You usually never see it coming. A phone call out of the blue, an email announcement or possibly on the 6 o'clock news. Such and such pastor of so-and-so church was arrested for soliciting underage girls online - or - Such and Such pastor was caught having an affair with a member of his congregation. It sickens your stomach, it hurts your heart, and it makes you mad. I feel much the same way right now. This morning I learned that the author of the latest hit song from Hillsong called "HEALER" was lying about his terminal cancer. Mike Guglielmucci told everyone that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Upon receiving the news he went home and sat down at his piano and began crying out to God and the song "HEALER" came out of it. It is a GREAT song! Unfortunately - Mike was lying! He never has had cancer. It was a total sham! You may have seen his "story" on youtube leading worship at a Hillsong event - Hillsong has since pulled all of these spots and is working with authorities to resolve the matter. It is my understanding that NO ONE knew this and therefore no blame or criticism should be cast upon Hillsong.
So many emotions run through your mind when you hear a story like this - anger, frustration, sadness, shock, etc...
What then should be our response - - a friend of mine at www.theworshipcommunity.com has written an article addressing this that I think you might helpful - you can find it here.
You never have to look very far to be reminded that we still battle indwelling sin daily. This is yet another example of why staying on our faces in prayer and living in His Word daily are not just suggestions for the Christian life but necessities! Opening our lives up to others in accountability is a must. We need people that have full access to our lives so that they can point out the pimples when they pop up.
All right ----- now catch your breath and pray. God will use this to bring glory to Himself! He wasn't caught off guard by this or shocked that this happened. He is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords reigning sovereignly on His throne. Worship Him!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Brad - I don't know if you can honestly say that we can't blame Hillsong. To a point yes, but didn't they have a responsibiltiy to check out his "story" to make sure it was legit? You'd think that if you're going to release a world-wide album, knowing full well the momentum behind the song and story that you would have at least checked things out a little bit better.
This a good case of the importance of accountability on all levels.
You make a good point. They probably should have checked a little more thoroughly then they did...however, i understand why they didn't: here's a guy that helped start a VERY successful church, was part of a VERY successful youth music movement, who came from a VERY respected family etc...his LIFE credentials vetted him to Hillsong - he had shown no reason up to this point that he shouldn't be believed. Add ALL of that to the fact that he's parading around in a wheelchair and oxygen mask with "terminal cancer" - - who wants to be the guy to go up the "dying dude" and tell him that he needs to verify this.
I'm sure there could be a more tactful way to go about handling the situation, but they didn't - and I understand why they didn't.
I do agree with you - accountability at all levels is HUGE!!!
I doubt that publishers do background checks on Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley every time the write a new book to find what sordid skeletons lurk to discount their sales...this is because of the life credentials they bring to the table. I think this is the same situation here. We ALL got fleeced - EVEN his own wife....
All that to say - no blame pointing at Hillsong for me on this one.
Good points, Brad! Thanks for a good response!
Barkley and I watched the whole thing on youtube regarding his condition and his song he sang that night of the show, and how amazed everyone was at his plight and ability to still get up there and sing...What a Shame, more arsenal for the non believer. Beautiful
Post a Comment