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 18th, 2006 at 10:36 am
For sure….’cos, you know, like, Brian Houston is sooooooooooo hot and everything.
July 18th, 2006 at 11:55 am
And Bobbie…. Well. We all know how those ‘kingdom women love sex’
July 18th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
You bet they do
Ok, that was slightly excessively lascivisous.
July 18th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
As an Ex Hill$songer, I can confirm that post #182 is correct!
July 18th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
I suppose you’ll now write a book and try to cash in like that cad who wrote a book about his sexploits with Dianna Princess of Hearts - ? You are nothing but a bounder and if i had a glove and you were in proximity to said glove you would taste my indignation sir!
July 18th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
No room at the Hill$ong Conference Inn.
From http://ruthsong.blogspot.com/2005/06/busy-as-bee.html
“A couple of days ago, Val and I received a letter from Hillsong rejecting our billeting option. It was a real nasty surprise. Suddenly we were left without accommodation for the duration of the conference! (We initally thought we got the billet because of the last letter they sent to us.)
Hillsong offered to transfer our billeting money to a local backpackers hostel but I wasn’t too keen on staying in one given the kind of stories I’ve heard. I just prayed and hoped that God would send us to a good place to stay while we’re at the conference. Meanwhile, I popped an email over to Corine detailing our sad plight and she promised us she’ll get back to us once she recced the place.
This is where it gets just so good! Like I previously thought, the backpacker’s hotel had a shady reputation and she offered to put us up for another week! Truly, this is another miracle happening for this trip.”
July 19th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Another pastor with his brain in neutral at the Hill$ong Conference.
This time…from a Church of Christ in Ballarat.
http://www.yorkst.com.au/?id=home
“After two weeks of annual leave on the beautiful north coast of New South Wales I had the great privilege of attending the 20th Anniversary of the Hillsong Conference at Sydney Olympic Park. Some things in life are not taught, they are caught. So this report will not do justice to the wonderful experience and time I had. Imagine worshipping with 30,000 other delegates who are all passionately in love with Jesus, add to that world class-speakers and you literally experience a glimpse of Heaven on Earth.
The mandate of Hillsong Conference has always been to champion the cause of the local church and this year’s conference was no exception. There was a true reflection of the Body of Christ throughout Australia with delegates from the Salvation Army through to Pentecostal, the wide representation proving that there can be unity in diversity.
The conference highlights included passionate and heartfelt messages from the likes of Rick Warren, Bill Hybels and Reinhard Bonnke who has led 42 million people to the Lord during his crusades in Africa since the year 2000. UK band, Delirious, was featured on the Tuesday evening and they literally ushered in the presence of God through voice and instrument (truly amazing). Other artists included Cindy-Cruse Ratcliffe and Israel Houghton and the ‘New Breed’.
I have always been passionate about God’s Church, but I believe my love for His Church has gone to another level from my experience at this year’s conference. Hillsong is not everybody’s ‘cup of tea’ but few would argue the great and positive influence they have had on God’s Church around this planet.
“The church is Christ’s body, in which He speaks and acts, by which He fills everything with His presence. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.”
This morning I am preaching on how we can be a real fan of the church, love the things that Jesus loves and build the things that Jesus said He would build. I encourage you today to go to another level in your love for His Church.
Tonight Brad Irvin is continuing his series on the ‘Sermon on the Hillside’ looking at the sayings of Jesus. Whatever service you attend today, I pray that you would be blessed and that His name would be lifted high.
Blessings,
Blake Moore.”
July 19th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
The devil may steal your soul if you stay in one of those nasty backpacker hostels.
Who are these people???? God forbid they talk to someone who is not a Christian (gasp) or a young person from overseas (very dangerous activity.)
Praise God for the miracle of Corine’s hospitality.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
“This way to your chair God, no, no not that way, we need you over here…gotta a really good seat where you’ll get top meet Brian and Bobby…I konw you ahven’t met them before, but they are really nice folks…I’m sure you’ll love them…oh you’d rather sit at the back with the others?…oh…and you were already here…but…didn;t we just usher you in? Oh, you let us in…I don;t get it”
July 19th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
And where does God go exactly..when he’s not ‘in da house’?
Like..is there a green room for God near the church….and does God stay around for long after the service…or head back to Heaven to get some rest before getting the birds up before dawn….or………..can a Church of Christ pastor please help me with this…?
July 19th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
ROFL! So, to rewrite psalm 84:10, it is better to be a Hillsong usher than to dwell in a wicked backpacker hostel
(so you don’t have to go scrounging for your bibles “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”)
I assume that Hillsong does not teach an omnipresent God? (and you’re right .. where DOES He go? Probably hangs out in the backpacker hostel!)
July 19th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
“Hillsong is not everybody’s ‘cup of tea’ but few would argue the great and positive influence they have had on God’s Church around this planet.”
Gosh…..he’s got me there.
July 19th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Influence…yes!
