The NYT has a story on the rise and fall of the Hillsong partner Carl Lentz. He ran Hillsong’s US East Coast branch and was a friend of celebrities, including Justin Bieber. He was recently fired for marital infidelity.
As someone who used to go to a Pentecostal mega-church, the most interesting parts of the story are where they talk about the model:
That was certainly my experience. There was a big emphasis on material wealth (which God would provide), and feeling good about yourself. That is not to say there was no guilt, sin is fundamental to the Christian experience after all, but it was rapidly transformed into a positive redemptive story that left you bouncing out the door.
The piece is well worth the read.
Something Interesting. Most Days. 