Hillsong United: Charting the amazing rise of Australia's youth worship ministry
Saturday 18th August 2007
Tony Cummings tells the story of HILLSONG UNITED, the youth arm of Australia's Hillsong mega church
Darlene Zschech and Joel Houston
Joel is, of course, the son of Hillsong's senior pastor Brian Houston. He is quite candid about his early musical experience. "I started playing when I was 13. We started a youth band - it was the beginnings of United. I started playing the piano, and I was horrible; I couldn't even do chords. Then I moved onto guitar. But since there was no bass player, I did that instead because I was probably the least talented guitarist out of the three that we had. I started writing songs. When I was 18, I started to see worship as a cool thing, so I started writing worship songs. And our church at that point started building quite a reputation for praise and worship. So I was fortunate enough to be in a place where there was a platform for the songs I was writing."
Joel Houston
Hillsong United were formed in 1998 by Hillsong worship leaders and songwriters Reuben Morgan and Marty Sampson as an edgier, more youth orientated worship alternative to the adult pop of mainstream Hillsong releases. Like their parent church, whose early albums were released under several name variants, at first the aggregation had a certain "branding problem" with the original name adopted being United Live. But whatever the confusing front sleeve design, the debut album, 1999's 'Everyday', did well, as did subsequent albums 'Best Friend' (2001) and 'King Of Majesty' (2002). Said Reuben Morgan at the time of 'King Of Majesty''s release, "This is the third United Live album - another year along in the journey. All we set out to do on this new album was to reflect the heart and soul of our youth ministry, and where the youth are with God. The youth ministry at Hillsong Church has grown over the last year and the songs and sound of the album are a reflection of that. Songs such as, 'King Of Majesty' and 'I Adore' are perfect examples of where the heart cry of our youth is today. The night of the recording was actually an unexpected amazing moment. Apart from the scores of people packing the auditorium, there was a passion for God and a raw sense of worship throughout the place. It was an amazing night where people were saved and people were simply hungry for God."
Such visionary aspirations were continued on the next album 'All Of The Above'. This time Joel told Christian Retailing, "Young people all over the earth [are] in connection with the same God. I really felt that we had to try and capture that picture and create a portrait of a generation across the earth worshipping God and being changed and inspired to affect and make a difference in their world." 'All Of The Above' was the band's first ever studio album. Joel told CCM magazine, "It was a whole new experience for sure. We just thought that we would get in the studio and basically do what we always do. We just grabbed a song and played it front to back, back to front and just worshipped."
Over the span of their career, Hillsong United have stayed largely on the fringe of the CCM "industry", gaining momentum through youth events and word-of-mouth. A few years ago, record execs had told the band that in order to be successful in America, they would have to do huge tours with festival and radio promotions. Instead, Hillsong United charted their own course. In staying true to their ministry, the group has seen many incredible opportunities unfold for them. Joel said, "I think it's a real testimony to anybody no matter what they do. You set out with great ideals. You have desires and dreams. It's really easy to kind of be told what you need to be. I think it's a great testimony of staying true to what's in your heart and what God's called you to do."
The Joint on TWC: Hillsong United Review
June 27, 2009
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Review:
Hillsong United – A_CROSS // The_EARTH: Tear down the walls
This CD can be purchased/listened to at:i-tunes
Synopsis:
I’m going to assume you’ve heard of the worship CD churning machine called Hillsong. I’m not going to assume you’re aware that Hillsong United is the “Youth Band” segment of their team because (I’ve said it before) the lines seemed to have been blurred over the past 2 years as to who’s making what. WELL the line is no longer blurred! With a_CROSS//the_EARTH it is clear that United is back to making music for the Youth. We’ve got an official introduction from the ‘under 21′ worship crew (you might have picked up In a Valley By the Sea but you probably didn’t) but here we have some of that crew making their big time debut. It’s great to have some fresh voices and such on such a stable and incredible team like United! I do dare you to count how many times you sing/yell “Woah oh Oh oh!” Haha, I mean but it is for a corporate setting and what gets you going more than yelling!
As always, you get your money’s worth with 12 tracks in a live setting that’s pushing you from one song to the next as if you’re really there!
Bottom Line:
This CD’s not for your typical church worship setting. It is however for your youth setting! Yours Forever is what I’ve been talking about in regards to Post-RockBand-Worship-Music! It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s anthematic, it’s what I see the multitude of youth who have ravaged these games on their consoles at home craving for in the church. However, the great thing is that there are also tracks like the sweet and beautiful Soon that is angelic. And of course everything inbetween!
[rating:4.5/5]
Must have:
Yours Forever – yes its ridiculous and over the top and it’s exactly why I love it! Soon – it’s everything that Yours Forever isn’t! Freedom is Here – for it’s Angels & Airwaves vibe. You Hold Me Now – I just love the chorus lyrics and how they roll off my tongue! King of All Days!! Yes, King of All Days is a must have!
