Hillsong and The End of Evangelicalism

Who in that situation would not open their wallet, surrender to God manipulation and commit to Hillsong’s brand? [3]

Many who attend these services do not know that denominationally they’re charismatic fundamentalists, Pentecostals with strong affiliations to the Assemblies of God. “Gays are welcome,” but theologically gays are still an ‘abomination.’ Hillsong, they’re not upfront with this. They are taking advantage of vulnerable millennials, adults, and youth alike and in return receiving a loyal customer. 

How do I know that they’re more committed to a brand then they are the person Jesus? Research has shown that if you ask a churched millennial to tell you what the gospel is they are predominately unable to articulate this.

To be clear, Hillsong Fan’s can recite a majority of Hillsong lyrics but are unable to properly articulate the gospel.[4]

Pro-tip, if you want the Church to survive, then your support for Hillsong won’t keep it alive. Research is showing that while megachurches are growing all other churches are dying, this is because the megachurches are just taking from smaller churches that can’t afford a staff of 40 pastors and 100,000 lighting systems. But that’s what happens when you take the system of capitalism and use that as the foundation of your church’s growth.

To the naysayers saying right now that, “It matters for the one person who Hillsong’s messaged changed.” This would be true, that is if your mission was not supposedly Jesus. This logic is almost as shallow as their theology. If you grew up in a different setting you might have been taught the Bible, and come to find that Jesus is a lot different than what they present or teach. Jesus did not manipulate. He told people how it was:

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next…” – Jesus [Matthew 10:16-23]

I agree with the Houston’s saying, “Worship should be enjoyed not endured…” But I also believe that congregants should be given truth as opposed to being manipulated.

They are reaching into the pockets of broke millennials and impoverished Americans [North, South, and Central America] and promising them prosperity but robbing them of their autonomy. In other words, they’re promising earthly riches at the small cost of having faith in Jesus. This is manipulation. This is Hillsong.

I would have less of a problem with this if they were upfront and said that their goal was profit, fame, and money. I get upset when anyone uses Christ and salvation as a means of emotional manipulation. I think A.W. Tozer says it best:

“Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice.”

Hillsong, they are not so much driven by the spirit as they are driven by really good marketing.

[1] New York Times

[2] Michael Paulson, New York Times

[3] Apparently you have to be a supermodel as a pre-requisite to becoming an onstage “pastor” or presence. I mean but seriously take a look at their staff.

[4] To be fair this is a weakness in all denominations. Not to mention that their songs mostly consist of two line chorus’ repeated for 15 minutes, but not going to lie… they do it so well.

[Originally posted on September 17, 2014. /// If this post interested you feel free to jump over to my Facebook Page for new content where I’m posting shorter posts; all of which are regarding my “Returning to Sunday” bit; which, is ironic considering this post… either way]