Monday, July 28, 2008

Hillsong's mental illness link is no surprise to me

When I was deep in the hell of the Year 12 HSC a fellow student at Carlingford High School invited me to a 'HSC Hype' study camp run by the Hillsong Church. I had no idea what I was in for.

But after what I experienced I couldn't possibly be surprised by today's media allegations the Hillsong Church's mental health arm 'Mercy Ministries' is little more than an amateur hour demon-exorcising clinic that leaves vulnerable mentally ill girls worse off than when they started.

Not after what I saw 13 years ago when I ended up with a hundred or so other 17-year-olds at a remote convention centre enduring, between sessions of study, a week of activities with a deep undercurrent of hard core Christianity.

A week that culminated in a late night 'conversion session' on the final evening.

We were all packed into a room and seated cross-legged on the floor. In strode Christine Caine, now a senior pastor at the outfit.

What followed was an exhausting two-hour marathon of fire and brimstone – a textbook example of extreme emotional manipulation.

At the end, when we were all pale and adrenalised, we were told to bow our heads. If we wanted to be saved, all we had to do was raise our hand.

We were told our thumping hearts was God knocking on our souls – a physiological response to stress dressed up as spiritual calling.

As meek hands were raised, we were whipped up further; "There's more, I know it, Jesus may never knock again!" We were kept like that for over ten minutes.

Then those who had raised their hands were removed from the room. The whole disgraceful episode led to the church being banned from advertising such camps at our school.

As you can probably imagine since then I've kept a pretty keen eye on the church and watched its stadium like churches mushroom out of the sprawling estate they own deep in McMansion country in Sydney's north west.

I've watched them spread their tentacles to the depressed suburbs of Waterloo and Redfern.

I've watched this organization, which pays no tax and files no financial documents with the ATO, grow in political influence.

Former PM John Howard opened their new convention centre in 2002, Peter Costello has addressed their conferences and federal politicians Senator Steve Fielding and Louise Markus are from amongst their flock.

I've wondered how much how much of the money they 'tithe' from their followers goes to 'charitable' projects like 'Mercy Ministries' and how much goes to bigger buildings, money making schemes like CD and TV sales around the world, and how much into senior pastors' pockets.

I've wondered how people can buy their steroid enhanced form of worship where talking in tongues, exorcising demons and going into trances of religious ecstasy are the norm.

How people can attend their church services, which more closely resemble rock concerts, and not see they are primarily designed to bamboozle the senses.

And I've wondered how people can tithe 10 percent of their income to a church whose boss, Brian Houston, said last year raked in $50 million.

Where growing the church both in wealth and it numbers matters above all else.

In fact I wondered enough to go to their services to see for myself.

When I arrived a young welcoming committee rep, Rani, met me. Together we watch and sing along to a band, seven attractive young singers and a thirty-person choir.

Those on stage, none of whom were older than 35, have their eyes closed and hands raised in religious rapture as the concert style lights sweep the room and smoke machines puff away.

Two huge screens overlay the song lyrics about "surrendering to Christ" with images of the action on stage and close ups on the audience from multiple camera operators.

One girl two seats down with her eyes closed keeps singing the songs long after they've finished, clearly in a trance.

After the music stopped, an older man hit the stage, telling us he'd just read a book about the leaning tower of Pisa – built in 1173 as the belltower of a nearby church.

He said no one could remember who designed or constructed it – but they could remember who paid for it, an old woman who'd left 60 gold coins for the purpose in her will.

The moral of his story was this woman was remembered 800 years later, and if we gave to Hillsong we could be remembered in 800 years as well.
We were directed to the tithe envelopes on our seats, where we could put the recommended 10 percent of our income. Conveniently, we could pay with cash, cheque or credit card.

We weren't really being asked, we were being told.

Next was a church news video presentation encouraging us to enrol in one of the many conferences, weekend retreats, or 'diplomas' in theology offered at Hillsong's religious school.

At the end there was a conversion session exactly the same as I encountered at the 'HSC Hype' study camp.

Right at the end, people who were sick identified themselves. Others crowded around them placing hands on any available piece of flesh and muttering and mumbling away to themselves, talking in tongues.

