Hillsong’s Pastor Carl Lentz Criticized for Drinking with Justin Bieber

Hillsong NYC's pastor Carl Lentz has been criticized for drinking with pop singer Justin Bieber. During a Hillsong's conference in New Zealand in March this year, photographs have emerged showing the pop singer drinking at a local pub with the Hillsong pastor.
Joe Schimmel of Good Fight Ministries and pastor of Blessed Hope Chapel in Simi Valley, California has expressed concerns about Lentz's friendship with Bieber. He tells Christian News: "[T]he chief concern from these images has to be how someone, who calls himself a pastor, is engaging in such an activity with someone who has a history of abusing substances," Joe Schimmel of Good Fight Ministries and pastor of Blessed Hope Chapel in Simi Valley, California, told Christian News Network. "How can Lentz give an account for himself when he takes shots alongside someone who has been arrested and pleaded guilty to DWI?"
He said that the images of Lentz joining in with Bieber "do nothing but paint a picture of someone who is being influenced by the world rather than edifying and building up a young man in his walk."
"As Christians, we are not to walk as the world does. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. How must this look to the non-believing world?" Lentz asked. "Is it normative behavior for the Christian? Is it the sort of behavior that a shepherd leading his flock should engage in? That is not what I read when I pick up my Bible."
"The singer started out his night fully clothed like any other patron, then stripped off his camouflage jacket and white singlet which saw some unstoppable smiles from the two female bartenders serving him," reported news.com.au. "Shots and cocktails were on the menu for the U.S. singer and his mate, Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz."
Bieber has described himself as a faithful adherent of Christianity, said he communicates with God via prayer, and that "he's the reason I'm here". He reflected his faith in a music video with Brandon Burke, titled "#iPledge", in which he "talks candidly about his appreciation for the tenet of forgiveness in the Christian faith".
Tags : Hillsong hillsong church hillsong NYC Justin Bieber carl lentz
Hot Trends
-
Skillet Releases “Ash In The Wind [LIVE]” & Announces Summer International Tour
-
Forrest Frank Announces "Child Of God II" Album Coming May 9
-
Laura Toggs, Daughter of Founder Brian Houston, Leaves Hillsong Church
-
Jamie MacDonald Tops the Charts for a Third Week with “Desperate”
-
Three U.S. Churches Split from Hillsong
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
"Slugs & Bugs" Creator Randall Goodgame Talks About the "Scripture Hymnal" Project
-
Rachel Purcell Opens Up About Her Transition from Country to Christian Music
-
7 Interesting Facts About Pope Francis' Funeral
-
Pam Linton Opens Up About the Carter Family, Music that Endures and Her New Album
-
Greg LaFollette Talks About New Music for Holy Week in This Exclusive Interview
-
Sean Rodriguez Talks About Working with Disciple, His New EP and Upcoming Shows
-
Big Daddy Weave Welcomes The Wayward Child Home On “Stranger No More (feat. Zach Williams)”
-
Author Caroline B. Cook Opens Up About the New Virtue Series & Helping Children to Be More Loving
-
John Allan Speaks About His Faith Journey and Impacting the World with His Music
Most Popular
-
Skillet Releases “Ash In The Wind [LIVE]” & Announces Summer International Tour
-
Forrest Frank Announces "Child Of God II" Album Coming May 9
-
Laura Toggs, Daughter of Founder Brian Houston, Leaves Hillsong Church
-
Jamie MacDonald Tops the Charts for a Third Week with “Desperate”
-
Three U.S. Churches Split from Hillsong
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
"Slugs & Bugs" Creator Randall Goodgame Talks About the "Scripture Hymnal" Project
-
Rachel Purcell Opens Up About Her Transition from Country to Christian Music
-
7 Interesting Facts About Pope Francis' Funeral
-
Pam Linton Opens Up About the Carter Family, Music that Endures and Her New Album
-
Greg LaFollette Talks About New Music for Holy Week in This Exclusive Interview
-
Sean Rodriguez Talks About Working with Disciple, His New EP and Upcoming Shows
-
Big Daddy Weave Welcomes The Wayward Child Home On “Stranger No More (feat. Zach Williams)”
-
Author Caroline B. Cook Opens Up About the New Virtue Series & Helping Children to Be More Loving
-
John Allan Speaks About His Faith Journey and Impacting the World with His Music