Is Hillsong Church Still Open? Know about the Scandals

Hillsong Church

Hillsong Church, also known simply as Hillsong, is a charismatic Christian megachurch with a global presence. It originated in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia, in 1983, under the leadership of Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie.

Initially established as Hills Christian Life Centre, the church later became known as Hillsong. It was affiliated with the Australian Christian Churches, the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God, until 2018 when it separated to form its own denomination.

Hillsong is renowned for its contemporary worship music, which has garnered significant acclaim and popularity worldwide. Groups such as Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, and Hillsong Young & Free have achieved notable success in the music industry with numerous hits to their credit.

Despite its global success and recognition as a corporate brand, Hillsong has faced a series of scandals and criticisms that have impacted its reputation in recent years. In March 2022, Brian Houston stepped down as the global senior pastor following an internal investigation that revealed his involvement in inappropriate behavior with women on two occasions in the 2010s. Phil and Lucinda Dooley, who had been serving in an acting capacity, assumed the role of senior global pastors after Houston's departure.

These events have cast a shadow over Hillsong's image, prompting increased scrutiny and critical attention. Nonetheless, the church continues to operate and engage with its members worldwide, while addressing the challenges and working towards rebuilding trust within its community.

Is Hillsong Church Still Open?

Despite the ongoing issues within the church, Hillsong Church remains open and active. The church has multiple locations worldwide, and individuals can use the "find a church" feature on the Hillsong website to locate a nearby congregation. For those unable to attend in-person services, the church provides online platforms to access remote sermons and engage with the community.

While Hillsong Church has faced allegations and controversies involving various members, it continues to operate and serve its followers. The Discovery Plus docuseries, "Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed," features interviews with individuals such as Ranin Karim, who had an affair with former pastor Carl Lentz, as well as former employees Jaclyn Hayes and Janice Lagata. These interviews shed light on the church's culture and the personal experiences of those involved.

Executive producer Dan Johnstone described Hillsong Church as a "cultural phenomenon" that has extended beyond religious culture into pop culture. The docu-series aims to explore the church's story and its impact on individuals within its community. It consists of three parts, with a newly released fourth part, and can be watched on TLC or streamed on Discovery Plus.

Despite the controversies surrounding Hillsong, individuals with varying levels of knowledge about the scandals or those intrigued by the culture of a megachurch of this scale can delve into the docuseries to follow the unfolding story.

What Happened to Hillsong Church?

Hillsong Church, once known to many Christians as a beacon of light, faced significant controversy in November 2020. The church's New York City pastor, Carl Lentz, was dismissed by Hillsong founder Brian Houston due to what Houston referred to as "moral failures." Lentz's termination was primarily attributed to his infidelity within his marriage.

However, the infidelity scandal was not the only reason behind Hillsong's tarnished reputation. The documentary series "Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed," featured on Discovery Plus, shed light on numerous former members who came forward with distressing allegations of trauma, abuse, and exploitation. These accounts revealed a culture of chaos within the church, with allegations of financial misconduct and labor exploitation.

In January 2022, Brian Houston resigned from his positions within Hillsong amid ongoing accusations that he attempted to conceal instances of alleged child sexual abuse involving his late father. Houston, despite maintaining his innocence, chose to step down from his influential roles within Hillsong. This development occurred during a period when the church's reputation continued to suffer.

As a result of these events, Hillsong Church, although still holding significance for some Christian followers, has become infamous to many others. The accusations of misconduct, abuse, and the subsequent resignation of its founder have contributed to the perception of a church marred by greed and contradictions.

Hillsong Church History

Hillsong London is a church that originated from the Hills Christian Life Centre in Greater Western Sydney, Australia. It was planted in 1992 by Gerard and Sue Keehan as the London Christian Life Centre and later became known as Hillsong Church London in 2000.

During the years 2000 to 2002, Hillsong London held its gatherings in various West End theatres and university halls across London. In late 2004, the church completed a two-year residency at the Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, where it conducted seven services per weekend. It subsequently moved to the Dominion Theatre, hosting four services on Sundays, with a seating capacity of approximately 2,200 people.

In August 2005, Hillsong London expanded its services to Leatherhead, Surrey, located southwest of London. In 2011, services commenced in Tonbridge, Kent, situated southeast of London. The church experienced significant growth and drew 3,000 attendees to the Excel Centre in East London for the first Hillsong Conference Europe in 2006.

On September 13, 2009, Hillsong London celebrated its ten-year anniversary by holding a service at The O2 Arena. In 2013, the church established the Warehouse Project near Millwall FC's stadium, The Den.

Hillsong London has organized a special Christmas event called "Carols at Wembley Arena" at the SSE Arena, Wembley, which has been sold out in 2015. Additionally, in 2019, a new congregation was launched in Croydon, attracting an approximate attendance of 600 people.

Through its various locations and events, Hillsong London has established a significant presence in the capital city, bringing its message and worship to diverse communities in and around London.

Is Hillsong Church Still Open - FAQs

Hillsong Church is a global charismatic Christian megachurch known for its contemporary worship music and influential sermons. It was founded in 1983 in Baulkham Hills, Australia, by Brian and Bobbie Houston. Hillsong has expanded to numerous locations worldwide and has multiple worship groups associated with it.

Hillsong Church has several renowned worship groups, including Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, and Hillsong Young & Free. These groups have produced popular Christian music albums and have gained international recognition for their inspiring songs.

Hillsong Church has faced controversies and scandals that have affected its reputation. These include the dismissal of pastor Carl Lentz in 2020 due to moral failures, allegations of abuse and exploitation within the church, and the resignation of founder Brian Houston in 2022 amid accusations related to covering up child sexual abuse. These incidents have sparked criticism and led to discussions about the church's practices.

Yes, Hillsong Church is still operational. Despite the challenges it has faced, including leadership changes and scrutiny, Hillsong continues to hold services, provide spiritual guidance, and engage with its members worldwide. The church has adapted to offer online services and resources, especially during periods when in-person gatherings may be limited.

To locate a Hillsong Church near you, you can visit the official Hillsong website and use their "find a church" feature. This tool allows you to search for Hillsong congregations based on your location. It provides information about local branches, service timings, and contact details so you can connect with a Hillsong community in your area.

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