[ A study of the Statements found on the Assemblies of God ( AoG ) affiliated, Australian Christian Churches ( ACC ) Hillsong Web site . Relevant comments are placed immediately after each portion of the Statements. Emphasis by CWM. To view the Statements in their entirety- Click HERE... - WM ]

by David Drozd -April 2002 *0

In the last days it is written that there will be an increase of men that will be lovers of glory, money and success rather than of God ( 2 Timothy 3:1-7 ). Today this situation is present in the world as well as the church of Jesus Christ and an ever-increasing emphasis has been placed on what man can achieve, receive and inherit through the church. The teachings of these churches under the influence of false teachers and leaders are using subtle methods of ensnaring people into their churches for gain and profit by using the Lord's precious name in vain and claiming it is God's work ( Jeremiah 23: 24-32 ). People are running to these churches and the altars for salvation and everyone is shouting revival.
But the question I pose is this, which God or Jesus are they presented with in these churches, is it the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that they are running to? ( 2 Corinthians 11:3-6).

I hope that within the whole document the reader may understand the pattern and recurring themes that exist within these churches and their teachings. This is not about deliberating about a single point or even points within these teachings that are not in accordance with the word of God. Neither is it about spending time over single points that can seem ambiguous within context to the Word of God.
Rather it is about understanding the outcome of what an accumulated amount of these subtle changes/ambiguous statements will produce in people over a span of time and how they change God to something he is not. With this paper I hope to bring the truth to the surface of what many people within these churches are questioning and/or disagreeing with.

The quotes used in this paper are taken from the Assemblies of God (AoG) affiliated, Australian Christian Churches (ACC) Hillsong Website. The current Australian Christian Churches' movement under the leadership of its president Brian Houston has amassed over 200 000 members Australia wide and it has taken under its wing over 1200 churches.
Please be aware that this paper does not only apply to people currently attending the large mother churches of these teachings being Hillsong in Castle Hill and Christian City Church. It applies to all people within small or large churches that are affiliated with AoG and ACC in Australia and are under the teachings thereof and importantly it also applies to all people that are unsure about the teachings of this movement.
What is being represented in these quotes is what the leader of ACC & AoG Brian Houston is presenting, teaching and affirming.

- DD

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A letter from Bobbie Houston

"Dear friends,
Welcome to what I believe will be our finest year together yet. Towards the end of December,

• I felt my spirit quicken from the book of Haggai, which contains a simple yet powerful promise of blessing.

The first paragraph that is written by Brian and Bobbie Houston begins with the following quote "I felt my spirit quicken" (the statement is signed by them both being therefore in total agreement of what is written here). These words coming from this man and woman pertain not to the quickening power of the spirit of God, but rather to the human desires of the flesh. That sense of quickening that one would feel when browsing through the homebuyer's catalogue or a car magazine in order to make a purchase. A simple lust or desire after something known as 'covet' brings upon an individual this sense of quickening and many times the heart may pound. The fact that these individuals have written these words may to some seem that it is genuine and especially that these words are biblical. However this simple and covetous desire is one of many offers of enticement to followers of the teachings of this movement.

• which contains a simple yet powerful promise of blessing.

As we read the next lines we see a quote that the book of Haggai "contains a simple yet powerful promise of blessing". I would like to draw attention to the word 'simple' that is used in this passage. This word is used because all major scriptural promises of blessing have been so utterly used up by these teachings that any part of the bible that even has a mention of the word 'blessing' will be found out and used by these teachers. The focus of the word blessing (unless otherwise stated) pertains automatically to material blessings in these teachings, however the word of God is referring to spiritual blessing in almost all of these cases. Passages that pertain to the Old Testament blessings of territory and possessions are taken completely out of context and are applied to these teachings.

• The book relates to the people of God giving priority to 'priority'.*1 After several years of freedom, they had become preoccupied with their own personal worlds, at the expense of the 'extension' of the Kingdom. Haggai assured them that if they gave priority to God's work they would prosper. Several thousand years later that promise still holds and I felt it quickened to us as a church as we enter 2002.

