All Brian Houston articles
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News Analysis
Explained: Why was Brian Houston taken to court and why did he quit Hillsong?
Brian Houston has been cleared over charges arising from his decision not to report his paedophile father to police. But the former Hillsong leader is no longer part of the global church network he built. Tim Wyatt has the full story
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Opinion
Sad, but not sorry: 5 lessons to learn from the Brian Houston trial
Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston has been acquitted of concealing the sexual abuse his father committed against a young male in the 1970s. While Houston was found ‘not guilty’ of the charge, he nevertheless has made mistakes which today’s church leaders should learn from, says Justin Humphreys
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Reviews
The Secrets of Hillsong
The latest TV docuseries to scrutinise Hillsong’s failings is the most thorough and fairest yet. As Carl Lentz gives his first interview since being fired from the megachurch, Sam Hailes argues that we can’t blame the media for wanting to shine a light on abuse and moral failings in the Church. It’s time to learn the lessons
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Opinion
Pastors guilty of sexual abuse should never be restored to ministry
High profile US pastor Johnny Hunt was restored to ministry despite serious allegations of sexual misconduct. What happened to permanent disqualification, asks Beth Allison Barr. And what does it say to the women in their congregations?
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Reviews
Hillsong: A megachurch exposed
At its best, this three-part documentary on Hillsong Church exposes serious wrongdoing that should bring about repentance, reflection and change. But in dipping into sensationalism and dialling the cynicism up to 11, it becomes its own undoing, says Sam Hailes
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News Analysis
How to fix a problem like Hillsong
The global megachurch has been engulfed by multiple scandals in recent months. As allegations of cover-ups, affairs and inappropriate behaviour do further damage to Hillsong’s reputation, Tim Wyatt asks whether this pre-eminent Christian brand can weather the storm
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Opinion
After a heartbreaking week in Christian news, here are 6 things to do when our leaders fail
When our leaders fail the pain of disappointment can be hard to bear. Sarah Yardley leads us into lament, and encourages us to look to Jesus to learn the lessons of good leadership
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Regular Columnists
The BBC's Hillsong documentary made me weep. But they aren't the only church to be exposed
There was a moment during the BBC Storyville documentary on Hillsong Church that I broke down and wept. It wasn’t a quiet type of crying – the type where you can easily wipe away a tear – but a cry that roared from somewhere from deep within ...
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News Analysis
Explained: Why Hillsong’s Brian Houston has been charged with covering up sex abuse
22 years ago, Brian Houston dismissed his father from church leadership, after Frank Houston admitted sexually abusing a boy. But Australian police allege Brian failed to report the abuse, and have charged him with knowingly concealing information relating to child sexual offences. Marcus Jones explains more
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Reviews
The BBC’s Hillsong documentary makes for uncomfortable (but important) viewing
With their size, scale and recent scandals, it’s no surprise that the BBC chose to investigate Hillsong Church, says Tim Bechervaise