Hillsong conference 2006
Sorry to be slow on the uptake on this, but Hillsong 2006 is up and running. Anyone who wants to post reviews, discussion or articles about the 2006 conference, do it in this thread (just so we can try to keep things together a bit).
Ta muchly.
July 4th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
Well I’m back from my first foray into the lions den of Hill$ong conference.
I have been to the 4:30 edition. There was a lame opening number (which we were told was spectacular) sung eventually by Alvin Slaughter. (Appropriate name for a manwho obviously knows his way around a dead cow or lamb.) What is it with these flagrant sinners (Gluttony) being given top billing? Anyway, I digress….
The tax was taken up after a spectacular double talk from Joel A’bell, who used 2 Corinthians 9 and the example of his little daughter giving a homeless person all her pocket money on their family holiday to Paris last year to make sure we all emptied our wallets. No one else seem to get the irony.
The it was the fat man again to sing the money into the holey buckets…yes they have holes so you can only put folding stuff and credit cards slips in.
Then we heard from Rick Warren, author of Purpose Driven blah blah blah. He said a few little things that made me squirm but basically his message seemd to be God sent in that he spoke about how he has Paid all of the money he earned from Saddleback back to the church and has given away 90% of his royalties to help people. Not preach gospels or reach upper mongolia or whatever but to help Aids orfans in Africa and widows and homeless people etc.
Brian was on the egde of his seat! Did I mention that my Ticketed seat for the evening rallies is not 10 metres from old bald spot himself? (Why is it that you get better seats after you leave Hill$ong?)
The gist of Warren’s message was to use whatever you have in your hand to do whatever you can to help people.
In the end Warren asked Brian up on the stage to pray with him. Warren started and prayed that God would help us to help people to open out eyes to opportunities to help people. To see people instead of positions and power. To be Jesus’ hands and feet instead of being His mouth. (Very appropriate for Hillsong I thought).
Brian closed the prayer, asking God to increase our influence, to open up opportunities, to make us prosperous. Blessed to be a blessing.
It was very clear to me that Brian just didn’t get it! Nor did most if not all of the 20,000 odd people in there. Very sad! God speaks but they do not hear!
Oh well, It was good for me to go. I saw lots of the surface show that i ran from and shared feelings of revulsion and at times i just plain laughed at them. They all Amen every bloody thing! Never question anything! Never think for them selves. They sing songs when they have never thought about the lyrics. And all of them declare that the presence of God is so present tonight….What a croc! My God is omnipresent! I don’t need to sing some very ordinary tune to drum up His presence like a witch doctor….
I am doing the Vocalist elective in the Worship area…being the humble world class singer that I am…and i am skinny! This will be interesting! I will try to keep you all informed.
It is good that my Bullshit detector works really well again now. Thanks Signposts for the Duracells!
July 4th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Day 1:
Well the day started out with a few songs with some confusing lyrics…Just how many clichés can you fit into a song? Anyway, no shakedown so I still had my lunch money as Rick Warren came up to speak.
Once again Warren made me cringe once or twice with such beauties as, “I created my daughter!” but I listened for the gold and there was a little bit.
Warren talked about….surprise, surprise….what our purpose is!
According to Warren, we have five purposes here on Earth:
1. To Know and Love God – Worship
2. We are formed for God’s Family – Fellowship
3. We are created to become more Christ like – Discipleship
4. We are Shaped (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience) to God – Ministry …he ran out of ships
5. We are made for a mission on the world – Evangelism
On the surface I can’t disagree with too much here. But unfortunately, Warren seems to think that the only place you can find fellowship is in a local church on a Sunday morning. He also thinks that the only place you can serve God in ministry is, once again, in a local church on a Sunday morning. I find both conclusions extreme and not entirely biblical! This is a cultural bias or tithing coveting attitude…I’m not sure which or if it is both. I get more fellowship and support from friends now than I did when I was caught up in Hill$ong. And the same is true in any church I have been in.
Being a singer I next had the Worship and Creative Arts session with Bill Hybels.
