![]() Pastor Dooley said the decision was made to offer "grace". "I would say that I believe that the board acted appropriately under the circumstances of the information given to them and with a desire to see Brian healthy," he said. Pastor Dooley told the meeting that some church elders raised concerns the board had "covered up" the two women's complaints by failing to mention them in the statement about Mr Houston stepping aside. " that it would be 'best practice' for me to step aside completely from church leadership during the court proceedings." "In December, during our board meeting, Hillsong's external legal counsel gave the board advice regarding the current charge I am facing," Mr Houston said in January. Mr Houston stepped down as the director of all Hillsong boards earlier this year to defend a criminal charge that he concealed his father's child sexual abuse. and he also did, as he would say, consume some alcohol." He did conduct some ministry, I believe on three separate occasions. He said Mr Houston had taken three months off, promising to abstain from alcohol during that period. Both were personally paid for by Mr Houston. Pastor Dooley said after the incident, the woman's conference fee and her "Kingdom Builder" donation were returned. "We also acknowledge that this person did not deserve to be placed in the situation she found herself in by Pastor Brian". "Ultimately, the board found that Brian had breached the Hillsong Pastor's Code of Conduct," the board said. The investigation did not uphold all parts of the complaint but "important elements of the complaint were sustained and the conduct was of serious concern". following the consumption of anti-anxiety medication beyond the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol". The board said an investigation found Mr Houston "became disorientated. Brian has said there was no sexual activity but he was in the room for 40 minutes." The woman has not said there was any sexual activity. ![]() "The truth is we don't know what happened next. "She opened the door and he went into her room. ![]() "Later that evening, Pastor Brian attempted to get into his room but didn't have his room key and ended up knocking on the door to the woman's room. "It was after one of the conference nights and he was drinking with a group," Pastor Dooley said. Pastor Dooley said Mr Houston met a woman, who was not a member of the church, in the foyer of the Pullman Hotel. The 2019 incident, the church said, occurred during its annual conference in Qudos Bank Arena in Homebush, NSW which Prime Minister Scott Morrison opened. Do you know more?Ĭontact Lorna Knowles on the Signal app +61 400 941 469 or on ProtonMail use this form to get in contact with the ABC Investigations team, or if you require more secure communication, please choose an option on the confidential tips page. "Pastor Brian said, 'I want to pay that personally because it was my fault,' because it was personal indiscretion," Pastor Dooley said. When she returned months later and told the church she was unable to find employment after resigning, Mr Houston paid "a couple of months salary" as compensation from his own pocket. Pastor Dooley said the female staffer, who was "upset and felt awkward", made a complaint to Hillsong general manager George Aghajanian. ![]() We also worked with Pastor Brian to ensure he received professional help to eliminate his dependency on this medication, and this was achieved successfully." "He immediately apologised to the person. The Hillsong Global Board said Mr Houston at the time was "under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence". Pastor Dooley, in an emotional video conference, said the texts were along the lines of: "'If I was with you, I'd like to kiss and cuddle you,' words of that nature". The first incident, detailed in the letter and by Pastor Dooley, involved "inappropriate text messages" sent to a female staffer which led to her resigning. "We apologise unreservedly to the people affected by Pastor Brian's actions and commit to being available for any further assistance we can provide." "We have sadly been dealing with two complaints made against Pastor Brian over the last 10 years," the board said. The letter was sent to members hours after the new head of Hillsong Church, Pastor Phil Dooley, held an extraordinary meeting with 800 global staff members detailing Mr Houston's "indiscretions". The Hillsong Global Board on Friday afternoon sent a letter to church members, leaked to the ABC, about complaints made about Mr Houston's conduct in 20.
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