The Secrets of Hillsong

This has to be the most engaging, informed, exposed and gritty documentary I've watched. Christians and Non-Christians alike will find more than enough to keep them on the edge of their seats while also being provided with receipts of a broken system throughout. My jaw dropped wide open when Carl Lentz showed up on the screen in the most recent interviews recorded for this, it certainly felt real and all too gripping. Certainly while this is quite the expose' and the intro theme may be oddly & aesthetically pleasing, when they warn you about triggering episodes, please don't look past that... There's a lot of info in the last episode or two to make a weak stomach or a victim of SA and the like feel triggered and mind-boggled. It's a lot to chew on but at the end of the day, no matter what you believe spiritually, finances and scandals shouldn't become the norm, and thats what ultimately brought down this den of wolves I used to see as a legitimate church.

I am speaking from personal experience about this Church, I have financially supported with some large gifts and also attended the London Church, whilst watching Hillsongs Sydney throughout the Pandemic and ever since. Of course I used to buy every Hillsong CD back in the day and adored Darlene Zsceck.

I am absolutely horrified about how this organisation has exploited not only the volunteers but also people like me. If I had any idea that my hard earned money was being used to accommodate the lifestyles of Lenz and Houston I would never have given a penny.

The participants were very brave especially the gay gentleman and females who were treated like dirt, as well as the musicians and volunteers.

I was concerned that this documentary would be fabricated and not authentic, but on the contrary, genuine accounts from genuine people who were right in the thick of it.

I have been a practicing Christian for 30 years and I have seen many of the practices mirrored in many Churches that I have attended, I am sad to say.

Only recently I looked into the finances of Elim, as we were tithing 10 percent there each month. I was absolutely disgusted to see how big their salaries and pension contributions are.

Now, I don't go anywhere. I have a simple faith and that's as far as it goes.

So, the cry on cue Lenz has repented and sought forgiveness from all, yet has a personal fortune of £4 million and a massive house worth goodness knows how much, all from Church money which from from US. Lenz should pay it all back. I note that he is in a Leadership position in another Church, if this man had any humility he would not be in any such position. The narcissism is still very evident.

As for Houston, I am hoping that he is locked away in August for many years. To think that I watched his preaches over and over.

Well done the makers of this documentary for exposing such evil in plain sight.

It was extremely painful to watch and I cried at much of it, but it all needed to be shown for what it is.

The whole organisation should now close.

I wonder how many more megachurches are operating like this, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen etc etc etc.

Be very discerning people.

As with nearly every documentary that lifts the lid on these "charismatic" movements there is a dirty underbelly. Since Henry VIII created his own form of christianity to suit his own ends so many humans have followed suit. The subject matter of this movement follows the same pattern - somebody saw the chance to "create" a faith that suits a mindset that will bring rewards. The rewards are power, control, adulation and money. The "leaders" of these "faiths" are definitely never short of material possessions and a comfortable lifestyle and they run it like a business because that's exactly what it is. Sometimes I wish there was such a place as a fiery Hell, an often used tool of fear by them, because that is where so many of them would be going and their fake tears wouldn't quench the flames.

As an ex-evangelical and graduate of the infamous Liberty University, I am always intrigued by these kinds of stories. Hillsong was a big part of the worship music culture I grew up in, and so it was quite surprising for me to see the scandals that have just come to light.

This doc, compared to the HBO doc, goes much more in depth to the story, and it actually has Carl featured as an interviewee. Had no idea about the monstrous crimes of Frank Houston, pastor father of the founder of Hillsong. Just goes again to show you that all institutions, religious or otherwise, will almost inevitably result in abuse of power.

The doc is a pretty tight 4 episodes, I don't think it was overlong like others said. Maybe it could have been 3 episodes and shaved down the rhetoric from some of the speakers. Although it's all truthful and insightful, and there's always some person who hasn't yet grasped why they find themselves disappointed with people and institutions they so love and trust.

I've followed the Hillsong story for almost 20 years buying my first album in New Zealand and dipping in and out by attending the occasional conference or buying an album, or watching on TV. Have taken my eye off the ball as this is an amazing documentary showing inconceivable developments in the story. It's clear that this massive church's success has come at a huge cost but so many of the issues described plague so many churches. This is a fantastic story and my mind is blown! This story is still developing too. What will August the 17th bring? I won't give my opinion on the people involved (all loved by God) or what happens as this will ruin it, but this documentary is wonderful.