On the way out, I saw a large Polynesian man. I was told he was Brian Houston's bodyguard.

Rani informed me his presence was necessary as some people who don't agree with the church's teachings run up on stage during Brian's performances.

I was amazed at the positive energy the feeling of community was great – it's just a pity it costs so much.

I realised it's this rock concert-like show, full of literal smoke and mirrors, together with their other hocus-pocus that gets people in.

And if that's all they did, you could hardly complain, people should be able to believe whatever they want, however kooky.

But they really shouldn't have to pay for it. And the Church shouldn't really be trying to 'cure' mentally ill people with prayer and holy water. And they really shouldn't be targeting public school children to grow their church.

But at least after today's news everyone now knows how these people work. And no one in future, from governments down, can pretend to be surprised.

Hillsong United to Rock Stage at GMA's Sunday Evening of Worship

The traditional Sunday evening of worship at the historic Ryman Auditorium during Gospel Music Association Week this year will feature Hillsong United, along with the dynamic Hillsong Youth Pastor, Phil Dooley.

As Australia's #1 modern worship band, Hillsong United have exploded around the globe with their engaging passionate approach impacting thousands in live events and becoming a favourite source for new worship music.

The Sunday worship night at GMA Week, which will be hosted by Michael W Smith, is one of the first stops for Hillsong United on their North American tour, which will be accompanied by Starfield in Canada.

Hillsong United's Creative Director, Joel Houston, who is also one of United's worship leaders and songwriters, said, "We are really excited about coming back to North America and we're looking forward to taking songs, which have been specifically written to be sung corporately, to young people across the continent."

Over 3,000 gospel musicians and fans will gather in Nashville, Tennessee, in the US for the GMA Music Week 07' - to listen, invent, renew, and connect.

The convention kicks off 21 April, wrapping up on 25 April with the GMA Dove Awards - Christian music's biggest night of the year.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Things are Possible

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Things are Possible

Almighty God, my Redeemer,
my Hiding Place, my Safe Refugee,
no other name like Jesus,
no power can stand against You.

My feet are planted on this rock,
and I will not be shaken,
my hope it comes from You alone,
my Lord and my Salvation.

Your praise is always on my lips,
Your Word is living in my heart,
and I will praise You with a new song,
my soul will bless You Lord.
You fill my life with greater joy,
Yes, I delight myself in You,
and I will praise You with a new song,
my soul will bless You Lord.

When I am weak You make me strong,
when I'm poor, I know I'm rich,
for in the power of Your name.
All things are possible,
all things are possible,
all things are possible,
all things are possible!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Hillsong United Lyrics- Yours Is The Kingdom

Hillsong United Lyrics- Yours Is The Kingdom

Yours is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory forever is Yours
Heaven and earth bow down
In the wonder of Your Name
Heaven is open
Death is broken
And the glory forever is Yours
Nothing can overcome
The power of Your Name

King above kings
All the universe will sing
Everlasting God
You are wonderful
You are wonderful

And the shout of the earth
Will be Your praise
God forever
And the light unto all
Will be Your wonderful Name
For the glory Lord is Yours
God forever
All the glory Lord is Yours

Music in Ministry

Some years ago, music was treated with a certain amount of polite respect. It was used in church as a means of praising & worshipping God true, but not in the way it is used today. I was born into a Pentecostal family (praise the Lord). When I went to church as a lad, we'd have some choruses at the start, or rather, just before the start of the meeting proper, where we would clap and play tambourines. Once the meeting started it was hymns! I have no recollection whatsoever of hand raising, and dancing was 'of the devil', as was make up! But more surprisingly, I have no recollection of singing in the spirit, or singing in tongues etc. We had tongues in our church all right, often there would be a 'message' followed by an interpretation, but no singing in the spirit.

Looking back it's not really surprising. There was no such thing as anointing in association with music in those days. It just wasn't part of church thinking. The lady who played the piano would sight read (very well) the music from the hymn book and we'd sing, and at the end of the hymn we'd stop. There was no rolling on a bit as we do now a days. The only possible exception would be if some brave 'lady' would stand and sing the message in tongues instead of speaking it. But I don't think ladies were allowed to do that though, not without a hat anyway!

