Frank Houston in Retrospect, Hillsong.

Frank Houston founded Sydney Christian Life Centre.
His son Brian founded Hillsong in Sydney's west and the music became famous.
This is based on Frank's vision statement from God. About presenting Christ to all people in a contemporary form. And empowering people from all cultures to take back Christ to their own communities.

Frank moved in the gifts of the Spirit and in the anointing. His prayers were powerful prayers for the faithful at request in each service. Except for the 8 pm anointing service.

His preachings were very attractive, insightful, for Jesus, sometimes words of knowledge in due season. I recall he stopped mid preaching and answered a secret question of my mind. Then went on.

Church planting was like fifty churches in five years if I remember right.

I was blessed there, mainly between 97-2000. But in 99 the loose nature of church in who attends and serves there led to a really bad experience with a cussing deacon, after months I was injured and still am.

However the issue is, Frank had committed a serious offense to a youth thirty years before his, retirement pushed by Brian. Sex offense.
Should Frank have admitted this earlier?
Should Frank have retired earlier?
Did he actually put in a good effort at recovery as is?
Should he have refused to retire, or started another church in retirement?
Should he have done time?
Was he fit to be called the Bishop?
Was Frank a fraud?

I am looking at Psalm 40 and 51. And Timothy concerning Bishops and elders.

In retirement Frank prayed for us, and poured the love of God into a young man's heart, who preaches. Romans 5:5. And according to Psalm 40 from any condition proclaiming the love of God, is right, in the face of mockers if need be.

Biblicist, I did not read any articles from the secular press that held Frank in shame. It fair welled him as a pioneer of lost souls. Seeming to honour our respect of him, rather than attack in anger... Can you direct me to an article?

There is a move in Christian circles that disdains the rejections of such as Frank, Geof Bullock, and Todd Bentley. The latter who the churches called back from a major sin.

Titus and Timothy are said to come from Paul the apostle, but scholars think now this was a second Paul. Paul himself could not live up to the standard of reputation the author with his name required. As the man who oversaw arrests and the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr.

At this time Mary Magdalene, who was a formerly a prostitute, wrote a Gospel. It is alleged that one chapter remains, Ch 6.

In Corinth, a city known for it's sexual erring, had the problem of jealousy and backstabbing, not literally, for matters of people being given great giftings.

I did not know Frank to be one, to have after resignation, to have lived in shame.

King David wrote Psalm 40, describing himself as in great need, "in the miry clay". His sins overwhelming him, "numbering like hairs" on his "head". Yet he would not leave the assembly or stop proclaiming "God's love". In the face of mocks from people saying "aha aha".

This King David was the one God is pleased to have called His own son after, calling Jesus, Son of David.

It seems the second Paul was less bold.

Shame is not one of the answers to sin. The Bible never says God wants us ashamed.

Even today, there are testimonies of great sinners turning to Jesus. They give testimony. People love that, some older ones are in the Cross and the Switch Blade... There is Jan Erikkson, I recall the young woman who was the girl for the Hell's Angels bikey gang, interviewed by Dr Gordon Moyes...

But it seems Biblicist, you think Frank should not have been called "Bishop". I think that was an error too. He should have been quietly humble, in my feelings.

King David was under Moses' law, and Nathan was led by the Spirit as well. King Saul was deposed. David could have been. It was God's loving kindness and mercy, and need of David that led to his repentance and forgiveness and continued reign under hardship.

Maybe David became a lion, but he certainly got opposition and that increased. I recall an account of a man throwing stones at David, and David accepting that, instead of having him killed.

I think David does effect NT leadership standards. Because the second Paul, does not mention, pre-conversion reputation as different to post.

In the NT, Peter at his call, by the Sea of Galilee refuses Jesus, saying, get away from me Lord I am a sinful man. Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, repentant. Jesus forgave the men who killed Him in ignorance. Jesus mentioned others committed a greater sin, from knowing more. Saul of Tarsus was one such pharisee, he knew a lot, well trained. He heard Stephen, heard of Jesus, saw Stephen's face shining. Yet killed him unreserved. Then was to see a greater light.

He changed his name to Paul for the Greek's sake. In Corinth Paul was bold, about forgiveness and no condemnation, as in Romans 8:1-4. The reputation of the Corinthians sexually was poor. Yet not humility in leadership, or condemnation, but jealousy about giftings and charisms was their known vice.

I Cor 6 mentions shame, in brothers taking out lawsuits against one another, before pagans judges.

Romans 8:1-4, God condemns sin and justifies the spirit by the Spirit.

The goal of the cross for anyone is a clear conscience from our murders, adulteries and fornications. We unlike Paul keep private confessions, he was open and bold.

The shame game, if you have to keep it secret, it owns you. "No one must know".
That is not the Gospel, is it?

We all keep secrets. Sins of the heart.

The idea is, Jesus blood makes our conscience clear, no shame, no guilt, that's why Jesus died. Born again, and Jesus intercedes for us even when we sin. IJohn 2:1.

And God disciplines us Heb 12. And Romans 13 warns us of the civil authorities carrying the sword, and In 1 Corinthians 5:5-6 the brother with his father's wife is punished by Paul and they are warned about community pride. Father's discipline their children.

What should have been done with Frank? It is not clear. I would have him as a pastor until repentance and never as a youth pastor. He won so many lost souls. According to the Gospel, he would be being thrashed now.

I cannot find the verse about the angels lashing the servants, according to how well they knew they had been falling short of the will of God. Anyone know the verse, from which comes the Catholic belief in purgatory, and baptist belief in the rapture and angelic punishment?

Should we be conscious of sin or righteousness?