The second paragraph makes mention of giving priority to God's work. As an everyday follower of Christ, this seems logical, to do the work of God. There is no doubt that many within the church congregation's are extremely hardworking by participating and helping, being involved with the church/organization. However it is not all about how hard people are working or giving priority to 'God's work', as it is about which God they are working for. Is the God that they are working for the same God*2 that spoke through Moses saying that it is better to obey God than to offer a sacrifice unto him ( 1 Samuel 15:22 ). They should preach the former without leaving the latter undone, irrespective of how many 'love songs' we sing to God; the more we obey God is the more we love him. ( John 14:15 ).

• if they gave priority to God's work they would prosper. Several thousand years later that promise still holds and I felt it quickened to us as a church as we enter 2002.

One does not doubt that there is a sacrifice of time, effort, and money in these churches. However is that which is more important being taken care of?
Once more the promise of prosperity is given to those that "Gave priority to God's work", prosperity in terms of material and financial benefit. However there are godly Christians who are sacrificing their efforts for the Lord's work, who overlook the promise of gain for themselves but focus outwardly. Sadly these Christians are used as pawns in the game and the leadership*3 of these churches will praise them, acknowledge them and try to keep them within the church at all costs.

• and I felt it quickened to us as a church as we enter 2002

One would believe it when they write that they feel it 'quickening' or 'exciting' them as a better word to describe it as a church as they enter the year 2002. The book of Titus gives an important wake up call to these teachings as it reads "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful" Titus 3:14 KJV. Therefore the work that is done let it bring forth good fruits and let it be done for necessary uses. The Lord does not see financial gain for all as a necessary use; neither is greed nor love of money a good fruit.*4 God is not about buildings and mega churches with hierarchical structures where man is leading.*5 What he asks is an individual dependency on Jesus Christ for all and everything, Christ holds the church together all over this world, he is the head of the body ( Ephesians 5:23 & Colossians 1:18 ).

• Of late the very word 'blessing' rings in my spirit. When I verbalise that word or pray it over you, as I so often do, my spirit wells and it feels as though my heart is going to explode.

This paragraph is a mockery of anything that stands for godliness. Anyone claiming to speak and write by the spirit of God cannot utter such absolute nonsense.
Firstly the mention is that "of late the very word blessing rings in my spirit", the question is of how late, the entirety of your teachings in fact ring and resound with this word.
The next sentence is filled with unbiblical practices and great swelling words.
Thirdly the practice of praying over 'as I so often do' and verbalizing this word 'blessing' is horribly entangled with the occult and many spiritualistic practices ( Deuteronomy 18:10-12 & 1 Corinthians 10:20). Our Lord speaks and things are brought about, we ask in prayer and his word brings it about. Not the other way around where man can verbalize and things will come to pass, pray rather "if the lord wills" ( James 4:15 ).

• as though my heart is going to explode.

It seems also that there is a dependency here on these prophets as they do the praying over their followers and are in the position to determine the power of blessing over someone's life. This is absolutely wrong, throughout the scriptures we see that in all things all glory must be given to God, it is through what the Lord does, not sinful imperfect man that deserves glory. In all things Jesus must be glorified as his power and holiness he causes things to happen and come to pass ( Acts 3:11-13a). The last sentence is absolutely unbelievable. His spirit wells and his heart is going to explode? These are vain and empty words of a false prophet ( 2 Peter 2 whole chapter).

• Friends, God wants to bless you. He wants to open the windows of heaven over you and he wants cause everything you do to prosper

I do not doubt that God wants to bless us and cause us to prosper; it is however in the things that will bring Him glory. The spiritual blessings, the fruits of the spirit are those that endure, not temporary pleasures and possessions. The promises of the Lord are wanted by most, but turning away from the things of the world is not as popular. Furthermore if this blessing and prosperity is talking about financial and material matters then who wouldn't want to be a part of it?