Honestly, Hybels was a bit of a disappointment! He spoke a message that was obviously one he had preached hundreds of times. He talked about storing up good things in your heart during a day to draw upon when in tough times based upon Luke 6:45.
He gave us 8 or 9 things that were like Christianity 101 basically…..
So then it was off to the “Vocalist” elective where the Fat Man him self, Alvin Slaughter was speaking. Now the Fat Man had his keyboard player with him and they went through some amusing warm up basics and blending things and so forth. It was very technical but user friendly. Quite a good little session, not that I learnt anything new but I’m sure heaps of people did.
Best thing in the session was meeting a nice young lady who would like to be my conference buddy…..Hubba Hubba!…We exchanged phone numbers…….hey hey hey….and she is not from Hill$ong!
Missed the evening crap but have had a SMS from a friend at the 4:30 meeting with Frank D’Marzio…. “Not my cup of tea”
July 4th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
You’re a brave, brave man Neil……
July 4th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Sometimes one must make the supreme sacrifice in order to pick up chicks.
July 4th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Jane, I almost got up to sing when Alvin Slaughter asked for a Tenor to sing with him but i thought i might get tackled and thrown out before I got to the stage and I didn’t have her phone number yet….
Seriously, It was easier today! Easier to deal with the superficial. Easier to smile at people who stabbed me in the back and ripped my heart out. Easier when I noticed my ex fiance across the superdome.
I am so glad I am no longer a part of it all though.
July 4th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Hehe…..well said Janet!
July 4th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Yes Janet I must confess that in reality I must be a penis with legs.
July 4th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Back off Lance!
July 4th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
One can hope with age and declining hormone levels said member will be in some kind of reasonable proportion.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
I mean… er… more able to think with one’s brain. Which of course you do already based on your fine writing. Er… um… I’ll just shut up right now.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Hmmmm not sure a public blog is the forum for this conversation to continue……but let me just say that there are definitely some equal and opposite organs in Hill$ong!
July 4th, 2006 at 10:12 pm
I’m not sure which conversation is the appropriate place for this link, but anyway here it is…
Hill$ong
Some of you have probably seen it, but then again some of you probably haven’t. It’s very funny.
July 5th, 2006 at 2:24 am
“Hillsong Conference Day2
hooray! another great day of our Lord went past with plenty of souls saved! wow….
I WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AGAIN TODAY! haha..D.Zschech was like standing right in front of me and Delirious, B.Houston etc etc as well. how cool was that! and R.Morgan and J.Houston was standing beside D.Zschech - and i was on the screen a lot of times! everyone saw me =D haha…they were saying that when the screen froze, it was focused on jess and me - i wasnt sure bout that coz i wasnt really watching the screen during worship =D but yeah, it was COOL! =D what a great day.
however, during the second night rally, i didnt get to mosh up front - coz the jam-united guys took up all the spots in front! but seriously, moshers are supposed to be new Christians workers - where did they come from =D haha…coz we were all like lined up outside door 9 waiting to go to the mosh pit, but then when we went in, the front was like taken! we were so surprised+amazed…but yeah, the worship’s still good in the audience’s seats. =D
we finally sorted out the ski trip! we are going nxt monday-weds! cant wait! =D snowy mountains, watch out, HERE WE COME! =D im gonna go in the worship creative arts stream during thurs and fri coz im going early on those two days - need to be energised from these streams! haha..this holiday is really EXCITING!
M.Barnett is SO COOL! he did a breakdance move when D.Zschech asked him to go on stage to dance! i was like SCREAMING! hahaha….
anywayz, gotta go sleep, getting quite late now…watch out for me on the screens! =D laterz….but dont spend ur time looking for me coz i dont wanna steal God’s spotlight and we should be concentrating on God anywayz, not the screens =D its all cool…laterz!”
From http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=70646914&blogID=140513891
July 5th, 2006 at 3:28 am
Dear Daniel… i mean Neil, Isn’t it funny how the Lions in the Lion’s Den do not scare you, once you find out they have more roar than bite. What a blessing to be able to have god give you the courage to go in and find out your just fine and obviously unchained…. and you got a “spiritual” buddy to hang with.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:31 am
Did you notice that there are a lot of hot babes in key area’s. I htink this is an old Amway trick to help give the appearance of success to the event.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:08 am
Surely all the “hot babes” are there of their own volition???? Or do you mean the ones on the stage?