Things have changed somewhat since then. Now we have very dominant music, and certainly some singing in the spirit. We regard music as a valid ministry that must be anointed, well, praise the Lord I say. It's about time we got back to David's way of doing things, after all, he was chosen by God because of his heart, and David was a 'praiser'. He almost invented it! Well he didn't invent it, but he certainly gave it a higher profile, and made praise and music synonymous.

There is a scripture that says, I will rebuild the fallen tent of David, and it started sometime within the last few decades.

Can I make a point here? We have music in church, and we praise the Lord in church, but only when meetings are on. David wasn't having any of that! He set up praise teams to go at it 24 hours a day. Who cares if the people are there or not? God is worthy to be praised regardless of meeting times. Would we consider doing that today? Not a chance! Why? We don't have the mind set or heart of David (gulp!). And remember, David had a heart after God's heart. Sorry this is a bit in your face, but this is what God is telling me to write. The bible doesn't set any time limits on praising God, quite the opposite in fact, "from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised." Sneaky that, because the sun never really sets or rises. It's there all the time, somewhere.

Another point coming up! We couldn't realistically do what David did anyway, because we have to get up each morning and go to work, well some do. Here is another departure from scripture. In David's day, the musicians & singers were not given any other duties. Their job was to praise God, nothing else. Who paid their wages? The congregation did. Who bought their instruments, the congregation did. There is non of this 'only pay the pastor' rubbish in the Bible. Musicians, priests, and gate keepers were all provided for. They even had rooms in the Temple. That's how far we've come from the Bible. Getting people to give these days has become a work of art, sadly, by necessity. Tithes is one thing, but giving is something far greater.

What has this to do with music in ministry? I'm stating for the record, that the church is not providing the biblical foundation on which to base music as ministry. Whilst there has been an awakening in our thinking to music, there has not been an awakening to the person of the musician. David appointed a whole section of society to the task of ministering to the Lord with various kinds of music and singing. People were appointed to 'prophesy' ON their instruments, some of which were cymbals, (that should cheer up the drummers!). This is all biblical stuff. It's not an invention of the charismatics, or the Americans! It's not a 'cult' or of the devil. It's Bible. This is David's fallen tent. As you can see, there's a way to go before it's totally rebuilt, but a start has been made. Praise God.

Hillsong United Lrics-All The Heaven

Hillsong United Lrics-All The Heaven


Holy holy are You Lord
The whole earth is filled with Your glory
Let the nations rise to give
Honour and praise to Your name
Let Your face shine on us
And the world will know You live
All the heavens shout Your praise
Beautiful is our God
The universe will sing
Hallelujah to You our King

Monday, July 14, 2008

Supernatural: Hillsong Kids

"Supernatural" was recorded live before a crowd of 3,000 kids, and that fact flavors the tone of the whole album. There's a lively energy to it, and it's interesting to hear the way the leaders, kids themselves, urge the audience to "get up and dance now." I'll be honest: there were times when it was difficult for me to imagine kids responding to the deep worship conveyed by the music, but that could say more about my ignorance of kids' worship than it does about the album's fit. I certainly wouldn't put it past the dynamic ministry of Hillsong Church.

The album kicks off with the title track, its tight arrangements perfect to get kids ready to move and groove in the Lord. "Better Than Life" is a hand-clapper, with a powerful spoken-word prayer mid-track, again, setting a sincerely worshipful tone. By the time you reach the quietly prayerful "You're All I Need," you realize these young leaders are quite capable, showing that kids are more than ready to enter into worship on their own. To me, the songs with the simplest lyrics rang most true; a fresh "Jesus Loves Me," with its classic Biblical truths movingly presented, felt both truly kid-oriented and worship-driven. A few other tracks just came across as more adult-oriented to me (the upbeat "For Who You Are" and the slower-tempo, worshipful closing tracks). Again, that may just be my lack of experience in this field. But there are just as many songs that work quite well: the tribal beats of "Not Forgotten," the soulful, anthemic "Get It Started," and the funkified "Everyday." "Supernatural" certainly qualifies as an album that many adults could enjoy just as much as your kids, which is nice if you anticipate hours and hours hitting replay in the family van.

