaching and the international reputation of its leadership. The Hillsong Television program is seen in over 160 countries and Hillsong International Leadership College is attended by over 900 students from many different countries. Hillsong Church currently claims that it is attended by over 20,000 people each week.[1]

History

Brian and Bobbie Houston moved from New Zealand in 1978 and joined Sydney Christian Life Centre at Darlinghurst, pastored by Brian's father Frank Houston.[citation needed] They started Hillsong Church, which was then known as "Hills Christian Life Centre", in August 1983 with an initial congregation of 45.[1] Within four years it had grown to 900 people. In 1990, the church moved from "the warehouse" to hold services at the Hills Centre. In 1986, an annual conference was developed and called Hillsong Conference, which was created to teach and train Christians from around Australia and from all over the world.[citation needed]

Early Hills Christian Life Centre logo.

In the early 1990s, praise and worship recordings from Hills Christian Life Centre were released in Australia and internationally under the name "Hillsong". This raised the profile of the church. This name is also used for a television show featuring clips from the videos of the recordings and a message from Brian Houston. In 1997, the church moved into its new building at Baulkham Hills' Norwest Business Park.

In the late 1990s the church realised that the name "Hillsong" was more well-known than "Hills Christian Life Centre" due to the branding of its recordings. The church was renamed "Hillsong Church" in 1999, about the time its mother church, Sydney CLC, was merged into Hillsong Church.[2]

After further consistent growth, a new 3,500 seat convention centre at the church's "Hills" campus was opened on October 19, 2002, by John Howard, the then Prime Minister of Australia. Due to the rapid growth of the "City" campus, the church recently announced its intentions to develop a significant area of land on Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery into the new "City" campus.[citation needed]

Offshoots and extension services

In the 1990s, Kiev Christian life Centre, now Hillsong Kiev, and London Christian Life Centre, now Hillsong London, were planted from the Hillsong Church as independent churches. When Hills Christian Life Centre changed it name to Hillsong Church, the international churches did too. While these churches are a part of Hillsong Church, they are fully independent unlike extension services. Hillsong London have planted extension services in Surrey and in Paris. There is also a "connect group" meeting in Berlin every Thursday. In March 2007, Hillsong Kiev planted an offshoot church in Moscow, which started regular services in July 2007.[3] It was announced in October 2007 that Phil and Lucinda Dooley would plant a Hillsong Church in South Africa in March 2008.

As Hillsong Church has grown, other churches have joined the church and new churches established as extension services. Extension services are also held for cultural groups in other languages. These extension services are run by a team of people but look to Hillsong Church for leadership and support and join the vision of the church. There are currently 15 extension services across Sydney, many of which join with the "Hills" and "City" congregations for Sunday night services. In early 2007, Macarthur Christian Life Centre in Campbelltown became the 14th extension service. As the church is large and geographically more distant from the main campuses, it is planned to become the third main campus. In September 2007, Brian Houston's son Ben planted the 15th extension service in Mona Vale, known as the Northern Beaches service.

File:100 2235 1.JPG
Hillsong Convention Centre, Baulkham Hills
Inside Hillsong Church

Ministries

Hillsong Church runs many different ministries in addition to weekend services and events. Hillsong, like other churches, runs a small group structure named "connect groups". Groups of approximately 10-20 people meet on a fortnightly basis across Sydney. The main ministries of Hillsong Church include:

Hillsong Kids

Hillsong Kids is the children's ministry of Hillsong Church. Hillsong Church provide a children's program for all weekend services and for Hillsongwomen. Hillsong Kids is divided into five age groups for each weekend service, they are:

  • Cubby House (12 months and walking to 2 year olds)
  • The Ark (Preschoolers; 3 to 5 year olds)
  • Fun House (Kindergarten to year 1)
  • All Stars (Years 2 to 4)
  • Voltage (Years 5 and 6)

Hillsong Kids run Children's programs during major conferences and events. During Hillsong Conference there is "Kidsong" and during Colour Your World Women's Conference there is "Colour Kids". Hillsong Kids have adopted two mascots, Max and Melody. The popularity of Hillsong Music has allowed Hillsong Kids to release four albums to date; Jesus Is My Superhero (2004), Super Strong God (2005), Supernatural (2006) and Tell the World (2007).

Hillsong United

Main article: Hillsong United

Hillsong United is the Youth Ministry of Hillsong Church. Hillsong United is made up of four different age groups that combine regularly for "United" nights at both the Hills and City campuses. The four age groups are:

  • Fuel (Years 7 to 9)
  • Wildlife (Years 10 to 12)
  • Powerhouse (18 to 25 year olds)
  • Frontline (25 to 35 year olds)

Hillsongwomen

Hillsong Church runs a meeting for women entitled Hillsongwomen. The service, hosted by Bobbie Houston, is for women of all ages. Hillsongwomen is run on Thursdays at the Hills campus and City campus. Hillsongwomen initiated the annual Colour Your World Women's Conference, which has become the national Assemblies of God women's conference and brings together women from all denominations across the world.

