Hillsong Worship Withdraws from Tour with Casting Crowns, We The Kingdom
On Wednesday, Hillsong Worship pulled out of the 18-day concert tour it was scheduled to go on with Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom. The decision was a direct result of the recent controversies surrounding Hillsong Church leaders.
“Whilst we are deeply disappointed to have to make this difficult decision, we do feel that it is the right one at this time in our history and the decision that, for us, requires the most faith,” Hillsong worship shared in a statement to social media.
“Uniquely, Hillsong Worship is not and has never been a band. We are an extension of and expression of Hillsong Church – a collective of our local church worship teams,” the worship group continued, adding that its members all serve on staff at Hillsong Church or volunteer at a local campus.
As Christian Headlines previously reported, last month, Hillsong founder Brian Houston resigned as Global Senior Pastor following allegations of inappropriate behavior with two women. Houston’s resignation follows a list of scandals that have taken place within the global megachurch over the past few years.
“Right now, our church is walking through some difficult days and navigating significant change. Our community is hurt but hope-filled,” Hillsong Worship said.
Along with withdrawing from the Casting Crowns tour, the group also noted that they will not be touring for the rest of the month. Instead, the members will dedicate this time “to humbly seek the Lord, to grieve and to heal in community, together.”
The Casting Crowns tour, which had been in the works for over a year, is currently slated to begin on April 22 in Tulopo, Mississippi and end on May 18 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Hillsong Worship concluded their statement by encouraging those who bought their tickets to continue to attend the concert that will now be led by just Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom.
“We know you will be ministered to deeply by the Lord through our friends Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom, who are absolutely incredible.”
As reported by The Roys Report, Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall acknowledged Hillsong Worship’s departure from the tour on Wednesday.
“Their church is hurting right now, and they’re going through some stuff,” Hall said in a video on the Casting Crowns Facebook page. “Hillsong Worship, they’re a church-based ministry … and when your church is hurting, you need to be with your people. That’s what the body of Christ does. So they’re going to be home walking this season out with their people, and we’re going to be out on the road loving on you guys.”
Related:
Hillsong Founder Brian Houston Resigns as Global Senior Pastor
Hillsong Founder Brian Houston Accused of Behaving Inappropriately Toward 2 Women
Hillsong’s Brian Houston Steps Down as Global Senior Pastor
Photo courtesy: ©Unsplash/Matt Botsford
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
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