Hillsong Clarifies Stance on Sexuality

Brian Houston, Senior Pastor of Hillsong, made come comments in a NYC press conference that created a bit of a stir because he refused to take a definitive position on the issue of homosexuality. He used the language like “an ongoing conversation” and talking about those “on a journey with it.” See full report at RNS. This has be interpreted by many as Hillsong’s capitulation on the issue of homosexuality as reported by Andrew Walker at First Things. However, Hillsong has released a statement clarifying their affirmation of a scriptural view of sexuality here:

I encourage people not to assume a media headline accurately represents what I said at a recent press conference.

Nowhere in my answer did I diminish biblical truth or suggest that I or Hillsong Church supported gay marriage. I challenge people to read what I actually said, rather than what was reported that I said. My personal view on the subject of homosexuality would line up with most traditionally held Christian views. I believe the writings of Paul are clear on this subject.

I was asked a question on how the church can stay relevant in the context of gay marriage being legal in the two states of the USA where we have campuses. My answer was simply an admission of reality – no more and no less. I explained that this struggle for relevance was vexing as we did not want to become ostracized by a world that needs Christ.

I made the point that public statements condemning people will place a barrier between the church and the world (and I note that Jesus came to save and not to condemn), which is why at Hillsong, we don’t want to reduce the real issues in people’s lives to a sound bite.

This – like many other issues, is a conversation the church needs to have and we are all on a journey as we grapple with the question of merging biblical truth with a changing world.

Part of me suspects that we will increasingly hear stories like this as leaders are forced to give sounds bites to media outlets. The problem is that it impossible in a few sentences to provide a scripturally based, theological nuanced, pastorally sensitive, and culturally postured response to questions on this topic.