Hillsong Church: Brian Houston facing misconduct claims

Global megachurch Hillsong has confirmed embattled founding pastor Brian Houston is the subject of serious misconduct allegations, which partly prompted his recent stand down.

Global megachurch Hillsong has announced founding pastor Brian Houston has been found by the church to have inappropriately texted a female staff member and wound up in another woman’s hotel room while intoxicated after a church conference.

Houston, 68, stood down from his responsibilities as the church’s global leader while he remains before the court charged with concealing his father’s historic child sex abuse.

He has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of concealing the serious indictable offence of another person and is expected to face a local court hearing later in 2022.

But the Hillsong Global Board has now confirmed they were working through other issues privately with Houston – which have since become public and involve two complaints made against the church leader over the past 10 years.

Hillsong’s founder Brian Houston. Picture: John Grainger

“The first issue was approximately a decade ago and involved inappropriate text messages from Pastor Brian to a member of staff, which subsequently resulted in the staff member resigning,” the church’s board said in an email to congregants.

“At the time, Pastor Brian was under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence.

“He immediately apologised to the person (and) we also worked closely with Pastor Brian to ensure he received professional help to eliminate his dependency on this medication, and this was achieved successfully.”

The church board issued another apology to the former staff member and welcomed the opportunity to provide her further assistance.

The second issue involved a complaint received in 2019.

Brian Houston at a Hillsong service. Picture supplied by Channel Nine.

“Following an in-depth investigation, it was found that Pastor Brian became disoriented after a session at the Hillsong Conference, following the consumption of anti-anxiety medication beyond the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol,” the board said.

“This resulted in him knocking on the door of a hotel room that was not his, entering this room and spending time with the female occupant.”

The board said an integrity unit appointed by the global board found that not all parts of the complaint could be substantiated – but important elements were and they constituted a breach of the Hillsong Pastors Code of Conduct.

“We also acknowledge that whatever the circumstances at this time, this person did not deserve to be placed in the situation she found herself in by Pastor Brian,” the board wrote.

“We felt that we did all we could to assist the person who made the complaint and treated this person with compassion and respect, and also abided by her requirement for confidentiality.”

Pastor Brian Houston, alongside wife Bobbie, announcing he was stepping down from mega-church Hillsong in early 2022.

The board also agreed to a request for a refund of money donated to the church by this person, which was done.

“Pastor Brian was extremely remorseful and insisted on repaying the church for this,” the church board stated.

“We apologise unreservedly to the people affected by Pastor Brian’s actions and commit to being available for any further assistance we can provide.”

The board said Houston then agreed to step down from leadership for a period – but he failed to take all of the agreed steps, resulting in the extended leave Houston is now subject to.

“The board has always endeavoured to act biblically and in accordance with good governance – however we understand that there has been a significant breach of trust,” the church board wrote.

“The board has been seeking external, wise counsel and is reviewing our governance structure and measures to ensure higher levels of accountability across Hillsong Church globally.”

Brian Houston giving a sermon at an American church campus.

The church said Hillsong’s governance model had historically placed “significant control in the hands of the senior pastor” – but the board recognised it needed to review the way it did things.

“We know there are areas on which we can improve, and we will work honestly and transparently to that end,” the board wrote.

“We are here for you, and as we work through this together we are available to help and offer you support.

“We also believe this is a time to focus our attention on the God who restores and rebuilds, and encourage you to continue to meet together regularly not just on Sundays but in connect groups.”

The Hillsong campus building in Waterloo, Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Senior pastors Phil and Lucinda Dooley have stepped in for Houston and his wife Bobbie as the global senior pastors for 2022 while Houston’s matter remains before the courts.

The church was estimated to have 150,000 members globally in 2022.

From the single church Houston founded in 1983, there are now Hillsong churches in 30 countries on six continents.

The church also has a significant worship music ministry, with hundreds of Hillsong worship songs being sung in 60 languages at unaffiliated churches around the world.

The church also has two ministry colleges – one in Sydney and another in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States which offer a range of qualifications up to bachelors’ degrees and masters.