(I can hardly believe I’m having this conversation!!!)
July 5th, 2006 at 9:27 am
Lance’s Post #13,
Is Natalie the 19 yo SERIOUS?
Have i got this straight? This bimbo who worships & idolises pentecostal celebrities is a New Christians Counsellor?
I hesitate to say it but there is often something very immature & superficial about Asian Youth Culture, like in this case Christianity as Pop Idol complete with groupies whose idea of a successful revival night is getting her face on the big screen, being the select few authorised to mosh (wahoo!) & doing it in front of your favourite Christian idol.
There is a general issue of Generation Y being unashamedly narcissistic & i believe this is both accentuated & encouraged in Hillsong’s teachings & finds a willing partner & vessel in parts, not all Asian Youth Culture in Australia (amongst others).
I apologise if this view seems racist but i think it is a valid social observation.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:57 am
“getting quite late now…watch out for me on the screens! =D laterz….but dont spend ur time looking for me coz i dont wanna steal God’s spotlight and we should be concentrating on God anywayz”
Are you SURE, Perky?
Good Gosh ;oZ
July 5th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Closet Hillsonger, Perth Baptist Pastor Mark Edwards sums up another day at Hillsong Conference.
“Today was an awesome day for me.
God had some things to sort out in my spirit, a few strategically placed swift kicks.
Rick Warren kicked off the day with a rehash of the first four chapters of the “Purpose Driven Life” However I dont mean that in a disaparaging way. It was great to hear it from him, hear his heart and passion. Such simple principles, yet in their genius is found their simplicity. I think Rick has mastered the fundamantals of what it means to be a Christian in a way few before have been able to articulate. I was speaking to one of the translators (for the deaf) and they commented that he is a very clear and articulate speaker.
Next up was Brian Houston, and he spoke on being a leader of a small group of people, and the importance of every type of leader to the kingdom of God. It was a great message.
Thirdly we heard from Rick Goodwin, who also spoke in the evening. Rick was probably the most direct and convicting speaker so far. He spoke from Is 6 and said something which really resonated with me. He said, “its very easy to identify the problems, a potplant can do that. It is a lot harder to come up with solutions. So much of what we hear, particular on the internet, is problems people have with organisations, their own church etc. So what if you can identify problems, what good does that do. Value to the kingdom, and to Jesus is found in solving problems, seeing the Kingdom of Jesus grow.”
Rick talked about the value of imparting authority to your leaders, making sure they were allowed to use their own intitve, in fact demanding this of them. Not moddle coddling people, but showing them respect. He talked about the important of principle over policy. In other words do what is right, not what the constitution says.
He also spoke at night, and was good. He talked about being the salt of the earth. At the end he had arranged for us all to be handed a mc donalds salt sachet and asked us to take it, and in two or three days, spill the salt out and pray about how God wants to use us as salt in the earth. I am going to do a similar thing at Bedford.
But I am saving the best for last,
DELIRIOUS WERE AWESOME
I love this band anyway, but to hear them live was just so good.
The sense of God in the place was incredible, and I found myself crying tears of joy, conviction, peace and …… just plain joy at sensing God moving and speaking to me.
About three or four hours later, I am rejoicing at some conviction and renewed purpose God has put in my heart. He was able to speak to me, in the middle of a loud rock music concert. He spoke to my heart.
Can’t wait! This is only really day one. Praise God and thank you God I can be here.”
From http://marked35.blogspot.com/2006/07/hillsong-conference-tuesday-2006.html
July 5th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
most don’t even know what the metaphor of the salt means… the result is going to be the same … more preaching at each other affirming that we are all doing great while the world passes us by
July 5th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
Rick Godwin….having been in his church in San Antonio, witnessed the hordes leaving, the financial mismanagment & the way his staff are treated……I’d take anything that man said with a grain of salt.
July 5th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
A bit of Rick Godwin in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ab6QYs5xj4&search=rick%20godwin
July 5th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
“…spill the salt out …”
But isn’t that what you do when it’s no good???
Anyway, thanks Neil for being our stunt$onger this year. Your updates are a timely reminider why I have zero desire to go again.
Honestly, the best part about the CONvention was getting shlightly (and not sho shlightly) pished at the pub and then attending the night rallys. Nothing helps a Hill$ong rally make sense like when you are nicely toasted.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
For the benefit of the tongue-hanging-out-when-a-pretty-girl-walks-by brigade…..the correct term is a ‘Hillsong Honey’.
From http://lukewood.blogspot.com/2006/06/this-is-not-church-review-3.html
“I arrived in London and made my way to Tottenham Court Road to meet a friend for coffee. She was waiting for me at the exit of the tube station. Those who know central London will know that Tottenham Court Road tube station is right next to the Dominion Theratre, where Hillsong Church meet on a Sunday. As I was emerging from the station a fight was beginning between a black man (who was standing at the tube exit shouting “repent! Don‘t burn in hell!”) and a Hillsong-honey (as the super-attractive members of that church have become known). The Hillsong member was trying to get the shouter moved in case people thought he was associated with Hillsong!”
July 5th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
[Just shakes head in disbelief]
July 5th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
ha. Natalie is only interested in meeting Jesus, and “people who are interested in meeting Jesus with me, in heaven”.
What a great evangelist…
Reve, it’s not just an Asian Youth thing. I think it’s something widely found in pentecostal youth culture (not all young pentys, but many of them), and there tend to be lots of people of SE Asian descent in those churches. And ‘Asian churches’ tend to be pretty charismatic/penty. I’ve had lots of conversations with my Chinese-Malaysian-born housemate who grew up in an Asian church about this stuff!
July 5th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Day 2
It’s a lovely Sydney day with a major accident at Greenacre blocking the road. So after the Holy Spirit reviving my knowledge of inner city back streets I found myself in Leichhardt on the day Italy made it into the World Cup Final (Bloody Cheats). Oh well a few more Holy Spirit promptings and after consulting the Holy Book, called Gregory, I rediscovered Parramatta Road and alas the Olympic Precinct. God is good to me….I truly am walking in God’s blessings as He orders my steps.
Oh my goodness 24 hours of Hill$ong and I’m talking like them again…
Well God sure had me in mind when He ordered today! Not only did my purple (My favourite colour) wristband (That I refuse to wear) entitle me to sit in the anointed seats on the floor down the front! That was almost too much blessing! I got none other than Brain Houston! I know…so blessed I can’t contain it! So much I’ve gotta give it away! My friend, next to me put me on a yellow card that if I gave a running commentary he wouldn’t save me a seat tomorrow, so I had to behave myself…we all know two yellows = a red and your off and out of the next game.
Well, Brain was ready to give a top shelf message on being “One of the Few”. Brain took Exodus 18: 21-22.
Ex 18:21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
Ex 18:22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.
Brain wanted to tell us how to become one of these few chosen men. So he decided to tell us about 3 areas where leadership is proven.
The first area where leadership is proven, according to Brain, is that you have to be able in the practical areas of life. Ex 18:21. Brain explained that these men were able in business life…well of course! Brain told us that he believes that “a budget is a moral statement about a person.” He tried to heavy everyone by going on about if you were sitting across from God what would He say about your budget. Well my conscience is well and truly clear on that one Brain but I did wonder what your budget says about you.
Immediately, Brain told us that Boobie gave him a racing bike for Christmas last year, “the kind of bike Lance Armstrong rides” Every one missed the irony! That kind of bike would cost anything from $3k to 10k or more…By way of humorous anecdote Brain told us how he road the bike 91km from Noosa to Mooloolabah and back…nice holiday! “Your budget is a moral statement about you” Brain and Boobie! Not that I begrudge people taking a holiday but after you have put the Judgment Day fear of God into people about their shopping list…. “Jesus Wept”!
