“The board of directors of Hillsong, the global megachurch and music empire co-founded by Australian pastor Brian Houston, released a statement Friday addressing two complaints about Houston, including an accusation that the married pastor had spent time alone in a hotel room with a woman in 2019.” - C.Today
Related: Hillsong board blames anxiety drug, alcohol for landing Brian Houston in a woman’s hotel room - RNS
In other megachurch scandal news: Stovall Weems files lawsuit against Celebration Church amid dueling claims of financial fraud - C.Post
Discussion
NewAmong many other issues, it
Among many other issues, it appears that Hillsong has lost its focus on 1 Timothy 3, and the qualifications of a bishop. And instead they have gone the way of the world in looking at this through a corporate lens. Not that this is the only problem with Hillsong, but unfortunately too many churches are tied to an influential leader instead of Christ.
NewSober Pastors
I certainly don’t know all the details at Hillsong. But apparently drinking was involved.
I’m reminded of what a Defensive Driving Instructor, who admitted he sometimes drank alcohol, said. “The first thing alcohol affects is your good judgment. If you’ve had any amount of alcohol, you’re not qualified to determine whether or not you can drive safely.”
And, if you’ve had any amount of alcohol, perhaps you’re not qualified to pastor either.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach. -1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV
David R. Brumbelow