OK, so you probably know about this already, but here’s the link to the main story.
Michael Guglielmucci, one of the well-known preachers and songwriters for Hillsong–a Christian music company out of Australia known for its praise & worship music–faked his battle with terminal cancer. He even had his family fooled into thinking that he was dying.
The Yahoo link says, earlier this year, Mr Guglielmucci released a hit song The Healer which was featured on Sydney church Hillsong’s latest album. It debuted at No. 2 on the ARIA charts. The song has become an anthem of faith for believers, many of whom are suffering their own illness and were praying for a miracle for Mr Guglielmucci, who has claimed for two years to be terminally ill.
This makes me very sad. Quite honestly, I’ve never been too much of a fan of Hillsong’s musical productions–most of them are a little too showy for me–but I’m always saddened when these kinds of stories hit the media wave. (Of course, I realize I’m riding it some by mentioning it on my blog.) Anyway, I feel bad for his family, and the people who were affected by his story.
I’m glad Michael’s getting help. To me it sounds like he’s either mentally sick–bipolar maybe?– or very much caught up in the evangelical machine.
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Wow. Hadn’t heard that.
First of all, I guess I assume you have to be mentally ill in some degree in order to make up that kind of story… and that part makes me so sad. I feel for his family, but also for people with illness, like myself, who have struggled with understanding or coming to terms with why some are healed and others aren’t. I’m trying to live a positive and faithful life despite constant pain and I can’t help but feel insulted that someone could masquerade it for personal gain. I’m surprised I feel so impacted by it, but I do.
I’m sure his intention in his mind was not to hurt people. And I hope people look at him as someone with a problem and not someone to villify. It’s all very sad.
sara
http://www.gitzengirl.blogspot.com
@Sara: You bring up an interesting point. I’m not sitting here wondering how I would feel if I was dying of cancer and I’d just learned about this news story. Thanks for always sharing your thoughts on my blog.
I hadn’t heard this and just saw the video and heard the song Healer for the first time last week. I can’t believe this.
Mike was actually a pastor at Planetshakers church, not Hillsong. Hillsong only picked up the song after they heard it (and the story). Unfortunately, the “testimony” is featured in the footage on their new DVD.
Sad story, am praying for this guy and his family/friends/church.
Philippians 1:15-18 says it all.
I’m so sad about this…for everyone, from every angle. This was the first I heard about it (and I had posted the video of him singing the song with his oxygen mask on). Thanks for the link.
1) This is why we need to just go back to preaching the Gospel. How many church planters built or were building a weekend service around this song and this guys testimony? Countless. The way this guy pulled peoples emotional strings follows a pattern that was well in place before this guy came on the scene. The Bible is ditched for mood lighting and orchestrated tear pulling to move people. That’s what this guy became a part of. We have to get back to the “old,old story” and simply tip our hat to people’s dramatic testimonies…. instead I see MUCH of the opposite happening.
2) There is still PLENTY of Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness for Mr Guglielmucci. However, that begins at the Cross, with true repentance and Godly sorrow…. I only hope that is still preached in his fellowship.
-Jud
One of Hillsong’s supporters (a mega church staffed by a lot of Aussies) is right around the corner from me. My son has many friends who attend there, and he says he has yet to hear anyone speak of their relationship with God; it’s always about “the church.”
Hillsong performs there a few times a year, creating a horrible traffic situation. I’ve never seen a performance and probably never will. This revelation about the fake cancer is very disturbing.
“To me it sounds like he’s either mentally sick–bipolar maybe?– or very much caught up in the evangelical machine.”
Wait a minute, you’re saying those are two different things?
What the heck? why? Out of all the controversy some Christians have cause by doing very “un-christian”
things, this one shocks me the most.
it reminds me of mike warnke, a christian comedian back in the 80’s or 90’s or so, who fabricated a testimony that he had been a satanist. it was the foundation of his ministry. i remember being shocked then. is it bad that now these stories merely cause me to shake my head? like i’m not really that surprised anymore?
So he actually admitted this himself, or is this only media speculation? Sorry, didn’t hear the story! I did hear about his “illness” and the song but not that he faked it.
Oh never mind! I just looked at the link… duh…
I am really upset by this for a number of reasons, one being that his whole story was a big part of how I was drawn to the song “Healer”. It’s still an amazing song, but how unfortunate that he had to make up that story. I think it would have been a great song even without the “Made-up” backstory as to how it was written.