Brain then went on to explain how “the love of money is not seen in what you do have but in that you dare to challenge what someone else has.” Gold Gold Gold! How foolish of me! I must really love money!
Brain’s second point was that Leadership is proven when we can see what really matters. This, according to Brain, means you must keep your eyes up and not be caught up in the small things or else you lose sight of the big things!
Brain quoted Titus 1:15
To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
This was classic Brain! Brain explained, “When you serve God people will see what you do as defiled because of their small thinking.” What a great defense!
And thirdly, Brain wanted us to all live passionately! Indifference is the opposite of leadership according to Brain! Old BCH sees no grey areas (except perhaps when he checks Boobies pubes, if she has any) in anything. Everything is extreme! You either love or hate things for example….
Apparently, according to Brain the Family Court is full of people who love their kids so much they will fight for them……Hmmm what about the people who use their kids as tools of revenge? Also Brian sees no place for criticism of worshippers, music, speakers etc.
It was great to listen to this and take notes and for my mate to silence me. It forced me to write down all the contradictions and BS!
Love your work Brain!
Well then it was off to Worship & Creative Arts to hear Darlene. She told us that the biggest enemy is distraction. She only wants people in her team who can look after themselves. To Darlene, looking after people who have needs is a distraction to God’s call on her life! This explains quite a lot!
Then amazingly she quotes Isaiah 61:1-3.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Isa 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
Isa 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Anyway, you get the picture! “I don’t care about any one but your focus should be on the downtrodden.” Get me a bucket!
Jensen Frankin Tag teamed and talked about the measuring tape of life using Zachariah 2:1-5.
Zec 2:1 Then I looked up—and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand!
Zec 2:2 I asked, “Where are you going?”
He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”
Zec 2:3 Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him
Zec 2:4 and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it.
Zec 2:5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
He quickly went on to explain that we limit God’s ability to do the miraculous by having a measuring tape mentality. It was a brief message and I found parallels with Jesus when the people’s familiarity stopped Him doing any great miracles in His hometown. So for me it was an ok message.
The Vocal elective was just a love fest with Darls and two of her American friends…very boring! Very uninformative!
The 4:30 main session was with Bill Hybels. After I had placed my “offering” (Mooo Ha Ha Ha) in the bucket Bill talked about having a concern for the lost. The message was very anecdotal and they were interesting stories. Basically his point was that personal evangelism is about listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and acting upon them….being attentive and co-operative with and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
Offering message 10 mins.
So another day down! I am quite proud of how I am handling myself! I am enjoying the whole event…which I never did when I was a part of the place! And having my Bullshit detector on high alert, I have been able to see things clearly and not get sucked in by their manipulation. Yes I have got some gold out of the visiting speakers that I have listened to but it must be said I have deliberately avoided the ones I thought would be full of crap!
Thanks for the random messages of support.
Jimmy Olsen signing off!
July 5th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Neil, That’s Gold.
That says it all.
July 5th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
“Brain told us that he believes that “a budget is a moral statement about a person.” He tried to heavy everyone by going on about if you were sitting across from God what would He say about your budget.”
What worries me is that your reporting of what Brian said is accurate…and he’s more of a maddie than I thought.
“Immediately, Brain told us that Boobie gave him a racing bike for Christmas last year, “the kind of bike Lance Armstrong rides” Every one missed the irony! That kind of bike would cost anything from $3k to 10k or more…By way of humorous anecdote Brain told us how he road the bike 91km from Noosa to Mooloolabah and back…nice holiday!”
And an appalling waste of money.
Bike hire at Noosa http://www.bikeon.com.au/hireprices.html is $35 for a road bike between 9-5 on the same day….$40 for a 24 hour period..and $60 for the same bike for 2 days.
99.9% per cent of the time…the bike purchased for thousands of dollars will be stored away unused and losing value.
“Old BCH sees no grey areas (except perhaps when he checks Boobies pubes, if she has any) in anything.”
Well…there comes back up tonight’s fish and chips.
July 5th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Yeah good reporting Neil, excellent stuff mate.
Look forward to reading tomorrows update…
WIGGY