The accuracy of Amber’s blog is fairly high but there are a few points to dispute. Brian and Bobbie started the Hillsong Church group in Baulkham Hills in 1983 but it wasn’t known as the Hillsong Hills Campus, it was actually know as the Hills Christian Life Centre. I agree that the preaching style is very contemporary but the New International Version (NIV) and the Amplified Bible are not the most frequently used versions of the Bible. The preacher will read from any version of the Bible which best conveys their message. The accuracy concerning the beliefs of the Church is correct. The only statement that is partially incorrect is the belief about speaking in tongues. The Australian Christian Churches movement believes that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Hillsong however, believes that speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit but it is not initial evidence of baptism. The ability to speak in tongues may or may not come after baptism.
From my experiences at Hillsong Brisbane, I do agree that it is a very welcoming Church as there is always someone to say hello to. The Church does have a open and personal feeling due to the fact that the preacher engages with the congregation but I would also say he is just trying to get every to join together to praise God. The preacher also promotes the Hillsong catchphrase which is Love, Hope and Faith. These attitudes and beliefs can be seen all throughout the Church and the believers are always being reminded of it. The praise and worship of the Church is how Amber described it except on the Sunday morning services the Praise part is dulled down a little bit more than compared to a Friday night service. Overall, Amber’s blog is a fairly accurate account of what happens at Hillsong Brisbane.
Link to Amber's Blog: http://www.amberreformation.blogspot.com/