• Don't deny Him that pleasure

So remember, "Don't deny him the pleasure." I cannot stand the misuse of this passage; God is mocked and used because of the goodness of his heart and his willingness to do well. However his loving kindness is abused and taken for granted because of the greed and lust of the flesh of man (cf Jude verses 4, 10-13, 16-19).

• Delight... and He will give you the desires of your heart.

This sentence involves a clear changing of a bible verse to change the context of the word of God. The sentence states, "Delight... and he will give you the desires of your heart". The passage of scripture it is taken from is Psalm 37:4 that reads "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." KJV. There is a part taken out of the verse, which clearly changes the context of the whole passage. David's desire was not to posses' things of the world but the desire of his heart was to draw nearer to the lord and not lose anything he has spiritually (see Psalm 51:11 "take not thy holy spirit from me", and all other Psalms written by David). Therefore this passage misuses David's heart desire which is to delight in the Lord, from which then godly desires would be desired of the spirit filled man, not fleshly. I agree this is subtle and for those that are truly seeking the Lord it does not necessarily mean they are all seeking fleshly desires, however the teaching of this passage pertains to the desires of the flesh and covetousness.

• Seek... and you shall find. Honour... and blessing will follow.

The next quote reads *6 "Seek... and you shall find. Honour... and blessing will follow." Once again the Lord's name has been taken out of these quotes. I am 100% certain that if you were to seek, give glory to and honour the Lord then his name would be included in the statement! ( Luke 9:26 ). Once again this pertains to the above-mentioned that is of seeking human and worldly desires not the Lord. There is great ambiguity in these sentences they can mean many things including to honour and/or seek the promise of material blessing, to honour your leader who is praying *7 these blessings over you. If this passage were to be giving honour to the Lord the inclusion of the words to make it "honour the Lord..." cannot under any circumstance be left out. As the reader will find out further into these teachings, the Lord's name is often left out *8 and there is glory afforded to men, not to God.

• Absorb these words and see if 2002 won't be your personal finest yet...

The concluding remark asks the reader to "Absorb these words and see if 2002 won't be your personal finest yet..." This is another appealing passage to those walking in the lusts of the flesh; it is about personal gain and what you can get out of God. It asks to "absorb" these words, let them sink in, to get these teachings into your mind and be rooted therein deeply. The sad fact remains that many in this country have these words and teachings deeply absorbed into their systems and if you even try speaking out against their fleshly pursuits, even biblically pointing out obvious flaws, they will not want to hear about it ( Ezekiel 2:4-7 ).

Love you forever, " Brian and Bobbie Houston Senior Pastors Hillsong Church http://www.hillsong.com/church/welcome.shtml

The Church That I See

• "The Church that I see is a Church of influence. A Church so large in size that the cities and nations cannot ignore it. A Church with a message so clear that lives are changed forever. A Church growing so quickly that buildings struggle to contain the increase

The next passage deals with what vision and what church Brian Houston sees.*9 The first statement or heading "The church that I see" sums it up, it is a church that Brian sees, not what the Lord sees. Some may claim that Brian being led by the spirit of God as he claims to be led sees this church through that spirit. May the Holy Spirit and word of God convict many as to what spirit is leading this man.
Importantly I would like to make mention of the fact that when the word "church" is mentioned in the following passages and indeed throughout all of Brian Houston's material, that the word pertains to the whole organisation and affiliation that he pastors/leads in any capacity. This organisation incorporates all that is linked and under the leadership of Brian Houston of ACC including AoG Australia, Apostolic Churches, Bethesda and all independent churches however minimally related.
Many under the covering of Australian Christian Churches are not under the AoG banner because of differences in doctrines and teachings. Many in these churches under the ACC organization but however outside the AoG do not agree with many of the teachings of Brian Houston.
However they feel there is so much they can benefit from which he has in common with them, but beware subtly and slowly a little sin *10 works through the whole organization ( Galatians 5:9 ). There may be great songs and worship, discipleship principles and reaping techniques, church planting and mission work that is all so advanced and modern, its working for them, therefore it must be good! Not completely, behind these great-whitewashed walls are cracks, faults, sins and hidden motives that are not of God but are false ( Ezekiel 13:10 ).