Positive….hmmmmm
July 20th, 2006 at 9:50 am
I’m not a Churches of Christ minister, but am an employee. My observation about youth ministers is that a certain proportion are big hearted, enthusiastic, very emotive, warm, wonderful “people” people… whose strong point is not verbal exactitude. (”er…um…. You know… You know what I mean?”) And God bless them for all that; the world would be a duller place without such people.
In a less enthused moment, I’d be guessing Blake would agree with the omnipresence of God, and would conceed a better translation of his experience would be “I had a profound sense of the Spirit of God’s presence during the worship.” (I don’t know him, but I’m assuming).
Even if not… Churches of Christ operate by the motto “In essentials, unity, in non-essential, diversity, in all things, charity.” So an enormous amount of diversity is embraced… there are extremely conservative congregations, quite liberal ones, quite charismatic ones, mega churches, mini churches, networks of house churches, alternative church plants, ethnic churches… it’s helped to birth organisations like UNOH and Forge… I think the motto is a strength that helps embrace diversity.
In short… Blake would not be excommunicated for any views he’s expressed above. There is no need for me to defend his views in that sense: there’s no emphasis on doctrines in Churches of Christ to which one must toe the line.
So Lance… more of a clarification of context than an answer to where God goes when he’s not “in da house”. Although I tend to agree with Blestpickle… I’d like to think Jesus would hang out at the Backpacker’s hostel rather than the Hillsong Conference. (Excepting when irresistably ushered in by Delirious of course!!!!)
July 20th, 2006 at 10:09 am
Janet says:
“My observation about youth ministers is that a certain proportion are big hearted, enthusiastic, very emotive, warm, wonderful “people” people… whose strong point is not verbal exactitude. (”er…um…. You know… You know what I mean?”) And God bless them for all that; the world would be a duller place without such people”
What i have noticed is that succesful Youth Ministers (ones that keep their roles & favour of the parish council) are those that tow the line of the Senior Minister in very much the same way as middle-management of a corporation seeking promotion. Their role is to disseminate the will of the Senior Minister & eldership & i cannot not recall any of them that felt safe to be originally or independently thoughtful.
In other words, you’re hear to be “cool” for the kids & a vessel for our message (a footy-player, a guitarist, a surfer, a uni or Bible college student) but you’re not here to think. Just look good & tow the line.
So a Youth Minister whom retains his/her employment/post must either be, or convincingly act, stupid, to ensure Church Management does not feel threatened.
July 20th, 2006 at 11:11 am
So does he mean that “..with delegates from the Salvation Army through to Pentecostal,..” that they are poles apart? Is that like conservative and liberal? And who’s in the middle?
With the 42 millon converts that Bonnke made in 6 years - does that include his staffer that he ‘brought back to life’ with a sham death certificate - or does he get counted twice?
July 20th, 2006 at 11:16 am
I don’t know whether the same feeling is applicable in this report, but I can describe what it was like to visit Hillsong as part of a churches of christ contingent back in the early 90s.
I don’t know whether the same divide exists now, but back then, we knew that we were visiting “foreign” territory as many of us had traditions which were very anti-charismatic. As a non-pentecostal person it is often hard to describe the difference between the feeling of worship in the two environments. I could imagine myself saying something like Blake did in an attempt to explain the feeling in the room. Now of course a lot of CHurches of Christ are trying to be their own little Hillsongs, so it might not have been as confronting as it was for us.
July 20th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
We have been the frog in Hill$ong’s kettle.
July 20th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Hey Reve… isn’t the rule at ALL workplaces not to appear more intelligent or competent than your boss? Isn’t your job to make your boss look good?
By all means do a spectacular job when said boss is on annual leave or away for some other reason.
Otherwise… keep a low profile… unless you’re sure your boss is an exceptionally mature human being.
July 20th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Yep you’re right Janet,
But i still labour under the naiive misperception that Christians might be supposed to model something different.
I know,………..how dumb am i?
July 20th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
I think many Christians do model something different….but the problem is….the Hill$ong-style CEO mentality is increasingly moving through Christians circles..and while it’s not the dominant mentality in the Australian church…..it will become the dominant mentality..because there is no mechanism within the church to stop or fight the mentality.
Also because the mentality doesn’t allow itself to be questioned..and punishes those who do.
Give it another 20 years..and we can safely say that there is no difference being modelled……..although I don’t think we’re quit there yet.
But I mean…even the Salvo’s are buying into it…starting with Employment Plus.
How long is it before contemporary churchgoers are offered movie passes and store discounts for the number of newcomers they bring through the door of the church?
We’ve already had Allan Meyer’s car giveaway…..
It’s happening folks…keep your eyes open.
There is nothing these money-mad pastors won’t do in the name of Jesus.
July 21st, 2006 at 8:10 pm
“There is nothing mad pastors won’t do in the name of Jesus”.
Well guys, I’ve got one that takes the cake. It’s been a while since I’ve visited signposts and I’m happy to see a healthy dose of sarcasm in the $ sign in Hill$ong.
I’ve just attended a regional conference which I can’t really elaborate on for fear of losing my job but, having passively endured the usual backslapping and “serious concerns” crap that is trotted out, one person reported on yet another instance of Hill$ong’s involvement in the welfare environment, most likely with Government endorsement.
