I try hard to not “church bash” in my own writings — that is, I try not to harshly criticise for the sake of criticism or disagreement or agitation.
That being said, I am at a loss, to why Garden City Christian Church in Brisbane has decided to become Hillsong Brisbane.
The time I visited GCCC in 2003 they were a growing and thriving typical pentecostal church, with a large youth base, rocking music and the typical prosperity theology preached about from the pulpit when it came to giving. So, what has lead them to decide to accept the brand of Hillsong? According to The Thinking Theologian — and ex-Hillsong employee, they were persued by Hillsong for expansion. There are a couple of great posts with an exploration about the re-branding on The Thinking Theologian here and here. Take a look.
Here’s part of the official statement from GCCC;
Statement from the Board of GCCC, Wednesday 29 April
Following an intensive selection process, the Garden City Christian Church Board and Elders recommended that Brian and Bobbie Houston become Senior Pastors at GCCC.
There was open and extensive consultation with Church members and, on Sunday 26th April, registered members voted overwhelmingly to accept the Board’s recommendation and are in full support of Pastor Brian and Bobbie’s vision for the future of Garden City.
This leadership decision has no effect over the way Church assets are held, the current Constitution, or the Church’s legal structure. GCCC will continue to exist and will operate as Hillsong Brisbane.
All parties have agreed that Pastor Steve and Joyce Dixon will continue to oversee the day-to-day outworking of Brian and Bobbie’s vision in the Brisbane campus; a role that they are excited to continue indefinitely, with the full support and insistence of our new Senior Pastors. Brian and Bobbie will be actively involved giving leadership and oversight to all areas of Church life, and working in partnership with the wonderful team of staff and volunteers at Garden City Christian Church.
What will now change is our capacity to spread the word of the Gospel. The GCCC and Hillsong partnership will enable the Church to touch and change many more lives. We will be able to enhance our good work in this community and continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, here in Brisbane, and far beyond.
The Sydney Morning Herald also carries an article about the re-branding, adding that the GCCC pastor was pushed out prior to the church accepting Hillsong’s grasp. I did have to laugh that the Houston’s add that they will be trying to make it to Brisbane “as much as possible” to lead some services.
How can the Houston’s be Pastors for Brisbane when they do not live there? Has the definition of the shepherd that Jesus shared and Paul explored become so modeled after a Business and not a family that the CEO (effectively) can not be present for the church?
It seems to me that reaching Australia is difficult enough without all this clouding the picture for people.
I want Australia to see Jesus and not the Houston’s or Hillsong as their purpose and reason for church.
{ 7 comments }
No comments Neal! No-one biting! Well, I'm right with you on this mate.
Hi Neal, just stumbled on this. I am AOG in Sydney but that's where my association with Hillsong ends. Nothing against them, I wish them well but it does make me wonder what is the point here. As you say it appears to make sense as a business model but how Biblical that is, I'm with you there. On the other hand, is the Hillsong brand a bigger drawcard than Garden City or worse yet, Christ Himself? Like you I am saddened about this as AOG Christianity has ceased to be about winning the lost to Christ and more about winning the seeking to an entertaining and wealthy clique. Our church has steered well away from that thankfully but for how long I wonder. Not that I doubt our own board, I wonder if the pressure will come from the top.
Thinking Theologian is also on the mark I feel. I read with interest his thoughts on the Bible college situation. I've felt that for years it's relieving to think that I'm not alone feeling that.
Bless you all, please pray for the church in this nation.
Thanks for sharing some great comments with us. Sad to say it is not limited to the AOG or Australian Christian Church but a other denominations – near where I live is Cafeforce (Churches of Christ) that seem to have gone this way. Not sure about CityLife in Wantirna and other places, but it seems while some have headed that way others haven't – congregation by congregation there seems to be some major differences in this area.
In the USA, the megachurches are growing – from osmosis – that is absorbing members from other churches, while the smaller ones, trying the “big guys” approach are not succeeding very well.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts, feel free to drop by and leave them anytime.
Thanks Nathan! LOL I do get a fair bit of traffic on here but very few comment, so thanks for taking the time to say something! BTW – I have your site on my feed reader.
Hey there.
Any idea what happened to the Thinking Theologian blog?
Hi Ali,
Just checked and it appears that the blog on blogger has been closed!
Not sure what has happened – I do hope that the blog has been moved to Wordpress or similar, as it would be sad to loose the voice that The Thinking Theologian shared, and from the perspective The Thinking Theologian had!
If anyone knows what happened or where the author or blog has turned up – please let me know!
Thanks again Ali for bringing this up! Thanks for stopping by – hope to have you stop by and share your thoughts more often.
Personally, I don't see how the Houstons can really be personal pastors to 20,000 people.
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