Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joel Scott Hayley Osteen March 5, 1963 |
| Occupation(s) | Pastor, Author |
| Employer | Lakewood Church |
| Title | Pastor |
| Term | October 3, 1999 - present |
| Predecessor | John Osteen |
| Spouse | Victoria Osteen (1987-present) |
| Children | 2 children |
| Parent(s) | John Osteen (father) Dolores (Dodie) Pilgrim Osteen (mother)[1] |
| Website | joelosteen.com |
Joel Scott Hayley Osteen (born March 5, 1963[2]) is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He is married to Victoria Osteen, who serves as co-pastor.
Joel Osteen was featured as one of Barbara Walters's " 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006",[3] and was named "Most Influential Christian in America" in 2006 by The Church Report.[4]
His second book, Become a Better You, was released in October 2007 with a first printing of three million copies.[5]
Biography
Osteen married Victoria L. Iloff on 4 April, 1987.[6] They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. Joel, son of John and Dodie Osteen, is one of six children. His elder siblings, Paul, Lisa, Tamara and his younger sister April, are also involved in full-time ministry.[7] Joel's half-brother Justin, does missionary work out of New York[8]. Joel's father, John Osteen, a former Southern Baptist pastor who became Charismatic in the late 1950s, founded Lakewood Church on Mother's Day, 1959.[9] Osteen's father developed Lakewood into a body of approximately 6,000 members with an active television ministry, crusades, conferences, missionary support and food distribution.[8] He died of a heart attack in 1999.
After 17 years with his father producing the church's television program, Joel succeeded his father on October 3, 1999 as pastor of Lakewood Church. Joel had only preached once in his life, the week before his father's death.[8] Today, Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around the world.[10] Joel Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was released in October 2004. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters.[11]
Presently, Osteen and several Lakewood Church team members travel across the nation, presenting programs in large stadiums to a paying public. The event titled "A Night of Hope," includes worship music led by the church's music ministry, a testimony by Joel's mother Dodie and a sermon from Pastor Osteen. In 2007, the tour expanded to include stops in several other countries, including Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Israel.[12]. