Hillsong Church scandals explored in gripping new documentary: ‘It almost took my life’

The first trailer for the upcoming documentary on Hillsong has been released, amid the scandals surrounding the Church.

Pastor Carl Lentz was famously fired from the Church in 2020 for ‘moral failures’ after he admitted to being unfaithful to his wife.

A new three-part series exploring his affair and the controversies surrounding Hillsong has been announced by Discovery+, titled Hillsong: A Megachurch exposed. 

In the first teaser, one churchgoer told the camera: ‘Hillsong changed the way that many of us saw how church could be done.’

‘This was going to be a place where I could call my home. But that clearly wasn’t the case and it almost took my life,’ one woman said as another broke down over her experience.

‘There’s a fine line between cult and culture,’ a member warned.

Carl Lentz was fired from Hillsong in 2020 (Picture: Getty)

Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed will be released on March 24, and the official synopsis reads: ‘With more than 150,000 global members, Hillsong has recently been entangled in scandal. 

‘Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed will profile numerous ex-members of the church who have come forward to share harrowing allegations of the trauma, abuse, financial and labor exploitation that created a culture of chaos within the church.

‘The series will also examine how Hillsong was able to grow into a global brand, while uncovering the truth behind the headlines of recent scandals and shining a light on the fine line between culture, corporation and cult.’

‘The history of Hillsong is an incredibly compelling story we wanted to explore,’ Howard Lee, President of TLC Streaming and Network Originals, added.

Justin Bieber is among the most high-profile Hillsong members (Picture: Getty)

‘Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed will take viewers on an eye-opening journey that will provide new insights into a controversy that continues to be examined.’

The Church was first founded in 1983 in Australia, and is known for its young following and its worship music, attracting celebrities including Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin and Chris Pratt.

Carl was sacked from Hillsong in 2020 after he was found to be cheating on his wife Laura – who he married in 2003 and shares three children with.

The pastor, one of the most high-profile figures, said at the time: ‘I was unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life and held accountable for that. 

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‘This failure is on me, and me alone and I take full responsibility for my actions. I now begin a journey of rebuilding trust with my wife, Laura and my children and taking real time to work on and heal my own life and seek out the help that I need. 

‘I am deeply sorry for breaking the trust of many people who we have loved serving and understand that this news can be very hard and confusing for people to hear and process.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Hillsong Church for a comment.

Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed will be released on Discovery+ on March 24.

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