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Entertainment Churches

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An Open Letter to the Church

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The reemergence of Brian Houston, the former global senior pastor of Hillsong Church, through his new online platform, Jesus Followers TV, has brought to light deeply concerning issues about leadership, accountability, and integrity in public ministry. While Houston has publicly sought financial support for this venture, he has used misleading rhetoric, invoking the plight of impoverished children in India to raise funds for his own production studio and personal ministry needs.

As followers of Christ, we are compelled to call for transparency, accountability, and repentance in our leaders. The circumstances surrounding Brian Houston’s actions demand a public acknowledgment of his disqualification from public ministry and a heartfelt call for repentance.

 Timothy 3:2

“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”

Brian Houston

Image by Kyle Johnson

In promoting Jesus Followers TV, Houston appealed for funds to establish a TV studio, citing the need for cameras, production crews, and LED screens. At the same time, he spoke emotionally about the work of Vision Rescue, a ministry aiding children in Mumbai’s slums. While his words painted a picture of dire need among these children, the fundraising was for his studio, not for the children or Vision Rescue.

This approach is not merely a lapse in clarity—it is disingenuous. It exploits the trust and generosity of believers by invoking the suffering of others to fund a personal platform. Such actions are inconsistent with the humility, integrity, and Christ-like leadership required of those in ministry.

Timothy 3:7

“He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

 Our Gallery

Mountain View

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

I’m writing to you with a heavy heart and deep concern about some troubling trends I see in many churches today. As someone responsible for guiding God’s people, I can’t stay quiet while the sacred is replaced by the sensational and God’s house turns into a place of entertainment.

In some seeker-focused churches, I’ve seen people dancing to music that promotes sin, with flashing laser lights and loud sound systems, making the sanctuary feel more like a nightclub than a place of worship.

God’s Word clearly warns us: “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers… will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Revelation 21:8 adds, “Their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.”

When did the eternal truths of Scripture stop being enough to bring people to Christ?

 

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Lives are changed through preaching the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit, not through flashy shows.

The church is meant to be different from the world, but many have swapped reverence for entertainment and holiness for hype. The church’s mission isn’t to entertain but to share truth, call sinners to repentance, and help believers grow. Anything less is failing our God-given purpose.

To pastors, I urge you to look at your hearts and your actions. Are you honoring God or just trying to please people? To church members, I encourage you to find churches where the Gospel is preached boldly, and worship is done in spirit and truth. Don’t settle for shallow distractions when eternity is at stake.

Let’s repent and return to worshiping God with reverence and holiness. Time is short, and the stakes are high. These are difficult days, and we need strong, faithful leaders.

In Christ’s service,


Brother John Elving

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