The Secrets of Hillsong

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.

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.

Who needs to be told that a hipster in a leather jacket, who posts shirtless photos of himself and cries on cue, leading a megachurch that has services which look like pop concerts isn't actually a real spiritual leader?

I feel insulted that this documentary even exists, I guess this is made for people who are genuinely surprised that Donald Trump is a narcissist and a liar.

Next I'm looking forward to Secrets of Wal-Mart and Secrets of the Ku Klux Klan.

Fifteen minutes into this documentary I'm just laughing at these people and thinking no wonder most of the people in the crowd are teenagers.

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.

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.