HILLSONG

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Hillsong Church’s International Ministry Director Darren Kitto claimed he would need to cover nearly $50,000 in pool expenses in 2018 as part of a $125,000 housing allowance for a Newport Beach, California, home he purchased in the Santa Ana Heights neighborhood for $1.85 million that features a “portable spa.”

The details on Kitto’s housing allowance claim for 2018 were highlighted in a trove of documents first made public on March 9 by Andrew Wilkie, an independent member of the Australian Parliament, thanks to the work of a whistleblower.

Last days church: what did Jesus have to say about the church that is left behind after the rapture of the Saints.

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:15-19

MEGACHURCH EXPOSED

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The explosive three-part docu-series, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, will premiere on Thursday, March 24 on discovery+, the definitive non-fiction, real-life subscription streaming service, with all three episodes available on that date. Featuring interviews with Hillsong insiders, megachurch experts and Ranin Karim, the woman whose five-month affair with celebrity senior pastor Carl Lentz led to his downfall, the series will explore the high-profile, star-studded church’s alleged exploitation, abuse and cover-ups.

Is this church as it is described in the Book of Acts? I am sure it is not, just as the institutional church model is not God’s model for His church.

HILLSONG WORSHIP ON TOUR, BUT DON’T CALL IT WORSHIP

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This abbreviated article by JONATHAN AIGNER JANUARY 31, 2020 again from Patheos Discussions about Worship for Thinking People. You can go to the Patheos website to view the entire article. See also my posts Praise and Worship and More on Praise and Worship.

True worship doesn’t capitalize on entertainment pop culture.

According to ticketmaster.com, pricing for a general admission seat begins at $29 and goes up all the way to $61.50. Hillsong doesn’t come cheap!

If you want to shell out a mere $206 per ticket, you can achieve true worship bliss with the Awake package, which includes:

  • Meet and Greet
  • Photo Opportunity with Hillsong Worship
  • Refreshments (I’m assuming no beer and wine.)
  • Devotional with Hillsong Worship
  • Reserved Floor Seating
  • Dedicated ‘Awake’ Entrance
  • Pre-show Merch Shopping Opportunity (Additional fees apply, of course.)
  • Custom Lanyard
  • VIP Host Exclusive Gift Bag, including sticker, lyric book, Awake hat, pen, digital download

It’s not worship. That’s blatant false advertising.

That’s why I shout, “Wake up! It’s a huge deal!”

These sorts of acts, promoted by the so-called “worship industry,” have hijacked the authentic worship gathering, the beautiful liturgy of the Christian church, the source and summit of the Christian life, and using the same strategies as secular entertainment, they’ve turned it into a commodity. That is a grievous thing.

They might as well be calling it the “Awake and Give Us All Your Money” tour.

Worship Is Costly, But Admission Is Free

You’ve probably all heard the analogy that we’re all equal at the foot of the cross. There’s room on that level ground, of course. Admission is free. But it demands much of us, certainly more than a few bucks. When I hear people claim that they’ve gone to events like this, found momentary euphoria, and have worshiped as never before, I don’t just feel sceptical, I feel a sense of dread. The words of Bonhoeffer frequently echo in my mind.

“The word of cheap grace has been the ruin of more Christians than any commandment of works.”

This kind of worship goes part and parcel with cheap grace. They claim to bestow the gifts of God on whoever buys a ticket and shows up. After you’ve paid your admission, it requires absolutely nothing of you. The historic liturgy of the church has a different offer. “Come and participate in the life of the church, but be prepared to give of yourself.”

Worship is not a product. It cannot be bought and sold. That’s the grace of it all. The grace available to God’s people in worship is not something that can be bought, but once it’s bestowed, it is all-consuming.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

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It’s difficult to overstate how historic it is for a sitting Australian Prime Minister to wear his faith so unapologetically, and humbly bring the nation’s needs before Almighty God. With 21,000 people in attendance, Scott Morrison prayed publicly for Australia at the Hillsong Conference, the biggest annual Christian conference in the nation. Scott Morrison petitioned God to intervene for young people struggling with mental health, veterans, Indigenous Aussies, those with disabilities, and for a break to the drought. Take a listen and be encouraged as we were.