Should evangelicals sing Hillsong, Bethel and Elevation songs in evangelical churches? — with Mal York

Posted on May 12, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology

This week from The Pastor’s Heart –

“Church music is one of the most formative and contested parts of local church life.

People join churches because of music. People leave churches because of music. But music is not a filler between the sermon and the prayers. The songs we sing put theology into people’s mouths and memories.

So how should we choose the songs we sing in church?

Mal York, the dean of students at Sydney’s Moore Theological College, joins us to talk about principles and pragmatics in choosing songs for church.

We discuss theological depth, singability, musical excellence, doctrinal drift, performance culture and what to do with songs from movements like Hillsong, Bethel and Elevation.”

– Watch or listen here.

A quote from Mal York to consider  –

“Hillsong, whether we like it or not …  see their songs as advertising for them. So, they see that whenever you sing a Hillsong song in your church, you are advertising their ministry. Now, some churches might be happy to advertise their ministry, but for me, I found it hard to sing those songs.” (At 13’20”.)