A pair of Hillsong docuseries planned, examining the megachurch’s culture, the fall of Carl Lentz
New York City, USRNS The streaming channel Discovery+ has announced plans for a documentary series on Hillsong Church and its disgraced former pastor, Carl Lentz, according to a report this week from the entertainment news website Deadline. But Discovery+ is not the only production company with an eye on the controversy-laden megachurch and its trendily tattooed […]
Hillsong to “pause” operations at Dallas campus, citing leadership failures
RNS Brian Houston, co-founder of the global megachurch Hillsong, announced in an email on Saturday that the church’s leadership had decided to “pause all operations” at its Dallas, Texas, location. “Many factors, all amplified by the pandemic have resulted in the difficult decision,” Houston wrote in the email sent to Hillsong Dallas members and obtained […]
Brian Houston apologises for Hillsong NYC’s “failings”, promises whistleblower policy
RNS Brian Houston, the founder of Hillsong, apologised on Thursday for the leadership crisis at the global evangelical church’s New York outpost resulting from an adulterous affair carried on by its now former pastor, Carl Lentz. In a document that accompanied his letter of apology, Hillsong promised to institute sexual harassment training and a mechanism […]
Essay: Beyond $1,000 sneakers – Carl Lentz, hype priests and the cult of celebrity
In an article first published on Religion News Service, TYLER JONES, a pseudonym used by the founder of PreachersNSneakers, reflects on how some churches have adopted a celebrity-centric approach…
New pastors announced to replace Carl Lentz at Hillsong East Coast in US
RNS A new couple have been named to lead Hillsong East Coast, replacing the ousted former pastor Carl Lentz and his wife, Laura, according to an announcement by Hillsong founder, Brian Houston, during his sermon on Sunday. Chrishan and Danielle Jeyaratnam, currently pastors at the Hillsong campus in Perth, Australia, have been named to the top spots […]
Hillsong NYC probe closed, Brian Houston will name new pastors “in coming days”
RNS An outside investigation into Hillsong East Coast and its former pastor, Carl Lentz, has found “significant ways” the New York City megachurch “failed to reflect Hillsong global culture”, according to an announcement by Hillsong founder, Brian Houston, on Friday. “Every Hillsong location must honor our commitment to creating a caring and healthy environment for […]
Hillsong Dallas pastors, who helped start NYC location with Carl Lentz, resign
RNS The lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas church have resigned, adding to two months of transition and turmoil in the global megachurch. On Sunday, Reed Bogard announced his and his wife’s resignation in a prerecorded message that aired during the church’s streaming worship service. “The last 10 years of being in church planting mode has really taken […]
Hillsong founder Brian Houston announces investigation after NYC pastor Carl Lentz’s firing
New York City, USRNS Brian Houston, global senior pastor of the international Hillsong Church, announced Thursday that an independent investigator will review the “inner workings” of Hillsong’s New York City branch after the firing of its lead pastor, Carl Lentz, last week. “We need a solid foundation for a fresh start and new beginning,” Houston said in a […]
Celeb pastor Carl Lentz, ousted from Hillsong NYC, confesses he was “unfaithful” to his wife
New York City, USRNS In an Instagram post on Thursday, Carl Lentz, the lead pastor of Hillsong NYC, admitted to an extramarital affair, ending a day of speculation as to why he had been fired. On Wednesday, Hillsong founding pastor Brian Houston notified staff and members of Hillsong East Coast by email of Lentz’s termination. The email, which […]
“We’re all gonna get through this”: Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz on coronavirus diagnosis
RNS Hillsong Church NYC pastor Carl Lentz is urging people to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously after testing positive for COVID-19 himself. Lentz confirmed his diagnosis Tuesday to Religion News Service. He’d first announced it Monday night in an Instagram Live video that is no longer available. In this 23rd October, 2017, photo, Carl Lentz, a pastor […]