Hillsong

My Easter Holiday was centered on being at Hillsong for Easter weekend. They have branches in and around Sydney and Brisbane so I knew I would be aiming for those two cities. I didn't want to spend a whole week in Sydney, not because it isn't fabulous (see Sydney's post to see that it is), but because I wanted to get to as many places in the little time that I had. So I decided on the Brisbane branch. Brisbane was a city I wanted to see and I was going to the Australian Zoo so it all just came together nicely.

I have to say, this was the first time I have ever been nervous to go to church. Now I have been nervous at church before but it was because I was reading on stage or attempting to play the banjo, I have never been nervous to actually attend church. I have been lucky enough to be raised in the same church for my whole life so that place really just feels like home. A home I am missing very much.

On a tangential note: When people ask me if I am religious (in the awkward way that they do) I usually respond with something along the lines of, "Yes I was raised in the church" and some further explanation. It turns out Australians aren't familiar with that phrase and one or two actually thought I was raised living inside a church building. Needless to say I have stopped using that phrase.

Back to Hillsong.

On Good Friday morning I took a taxi and made my way to church. Yes, I said morning. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is closed on Good Friday, so I guess that's how they are able to hold a morning service on a week day and still have high attendance.

I was expecting something huge and completely intimidating. I was actually picturing something like the People's Church in Nashville. Large campus. Large parking lot. But it's actually quite unassuming. The parking lot is pretty expansive but the church is tucked away behind a tire store. There's no huge sign, just a tiny addition to the street sign post that points you in the direction. If you didn't know it was there, you would drive right past it. It's building is mostly hidden and surrounded by trees so even though I'm sure the campus is very large, you are only exposed to the front. The foyer is mostly outside and has a small coffee stand that serves more than coffee but treats of all kinds. Looking past the main doors to the right you can see the youth part of the building (which I did not explore). From the outside you can walk into their Discovery Center, a place for guests and new members to have coffee, biscuits, and talk to members of the church. Inside is a small standing area that leads into the auditorium.


I was able to overcome my anxiety of large groups of people I don't know and introduce myself to a greeter, James, who introduced me to Celeste, who would be my church buddy. She warned me that she sits pretty close to the front and I said I didn't mind. What she meant was that she sits in the front row of the center column of chairs. I was such a geek. I was so excited to have such a great seat! Still nervous though.

The service was fantastic. Nothing over the top. Even though I didn't know the worship songs they chose, it was so easy to catch on and join in. 11,000 people call Brisbane Hillsong their home church. 11,000. But they work hard to make it more personal. They cover the back 7 or 8 rows of seating and use the ushers to direct people to empty spaces so everyone is next to someone. It didn't feel like a megachurch. It could have been a show. But it wasn't. It was about the message. Pastor Brian Houston gave the message and all of the branches were linked in and watching. It's hard to picture thousands of people all worshiping at the same time and taking part in the same message. Talk about being part of a body of Christ- you truly feel a part of something greater, especially when you see the packed stadium of people at the Hills branch in Sydney.

Easter Sunday was another great service. I met more kind people who were keen to make sure I had the best experience. My buddies for the day even gave me a ride home back to the hostel, saving me my cab fare. They mentioned that it's a struggle to make new people feel welcome, especially when people don't fill out a welcome card or approach everyone, but it's their mission and passion to reach out and make sure everyone can call Hillsong home. I got to hear from several different pastors on Easter Sunday morning as they tag teamed from branch to branch. The talent at that church extends beyond music; they have many godly leaders on their team preaching the word in an honest way.

They are opening a branch in Melbourne. I already love Melbourne, but with this addition, I would seriously consider making Melbourne home (if I didn't think my family would kill me ;)). I'm amazed that a church that started out in one city, in a country that doesn't fancy religion, has grown to include 2 Brisbane branches, 2 Sydney branches, 12 extension branches meeting all across Sydney suburbs, and a new branch opening in Melbourne. One church. It's truly amazing what God can do.