The night was riveting, as the stadium filled with thousands of voices, eyes raised heavenward, and created an expectancy that welcomed the very presence of God.
"We come together and we say, 'This is who we are, God. We need You, we love You, and we're going to give everything to You' It's actually about the church coming together and singing with One Voice, One Passion, One Heart, giving all our praise to God," said Joel Houston, Hillsong Creative Director.
A number of new songwriters, worship leaders and musicians joined Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Darlene Zschech and Marty Sampson on the platform, capturing the sound of a new generation, and entering into a new season of worship and song.
"It's about a generation expressing their worship; expressing their heart for worship in the action of love toward God, toward the world we live in, and the people who inhabit it. It's not about highlighting the darkness; it's about becoming the light that diminishes the darkness. It's the gospel and we're all in this together," Joel said.
It was a night of faith, as Michael Gugliemucci, who has battled his own health crisis against cancer for two years, walked confidently on stage, oxygen tank in hand, and boldly sung the words to his song 'Healer'.
The evening culminated with a loud and victorious version of Joel Houston's new song 'With Everything'. As the band turned to walk off stage the crowd seemed to bask in the moment. With little accompaniment from the band, they broke into spontaneous song as they worshipped God for several minutes.
The new album titled This is Our God, the 17th live praise and worship album, will be released on July 7th, coinciding with the annual Hillsong Conference held at the Acer Arena.
In addition, the weekend marked the release of Part 1 of the much anticipated 'The I Heart Revolution' project – With Hearts As One, from Hillsong United. For more information about the new album or The I Heart Project, please visit www.hillsong.com/music.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Australian worship group Hillsong United to play Grace Church
EDEN PRAIRIE — Australia's most popular worship band, Hillsong United, sprouted a decade ago from Hillsong Church's youth ministry. Drawing from a talented pool of youth and worship leaders, the Hillsong United band began recording live worship experiences in 1999 as a way to document what was happening in the ministry.
"A lot of the worship that has come from Hillsong over the years was birthed out of the youth ministry—songs like 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul,' 'My Redeemer,' 'I Give You My Heart' and many others emerged from our youth camps or services," Houston says. "The reason we first recorded a United album in 1999 was simply that there was an overflow of songs being written by the youth and were particularly youth-focused."
Since that time, the group has released seven live CDs and become one of the most popular worship bands in the world. Set to release their eighth CD and first-ever studio album, "All of the Above," in May, Hillsong United will perform at Grace Church in Eden Prairie May 29.
The overall United worship team at Hillsong Church involves about 200 young people including: musicians, vocalists, production specialists, artists, designers and media coordinators. The worship leaders who appear on Hillsong United CDs direct and disciple the youth-led worship teams of various ages.
Taking time away from their home church in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong United will play before an estimated 150,000 people between April and August. The band was also invited to lead the Sunday night worship service on April 22 hosted by Michael W. Smith during GMA Music Week in Nashville.
"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," said Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director and one of the lead worship leaders and songwriters. "With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His cause—lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."
Although it is the group's first studio album, the songs from "All of the Above" originated in the church's youth ministry.
"The response from our church to these songs tells us they are cross-generational. Our church loves them because they love worshipping Him," Houston said.
Hillsong United is also releasing a DVD project in 2008 called "The I Heart Revolution" in order to highlight what they have experienced on the road.
"'The I Heart Revolution' is in its early stages but as we traveled all around the world in the last 12 months … it became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," Houston said. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened. We captured this on tape and are pulling together a documentary that will share with the world what we had the privilege of seeing and being part of."
"A lot of the worship that has come from Hillsong over the years was birthed out of the youth ministry—songs like 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul,' 'My Redeemer,' 'I Give You My Heart' and many others emerged from our youth camps or services," Houston says. "The reason we first recorded a United album in 1999 was simply that there was an overflow of songs being written by the youth and were particularly youth-focused."
Since that time, the group has released seven live CDs and become one of the most popular worship bands in the world. Set to release their eighth CD and first-ever studio album, "All of the Above," in May, Hillsong United will perform at Grace Church in Eden Prairie May 29.
The overall United worship team at Hillsong Church involves about 200 young people including: musicians, vocalists, production specialists, artists, designers and media coordinators. The worship leaders who appear on Hillsong United CDs direct and disciple the youth-led worship teams of various ages.