Hillsong City Care

Hillsong City Care (formerly Hillsong Emerge) is a non-profit organisation that aims to bring social justice to the people of Sydney. Overseeing Hillsong City Care is Hillsong Church executive pastor Donna Crouch. Hillsong City Care was established in 1989, and reaches people centres, courses and visits. Around Sydney there are many Hillsong City Care Centres and Hillsong Health Centres. These centres are places that people can go to for help, support and also counselling. Hillsong Youth Services and Hillsong Children's Services conduct a range of community based programs and services to encourage and empower young people and children. Hillsong City Care run several courses through the LIFE (Living in Freedom and Excellence) and SAFE (Sexual Abuse, Freedom and Education) programs that aim to help and educate people.

Conferences

Hillsong Church holds three conferences annually, these are:

Hillsong Conference

Main article: Hillsong Conference

Hillsong Conference is an annual conference designed to strengthen the local church and is attended by many from various countries and denominations. The first conference was held in 1986 and has grown from 150 to 30,000 delegates in its two decade history. The conference features the Hillsong Church team as well as prominent international guests. It is usually held during the first week of July at the Acer Arena in Sydney Olympic Park.

Colour Your World Women's Conference

Main article: Colour Your World Women's Conference

Colour Your World Women's Conference (also known as Colour Conference) is an annual women's conference aimed to empower women. The conference was started in 1997 by Bobbie Houston, who hosts each conference, including the one in London and Kiev. As it is stated in their promotional website:

"Colour Your World women's conference exists to place value upon womanhood. For 12 years we have seen multiplied thousands of women impacted, but the journey has only just begun. As this conference comes of age and we enter a whole new era, IMAGINE what one company of women, united and devoted, could accomplish."

Hillsong Men's Conference

Hillsong Men's Conference was first held in 2002 and is hosted by Brian Houston at the Hillsong Convention Centre in Baulkham Hills.

Hillsong International Leadership College

Main article: Hillsong International Leadership College

Hillsong International Leadership College is committed to raising, training and equipping a leadership generation in accordance with the mandate of Hillsong Church.

"To reach and influence the world by building a large Bible-based church, changing mindsets and empowering people to lead and impact in every sphere of life."

Under the banner of Hillsong Church, the training offered by Hillsong International Leadership College is bearing global influence upon the wider body of the church through leadership training, contemporary praise and worship and specialised Youth, Children's and Media ministries.

Since January 2006, Hillsong International Leadership College, in association with Southern Cross College has offered a SCD Bachelor of Theology (with a major in Pastoral Theology). The Sydney College of Divinity Bachelor of Theology is recognised by major Australian educational institutions.

2008 Live album, This Is Our God
2008 United album, The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One

Music

Main articles: Hillsong Music, Hillsong musicians, List of Hillsong albums, and List of Hillsong songs

Hillsong's music has become internationally well-known amongst Christian groups.[4] Songs such as "Power of Your Love" by Geoff Bullock and "Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech have become popular and are sung in churches worldwide.[5] Originally published as "Hillsongs", Hillsong Church now produces its music through its own label Hillsong Music Australia. Hillsong Music has released over 40 albums since 1992, many of them achieving gold status in Australia, and one of them, People Just Like Us achieving platinum status.[6][7] The church's 2004 live praise and worship album (featuring many members of the Hillsong United Team), For All You've Done, reached #1 in the mainstream Australian album charts (ARIA) when many copies were sold during Hillsong's annual conference.[8]

Since the inception of the annual live praise and worship album in 1992, Hillsong has branched out and released other albums including the worship series, Hillsong United, worship for kids, Christmas albums and compilation albums. The worship series began as a compilation of songs and developed into a studio recorded albums. The Hillsong United series, lead by Joel Houston and the Hillsong United band, contains songs from the Hillsong United youth ministry. Hillsong Kids have released an annual worship for kids album since 2004. Hillsong music have released two Christmas albums, several compilation albums as well as recordings from Hillsong London, Hillsong Kiev and Youth Alive NSW.

Political influence

Hillsong Church has attracted support from high profile politicians, especially from the conservative Liberal Party of Australia. In 2002, the then Prime Minister, John Howard, opened its Baulkham Hills campus. In 2004 and 2005, the then Treasurer of Australia, Peter Costello, spoke at its annual conferences. Mark Latham, the former Leader of the Opposition, declined Hillsong's invitation to the 2004 conference,[9] although Bob Carr, the then Premier of New South Wales, (from the Australian Labor Party), did attend the 2005 conference.

