Hillsong has made the decision to re-edit their latest DVD to remove the video clips of Michael Guglielmucci talking about his battle with cancer, which makes sense, considering he's been faking illness for two years.
They are also considering if any anything needs to be done with the CD.
I asked Integrity Music if they had any comment on the situation and they said, "Integrity Music stands in support of Hillsong Church and their ministry ... As they mentioned, Hillsong is replacing the DVD product with a new, edited version. Integrity is doing likewise in the U.S. And, that's been the case since a day or two after we learned the news, at which time we stopped shipment of the existing DVDs until the edited version could be received."
But the big question now is: does Hillsong edit the CD and remove the song "Healer?"
I was at a local Christian bookstore a week or so after the Guglielmucci story broke, and the sales clerks hadn't heard about his confession and the product was still on the shelf. I called back today and they have been notified and pulled the DVD, but the clerk commented that she hoped they didn't take the song "Healer" off the CD. She knew that what Guglielmucci did was wrong, but she said the song was still beautiful.
That's a tough call and I'm not sure what the best thing is to do.
The song will forever be associated with Guglielmucci and his lie, but does that taint the message in it forever? Can the words in the song still be true even though the original presentation was based on a lie?
If you go to the Hillsong website, you'll notice that they audio sampler clip for "Healer" is not available any more. That makes me think they're going to pull it from the album.
What do you think? Should Hillsong edit the album as well?
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Bt, Hillsong actually did not re-edit the CD, but they did re-edit the DVD to take out the part of the documentary where Michael Guglielmucci was talking about getting diagnosed with cancer and having his treatments.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
It's unfortunate that Mike G was faking the illness, but that doesn't take away from the truth of the song itself. God often uses broken vessels to display His glory.
Those that want to condemn Mike or pull all his music out should think again. If we used their standard, we'd have to rip out half of the book of Psalms! David was a leader who sinned greatly...but that doesn't take away from the truth of the Psalms he wrote. The important part is that David repented, and began to receive the Lord's forgiveness and healing. The same, we pray, is true of Mike G.
Let's stop being self righteous... Let's not judge Mike G. for what he had done... He is undergoing the painful process of healing right now, not from cancer but form "cancer that destroys our mind" that's addiction from pornography. In fact, i am touched by his story, his story might be a great testimony when all things are fixed by God,,, God is working in Mike's life, and i'll say it again, his story will be a great testimony in God's time...
I still listen to "Healer" and sing it. Just a few thoughts for those who would toss it in the bin:
If you want to erase "healer" from the CD and banish it from your worship services, will you do the same with the Psalms of David (a murderer/adulterer)? Likewise, the Proverbs and the Song of Solomon (a ladies' man if there ever was one, and an idolater too)?
Then, too, you could scrap the doctrine of justification by faith,rediscovered by Martin Luther, an antisemite, and by John Calvin, who had his opponent Servitus burned at stake.
The point is simply this : we are all sinners. And if you want to receive spiritual inspiration from somebody who isn't one, you'll have to look for it on another planet, I'm afraid.
Mike has repented. He is undertaking a painful journey of recovery and needs our love and prayers, and our forgiveness too.
David.
i think that the song healer is beautiful. and i also think that michael guglielmucci should not be held blamed and he shouldnt be having to deal with all the persecution.
the song healer is about faith, about believing that God will come through for us. in that way michael guglielmucci had stepped out in faith to admit that he had been lying. he had stepped out in faith to confess his sins to the world!
the song healer should be kept in the cd as it assures people that God can heal all your sins, and that even if you're facing a problem in your life, God will see you through til the end.
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