Hillsong Church’s Brian Houston Promises to Investigate Claims of Financial Abuse
Hillsong Church's Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston in a letter addressed to church members has promised that the church will review recent allegations of gross financial abuse by pastors. Recently, former members of the mega church church, including Hillsong LA Service Pastor Nicole Herman, told the New York Post that many pastors at Hillsong NYC frequently used tithe money loaded on debit-like "PEX" (pre-paid expense) cards on things like expensive restaurant meals, designer clothes and weekly manicures while living in a high-priced building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
In response to such allegations, Houston writes: "I am writing to you today because of several stories circulating online alleging a serious abuse of trust - the misuse of church funds by Hillsong Church employees. We are particularly grieved that, in many cases, inaccurate accounts in these stories have been reported as if they are true. Hillsong Church strongly refutes that our culture casually allows for such gross misuse of church funds. In fact, these stories are especially troubling since Hillsong has a record of excellence in financial accountability globally and an unwavering commitment to financial integrity."
Houston has assured members that the church has systems in place to prevent the abuse of tithes and offerings. "Global leadership has always taken the stewardship of the tithes and offerings entrusted to us seriously and we have numerous structures in place to ensure financial accountability and integrity. Even though we know many of the stories circulating are not true, we are still obligating ourselves to closely examine the claims in line with our ongoing commitment to financial integrity.
We have always placed a high value on good governance and stewardship, and if we discover a breach related to this we will take strong and swift action. We have a biblical responsibility to be excellent stewards of the ministry funds that have been committed to our care at each of our church locations."
Houston noted in his letter that credit and PEX cards are reconciled and reviewed monthly as part of their internal controls. "Personal expenditures are not permitted to be charged to church credit cards. If this occurs, it is addressed and the church is reimbursed for such expenditure in a timely manner," he noted.
He also explained that staff members are paid "moderate" salaries, which "align with comparable roles in similarly situated charitable organizations. Our Global Remunerations Committee reviews all senior staff compensation on an annual basis."
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Herman, who left the church two years ago, told the publication that she personally loaded the funds onto the PEX cards as directed by leaders.
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