Brian Houston writes…
“I want to inform you of issues that have become increasingly clear in recent days, which have left me personally devastated.
Mercy Ministries Inc. have informed us that they are ceasing operations in Australia.
Some of you are aware of Mercy Ministries, an organisation set up to rehabilitate and reach out to young women in need. It has come to my attention in recent days, that investigations into Mercy Ministries Inc. have been ongoing, over what is essentially unclear or misguided communication in relation to their funding and services.
In the past, Hillsong Church has supported Mercy Ministries through financial donations. A number of individuals involved with our church have also served on the board and/or staff of this ministry.
Unfortunately, we believe that in the case of Mercy Ministries, concern about the way they delivered their message and services has unfairly affected Hillsong Church by association.
It is not my place to defend or try to explain what Mercy Ministries has or hasn’t done. Hillsong has done nothing wrong. Hillsong is not under investigation, but a number of key people from Hillsong Church over the years, have been involved in Mercy Ministries.
It is wrong that anything Mercy Ministries may or may not have done could overshadow so much of what we as a church stand for: Loving God and Helping People.
To ensure that this does not happen again it is important that we take immediate action to protect the reputation of our church moving forward.
We will undertake an internal audit of Hillsong staff to identify what organisations or boards they are currently associated with.
From there, we will be strongly recommending that our executive level staff no longer participate on other not-for-profit boards.
We will also examine some future guidelines and boundaries for Hillsong staff in regards to their involvement in external boards.
It is so important that we continue to support and work in cooperation with organisations doing great things in our community and around the world.
Despite the numerous positive achievements of Mercy Ministries, Hillsong Church will no longer support, or be associated with this ministry.
Further, we sever any affiliation with Mercy Ministries internationally, and would not be associated with any attempt by Mercy Ministries Inc or Mercy Ministries Ltd, to recommence within Australia, under that or any other name.
We would encourage those, that any investigation involves, to cooperate fully.
We will continue to keep the church informed as to any new developments with this situation, and would ask you to continue to keep this in your prayers.
- Brian Houston, Senior Pastor, Hillsong Church”
From http://hillsong.com/statement-regarding-mercy-ministries
Perhaps the ‘internal audit’ could start with this hearty endorsement of Mercy Ministries and its leaders by Brian Houston at Hill$ong about 4 months after the scandal surfaced.
Scietology (in France) has just been convicted of fraud for manipulating a member to buy some sort of machine to test mental health or some such shite……….interesting. They are classed as a religion too
sorry meant Scientology
Dear Brian,
I have been a supporter of Hillsong for over 10 years, and I just really want to write and thank you. I feel so loved and supported now that you’ve released the statement about Mercy Ministries. But Hillsong has always loved and supported me, haven’t they? I could always count on you guys when I needed you.
After I approached Hillsong pastors and leaders and told them about what was happening at Mercy, it felt wonderful to see Hillsong still advertising them and donating to them. I was especially touched by your display of love and concern for those who Mercy abused when you labelled the reports of abuse as lies and a work of the devil. That was so nice of you.
But you’ve released a statement about Hillsong not supporting Mercy Ministries anymore, so it’s ok now isn’t it. We should move on. Forgive and forget that Hillsong enabled the abuse of hundreds of young women, including me. Never mention that Hillsong funded them. After all, as ‘good’ Christians, that’s what we should do, isn’t it? Forgive and forget. Never mention it again. Protect the church’s reputation. Protect Hillsong.
Brian, this is my life that you and Mercy Ministries played with. Do you get that? Do you understand, even just a little tiny bit? Do you care that before Mercy I loved my church, I attended regularly and at times held leadership positions. But over 3 years after Mercy, I still can’t even walk into a church without wanting to run out again. Do you care that I’ve had to quit Uni because of the affects Mercy had on me? Do you care that since Mercy I’ve had to have regular counselling to undo the damage Mercy Ministries did? I’ve been living on weatbix and baked beans because I’ve been so determined to be able to afford and get the help needed so I could get back to at least how well I was before trusting Mercy Ministries. I trusted Mercy Ministries because of Hillsong’s endorsement.
Thank you for being so loving and supportive in the aftermath of my time at Mercy. It was so lovely to know that I could count on you and Hillsong to help when I needed it. I felt so loved and supported.
So again, thank you for the statement about Hillsong’s seperation from Mercy. I could tell how genuine your words were in the statement. They were very selfless and showed a great concern for those who were abused and are still trying to overcome their experiences at Mercy. I especially liked the part about how Hillsong hasn’t done anything wrong.
Past resident of Mercy Ministries Australia
Oh you poor thing, that must have been hard and even harder that Hillsong did not give anyone any follow-up support. Typical and not surprising. These “cowboys” of God/church should be made accountable of their teachings/words/actions. There should be a law, oh hang on, what about “Duty of care”
That’s the thing. It’s real lives, real consequences. Not just a matter of marketing.
‘I was a mercy girl’ – I hope you find healing over time.
Typical Hillsong.
A fair Weather Friend to the Youthful, The Exciting, The Rich, The Cool and The Trendy … until times changes and assocaition damages the most important thing. The Hill$ong Brand.
Fair weather friend, very succint description of some churches.Of course there are some exceptions but one finds if they are down on their luck it is either blamed on the person or their “faith” or a quick prayer and it’s all fixed. So sub-human
Hill$ong care more about their image than abused women. Hill$ong always advertised themselves as being “partners” with Mercy Ministries yet now change their story when it no longer suits them. It was started by Hill$ong pastors. They would rather save their image than take responsibility. It’s all very convenient
That my be so but they are definately crossing a boundary, a legal boundary. If you set up any kind of medical clinic in Australia you have to follow guidelines, otherwise there would be more rehabs etc. Its very hard, I don’t know how Mercy did it quite honestly. Ive worked in govt hospitals and there are “many” rules and regulations. Maybe the Howard govt funding faith based “institutions” hasn’t helped
any chance brian will actually see that response from ‘mercy girl”. I would love to actually see what his response would be.
Brian won’t, but one of his many minions certainly will. My suggestion is that ‘mercy girl’ send a letter addressed personally to Brian, as well as a carbon copy to each and every elder of Hillsong.
If it were me I would also send copies to the ACC (AoG) exectuive members.
I didn’t realise Hillsong were under AOG, C3 isn’t, i didn’t know that.
I don’t think Hillsong are ‘under’ anything. Can you imagine the AOG having any influence on them? More likely the other way around.
C3 is more of a rival to Hillsong. Their denominational models seem quite different. Hillsong seems to want the giant megachurch, and C3 is going for hundreds of churches with minimum congregations of 500. So C3 might often look smaller than Hillsong, but its probably more widely spread – unless Hillsong takes more existing churches under its umbrella. I don’t know if Hillsong is an official denomination or not. Christian City Church is.
I think the goverment needs to monitor any “organisation” that is receiving large funding and tax breaks. I don’t mind people having a church per say but I don’t want to pay for it