Yes, we did. Secretly. A guilt trip, done in the cover of night, knowing that no one we know (from church) will ever be there. Yes, we went to a Hillsong service. All 5 of us. We crossed over to the dark side...
So my wife's friend was visiting, and wanted to go to a Hillsong service. Saturday worked out best as she was leaving Sunday morning, and we didn't really want to miss church on Sunday.
Hearing so much about Hillsong, its too easy to judge, based on hearsay.
So I wanted to go, to find out for myself what it is like. My kids all know Hillsong music, and we've sung them, along with EMU songs and bunch of other songs. But here, there is this big divide between the Sydney Anglicans and Hillsong, going back to when I was a student over 20 years ago - I knew that I wasn't happy to hear about the differences via heresay but to see/experience it all for myself. And so I went along.
As I walked in, this is what greeted me:
It was literally rather dark. It was like walking into a concert/disco - dim lights, laser/strobe lighting, loud music, big focus on the music, and esp the music leader. Crowds were upfront, waving their hands, jumping along to the music - it was... and experience. I unfortunately didn't know the songs (guess I don't keep up with the latest Hillsong albums) - but observed.
I love the sound system, polish, perfectly balanced, the drummer was fantastic, deep booming sounds. The music team were all very good, no one was looking at scores - every one seems to have memorized the songs/lyrics. . Lights were focused on whoever was leading the songs, with their image projected onto the screen.
The whole service was very seamless, very smooth, weaving seamlessly from song, to announcements, to prayer. The service was big on experience and emotion (to me), drawing everyone in.
I've been to services where the focus was hardly on Jesus, but not this service. In all honesty, Jesus was the main "focus", lots of references to Jesus, praising Jesus, big cross projected on the background.
At the end of the service, there were many things which surprised me
1.Structure of the Service.
Length was a very normal 1.5 hours, couple of songs, announcements, some prayer, sermon, giving, end with a song. Pretty standard I think. I was surprised that the sermon was maybe half hour? I expected a very short sermon. I expected a lot more singing.
2.Announcements
All very professionally done. Very slick, polished. Think movie trailer polished.
3.Charismatic or Pentecostal?
There a few references to healing, one "prophesy" to a named member of the congregation, another to an unnamed person, but no speaking in tongues that I witnessed.
But there was nothing about 2nd baptism of Holy Spirit (ok I just attended 1 service) - so I guess I would consider Hillsong more charismatic and not pentecostal.
4.Prosperity Gospel
I really expected a big push, but I thought at best mild overtones of it.
They do sell a lot books by Prosperity Gospel teachers, you recognize as their faces are plastered all over the front page, looking like a million dollars. They probably do have a few.
5."Star" of the service.
I kinda expected a big sell on the main speaker, or the main pastor, "fluffers" to hype up the crowd before the main "star" showed up. But I didn't even know the pastor's name, and some introduction to the "guest" speaker Frank Damaggio - who had written over 30 books. But he looked pretty "ordinary", not what a "typical" prosperity gospel preacher I had imagined.
To be honest, plenty of focus on "Jesus", lots of "Cross = Love".
6. The Sermon.
This was always going to be what makes and breaks a service for me - the most important part of the service, and how a "church" teaches the bible.
The message was about Peace, peace of God, and going through the storm of life.
A simple message, driven topically, with passages quoted in support.
To be fair, it wasn't at all "heretical". The main drive was that the Peace of God surpasses all circumstances, and is based on God himself. Amen!
The sermon had no exegesis though, it was a message with scripture, and not scripture which gives us the message. Preacher had a couple of "Hebrew" words, which I wasn't sure whether they were right, good for effect "sounds like the guy knows his stuff", but nothing very critical.
Sermon was big on application, it was focused on where we were, the various possible scenarios, fishing a net wide so that we would be drawn in - yes, God's word for me! Since there was no need for exegesis, there's plenty of time for application.
There is plenty to be said for this, I don't think it helps the congregation learn how to read the bible, how to read in their context, before we can learn what it says to our context. But it does apply for those are already feeling out of their depth, they need to hear that God's peace is true peace, that doesn't falter despite our circumstances. It appealed to my older son, and he needs to hear it from someone else (besides me?) right now.
So, it's like bandaid, good in small doses, helps some people. But you wouldn't put bandaid for heart surgery. I don't think for a Christian's long term growth, that's enough. You need more than quick fix, band aid, feel good sermons. You need to know the Word of God, learn how to read it, understand it, grow from infants to adults, be a Berean, so that you know when wolves come in sheep clothing, false teachers who come with half-truths, which are all the more insidious than direct falsehood.
7.Offering
Again, not as big a push as I'd expect. They did take another offering for the guest speaker though... that is unusual for me.
8.Music
Hillsong is all about its music.They have improved a lot (I think), from Jesus is my boyfriend type of songs, to a lot of songs I would listen and like - maybe not all.
The style is a matter of choice, I don't particularly enjoy the full on concert/disco ambience, but that is probably cultural. I have no problems people enjoying it.
9.Overall take away
The whole service is a slick presentation that caters to the Emotion, how the music is played, the interludes, the prayers, the sermon - they want you to feel good, to enjoy the experience, they cater to the young, reach out to today's generation, they you to know that they love Jesus, and Jesus loves you, and do a good job.
Whilst the form is important, I think what builds the Christian up is substance. How we go from infants in the faith, to go from milk to solid food (1 Cor 3), is to know God's word, to be a Berean (Acts 17:11). We need to equip ourselves to guard ourselves against false teachers.
Last thoughts
There is a lot of negativity towards Hillsong, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual.
There is a lot of things they do well.They are as "bad" as I thought they would be.
I think that they are things we can learn from them, just as things they could learn from us.
And I am glad I went and sat through a service, maybe more in the future, to go with my family if they want to. I want to know what they are learning, experiencing - so that I can better equip myself when we chat, and when others talk about Hillsong.
There will be people offended by what I've said (I think), those who think that I have "criticized" Hillsong, and those who think I actually went to Hillsong and even "complemented" them.
My lesson is that we should be quick to listen, slow to speak (James 1), and I would add, slow to judge. Whether the issue is on Homosexuality, on Charismatic movement, on women ordination, it will be worthwhile to pause, pray for wisdom, listen, discuss.
James 1:19-20 (ESV)
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