The former New South Wales Liberal Party state director, Scott Morrison (to November 2004), is a prominent member of Hillsong Church.

The church also attracts a large number of aspirational voters from seats in the west of Sydney such as Mitchell (where the church is located), Lindsay, Macquarie and Greenway. Louise Markus who ran the Hillsong Emerge Ltd, the church's drug and alcohol outreach service in Blacktown, was preselected as the Liberal Party candidate for Greenway in the 2004 federal election and was elected to the House of Representatives. Labor had held the seat since it was proclaimed in 1984 until she beat the ALP candidate Ed Husic, as well as twelve other candidates, with a two party preferred swing of 3.7%.

Since the election, accusations have been made in the NSW State Parliament that Mrs Markus's campaign had exploited the Muslim background of her chief opponent,[10][11] Liberal MP for Mitchell, Alan Cadman, and two Family First Party Senate candidates, Joan Woods and Ivan Herald, who failed to win Senate seats, were featured in a Hillsong circular during the election, with members being asked to pray for them.[citation needed] Publicly, however, the church has distanced itself from advocating certain political groups and parties, including the fledgling Family First party:

One thing we are not is a political movement ... The Assemblies of God in Australia does not have a political vision and we don't have a political agenda. I think people need to understand the difference between the church being very involved in politics and individual Christians being involved in politics. There is a big difference. (Brian Houston)[12]

Beliefs and teachings

Hillsong's beliefs and standards belong to mainstream Pentecostalism. Brian Houston has described himself positively as a fundamentalist,[13], and holds conservative views on creation and abortion.[14] Hillsong's teachings have been commented on favourably by Peter Costello (Baptist and former Treasurer of Australia), who has defended the church against accusations of unorthodoxy.[15] Hillsong's stand on topical issues in contemporary Christianity is conservative, teaching that homosexuality is unnatural.[16][17] Hillsong teaches that depression is 'a supernatural spirit straight from the devil',[18] and is said by ex-member Tanya Levin to teach that psychotic symptoms are "evidence of demons"[19] However, a recent change of Hillsong's position on divorce represents a departure from Fundamentalist teaching.[20] Church governance is strictly controlled, with leadership positions made by appointment rather than congregational vote.[21]

Criticism

Some journalists and religious leaders have expressed concerns about the church's political stance and use of donated funds for its ministries.[22]

The church's theology has also been disputed by non-Pentecostals. Prosperity teachings have also been criticised by prominent Baptist minister Tim Costello[23] and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.[24] Then in 2005, Tim Costello changed his opinion of Hillsong saying: "I'm actually very positive about their music, their attraction of young people, and I pay Pastor Brian Houston credit for recognising that to link a belief in Jesus to financial gain was a distortion of the gospel". [25] On 7 July 2008, Tim Costello gave the official opening address at the 2008 Hillsong Conference at Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.[26]

Hillsong has also been at the centre of a controversy over a Federal Government grant given to the church to assist indigenous communities, as a significant amount of the grant was used to pay wages of staff that were members of the church. [27]

A former Hillsong member, Tanya Levin, wrote an expose titled People in Glass Houses: an insider's story of a life in and out of Hillsong. The book was initially canned by Allen & Unwin in early 2007 because the publishers felt Hillsong presented a risk of suing for defamation.[28]

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 4 August 2007, describes how Tanya Levin, two years into writing People in Glass Houses, was walked off the church property by a security guard under the direction of Hillsong management. According to Levin, "There is no debate within Hillsong. That's fundamentalism. It's not open to free thought and question, not at all."[29]

Members of the church have also been implicated in attempting to influence the Australian Idol contest.[30][31][32] However, upon further investigation, these claims were retracted as it was found that the contestants were in fact gospel singers who regularly perform at their own church and were not necessarily "members" of Hillsong[citation needed].

There have also been comments about Hillsong's unofficial but close triangular relationships with Gloria Jean's Coffees (who has coffee outlets at the Hills campus, and a training centre next door)[33] and Mercy Ministries, an allegedly pro-life and anti-gay charity that aims to help young women who are pregnant, have drug issues or eating disorders,[34][35], particularly in light of accusations made on The Sydney Morning Herald over its provision of inappropriate treatment for women in its programs.[36]

