Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sensational docu-exposé has mature themes, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
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The Secrets of Hillsong
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on the investigative reporting of Vanity Fair journalists Alex French and Dan Adler, THE SECRETS OF HILLSONG is a four-part docuseries about the controversial Australian Christian megachurch known as Hillsong and its legacy of keeping misconduct under wraps to protect itself. With the help of archive footage and interviews with journalists and former church members and leaders, it chronicles how New Zealander and now ex-senior pastor Brian Houston founded Hillsong Church as part of Australian Christian Churches (the country's largest Pentecostal movement) in 1983, and how it eventually became an autonomous global charismatic Christian megachurch. It also documents the rise and fall of celebrity Hillsong Global pastor Carl Lentz, who successfully co-founded Hillsong NYC in 2010 with Brian Houston's son Joel, and how his edgier look and preaching style appealed to thousands of young congregants from all walks of life, including singer Justin Bieber. Also addressed is how Brian Houston went from being Hillsong's powerful senior pastor to (allegedly) being targeted by the church after a criminal investigation was launched into his role in keeping information about the sexual crimes committed by his father, the late ex-pastor Frank Houston, from the police and the public.
Is It Any Good?
The disturbing series looks behind the scenes at Hillsong, and highlights how, despite rebranding as a contemporary Christian church, it upholds the conservative values of Pentecostal evangelicalism. The Secrets of Hillsong also discusses how former pastor Carl Lentz's unconventionally "hip" preaching style and Joel Houston's Christian pop rock music helped create a sense of inclusivity among Hillsong worshippers, despite the church renouncing homosexuality and excluding women and members of marginalized communities from leadership positions.
In the show, Lentz, his wife Laura, and former congregants like the church's once most senior member, Mary "Mama" Jones, air some of the megachurch's dirtier laundry, which ranges from exploiting volunteers and exerting political muscle, to its history of covering up sexual abuse to protect the institution. Granted, neither Brian Houston nor current Hillsong members agreed to be a part of the production, which inevitably creates some bias within the narrative. The overall series is a little sensational, too. Nonetheless, The Secrets of Hillsong offers some interesting (albeit distressing) insight into how a church can act as a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the intention of this documentary series. Is it to expose the alleged wrongdoings of Hillsong Church? To give an opportunity for people who are angry at the church to be heard? Or is it primarily to entertain viewers with scandalous stories?
Why do some people consider Christian megachurches to be cults? Is this a stereotype? Does The Secrets of Hillsong reinforce or challenge this generalization?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 19, 2023
- Cast : Carl Lentz , Laura Lentz , Mary Jones
- Network : FX
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 23, 2023
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