Church Songs:
Depends on your church. With your congregation, you might not be able to get away with all of them
But these are definitely worship songs. I’d start you with: King of All Days, No Reason to Hide, Oh You Bring is a delicious worship tune that just sits there in your pocket, and Soon…mmm….Soon.Hillsong United Conference: Joel Houston
Submitted by James Higginbotham on August 29, 2008 – 5:00 amNo Comment
Joel Houston provided a very moving message during the second Saturday Morning Rally. It is his heart for helping others, with no agenda, and the driving force for the I Heart Revolution. I encourage you to read all of the notes below – it will encourage you and change your life!- He never planned on being a worship leader – he was simply asked by his youth pastor
- Today, he is humbled by how God has used him and Hillsong United over the years
- God takes pride in using the weak and humble
- They travel to so many places, but rarely get to experience it (airport-to-airplane-to-airport-to-bus-to-hotel-to-bus-to-venue-to-bus-to-airport…)
- He started to notice the contrast between the amazing worship experiences he led with the streets/people/cultures/life he saw from the bus
- The worship he leads provides an experience with the believers of Christ but does not have an impact through them to the local culture, he considers it a failure
Amos 5:21-24 (The Message) – “I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice – oceans of it. I want fairness – rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.
- God loves it when we worship Him, sing to Him, tell Him how great He is
- He wants to be someone who chases the heart of God in everything by reaching those experiencing injustice
- His biggest fear is that people will be distracted by the stage, lights, loud music and miss the point
- Through the heart, the mouth speaks
- God isn’t impressed with the lights, amazing sound, music – He is impressed with our hearts
- If our heart is in right the place, God will move, God will use us
Isa 58:5-7 (The Message) – Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like? 6 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. 7 What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.
- If we get caught up in our ways of doing things, it is just religion – it is missing the point
- Jesus didn’t die on the cross for us to have religion – He died on the cross so that we may know love
- We can get so consumed in appearances, on the outside, to ensure things appear to be great from the outside
- Everyone that chase acceptance or seek significance, we often mess up by missing God’s heart and love
- If we can remove all of the “stuff”, enough for others to see us reflect Jesus within, we’ll reach others for Christ
- The universal symbol for love is the heart
- He wants to redefine the true meaning of “I heart” from what others have defined it to true love: Jesus laying down His life for the love of others
- We judge others outwardly all the time
- Human judgement is never going to be completely just
- We can keep trying to chase injustice and right the wrongs, but we can’t do it in our strength
- The only way we can bring justice to this world is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus
- He died to show us more than justice – He died to show us love
- If we demonstrate that our significance, our value was nailed to a cross and that we in turn live our lives that value the unlovable, the least – that is what God wants
- No matter if you are a student, full time ministry leader, or a business person, treat each person you meet with selflessness, love
- We have so much in the church, in our lives – so much abundance
- We need to value each other, focus on others, realize that we are each called to minister to others
- Our life is no less valuable than anyone else’s
- If we can realize the value of each person in God’s eyes as we walk day-to-day, things will start looking better for each person
- Allow your heart to be open, to do it to understand the heart of God rather than being about us
- It isn’t about what we want – we must love without agenda
- We must not get fooled by the illusion of success in the world’s eyes – something that is fleeting and a distraction
- We need to give everything to God for the sake of other’s
- This is what is going to keep you fired up each day to serve your church, go to school, or go to work
- Have you caught this fire?
- God has called us to play a part in His story (”history”) – let’s play our part!
This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for GodÂ’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen.”
- We are called to do amazing things, all the while walking one step in front of the other
- All we need to do is walk through an open door – God will do the rest
- Keep moving, keep going, keep trusting God – even when you don’t feel up to the task
THE HILLSONG CHURCH: 'Cult' Status, Corruption, Homophobia & Exorcism
publication date: Aug 12, 2010
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author/source: Elle
Previous |
“Don't give someone else the power over your financial freedom” …
“Church involvement is still the best way to maximise your gifts & fulfill your dreams!” ~ Brian Houston
Hillsong – A Brief History
Brian [56] and Bobbie Houston emigrated from New Zealand to Australia in 1978. They joined the Sydney Christian Life Centre in Darlinghurst (Sydney), where Brian's father Frank Houston was a minister. Prior to his post in Australia, Frank Houston was a general superintendent for New Zealand Assemblies of God. Formerly known as Hills Christian Life Centre, Hillsong had just 45 parishioners in 1983 – by 1987, the congregation boasted 900 parish members. Music became a powerful marketing tool for Hills Christian Life Centre and the motivation behind The Hillsong Conference, an annual event that has since educated and trained hundreds of Christian musicians – 25,000 people attended The Hillsong Conference in Sydney this year. HCLC record company's release of their praise and worship CDs, in the early 1990s, brought the church recognition and fame, from all over the world. Hillsong became the catch phrase so to speak and the decision was made to change the name from Hills Christian Life Centre to Hillsong Church. The church has its own bible school [900 students], Hillsong International Leadership College, which is where several Christian conferences are held each year, including The Hillsong Conference. In the year 2000 or thereabouts, Sydney Christian Life Centre (the mother church) merged with Hillsong Church. Today, Hillsong church has over 20,000 parishioners attending their services every week.
