Hillsong
From the Capitol insurrection to the Taliban takeover: The defining religion stories of 2021
By RNS staff — December 31, 2021
(RNS) — Religion was no minor character in 2021's most significant news stories.
Summer Travel Series: Melbourne with Devi Abraham
By Jonathan Woodward — August 25, 2021
This week we're off to Melbourne with Devi Abraham, who gives us the lowdown on the Land Down Under.
Police allege Hillsong founder concealed child sex abuse
By Rod Mcguirk — August 5, 2021
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Houston, 67, suggested the charges related to allegations that his preacher father, Frank Houston, had abused a boy over several years in the 1970s.
Hillsong to ‘pause’ operations at Dallas campus, citing leadership failures
By Roxanne Stone — April 11, 2021
(RNS) — New revelations about the former Dallas pastors as well as pandemic woes have led the global behemoth to announce a shuttering of the Dallas location for now.
Beyond $1,000 sneakers: Carl Lentz, hype priests and the cult of celebrity
By Tyler Jones — February 16, 2021
(RNS) — A Christian can believe it is their job to 'make Jesus famous' without making the massive leap to the problematic idea that fame is itself good and an effective tool for ministry.
Hillsong NYC probe closed, Brian Houston will name new pastors ‘in coming days’
By Roxanne Stone — February 12, 2021
(RNS) — The investigation included 'hours of confidential interviews with current and former staff, volunteers and church members,' Houston said in a February 12 email to church members.
Hillsong Dallas pastors, who helped start NYC location with Carl Lentz, resign
By Roxanne Stone — January 5, 2021
(RNS) — The couple's resignation comes amid months of turmoil and scrutiny for the global megachurch.
5 ‘in real life’ religion and pop culture clashes from 2020
By Roxanne Stone and Emily McFarlan Miller — December 30, 2020
(RNS) — Kanye ran for president. Rihanna faced backlash from Muslims. A French-language film caused many conservative religious people to #CancelNetflix.
In leaked call, Hillsong founder Brian Houston details ‘narcissistic’ Carl Lentz’s firing
By Roxanne Stone — December 3, 2020
NEW YORK (RNS) — In a leaked audio call obtained by The Daily Mail, the head pastor of Hillsong Global said difficulties with Lentz’s leadership emerged long before the recent revelations of his affair.
Hillsong founder Brian Houston announces investigation after NYC pastor Carl Lentz’s firing
By Roxanne Stone — November 12, 2020
NEW YORK (RNS) — ‘We are launching an independent investigation into the inner workings of Hillsong NYC/ East Coast. We need a solid foundation for a fresh start and new beginning,’ Houston said in a tweet Thursday (Nov. 12).
Celeb pastor Carl Lentz, ousted from Hillsong NYC, confesses he was ‘unfaithful’ to his wife
By Roxanne Stone — November 4, 2020
NEW YORK (RNS) — An email sent to church members on Nov. 4 cited the reason for Lentz’s termination as ‘leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.’
There’s a theology driving Sean Feucht’s worship music protests — and it’s a popular one
By Adam Perez — October 23, 2020
(RNS) — What’s at stake aren’t just political and ideological differences but complex and deeply rooted theological commitments that have long been forming Christian identities.
Justin Bieber performs Christian worship song before thousands
By Jonathan Merritt — September 22, 2016
This public display of faith in conjunction with his other shenanigans raises questions about whether it's helpful for celebrities to broadcast their faith.
Hillsong’s Brian Houston defends handling of abuse case, sidesteps questions on gay marriage
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 17, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) Hillsong founder Brian Houston said that the victim who came forward to him asked him not to tell the police about his father's sexual abuse. “I would’ve gone to the police,” he said, if he had known about abuse reporting laws.
Hillsong founder denies covering up father’s sex abuse
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 10, 2014
(RNS) Brian Houston took the witness stand to answer questions on his handling of child sex abuse allegations against his late father.