Taking time away from their home church in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong United will play before an estimated 150,000 people between April and August. The band was also invited to lead the Sunday night worship service on April 22 hosted by Michael W. Smith during GMA Music Week in Nashville.
"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," said Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director and one of the lead worship leaders and songwriters. "With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His cause—lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."
Although it is the group's first studio album, the songs from "All of the Above" originated in the church's youth ministry.
"The response from our church to these songs tells us they are cross-generational. Our church loves them because they love worshipping Him," Houston said.
Hillsong United is also releasing a DVD project in 2008 called "The I Heart Revolution" in order to highlight what they have experienced on the road.
"'The I Heart Revolution' is in its early stages but as we traveled all around the world in the last 12 months … it became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," Houston said. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened. We captured this on tape and are pulling together a documentary that will share with the world what we had the privilege of seeing and being part of."
Hillsong United Lyrics-At The Cross
Hillsong United Lyrics-At The Cross
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was she'd for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was she'd for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A Kingdom Artist
was watching clips of the new album- Savior King from Hillsong Church Australia. They have great singers and musicians - so it takes something special to stop me cold. I hear a few tracks by this girl -' Brook Fraser'. I was impressed and thanked the Lord for this new talent that we all get to enjoy. I wanted to know more... so I Googled her and found out that she has been signed to Sony BMG for 5 years, and just came out with her 2nd album ' Albertine'. This is not a promo or review of that album - which is very good by the way, but more about how she shatters the preconceived boxes we place ourselves into as Christian artists.
She is from New Zealand - that has a population of just over 4 million. That's smaller than Toronto, Canada - the city I live in. This year alone she was on tour with John Mayer, and Hillsong United... releasing her own album while recording worship albums with Hillsong United and now Hillsong Church. Hillsong Church has a major outreach in Rwanda which is cool - but Brooke went there and was impacted by the story of a girl named Albertine. She was challenged to write a song about Albertine - to highlight the plight of Rwanda - which is still recovering from the genocide. She has taken that message and crafted her album around it - in fact she says her life has been changed and her art put in perspective as a result of the trips she has made to Rawanda.
The song that was number #1 for Brooke in New Zealand was called ' Arithmetic... read the lyrics (below) and you'll know who she is speaking of. And before we judge her for not being more obvious... imagine how many times she gets asked on TV who she is talking about.
The point I want to make is this... you can be a major label artist... in the world... and be a visible and vocal worship leader... tour with the best in the world and church... and not compromise. Beautiful art is ...beautiful art... honesty and sincerity and of course God's calling and purpose will open doors you thought were closed...
She is from New Zealand - that has a population of just over 4 million. That's smaller than Toronto, Canada - the city I live in. This year alone she was on tour with John Mayer, and Hillsong United... releasing her own album while recording worship albums with Hillsong United and now Hillsong Church. Hillsong Church has a major outreach in Rwanda which is cool - but Brooke went there and was impacted by the story of a girl named Albertine. She was challenged to write a song about Albertine - to highlight the plight of Rwanda - which is still recovering from the genocide. She has taken that message and crafted her album around it - in fact she says her life has been changed and her art put in perspective as a result of the trips she has made to Rawanda.
The song that was number #1 for Brooke in New Zealand was called ' Arithmetic... read the lyrics (below) and you'll know who she is speaking of. And before we judge her for not being more obvious... imagine how many times she gets asked on TV who she is talking about.
The point I want to make is this... you can be a major label artist... in the world... and be a visible and vocal worship leader... tour with the best in the world and church... and not compromise. Beautiful art is ...beautiful art... honesty and sincerity and of course God's calling and purpose will open doors you thought were closed...
Hillsong Team Releases New Live Worship Album
Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong team are back with their latest annual live worship album, Saviour King, which is now available on CD and DVD.
The album was recorded on 18 March 2007 at the Acer Arena, Sydney's largest indoor stadium, in front of 13,000 worshippers.
Hillsong say of the new album, "The new songs included on this album are exactly that – songs with life, energy and, ultimately, heartfelt adoration for our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The title track Saviour King has become an anthem in Hillsong Church of late, and was sung at both the opening and the close of the evening. Our prayer is that you would be inspired to worship in spirit and truth as the power of our incredible God is declared through the beautiful songs on this latest Hillsong LIVE album."