If people are admitting that they sense that it is not quite right, pastors who are responsible for their people, yet they will still join with such an organisation under the leadership covering of such a false prophet as Brian Houston. The only solution from such a false movement and prophet is to get out! "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you".
How can a pastor that cares for his flock allow this teaching and teacher to infiltrate his congregation's faith in the Lord on ANY LEVEL.
I make this emphasis because many do not see the dangers of mixing a little sin in their teaching with a Holy God.
The most quoted phrase that comes out of these teachings is "Well you take in the good and spit out the bad", deception absolute deception.*11 It is the subtly hidden things that grow on one in the course of time and cause falling away from truth and the faith. A teaching that does not lead to godliness, but supposes that gain is godliness, is false, from such teachers the bible says, 'withdraw thyself' ( 1 Timothy 6:5 ). It does not say 'try and convince them that they are wrong', neither does it say to 'remain under these teachings perhaps they will change'.

	Brothers and sisters in Christ GET OUT, you are doing more and more damage to yourself if you are staying in these churches and under their teachings.

The following passage in 1 Timothy 6:6-12 talks of a life of godliness, I make no regrets in saying that this passage is totally the opposite of what the prosperity faith teachings teach. " But godliness with contentment is great gain... brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. It then speaks of the dangers of what this teaching is all about, "they that want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money *12 is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith... But thou O man of God flee these things".

One time, amid all else that was confusing me in these teachings, the pastor of Penrith CLC Jack Hanes*24 got up and said, "It is a SIN to think that God would not want to bless you and cause you to flourish and prosper. That is the problem with Christians today they are so content with what they have". Automatically I thought this is totally off track, this is exactly the opposite of what the bible and the whole life of Christ has taught us!
There was a sense of total disbelief, but then guilt and fear as the pastor said it was a SIN and that the devil was trying to deceive us that we shouldn't prosper *13 and be content. Please be aware, the pastor spoke the word "prosper" and did not make mention of the fact to "prosper in spirit and in the Lord", his whole message pertained to financial and material gain.

In fact as a youth pastor Rick Burrell*25 of Penrith CLC had said to me Jesus spoke about money more than about anything else in the bible, and Jesus himself was rich in money and material possessions'. I couldn't believe what came out of his mouth, it was only later that I found out he had gotten this from the books and teachings of the movement that so many have been reading. Yes Jesus spoke about money in the bible; he spoke AGAINST IT not for it.

I heard a message once, where the preacher, Wally Odum of AoG, in one of these churches actually said that the real reason Jesus drove out the money sellers was not because they were using the Lord's house for merchandise, but because he was ridding them from an area of seating that was meant to be for someone or something else. I could not believe how skilfully, quickly and deceitfully he perverted the real meaning of this scripture where Jesus shows his hatred of moneymaking in God's house (Matthew 1:12-13, Mark 11:15-17 & Luke 19:45-46). Jesus' real intention and desire has been so utterly diffused and changed and there have been so many perverted attempts at using Jesus' words for gain in these teachings that by now one has to realise how falsely they use the bible for their profit. A book alone can be written of the amounts of times God's promises of blessings have been ripped out of context and used for financial gain. Jesus said that the people had made God's house a "den of thieves" and Peter warns of false prophets who will "make merchandise of you" (2 Peter 2:3). Brothers and sisters, this is happening today in Australia, *14 not just in the Unites States, don't stand by and watch if you know this is taking place.

• I see a Church whose heartfelt praise and worship touches heaven and changes earth. With worship that exalts Jesus Christ through powerful songs of faith and hope.

I cannot agree with the passage that states that their churches "Heartfelt praise and worship touches heaven and changes earth". Praise is not about what glory we can get out of it or what we can change through praising.
The Lord has the power to change the earth, not humans, irrespective of how many thousands sing, clap and praise. Here there is another example of enticement as to what we humans are able to do, there is no praise of God here.

• I see a Church whose altars are constantly filled with repentant sinners responding to His call to salvation.

Furthermore the statement that the "altars are constantly filled with repentant sinners",*15 what are they repenting from. If the focus of the church is on the world and its lusts, what Jesus are they running to for salvation? What God has been portrayed in this church that so many would run to the altars? Is it the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? True biblical repentance has to do with turning from the lusts of the world, actually dying to them! For if we walk by the flesh we are none of his (Christ's) (John 3:3-6 & Romans 8).

• Yes, the Church that I see is so dependent on the Holy Spirit that nothing ..

There are always statements used by these teachers that are biblical but are so out of place in the whole context of the teachings of this movement. These statements I do not agree with simply because they are included so that their teachings may seem biblical. These are beautiful statements, however where do they fit in within the context of their teachings? The statement that their church "is so dependent on the Holy Spirit" is false.
If the teaching of this church were to be of the Holy Spirit everything would be in accordance with the word of God and IN CONTEXT. As it is, the spirit of God is not in this movement or church because of its teachings. If things are out of mesh and not in unity with the spirit of God and the scriptures (His word); THEN it cannot mean there is dependency on the Holy Spirit*16 in this church.

• ..will stop it nor stand against it. A Church whose people are unified, praying and full of Spirit-filled believers.

"Nothing will stop nor stand against it" this passage outlines a very important point of the teaching and defensive frame of mind that the movement exhibits. Once anyone tries to speak a word against the church they make it out to be that you are speaking out against the Holy Spirit and/or move of God. This movement and its teaching is not of the Holy Spirit, so there is no need for people to be afraid to speak out against what is going on in these churches. In fact the bible states "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world" 1 John 4:1 KJV. If it is not biblically correct*17 or deviates from and changes the outcome of what God through his Holy Spirit desires, then it is simply not of God, not of the Holy Spirit. However scare tactics are often employed by these teachers *18 who say anyone who speaks out is 'not acting in love" and/or is a hypocrite. According to them brothers and sisters who speak out against the teachings of this movement, are not acting in love. However if you DO NOT speak out, you are not acting in love. How can the blind lead the blind, they cannot but will both fall into the pit. If a man or woman with sight can see that these blind that cannot see what is going on are about to fall into the pit, their own brothers and sisters even! Will they not warn them, I tell you they are not acting in love if they let them continue in the wrong path for most certainly if they continue they will fall. To the naive deal with compassion, but to others that are walking knowledgeably in the lusts of the flesh save them with fear, pulling them out of the fire (Jude 22-23).

• . A Church whose people are unified, praying and full of Spirit-filled believers.

The last sentence I want to draw attention to is very cunningly worded. "A church whose people are unified, praying and full of Spirit-filled believers." Grammatically does not make sense as a people can be unified and can be praying but a people cannot be full of spirit-filled believers.
Please reread this if you are unsure, what is really being written here is that the people are full of spirit *19, filled believers. It is not stating that the church is full of spirit-filled believers.
This is not a grammatical error, this is purposely written this way and does not mean people are filled with the Holy Spirit but are simply spirited, such as excited or in euphoria. They are definitely 'filled believers'; they that believe these teachings and are filled with all kinds of lusts and desires that these teachings promote. The Church that I see has a message so clear that lives are changed forever
The statement that the church "has a message so clear that lives are changed forever" is very true. You will find that lives are changed of those people that are in agreement with the teachings of these churches. Not just those new to Christ, but also those that knew him, even intimately. Lives are being changed because there is something new in the air; sadly many of those that knew Christ once are now living for something new. They are depressed and Holy Spiritless and are missing what they had in the Lord but still they do not get out of the influence of sinful teaching!
It is not going to get any better; you will not draw closer to the Lord if you are under of the influence of sinful teaching. Until an individual leaves the influence of sinful teaching, and searches for the Lord in spirit and truth, will they then realise how far that (sinful) teaching was from God.

