Hillsong Worship, the music arm of Hillsong Church, has withdrawn from a tour with Christian music group Casting Crowns in the wake of scandals at the Australia-based church.
“With the generous and gracious support of our friends and partners Casting Crowns and Premier Productions, Hillsong Worship has asked to be withdrawn from the upcoming Casting Crowns/Hillsong Worship tour with We The Kingdom,” the group said in a Facebook post announcing the decision.
Saying it was acting “with the full support and endorsement of our senior church leadership,” Hillsong Worship said the decision “is the one that puts the health and well-being of the people of our team first.”
The 21-date tour is scheduled to begin April 22 in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Hillsong Church is facing significant challenges, including the resignation of founder Brian Houston, who is accused of sexual impropriety and breaching the church’s code of conduct; the resignation of several other top leaders; and the closure or exit from Hillsong of some of the church’s campuses worldwide, including the loss of nine of 16 American church campuses in recent weeks.
“Whilst we are deeply disappointed to have to make this difficult decision, we do feel that is the right one at this time in our history and the decision that, for us, requires the most faith,” the Facebook post said.
Hillsong Worship has released 36 albums with more than 500 songs since 1992, and the church estimates its songs are sung by an estimated 50 million people in 60 languages. The group’s latest album, “These Same Skies,” was released November 2021. Hillsong Worship received a Grammy award for Best Contemporary Christian Song/Performance for their song What a Beautiful Name in 2018.
The Facebook post encouraged ticket holders to keep their plans to attend the concert, saying, “We know you will be ministered to deeply by the Lord through our friends Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom, who are absolutely incredible.”
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