In other news, Hillsong United, the youth-centred worship ministry of Hillsong, debuted in the No. 1 slot of America's Billboard's Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart with their eighth career album, All of the Above.
With more than 10,000 discs sold, this is the first time Hillsong United tops the tally in its decade-plus distribution in the United States.
Hillsong was founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston in 1983, and now has over 20,000 worshippers attending any given weekend.
The album was recorded on 18 March 2007 at the Acer Arena, Sydney's largest indoor stadium, in front of 13,000 worshippers.
Hillsong say of the new album, "The new songs included on this album are exactly that – songs with life, energy and, ultimately, heartfelt adoration for our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The title track Saviour King has become an anthem in Hillsong Church of late, and was sung at both the opening and the close of the evening. Our prayer is that you would be inspired to worship in spirit and truth as the power of our incredible God is declared through the beautiful songs on this latest Hillsong LIVE album."
In other news, Hillsong United, the youth-centred worship ministry of Hillsong, debuted in the No. 1 slot of America's Billboard's Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart with their eighth career album, All of the Above.
With more than 10,000 discs sold, this is the first time Hillsong United tops the tally in its decade-plus distribution in the United States.
Hillsong was founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston in 1983, and now has over 20,000 worshippers attending any given weekend.
Hillsong United Lyrics-Am I To Believe
Hillsong United Lyrics-Am I To Believe
Am I to believe....
That a God would give his son?
Am I to believe....
That the world was brought with love?
Am I to believe...
That a stranger died for me?
Am I to believe...
That a saviour set me free?
'cause I have felt the could rain...
Run down my face
I've seen the sun rise up...
As the night turns to day
I've heard the laughter...
As the children play
But above all
I juat live to say that...
YEAH,OH YEAH
I believe in the God love
YEAH,OH YEAH
I believe in the risen son
Am I to believe...
That the sick shall overcome?
Am I to believe....
That my freedom has been won?
I blieve in you....
Am I to believe....
That a God would give his son?
Am I to believe....
That the world was brought with love?
Am I to believe...
That a stranger died for me?
Am I to believe...
That a saviour set me free?
'cause I have felt the could rain...
Run down my face
I've seen the sun rise up...
As the night turns to day
I've heard the laughter...
As the children play
But above all
I juat live to say that...
YEAH,OH YEAH
I believe in the God love
YEAH,OH YEAH
I believe in the risen son
Am I to believe...
That the sick shall overcome?
Am I to believe....
That my freedom has been won?
I blieve in you....
Monday, August 11, 2008
Taking Revival to the World
Step into a Hillsong London service and you walk into the Dominion Theater, which seats 2,000 people. Choose a seat on the balcony or on the ground floor, and when the strobe lights and sophisticated video images begin flashing in the dim theater, you might wonder if you're waiting for We Will Rock You: The Queen Musical!, the show currently running at the Dominion.
Hillsong Church, which recently celebrated its 20th year in Sydney, Australia, is growing its global reach Sunday by Sunday. As the largest church in Australia's history, it regularly attracts 20,000 people to its weekend services. GOD TV, a Christian satellite channel, broadcasts many Hillsong events, boosting its potential audience to 400 million worldwide.
A member of the Assemblies of God denomination, Hillsong has burgeoning church plants in London, Paris, and Kiev, Ukraine. It has also been holding services in Moscow and Berlin. Hillsong's reputation alone is enough to generate huge interest. In London, a Saturday night service and three Sunday services are necessary to accommodate the 7,000 in attendance.
Hillsong is perhaps best known for its music. Its famous worship pastor, Darlene Zschech, wrote the song "Shout to the Lord." It is estimated that 25 million Christians sing that song each week worldwide.
Since the 1990s, Hillsong has released about 50 praise and worship recordings. Hillsong United, its youth ministry and band, has sold recordings by the millions in the American market. Hillsong United began its recent North American tour in Nashville, at the worship service of the Gospel Music Association's music week.
