All Hillsong 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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Opinion
There's power in the name of Jesus. So why do our worship songs ignore this?
There's a surprising flaw in some of the Church's most popular worship songs, says DB Ryen
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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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Regular Columnists
Troubled: Why I'm still overcoming sectarianism
My mum’s teen years were characterised by routine bomb scares. But the most frightening part isn’t the horrifying violence she witnessed, but the nonchalance with which she talks about it. Northern Ireland’s atmosphere of hatred was her version of normal. Humans are incredibly adaptable. Even the ...
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Opinion
Charging for carol services is performance-driven Christianity at its worst
Hillsong London is charging £10 for an adult ticket to their carol concert. But Carl Beech says the policy excludes those who can’t afford to pay - and that’s the antithesis of Christmas
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Opinion
From Hillsong to Mars Hill: there is a leadership crisis in the Church. Here’s how to fix it
Barely a month goes by without another controversy involving a prominent Christian leader in the West. The lack of depth and training among our leaders is a serious problem, says Simon Foulds
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Reviews
Sue Rinaldi: My top 8 songs
The singer-songwriter and worship leader is also a speaker and creative trainer. Her interests in culture, justice, technology and the future fuel her living and writing
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Magazine Features
A toxic celebrity culture has infiltrated the Church. We must root it out
The emphasis on personas, platforms and profits is damaging the ordinary witness of faithful Christians, says Katelyn Beaty
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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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Opinion
My little Hillsong church is very different from what you see in the documentaries
Hillsong Church has faced multiple scandals. So why does Jonty Langley still attend? The Sunday experience is very different to what you see on TV, he says.
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Reviews
Don't miss this! Our 10 most popular articles of 2021
Here are the most-read stories on premierchristianity.com this year
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Reviews
‘Faith is a gift I’ve yet to receive’ Hillsong worship leader confesses his doubts in brave new song
Benjamin Hastings is best known for writing popular Hillsong anthems ‘So Will I (100 Billion X)’ and ‘Seasons’. But his latest song approaches faith from a very different angle
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Reviews
Another In the Fire: The meaning behind the worship song that's getting Chris Pratt through
Actor Chris Pratt recently took to Instagram to thank God for helping him through tough times, saying the Hillsong United anthem had deeply impacted him. But what was the inspiration behind the song? Music journalist Tony Cummings explores
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Opinion
In half-hearted defence of Hillsong’s VIP worship tickets
The news that Hillsong United and Chris Tomlin will offer special VIP passes for their worship tour has sparked a debate about Christian music, celebrity and finance. Some have argued the selling of VIP tickets for Christian events is morally wrong, but the Rend Collective frontman Chris Llewellyn sees things differently
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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 story behind the song: ‘What a beautiful name’
The popular Hillsong worship track has won awards and been sung by thousands across the world. Derek Walker explains how the song was born