In July 2008 concerns were raised by some teachers, parents and experts about the Hillsong CityCare 'Shine' program for girls being run in NSW public schools, community groups and the juvenile justice system. The concerns include that the program is "inappropriate for troubled young women, that the under-qualified facilitators are reinforcing gender stereotypes and that some parents have not been properly informed", and that "the program encourages girls to be subservient by teaching them that they need to be attractive to men". Hillsong claims that parents are supportive and that the program breaks down barriers in a group situation.[37][38]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Story So Far". Hillsong Church website. Hillsong Church. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  2. ^ Andrew Clark (2004-08-11). "Interview with HILLSONG Founder Brian Houston". Christian Today. Christian Today Limited. Retrieved 2006-06-30.
  3. ^ "Kyiv Evangelicals Open Hillsong Moscow Church". Religious Information Service of Ukraine. 2007-07-24. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  4. ^ Integrity Music
  5. ^ Hillsong Kids Go 'Supernatural' | Christianpost.com
  6. ^ Hillsong Launches 20th Conference, New Album | Christianpost.com
  7. ^ mosaiksound.de // Bands Events Musik und mehr
  8. ^ "Australian Recording Artists Make ARIA Chart History" (Press release). Australian Recording Industry Association. 2004-08-03. Retrieved 2006-06-21. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Gerard Henderson (2004-10-19). "Mock Christians at your peril, lefties". Sydney Morning Herald. John Fairfax Holdings. Retrieved 2006-06-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ the Hon. Eric Roozendaal, Extract from Transcript of Hansard: Religious Freedom (Article No.43), page 12087, NSW Legislative Council Hansard, 27 October 2004
  11. ^ The Hon. David Clarke, Extract from Transcript of Hansard: Religious Freedom (Article No.38), NSW Legislative Council Hansard, 10:28pm, 10 November 2004
  12. ^ Linda Morris (2005-05-04). "Church expands horizons". Sydney Morning Herald. John Fairfax Holdings. Retrieved 2006-06-27.
  13. ^ "I believe in creation. I guess you would call me a fundamentalist in the sense that I believe that world view, for me, comes out of my belief in God, belief in his Word." Television interview on Channel 9's 'Sunday' program, 'Hillsong: Songs of praise — and politics'
  14. ^ 'He would like to see creationism taught in schools and abortion banned', Sydney Morning Herald, 'The lord's profits', January 30, 2003
  15. ^ Lateline interview, 'Costello addresses Hillsong congregation', broadcast 04/07/2005
  16. ^ 'Homosexuals are, of course, unwelcome, but Houston says he's not a Fred Nile-type fanatic on these matters', Sydney Morning Herald, 'The lord's profits', January 30, 2003
  17. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 'God's cure for gays lost in sin', March 19, 2008
  18. ^ 'His clinical depression was seen by the church as a sign of faltering faith. "I knew there was nothing wrong with my faith, and yet I was told: 'You are not believing in Jesus enough.'" The Hillsong website backs up Grant's claim. "Depression," it declares, "is a supernatural spirit straight from the devil."', 'The High Cost Of Faith', News Limited, Australia/April 29, 2006
  19. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 'Why Mercy Ministries was godsent for Hillsong', March 18, 2008
  20. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 'Hillsong to vote on new grounds for divorce', April 23, 2007
  21. ^ 'The general manager, Brian Aghajanian (also an elder), says the elders are nominated "by Brian or the other elders". No elections? "No, we feel that people might stand who don't have a great understanding of the way the church works or have the same vision we have for the church," Aghajanian says', Sydney Morning Herald, 'The lord's profits', January 30, 2003
  22. ^ Greg Bearup (2005-02-18). "Praise the Lord and pass the chequebook". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2006-06-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Stephen McDonell (2004-07-09). "Evangelist Christian vote wanted". Lateline. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2006-12-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Hillsong's true believers". Sydney Morning Herald. John Fairfax Holdings. 2004-11-07. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Costello's Hillsong, The Age, 2005-07-06
    http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/07/05/1120329450900.html
  26. ^ Tim Costello helps open annual Hillsong Conference, Australian Christian Channel, 2008-07-08
    http://www.time4eternity.com/articledetail.asp?id=6083
  27. ^ "Hillsong Dumped". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  28. ^ The Bulletin publishes for the last time
  29. ^ David Marr (2007-08-04). "Hillsong - the church with no answers". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2007-08-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ "Australian Idol rocked by Hillsong vote-stacking claims". {{cite news}}: Text "date2007-10-05" ignored (help)
  31. ^ Jane Nethercote. "Australian Idol: Where are the singing Buddhists?". Retrieved 2007-10-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  32. ^ Garth Montgomery. "Idol fans angry at vote bloc". Retrieved 2007-10-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  33. ^ Gloria be, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2004-07-04
    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/03/1093939141357.html
  34. ^ Megachurchwatch: Gloria Jean's Coffees partnership with Mercy Ministries
  35. ^ Borders passes the hat for anti-gay, pro-life charity
  36. ^ "They Sought Help but Got Exorcism and the Bible". Sydney Morning Herald. 2008-03-17. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ 'Hillsong hits schools with beauty gospel', Paul Bibby , The Sydney Morning Herald 2008-07-26
    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/07/25/1216492732905.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
  38. ^ 'Hillsong's school grooming talks 'help girls', abc.net.au 2008-07-28
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/28/2316580.htm


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