Last fall in London, 3,000 people gathered at the Excel Center for the first-ever Hillsong Conference Europe. On the first night, the crowd hushed and then broke into applause as the lights went off and words appeared on the video screens at the front: "The church is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body in which he speaks and acts and fills everything with his presence."
Applause broke out again as the music began. A lone guitarist stood in the spotlight. Beside the stage, Zschech stood drinking coffee, bouncing up and down in her heels. Hillsong's senior pastor, Brian Houston, stood front and center watching the screens flicker footage of a welcome from Sydney, Australia, to Paris, where a drummer played in front of the Eiffel Tower, to the slums of India to a crusade of thousands in Brazil to a choir in Toronto singing the Hillsong chorus "How Great Is Our God."
This event was a Hillsong-branded depiction of the Great Commission and a moving visual picture of their self-proclaimed mission: "To reach and influence the world by building a large Bible-based church, changing mindsets, and empowering people to lead and impact every sphere of life." And it means "every sphere"—from church growth to politics to revival to social action to personal healing.
Hillsong Church, which recently celebrated its 20th year in Sydney, Australia, is growing its global reach Sunday by Sunday. As the largest church in Australia's history, it regularly attracts 20,000 people to its weekend services. GOD TV, a Christian satellite channel, broadcasts many Hillsong events, boosting its potential audience to 400 million worldwide.
A member of the Assemblies of God denomination, Hillsong has burgeoning church plants in London, Paris, and Kiev, Ukraine. It has also been holding services in Moscow and Berlin. Hillsong's reputation alone is enough to generate huge interest. In London, a Saturday night service and three Sunday services are necessary to accommodate the 7,000 in attendance.
Hillsong is perhaps best known for its music. Its famous worship pastor, Darlene Zschech, wrote the song "Shout to the Lord." It is estimated that 25 million Christians sing that song each week worldwide.
Since the 1990s, Hillsong has released about 50 praise and worship recordings. Hillsong United, its youth ministry and band, has sold recordings by the millions in the American market. Hillsong United began its recent North American tour in Nashville, at the worship service of the Gospel Music Association's music week.
Last fall in London, 3,000 people gathered at the Excel Center for the first-ever Hillsong Conference Europe. On the first night, the crowd hushed and then broke into applause as the lights went off and words appeared on the video screens at the front: "The church is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body in which he speaks and acts and fills everything with his presence."
Applause broke out again as the music began. A lone guitarist stood in the spotlight. Beside the stage, Zschech stood drinking coffee, bouncing up and down in her heels. Hillsong's senior pastor, Brian Houston, stood front and center watching the screens flicker footage of a welcome from Sydney, Australia, to Paris, where a drummer played in front of the Eiffel Tower, to the slums of India to a crusade of thousands in Brazil to a choir in Toronto singing the Hillsong chorus "How Great Is Our God."
This event was a Hillsong-branded depiction of the Great Commission and a moving visual picture of their self-proclaimed mission: "To reach and influence the world by building a large Bible-based church, changing mindsets, and empowering people to lead and impact every sphere of life." And it means "every sphere"—from church growth to politics to revival to social action to personal healing.
Hillsong United Tops Billboard's Chart
Hillsong United, the youth-centred worship ministry of the Sydney-based mega Hillsong Church, debuted in the No. 1 slot of America's Billboard's Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart with their eighth career album, All of the Above.
With more than 10,000 discs sold, this is the first time the group tops the tally in its decade-plus distribution in the United States. Hillsong United is currently in the middle of a world tour in support of the new album, with upcoming stops planned for select U.S. cities plus New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.
"With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His Cause," said Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director as well as worship leader, "lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."
Hillsong United has also recently launched a new movement called "The I Heart Revolution." Through it, they hope to unite the world by showing their travels all around the globe, and how God has impacted each of the regions they visited. In the compiled documentary, they will show video from Asia, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia from over the last 12 months.
"It became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," said Houston in a statement. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened."
The international tour is scheduled to last until August 7, ending in Tacoma, Washington.
With more than 10,000 discs sold, this is the first time the group tops the tally in its decade-plus distribution in the United States. Hillsong United is currently in the middle of a world tour in support of the new album, with upcoming stops planned for select U.S. cities plus New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.
"With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His Cause," said Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director as well as worship leader, "lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."