• and potential is fulfilled through the power of His word. A message beamed to the peoples of the earth through their television screens.

Please be aware that these statements are not linked, for their next statement quotes "and potential is fulfilled through the power of his word". This statement may seem ambiguous once again, however surely we must all know by now that the fullness of the word of God must be used. Not just a teaching based on sections of the bible that can be interpreted by flesh into a doctrine of prosperity and utter wickedness for mans gain. The word of God is power, it is God himself, for "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God" John 1:1 KJV. However the word of God must be used in context to the present situation, the Holy Spirit enables this to be done not human flesh and understanding.

• I see a Church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.

The next paragraph once again raises a few more key points of the teachings of this movement. Firstly that acceptance is given but what kind of acceptance? Biblical acceptance speaks of the Lord loving mankind so much that he accepts all, the worst of sinners. However the acceptance that is not correct is the acceptance of sin and this teaching does not hinder those that are in sin but accepts them and does not wish to offend them. This is a fine line to draw and I do not wish to be doctrinal in what this statement is saying however I wish to be biblical. Jesus taught us to accept sinners but to teach repentance from sin and lusts of the flesh, let us now leave this statement, but assuredly know, that the acceptance of sin *20 into church is incorrect.

• I see a people so kingdom minded

The next sentence states that the people should be *21 "so kingdom minded that they count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land".

• that they count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land.

This is already taking place, I would like not to refer to revival as 'revival' but as 'increase of numbers' as the word "revival" does not do justice to their teachings.

• The statement reworded really means this;
  "we are so number minded, that we will do whatever it takes to see people join our church, and we will pay whatever the cost, to get the increase in numbers. Even if it means bending the words of God a "little" to get people in. Even if it means to compromise on sin and allure through the lusts of the flesh"

I truly do know that they will pay whatever it takes to see numbers increased in their congregation's, they do not care about souls for the Lord, but rather for numbers in their churches,-- there is a huge difference.

I will make mention of a pastor of this teaching who spoke to me about the methods of ensnaring and bringing people into the church. He was taught this through the movement's teachings which he claims stand on biblical ground when Jesus sends the twelve saying "be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" Matthew 10:16 KJV, to bring people into the kingdom of God.
These teachings and leaders promote this passage and I noticed how many times he dwelt on and emphasised the word serpent, almost as if he wanted to be like one and be able to deceive people into the kingdom/church. *22 This is certainly a dangerous practice as the serpent is cunning and deceptive and to slowly change our thought patterns to his ones will certainly prove destructive ( 2 Corinthians 11:3 ). Jesus says to be wise in this way as to deal on a level with the people of this world to bring them into the kingdom of God, not into churches and teachings that are full of deception. Paul writes of the falseness of teachers and their doctrines who by serpent-like cunning craftiness lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:14).
So if one knows that these teachings are corrupted by sin, know then that the evil one the serpent himself is behind this. Furthermore if they are ensnaring people into this false teaching they are certainly not working for God. They are working for the deceptive serpent himself, ensnaring people into a false gospel of lightness, prosperity and cheap grace, a teaching that certainly ends in damnation and not eternal life (2 Corinthians 11: 13-15).

• The Church that I see is a Church so committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the end-time harvest that all of its ministries are consumed with this goal. I see a Church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit and whose focus is the Great Commission. Yes, the Church that I see could well be our church, Hillsong Church."

