In the mid-1950s, Rev. Robert Schuller began preaching in a drive-in movie theater in Southern California. He melded traditions like vestments with a theology of post-war optimism and self-esteem. As his ministry grew, guest preaching in his pulpit became a mark of celebrity achievement. Three decades after his drive-in movie days, Schuller would welcome a y ... Show More
Jul 2021
"You Read the Bible, Ringo?"
Church planting, even under the best of circumstances, always requires grit and determination. Planting in one of the most progressive cities in the US at the turn of the millennium required even more. But if Mark Driscoll struggled with anything in his ministry, it wasn’t a lack ... Show More
52m 11s
Aug 2021
The Cult of Celebrity Megachurches
One of our favorite topics to date: In this can’t-miss episode, we’re unpacking the wave of trendy evangelical church groups (like Hillsong, Mosaic, and Churchome), which use Silicon Valley-savvy marketing, celebrity endorsements, charismatic pastors, and a slew of doubtlessly cu ... Show More
35m 43s
Sep 2023
Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed w/Fluently Forward
cw: SA, child abuse. Exploring the rise and dramatic downfall of the Hillsong megachurch with Shannon from Fluently Forward, we go over this 4 part documentary that covers the churches celebrity appeal, “rockstar pastors” like Carl Lentz and the waves of shocking revelations abou ... Show More
1h 6m
Feb 2023
Introducing - Faith on Trial: Hillsong
<p>From humble beginnings in a suburban Sydney warehouse to an international pentecostal powerhouse, Hillsong has changed the world around it, filling stadiums with screaming congregations and counting politicians, business tycoons and A-list celebrities among its true believers. ... Show More
3m 49s
Oct 2022
Ep.1: The Church I See Now
In March, 2022, the documentary series ‘Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed’ was released on Discovery+, with victims shedding light on the widespread emotional, financial, and sexual abuse by leaders of one of the most popular megachurches in the world. The series was just the beginn ... Show More
31m 31s