Hillsong United has also recently launched a new movement called "The I Heart Revolution." Through it, they hope to unite the world by showing their travels all around the globe, and how God has impacted each of the regions they visited. In the compiled documentary, they will show video from Asia, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia from over the last 12 months.
"It became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," said Houston in a statement. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened."
The international tour is scheduled to last until August 7, ending in Tacoma, Washington.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hillsong United Lyrics-Amazing Love
Hillsong United Lyrics-Amazing Love
I'm so amazed at how You take my life
And love me more, more than I deserve
I'm blown away by Your power to change this life
Once more, I'm planted in You
Who would know, that I was once
On a road so far away from You
All I know is that I live my life
To show the world Your amazing love
Your amazing love
Your love is pure Your love so divine
Your love transforms my soul my mind
Your love has the power to bring new hope
Amazing love
Amazing love
I'm so amazed at the wonder of all creation
I will live to honour You my Lord
You are the gold, treasure of all life
I will rest in You in praise eternally
Who would know that I was once
On a road so far away from You
All I know is that I live my life
To show the world Your amazing love
Your amazing
Your love is so pure Your love so divine
Your love transforms my soul my mind
Your love has the power to bring new hope
Amazing love
Amazing love
(repeat chorus)
I'm so amazed...
I'm so amazed at how You take my life
And love me more, more than I deserve
I'm blown away by Your power to change this life
Once more, I'm planted in You
Who would know, that I was once
On a road so far away from You
All I know is that I live my life
To show the world Your amazing love
Your amazing love
Your love is pure Your love so divine
Your love transforms my soul my mind
Your love has the power to bring new hope
Amazing love
Amazing love
I'm so amazed at the wonder of all creation
I will live to honour You my Lord
You are the gold, treasure of all life
I will rest in You in praise eternally
Who would know that I was once
On a road so far away from You
All I know is that I live my life
To show the world Your amazing love
Your amazing
Your love is so pure Your love so divine
Your love transforms my soul my mind
Your love has the power to bring new hope
Amazing love
Amazing love
(repeat chorus)
I'm so amazed...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Is Hillsong’s “another gospel”?
As fellow-blogger Teddy informs us, in The surprising face of Hillsong Tony Payne and Gordon Cheng report on the gospel as presided over by Brian Houston, in the end drawing on the work of Nathan Walter including:
Walter started with the assumption that 'core gospel content' must at the very least include some basic truths about:
* sin—that we are rebels against our holy, creator God, and deserve nothing but his wrath and condemnation;
* Jesus—that he is God's perfect obedient Son, who died as a penal substitute for our sins, and rose victorious and vindicated as Lord and Christ;
* our response—that in the gospel God calls on us to turn from sin in repentance, to put our faith entirely in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and to wait for his return, when he will judge the living and the dead, and bring salvation and eternal life to those who have put their trust in him.
Having looked extensively at Hillsong books and publications, listened to a range of audio and televised sermons (especially those that purported to deal with these subjects), and visited Hillsong church on serveral occasions, Nathan Walter arrived at some unsettling conclusions. These three core subjects are certainly touched upon and discussed, but the content and emphasis is disturbingly different from what we might expect:
* when sin is spoken about, which is not often, it is usually in terms of immorality in the world or else negative thinking and attitudes that destroy God's purpose in our lives, and limit our potential;3 there is no concept that we are under God's wrath or condemnation because of our personal rebellion against him, or that there is a connection between sin, death and judgement;4
* it is asserted that Jesus is God's perfect Son and even that he died 'for us' or 'in our place', but what this means is not explained; not a single example was found expounding Jesus' death as taking the penalty for sin on our behalf so that we might avoid God's wrath on judgement day; instead, Jesus' death and resurrection is usually quoted either as an example (of overcoming difficulty and living with purpose),5 or explained as the source of healing and empowerment for living an abundant and healthy life;6
* our response to the Christian message focuses heavily on the power of choice God has given us, on the need to change mental attitudes and thought patterns so as to live in the blessing God has for us, and on the biblical 'law of cause and effect'— that if we obey Bible principles we will succeed and flourish in life, as God intended.7
Nathan Walter summarized his findings like this:
In their understanding of humanity and sin, Hillsong distorts the diagnosis: it's not so much that we're sinful rebels against God our creator, and therefore objects of his righteous anger and judgement, under the sentence of death; it's more that we have allowed all kinds of bad choices and negative thinking to get in the way of reaching the purpose and potential God has in store for us.