The next passage is once again extremely deceptive however alluring. That the church is "so committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the end-time harvest..." The Lord is certainly not behind their teachings; neither is he behind their leadership programs, what then is being raised up in these last days and who is empowering them?
They refer to it as the 'end time harvest', yes these are end times, the bible talks much about the end times condition of the church and its teachings which we are now witnessing.
The bible also talks about a falling away from the truth in the last days, can this mean a falling away even with increased church attendance/organisation participation, most certainly (2 Thessalonians 2:3). These teachings and false prophets are causing many people to fall away from the truth and are strengthening the hands of those already in a lukewarm state.
Furthermore, righteous hearts are being saddened by the false prophets and their teachings (Ezekiel 13:22). Are we supposed to sit back and let these teachings continue, or do we cry and are saddened that the precious name of the Lord is used in vain and his Holy temple is being defiled? ( Ezekiel 9:3-10).

Brian & Bobbie Houston
Senior Pastors, Hillsong Church

http://www.hillsong.com/church/vision.shtml

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Hillsong Church Mission Statement

• changing mindsets and empowering people to lead and impact every sphere of life"

This is the passage that outlines the mission statement of Hillsong church. Who is empowering these people, if it is God, why do they not give glory unto him, why is the Lord's name continually left out of scriptures and statements?
If this statement along with the many others were written with the Lord Jesus in mind, most certainly it would glorify him.
However what the statement is saying is based on the flesh and human power and how 'people' can impact and empower the world, not how God can.

• "To reach and influence the world by building a large bible based church,"

It is important to see once again how the inclusion of the words "bible based church" can make this passage sound biblical and correct However again the question is asked "what part of the bible" and "why does the rest of the passage contradict the bible and the spirit of God?"

• This mission is outworked through two major worship centres (City and Hills), a city-wide network of cellgroups, contributing ministries and outreach services. http://www.hillsong.com/church/mission.shtml

The Hillsong Church Mission Statement is not biblically correct, it does not reflect the spirit of God and is therefore false. It has failed the test on two required fronts.

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I hope that many may have come to a better understanding of what these teachings are about and that the Lord may convict hearts of what they may already know is taking place. Throughout the scriptures we see the punishment that the Lord inflicts on false teachers and their followers and how his anger is kindled against falseness in his name. God will judge this movement and its teachings sooner or later because he cannot go against his word, the question is which side are you going to be on when God brings his judgment.

Remember the Lord always has a remnant of true believers, we see this all through the scriptures, there are churches in this country that have not been corrupted by these teachings, find one if the Lord directs you so.

Otherwise find a person who is truthful and know the words of our Lord "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" Matthew 18:20 KJV and that "the kingdom of God is within you" Luke 17:21.

Praise be always and in all things to our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

David Drozd

Introduction from David Drozd

June 16th 2002

From a young age I was brought up in a church organisation in Cabramatta, Sydney. I gave my life to the Lord at the age of eight. My mother was, and continues to be, God fearing and I thank God that my upbringing reflects this. In 1995 when I was 14 we started attending the Penrith Christian Life Centre (PCLC). I had a certain discomfort with the teachings that were being introduced into the church. After some time my family and I left. I fell away from church in general and from the Lord. A few dark years followed. However, "there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus" and it now feels as if I had never left the Lord's side.

I sought the Lord again and returned to the PCLC some two years ago. I was shocked at the teachings that were there. They were clearly wrong; although 95% seemed right the element of deceit worked through the whole teaching. On a single visit to this church one may not have been able to conclude that anything is wrong, but in the long run, with an accumulated amount of deceit and false teaching, the lump has become leavened. I stayed in the church for about 12 months and I know the Lord kept me from the deception. It was hard to leave because of the way in which the church and its congregation act to keep you in. The last straw came when I heard a message of absolutely astounding deception and sin from the pulpit. There was no way that I would step foot back into that church again unless they truly repent from all the deceit and falsity they teach and support.

Since I left the PCLC some 12 months ago I have been given the opportunity to share my experiences with others and lead some of them away from these teachings. There are many more who need to be warned. With the Lord's help I know that together those of us who know about these errors can reach these dear people. There is a cry in my heart against the deceit and falsity of the teachings and teachers associated with Hillsong AOG and the related Christian Life Centres.

- David Drozd *23

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 KJV