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Hillsong NYC: Dishonorable Mentions

I only mention the early early days to point out that the toxic leadership culture of Hillsong NYC was not a creation of Carl Lentz. It’s a preset of the structure. And he, unfortunately, ran with it. We all did. Through actions and through acquiescence. Because to speak up or to question was to dishonor.

Burn It Down

Hillsong is what it is, and what it is, in the kindest, least-controversial description I can muster, is unhealthy. I don’t think many would dispute that. Even among people who still attend Hillsong, a general theme seems to be “being the change” – people are hanging on and hanging in there, in hopes of making Hillsong into what we keep being told it is: a good church. But it’s not.

Called Qualified

It was easier for JT to become an “Executive Pastor” than it is for most people to become an Executive Assistant in New York. Hillsong pronounces people “pastors” like I pronounce people “cool”, it is completely arbitrary and based on nothing more than a feeling.

Nothing Wasted

We’re coming up on three months since the Carl Lentz scandal broke and pretty effectively broke the protective enchantment spell surrounding Hillsong. It seems like at least every other week there’s a new story, a little more breaking news to remind us all that Hillsong is a whole mess. The latest addition to the that’s-a-shame […]

Georgia On My Mind

I’m going to encourage the people of Atlanta to remember and take to the heart some of the final words of that launch team video: Without you, Hillsong Atlanta doesn’t exist. It’s just a dream. A nightmare that does not have to come true. Atlanta does not need Hillsong.

Nothing Bad Ever Happens To Me

There’s a moment during the opening scenes of The Lego Batman movie (which is a FAVE) when two coworkers are saying goodnight to each other; as one of them drives away, the other one notes “Man I really like that guy. I sure hope nothing bad happens to him.” Meanwhile, the one who is driving […]