This means that although Hillsong still believes in and proclaims the historical events of Jesus' death and resurrection, they understand these events differently. They do not proclaim Jesus' death as a substitutionary atonement, turning aside God's wrath so that I can receive forgiveness and be saved on the day of judgement—rather, Jesus' death and resurrection function as an undefined entry point into the life of blessing that God has for us, and serve as an example of what a fully devoted life in tune with God's purposes looks like (effectively a 'moral influence' view of the atonement).
And because they have twisted both the problem and the solution in Christ out of shape, their account of how we should respond to the gospel is also badly flawed. It's not about clinging to Christ in faith for forgiveness of sins, and pursuing holiness through the work of the Spirit—it's about choosing to change how you think, and obeying the Bible's principles, so that you can move into a period of success and flourishing in every area of life.
… and concluding
[Hillsong] did not faithfully and clearly teach the gospel of Christ—and this was not through denial or outright heresy, but through distortion, replacement and omission.
For all the hype and hoopla, we were not directed to the narrow gate and the difficult way that leads to salvation. Instead, we found ourselves being beckoned down a broader and far more awesome road; a road paved with promises of blessing and divine purpose; a road with inspiring tour-guides, thousands of warm and enthusiastic fellow-travellers, and a soundtrack to die for.
Walter started with the assumption that 'core gospel content' must at the very least include some basic truths about:
* sin—that we are rebels against our holy, creator God, and deserve nothing but his wrath and condemnation;
* Jesus—that he is God's perfect obedient Son, who died as a penal substitute for our sins, and rose victorious and vindicated as Lord and Christ;
* our response—that in the gospel God calls on us to turn from sin in repentance, to put our faith entirely in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and to wait for his return, when he will judge the living and the dead, and bring salvation and eternal life to those who have put their trust in him.
Having looked extensively at Hillsong books and publications, listened to a range of audio and televised sermons (especially those that purported to deal with these subjects), and visited Hillsong church on serveral occasions, Nathan Walter arrived at some unsettling conclusions. These three core subjects are certainly touched upon and discussed, but the content and emphasis is disturbingly different from what we might expect:
* when sin is spoken about, which is not often, it is usually in terms of immorality in the world or else negative thinking and attitudes that destroy God's purpose in our lives, and limit our potential;3 there is no concept that we are under God's wrath or condemnation because of our personal rebellion against him, or that there is a connection between sin, death and judgement;4
* it is asserted that Jesus is God's perfect Son and even that he died 'for us' or 'in our place', but what this means is not explained; not a single example was found expounding Jesus' death as taking the penalty for sin on our behalf so that we might avoid God's wrath on judgement day; instead, Jesus' death and resurrection is usually quoted either as an example (of overcoming difficulty and living with purpose),5 or explained as the source of healing and empowerment for living an abundant and healthy life;6
* our response to the Christian message focuses heavily on the power of choice God has given us, on the need to change mental attitudes and thought patterns so as to live in the blessing God has for us, and on the biblical 'law of cause and effect'— that if we obey Bible principles we will succeed and flourish in life, as God intended.7
Nathan Walter summarized his findings like this:
In their understanding of humanity and sin, Hillsong distorts the diagnosis: it's not so much that we're sinful rebels against God our creator, and therefore objects of his righteous anger and judgement, under the sentence of death; it's more that we have allowed all kinds of bad choices and negative thinking to get in the way of reaching the purpose and potential God has in store for us.
This means that although Hillsong still believes in and proclaims the historical events of Jesus' death and resurrection, they understand these events differently. They do not proclaim Jesus' death as a substitutionary atonement, turning aside God's wrath so that I can receive forgiveness and be saved on the day of judgement—rather, Jesus' death and resurrection function as an undefined entry point into the life of blessing that God has for us, and serve as an example of what a fully devoted life in tune with God's purposes looks like (effectively a 'moral influence' view of the atonement).
And because they have twisted both the problem and the solution in Christ out of shape, their account of how we should respond to the gospel is also badly flawed. It's not about clinging to Christ in faith for forgiveness of sins, and pursuing holiness through the work of the Spirit—it's about choosing to change how you think, and obeying the Bible's principles, so that you can move into a period of success and flourishing in every area of life.
