Hillsong co-founder Brian Houston charged over alleged concealment of child sex offences
Last updated: 7am, 6th August, 2021 (AEST) Hillsong co-founder Brian Houston has been charged over the alleged concealment of information about child sexual abuse offences. Police in the Australian state of New South Wales said in a statement that officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command in Sydney commenced an investigation in 2019 into […]
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 […]
Soundbite – The TCM Update: Songs that have defined Christian music over the past 40 years
Hillsong Young & Free in 2017. Listen to this week’s TCM Update…
In the US, another Hillsong East Coast pastor resigns, this time over revealing Instagram selfies
New York City, USRNS A pastor for Hillsong East Coast has resigned after sharing revealing photos of himself on Instagram stories. His resignation comes at a time when the global megachurch has been rocked by multiple scandals, including last fall’s firing of “celebrity pastor” Carl Lentz from Hillsong New York City after revelations of an extramarital affair. […]
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 […]
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 […]