I’ve given up on profanity, so I’ll resort to the alternative. These bloodsucking !!#**#* parasites are now endeavouring to mooch in on those who fall victim of the IR reforms and end up on the dole. The Federal Government is initiating a scheme whereby those who find themselves unemployed will be able to access financial counselling to assisst them through their woes. Guess who sticks their hand up??
To offer financial counselling in this state you need to be accredited, Hill$ong are not.
To provide financial counselling to the unemployed in whatever circumstances, accredited financial counsellors will be given $650.00 per person. This is probably a bit over the top for even fair dinkum financial counsellors, but Hillsong!!!!!
The Government is still in judicial proceedings against Hill$ong for their foray into “helping” the indigineous community and now we have this.
I’ll go one step further.
A complaint came across my desk some months ago where a “brother” and his friend attended a church service of a Pacific Island congregation and spruiked the benefits of getting a home loan through their “christian” organisation. Part 2 of the sales pitch occurred in the Hill$song auditorium (dare I think there may have been some clandestine affiliation) where quite afew apparently signe up and paid a “deposit”.
All were ripped off, never to seee their money again.
Good on you Hill$song, whatever time I have I will devote to exposing scum like you.
Long time since I’ve lost my temper but… quietly rioting
July 23rd, 2006 at 10:25 am
Quietriot2:
“The American church system through its thousands of schemes to gather money, has amassed over a trillion dollars worth of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurance programs, real estate, etc. The interest they pay on the mortgages of their buildings could literally feed all the poor in the world!
The deceptive means 10’s of thousands of ministers use to raise money, of which the modern tithe is one of them, has drained our country of resources that could tremendously bless the world. But the church is sitting on the money. Now they are beginning to be fleeced themselves.
Recently, hundreds of the leading Christian organizations lost millions of dollars investing in a fund named “New Era.”
It was a scam called a “Ponze scheme.” An evangelical, named Bennett, dropping the right names such as Billy Graham and Rockerfeller, convinced most of the leading Protestant ministries to invest as much as over 500 million dollars into a fund that promised them a doubling of their money over a 6 month period of time.
Now anyone with a little sense should smell something amiss here, especially since conservative Christians should be looking at conservative investments that usually give a low return on investment.
But top Christian ministries invested hundreds of millions of dollars in a fund started by another Christian, whose sole purpose in setting up the fund was to defraud them of their, or should I say “your” money. The federal authorities finally shut it down, but not before millions of dollars were lost.”
http://www.tentmaker.org/books/TheTitheisIllegal.html
July 23rd, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Lionfish, very interesting article! Thankyou.
July 23rd, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Neil,
This is very interesting:
Two interesting points:
1) AOG is classified as a ‘cult’ by Newsweek
2) The World Wide Church of God, was once a cult that practiced tithing (30%) according to old testament law … it has had the courage to look at the practice of tithing in the light of orthodox teaching and has dropped it and has suffered the consequences … there is a price for placing Truth above error … this is something the Hill$song’s, the Allan Meyers and COC Leadership have not had the courage to do …
Who do they really serve? God or $Money?
July 23rd, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Yes Lionfish, That’s what i meant! I read the whole Tentmaker Article. Very interesting! I have decided to put a few of these things on my Myspace blog to see what reaction my Hill$ong college buddies have if they have time to read it…which I doubt!
July 24th, 2006 at 11:59 pm
This is beautiful!
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=128&id=4572&t=Questioning+claims+bin+Laden+threatened+evangelist
Bonnke the noose is tightening!
July 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hah! I beat you Lance!
July 25th, 2006 at 4:24 am
“Hah! I beat you Lance!”
Heterosexuals and their competitiveness………….I don’t know….
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=4572&t=Questioning+claims+bin+Laden+threatened+evangelist
“What About Those Osama Claims?
Skeptical Australian bloggers began to question Bonnke’s Sudan claims. Signposts held an open post so Australians could post their thoughts about Hillsong 2006. The Osama bin Laden claim was picked up by DogfightatBankstown.
“And if Bonnke has made this claim, and reckons it’s the truth, I would like to know just how, when and where he received the threat, why he was sure it was Osama bin Laden and to which authorities he reported it, and if not, why not.” July 10, 2006 (DogfightatBanksTown)
“Am still waiting for an explanation of Osama’s alleged threat to Bonnke.” July 17, 2006 (DogfightatBankstown)
Hundreds of comments by Australians are under many of these posts, most defending various controversies regarding Hillsong, but no one was able to verify Reinhard Bonnke’s claim that he or any of his staff were threatened by bin Laden.”
I would just add…that I still haven’t received a reply after emailing the Bonkster’s office in Queensland about the Osama claims.
I might have to email Maria @ Hill$ong (and be fobbed off by her too).
July 25th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Lionfish, as far as I know the COC stands very strongly on the individual local church’s autonomy. I do not believe tithing is a COC doctrine, and I know I do not teach it at either of my COC churches.
the rev