… and concluding
[Hillsong] did not faithfully and clearly teach the gospel of Christ—and this was not through denial or outright heresy, but through distortion, replacement and omission.
For all the hype and hoopla, we were not directed to the narrow gate and the difficult way that leads to salvation. Instead, we found ourselves being beckoned down a broader and far more awesome road; a road paved with promises of blessing and divine purpose; a road with inspiring tour-guides, thousands of warm and enthusiastic fellow-travellers, and a soundtrack to die for.
Homogenous Unit Principle: Time for a Rethink?
I have been rethinking the value of Homogenous Unit Principle (HUP) based mission strategies over the last few months, and particularly over the last few weeks, and think its maybe time I started letting this cat out of the bag.
It has more than a little to do with my shift towards deeper local church involvement.
Here is an article which highlights some of the issues that concern me:
Rethinking HUP thinking: Confessions of a Homogeneous Unit Principle Advocate
Basically I have come to question how transferable the Homogenous Unit Principle is to pluralistic western contexts, particularly given the fluidity of our society. Once upon a time I thought sub-culturally contextualized groups were the way to go; that overseas mission methodologies were fully transferable. But over time I have been forced to concede that our subcultures just aren't homogenous enough. It's extreme diversity all the way down with the most pluralistic of the pluralists. There is no homogenous unit, not even at the level of the individual, not when plurality becomes internalized.
So maybe its time to give up experimenting with homogenous-translocal groups; maybe its time to re-examine the possibilities of hetrogenous-local groups; to shift from demographic focus back to geographic focus. Is that incarnational-mission heresy? Does that smack of a return to one-size-fits-all for some of you? I don't know how you might interpret this to be honest, but that's the way I've been shifting of late. Essentially, I believe we need models that respect multiple diversities, extreme diversities even. That's not sub-culturally contextual church, but its not Christendom church either. It's something else.
It has more than a little to do with my shift towards deeper local church involvement.
Here is an article which highlights some of the issues that concern me:
Rethinking HUP thinking: Confessions of a Homogeneous Unit Principle Advocate
Basically I have come to question how transferable the Homogenous Unit Principle is to pluralistic western contexts, particularly given the fluidity of our society. Once upon a time I thought sub-culturally contextualized groups were the way to go; that overseas mission methodologies were fully transferable. But over time I have been forced to concede that our subcultures just aren't homogenous enough. It's extreme diversity all the way down with the most pluralistic of the pluralists. There is no homogenous unit, not even at the level of the individual, not when plurality becomes internalized.
So maybe its time to give up experimenting with homogenous-translocal groups; maybe its time to re-examine the possibilities of hetrogenous-local groups; to shift from demographic focus back to geographic focus. Is that incarnational-mission heresy? Does that smack of a return to one-size-fits-all for some of you? I don't know how you might interpret this to be honest, but that's the way I've been shifting of late. Essentially, I believe we need models that respect multiple diversities, extreme diversities even. That's not sub-culturally contextual church, but its not Christendom church either. It's something else.
Hillsong United Lyrics-Always
Hillsong United Lyrics-Always
Did You rise the sun for me?
Or paint a million stars that I might
Know Your majesty?
Is Your voice upon the wind?
Is everything I've known marked
With my maker's fingerprints?
Breathe on me
Let me see Your face
Ever I will seek You
Chorus:
'Cause all You are, is all I want, always
Draw me close in Your arms
Oh God, I wanna be with You
Can I feel You in the rain?
Abandon all I am to have You
Capture me again
Let the earth resound with praise
Can You hear as all creation lives
To glorify one name?
Did You rise the sun for me?
Or paint a million stars that I might
Know Your majesty?
Is Your voice upon the wind?
Is everything I've known marked
With my maker's fingerprints?
Breathe on me
Let me see Your face
Ever I will seek You
Chorus:
'Cause all You are, is all I want, always
Draw me close in Your arms
Oh God, I wanna be with You
Can I feel You in the rain?
Abandon all I am to have You
Capture me again
Let the earth resound with praise
Can You hear as all creation lives
To glorify one name?
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