Megachurches

“Churches with budgets under $2 million saw giving go down by 8%, while those with budgets of more than $20 million saw giving go down by 2.5%.” - RNS

“On the same weekend that former Hillsong Church global senior pastor Brian Houston preached his first sermon since his resignation, Hillsong’s interim pastor Phil Dooley publicly responded to a lawsuit against the global megachurch, which was filed by a former employee who alleged that Hillsong misled donors and evaded taxes.” -

“I have in mind Rick Warren’s brief address Tuesday from the floor of the convention and Juan Sanchez’ convention sermon Wednesday. These two messages represented two different, competing visions of ministry and the local church.” - 9 Marks

“In a lengthy Facebook post, the 71-year-old pastor shared his thoughts on megachurches to explain why the New York City-based church he founded…decided to split into three congregations following his retirement.” - CPost

“The move… comes less than a week after Hillsong founder Brian Houston resigned as Global Senior Pastor. Houston faces misconduct complaints, as have pastors at Hillsong New York City and Hillsong Dallas (which is now shuttered).” - C.Leaders

Founder, Brian Houston: RNS: Hillsong pastor Brian Houston resigns after revelations of indiscretions with women, C.Today: Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston Resigns

“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

“Whether The Meeting House and its 19 remote sites, which are supported by the Be In Christ denomination, can recover, or at least retain, some of its former ministry will take years to assess.” - RNS

“Anabaptist Bruxy Cavey preached ‘Jesus over religion’ and drew record crowds of Canadians who were put off by traditional church. Now they’re reckoning with their former leader’s misconduct.” - CToday

“Gerardo Martí is professor of sociology at Davidson College and co-author of The Glass Church: Robert H. Schuller, the Crystal Cathedral, and the Strain of Megachurch Ministry.” - C.Leaders