I have been so blessed by the ministry of Hillsong Church. I have attended many of their annual conferences. They have been life changing and ministry changing to me. Brian Houston is a once in a generation leader. He has maintained his integrity, his marriage, his passion for Jesus and has continued to seek the next ministry opportunity as the years march on. He believes his own mantra, ‘the best is yet to come’ and lives accordingly.
Last night Facebook and social media lit up with the news that Hillsong will be planting a church in Perth. Having already planted campuses in every major capital city of Australia, except Canberra, it really was only a matter of time.
It is natural that a pastor may feel threatened by the news. Hillsong have an incredible brand and reputation for excellence. Wherever they have planted churches they have thrived, with only a few exceptions. There is no reason to suspect that Perth will be any different. But where will the people come from? Because to plant a church in the Hillsong style, you need Christians. The non churched will be reached. But that wont get them to the 500 or so they will have in the first month. If not more.
Personally I don’t feel threatened, nor do I want to. Another church planting in Perth? Fantastic. We need as many as possible. There are too many churches closing down and dying, The church in Perth needs each other. We need ideas, we need kingdom activity, we need people to come to Christ.
If people do leave your church, perhaps its because they are disenfranchised, marginalised or even consumer christians. Either way, they were on their way out. Perhaps Hillsong will be a fresh start for them, a challenge to them to commit, buy in, follow Jesus.
Welcome Home to Perth Hillsong. May God bless you.
Onya Mark for being Kingdomcentric.
Very inspiring church.
Attended 3 conferences beginning 2008 and 1-day conference held in Perth. Converted from Catholicism to a follower of Jesus.