Thursday, May 04, 2006
High Cost of Faith
For those who missed it, there was an article about Hillsong which appeared in the Weekend Australian. Steve has posted the link on his web site but I thought it was well worth doing the same. Here is a link to signposts who have been given permission to publish the entire article. I would love to know what you think and if it effects your view of the whole Mega Church model.
# posted by Dr Dan @ 10:53 pm 
Comments:
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Later, there can be no later. How late is 11.22pm? There are only 38 more minuites, so 38 more laters then it becomes earlier. Better get reading!
Interesting article. I try to read media stories of this sort with a grain of salt because truth and prejudice can blur.
I think the real queation is not about 'hills' per se. They are faithful, hardworking christians who are riding a tiger.... Yes there will be blessings - and failures.My personal 'taste' is not for that sort off approach, but...
The bigger question has to do with the identity of 'church' What does kingdom living really mean? What actually is the mission of the church? What's the balance between institutional programmes on the one hand and subverting the culture personally on the other. What do we believe about blessing and failure etc.
(As we've been talking about that here)
The result of our business / consumer / director & board / prosperty theolgy leads to the sort of burn out described by the article. I see it all too often.This model of succcess is really pervasive in middle australian churches.
I think the real queation is not about 'hills' per se. They are faithful, hardworking christians who are riding a tiger.... Yes there will be blessings - and failures.My personal 'taste' is not for that sort off approach, but...
The bigger question has to do with the identity of 'church' What does kingdom living really mean? What actually is the mission of the church? What's the balance between institutional programmes on the one hand and subverting the culture personally on the other. What do we believe about blessing and failure etc.
(As we've been talking about that here)
The result of our business / consumer / director & board / prosperty theolgy leads to the sort of burn out described by the article. I see it all too often.This model of succcess is really pervasive in middle australian churches.
I kinda agree with the grain of salt comment. I reckon it's a no-brainer that the article was biased\prejudiced (and was always going to be).
All the people interviewed were those who had been significantly burnt emotionally and spiritually. I am sure thousands of other Hillsongers could have spoken about how the church has transformed their lives for the better...but that's just the point.
Perhaps a more important critique is the one of someone who has not been emotionally or spiritually burnt but has, in a more objective manner, identified significant theological, (church) cultural, leadership and ecclesiological issues?
The issues exemplified by Hillsong are so great and, as Rev says, pervasive that, in my opinion, the article is worth to be read with a few grains of salt at least!
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All the people interviewed were those who had been significantly burnt emotionally and spiritually. I am sure thousands of other Hillsongers could have spoken about how the church has transformed their lives for the better...but that's just the point.
Perhaps a more important critique is the one of someone who has not been emotionally or spiritually burnt but has, in a more objective manner, identified significant theological, (church) cultural, leadership and ecclesiological issues?
The issues exemplified by Hillsong are so great and, as Rev says, pervasive that, in my opinion, the article is worth to be read with a few grains of salt at least!
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