Companion resources include a "Supernatural" Songbook and a DVD that offers performance trax videos with audio options, four song episodes with discussion style monologues, documentaries, and more, all available on February 27.

Hillsong United Lyrics - Your Unfailing Love

Hillsong United Lyrics - Your Unfailing Love

verse 1
when the darkness fills my senses
when my blindness keeps me from your touch,
Jesus come

verse 2
When my burden keeps me doubting
when my memories take the place of you
Jesus come

bridge
And I'll follow you there
to the place where we meet
and I'll lay down my pride
as you search me again

Chorus
Your unfailing love, your unfailing love,
your unfailing love over me again
(repeat chorus)
(repeat the whole song through)

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Praises To The King

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Praises To The King


What a joy I feel to think about forever
I'm a child of God
with blessings from Heaven
By your side, days always brighter
The Holy one
My Master
My Father

I will dwell in your courts
I will sing for you
you're my deepest love
Jesus
I love you

It's a love song I sing
It's an anthem from my heart
All praises to the King

I am not alone
Jesus
You're near me
Washed me clean with hands full of mercy
You're a resting place for all who are weary
A perfect place
and a new beginning

Monday, July 7, 2008

Hillsong United Lyrics- Lift

Hillsong United Lyrics- Lift

Lift Your name up
To the highest place
I will praise You
I will praise You

Giving You
A sacrifice of praise
I will praise You
I will praise You

Right now
Right now
Right now

Lift your hands up
Lift your hands up
Lift your hands up
Everybody

Hillsong Church Emphasizes Justice as 26,000 Attend Annual Conference

Australia's most well known megachurch, Hillsong Church, began its annual five-day Hillsong conference on Monday, drawing together 26,000 Christians from all around the world.
Enlarge this Image
Hillsong Conference
(Photo: Hillsong Church)
The Watoto Children's Choir sings at the annual Hillsong Conference on July 2.

Though the church is most well known for its music ministry, the focus of this year's conference is on justice and what Christians can do to reduce the sufferings that plague the world.

There are 19 different denominations from 68 countries attending the conference, and a major issue to be dealt with by all of them is AIDS and poverty in Africa, according to opening remarks by Gary Skinner, leader of Kampala Pentecostal Church and founder of Watoto Child Care Ministries.

"The world is on an accumulation binge," explained the Ugandan pastor to the large crowd, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. "God is not a grabber; He is a giver."

A main goal for the conference is to also dispel the criticisms that have surrounded the Hillsong Church in regard to humanitarian and social issues. Many leaders have argued that the church is too focused on the prosperity gospel and only personal enlightenment rather than aiding others. They have said that the church's focus is too outward and heavily founded only on music without substance as well.

According to Hillsong pastor Brian Houston, the church has always been concerned for justice and the well-being of everyone.

"God tells us that standing against injustice and speaking up for the disenfranchised is the responsibility of every Christian," said Houston at the event.

As an immediate gesture of action, the Hillsong community awarded a check worth $700,000 to Skinner. With it, he will be able to build a village in Gulu in northern Uganda to aid rescued child soldiers.

Despite the gathering's focus on world issues, the event organizers have shied away from making it political. For the second year, no invitations were sent to political leaders to attend. A scarce few are expected to attend for personal worship.

Typical of Hillsong Church, the night opened with a wave of praise. Hillsong's praise leader, Darlene Zschech, led an orchestra-sized ensemble to move the thousands in the audience at the Acer Arena, the location of this year's conference and a former auditorium built for the 2000 Olympic Games.

The conference is also expecting the attendance of a select few American ministry leaders including megachurch pastors Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House in Dallas and Ed Young, Jr of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, just north of Dallas/Forth Worth.

The conference will run until Friday.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All of my days

Hillsong United Lyrics-All of my days


Proclaim Your awesome power
Tell of mighty deeds
Declare Your future kingdom
Of everlasting peace

And my eyes they look unto You always
And I am captured by Your Majesty

All of my days
I will sing of Your greatness
All of my days
I will speak of Your grace
All of my days
I will tell of Your wonderous love
Your love in my life
Your love

All Your works will praise You
Your children bless Your name
We speak of all Your goodness
We walk in fields of grace

You Like Bargains?