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing segment of Christianity in Australia and the world.
More than 200,000 Australians attend Pentecostal churches each week, making it Australia's second-biggest church, after the Catholic Church.
Early Pentecostalism emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. It had a revival in the 1970s during the so-called charismatic renewal.
Most Pentecostals believe in exorcism, speaking in tongues, faith healing and, in general, they seek supernatural experiences. Many of the pastors of Pentecostal churches make decisions based on visions from God.
Prosperity theology is practised by larger Pentecostal churches, including Hillsong, Christian City Church and Paradise. This promotes the idea that wealth and worldly success are signs of God's favour.
Most Pentecostal churches are cash rich and expect members to tithe 10% of their pre-tax income. They also take weekly donations. Most services pass the plate three times and accept credit cards. An armoured truck arrives at Hillsong each Monday morning for the weekend takings, usually more than $300,000.
There are few barriers to entry to set up a Pentecostal church because there is no overarching authority, in the way the Vatican is the headquarters of the Catholic Church. Every four days a new Pentecostal church is planted in Australia. Source: Adele Ferguson, "God's Millionaires"
What is a cult?
"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community." ~ Louis J. West & Michael D. Langone, American psychologists
Is Hillsong Exploiting Tax Exemptions?
Hillsong is an Australian Pentecostal mega-church that uses a not-for-profit company, Leadership Ministries Inc (LMI), to fund its church services and charitable work. Leadership Ministries Inc and other tax-free entities in the Hillsong organisation have spent their earnings on housing, cars, accommodation and extensive overseas travel; these expenses do not incur income tax or fringe-benefits because of LMI's tax-exempt status. They do not have to lodge a tax return with the Australian Taxation office, and they do not have to disclose how they make their money – it would seem that Brian is not morally or legally answerable to anyone. Hillsong and its subsidiary companies are worth over $50 million. When the global financial crisis hit in 2008, Hillsong was as safe as houses (no pun intended) and collected over $17 million in 'tithes' – most of it cash. Over the past ten years, Hillsong is said to have received $2 million dollars in grants, yet their financial statements show no accounting for these payments. The New South Wales Government denied a $414,000 grant to an Aboriginal community, when it found that the money was being used to pay Hillsong employee salaries. LMI, the cash cow of Hillsong, can pay its employees $1 million a year of expenses tax-free. As per the legislation referring to remuneration under the Tax Act, there is no cap on the amount of expenses churches can pay ministers of religion, before fringe-benefits tax is ordinarily incurred. Any other not-for-profit institutions, e.g. hospitals, are able to pay employees expenses to a maximum of $9095 per person a year before fringe-benefits tax is incurred. If Hillsong wants to pay all Brian Houston's salary in fringe benefits they can legally do so – he would pay little if any tax. In 2008, Hillsong spent $4.6 million on “missions and overseas aid” and $20.7 million on “church services”. Hillsong makes approximately $9 million in tax-free royalties annually.
"While looking at the Hillsong web presence, I noticed a couple of strange things. The first is that, with all its money and commitment to life in Australia, it has its web site hosted in New Jersey. The second is that it has registered at least three domain names in Australia - hillsong.com.au, hillsong.net.au and hillsong.org.au. When you enter any of these names into your browser you are taken to hillsong.com and the New Jersey host. According to the rules of Australian domain names, .com.au and .net.au are restricted to Australian commercial businesses and .org.au domains are only available to non-profit organisations and charities. I asked the appropriate authorities how it can be possible for the same commercially-registered company to have use of all three names. I realise that Hillsong is really a business pretending to be a church to avoid tax, but I would have thought that their lawyers would have advised them not to be so open when leaving traces in public records. Parishioners of this pretend church keep writing to me to tell me of the great charitable works performed with the $30 million extracted from the faithful each year. Now we find that this great charitable organisation has been firmly locked on to the public teat in order to pay for the charity. Since 1999, Hillsong has received almost $800,000 from Australian taxpayers to fund the things the "church" would be paying for itself if it were not just a business to collect unaccountable and tax-free cash. In the last financial year, Hillsong received $300,000 from a federal department which is supposed to be responsible for industrial relations.”
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