SydneyAustralia

Sydney is the global headquarters of Hillsong Church and the broader Australian Pentecostal-charismatic scene. The Hillsong exits over the past decade — driven by leadership scandals, the Brian Houston situation, and broader concerns about culture inside the church — have produced one of the largest cohorts of ex-Pentecostals anywhere in the English-speaking world. Sydney also has substantial Australian Catholic, evangelical Anglican, and Jehovah’s Witness populations, each with its own ongoing exits.

The pillar page on Pentecostalism is the most relevant for Hillsong-and-friends exits. The page on evangelicalism applies for the more conservative Anglican exits. The broader Australian secular culture is unusually post-religious by global standards, which makes the post-deconstruction landing in Sydney comparatively easy outside the family.

The rebuild is possible, even when it does not feel that way. Elder X works with people leaving every religious tradition, from cities all over the world. If you are in Sydney and wondering whether anyone gets it — someone does. Write. The first email is just you telling your story in your own words.