Global Megachurch Hillsong founder Brian Houston has resigned after an internal investigation revealed he was behaving inappropriately towards two women.
Key points:
- Hillsong Church leader Pastor Dooley acknowledged “change is needed”
- He thanked Mr. Houston and his wife Bobbie for their commitment to the Church
- The church revealed last week that Mr. Houston was engaged in “serious concerns.”
The acting head of the church, Pastor Phil Dooley, made the announcement at an emergency all-staff meeting today, saying Hillsong was launching an “independent review” of his governance structure.
Pastor Dooley read a statement from the Hillsong Global and Australian Board of Directors saying: “We would like to advise you that Pastor Brian Houston has resigned as global senior pastor of Hillsong Church and the Board of Directors has accepted his resignation.”
He said it was time for a “modest reflection” for the church and thanked Mr Houston and his wife Bobbie for their service.
“We understand that there will be a lot of emotions in this novelty and we share all these feelings,” he said.
“We ask that you continue to pray for them and the entire Houston family during this difficult time.”
Pastor Dooley acknowledged “that change is needed.”
“As you can appreciate, there is still a lot to do and the church leadership continues to seek God for his wisdom as we set the course for the future,” he said.
Hillsong last week revealed that an investigation into two incidents with Mr Houston found that he had violated the church’s moral code for pastors and engaged in behaviors of “serious concern”.
The church’s worldwide board of directors on Friday afternoon said in a letter to its members: “We have unfortunately dealt with two complaints against Pastor Brian over the last 10 years.”
The first incident, detailed in the letter and by Pastor Dooley in an extraordinary meeting involving 800 employees, involved “inappropriate texting” to a female employee in 2013.
The church said Mr Houston was under the influence of sleeping pills on which he became addicted when he sent the texts.
“He immediately apologized to the person,” the global board said, adding that it has since helped Mr. Houston eliminate his dependence on the drug.
The female employee, however, was “upset and felt heavy” and filed a complaint with Hillsong general manager George Aghajanian before resigning.
The second incident happened in 2019, during a Hillsong annual conference at Sydney Olympic Park, which was opened by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The church said Mr Houston was drinking with a group and after being locked out of his hotel room, knocked on the door of a woman he had previously met.
The woman, who was not a member of the church, opened the door and Mr. Houston went into her room and spent 40 minutes there.
Pastor Dooley said “no sexual activity” was reported, but the woman made a complaint.
The board said an investigation found that Mr. Houston was “disoriented … after consuming anti-anxiety drugs above the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol.”
The investigation did not cover all parts of the complaint, but “key elements of the complaint were sustained and the conduct was a serious concern”.
“Finally, the board found that Brian had violated the Hillsong pastor’s code of conduct,” the board said.
The church apologized to both women “unreservedly” and said Mr. Houston paid them compensation or refunds out of his own pocket.
Mr. Houston resigned in January as director of all Hillsong boards to defend a criminal charge that he concealed his father’s sexual abuse.
Hillsong Church was asked for comment.
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