The Church of the Highlands, a prominent megachurch based in Birmingham, Alabama, has recently faced intense scrutiny and criticism over racially insensitive actions by its senior pastor, Chris Hodges.

Founded in 2001, the Church of the Highlands grew rapidly under Hodges’ leadership into the largest church in Alabama, with over 50,000 weekly attendees across 22 campuses. However, the church’s expansion and Hodges’ folksy, charismatic preaching style had already drawn some controversy over the years.

The current scandal erupted when Hodges was revealed to have “liked” numerous social media posts from Charlie Kirk, the controversial young leader of the conservative group Turning Point USA which has been accused of promoting racism.

In the aftermath, the city of Birmingham ended partnerships with the church providing housing, healthcare, and education programs to underprivileged citizens. Hodges issued tearful apologies but insists he is not racist, citing decades of community service outreach.

The scandal has polarized opinion, drawing support for Hodges from conservative figures but ongoing criticism from black leaders and liberal voices. Some experts believe it reveals Hodges’ alignment with Donald Trump and an insensitive stance on race issues.

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The ultimate effects on Hodges’ reputation and the church’s future expansion remain uncertain. But the controversy has clearly exposed divisions over race, politics, and social justice.

For the influential Church of the Highlands, known for its youthful vibe and millennial membership, this represents a crucial crossroads as it seeks to move forward while facing heightened scrutiny from all sides. The response of Hodges and his congregation, and ability to rebuild community trust, will be pivotal.

Overview Church of The Highlands Exposed

The Church of the Highlands is a large, nondenominational Christian megachurch based in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 2001 by Pastor Chris Hodges, the church has grown rapidly over the past two decades. It now has over 20 campuses across Alabama with weekly attendance of more than 38,000 people.

The church’s stated vision is “helping people find and follow Jesus.” Its beliefs align with mainstream evangelical Christianity. The Church of the Highlands places strong emphasis on biblical teaching, worship services with contemporary Christian music, small groups, and local and global outreach.

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In recent years, the Church of the Highlands has faced some criticism and controversy:

• Questions have been raised about the church’s financial transparency and Pastor Hodges’ six-figure compensation package. The church brings in tens of millions in revenue annually but some have argued it does not do enough charitable work in the community compared to its size.

• In 2014, the Church of the Highlands founded a separate church called Church of the Highlands of the Islands in the Cayman Islands. This was seen by some as an attempt to avoid disclosure laws in the United States. The Cayman Islands church was dissolved in 2018 amid public scrutiny.

• Some former attendees and staff have accused the church of having a “cult-like” environment where dissent or disagreement is discouraged. They say there is extreme deference and obedience expected towards Pastor Hodges and other leaders.

• In 2016, a youth pastor at the Church of the Highlands Birmingham campus resigned and was arrested on charges of sexual abuse of a minor. This highlighted the issue of accountability at the growing megachurch.

• The church has promoted and partnered with Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey who has faced criticism over his teachings on topics like tithing and handling debt. Some say the church’s association with Ramsey is problematic.

• In 2020, Pastor Hodges openly defied COVID-19 restrictions in Alabama by keeping the church open at full capacity. This led to confrontation with local authorities and criticism over public health concerns.

Despite the rapid growth and popularity of the Church of the Highlands under Pastor Hodges, there are clearly some who take issue with the lack of transparency around finances, alleged authoritarian leadership style, and other practices.

However, many devoted members argue the church sticks to orthodox Christian theology and positively impacts the community. The Church of the Highlands remains one of the largest and most influential churches in the American South today.

• In 2018, the Church of the Highlands announced plans to open a campus in Huntsville, Alabama. This expansion faced opposition from local residents and businesses who argued a megachurch could disrupt the small town feel of the area. However, zoning was approved despite protests.

• Some critics have pointed out that though the Church of the Highlands runs a biblical counseling program, it is not licensed and does not employ clinically trained therapists or psychologists. They argue this pseudo-therapy can be harmful.

• Highlands College, the ministry training program run by the church, has also faced scrutiny for being unaccredited and expensive. Some students feel ill-prepared for actual ministry jobs after graduating.

• In 2022, a Church of the Highlands children’s pastor resigned after misconduct allegations. The church was criticized for allowing him to simply resign without further investigation.

• Pastor Hodges authored a book called “The Cure” which spells out the church’s approach to living a Christian lifestyle. However, some say the book promotes unhealthy attitudes about guilt, sexuality, and human nature.

• The church has faced accusations of pressuring members to volunteer, donate money, and recruit new attendees. There are stories of parishioners being shamed or even threatened with losing volunteer roles if they do not properly “serve the house.”

• Despite promoting community service, the church spent over $100 million on expansive campuses and production upgrades in recent years. Some argue this reveals mixed priorities and values appearance over charity.

• In 2020, Pastor Hodges held services attended by thousands with no COVID-19 precautions, defying social distancing orders. He claimed the church had special religious exemptions. Many saw this as a dangerous and selfish precedent during a public health crisis.

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So in summary, while the Church of the Highlands has seen huge growth and enjoys enthusiastic membership, it has faced growing criticism around transparency, accountability, financial priorities, and leadership tactics. The congregation’s full impact remains debated.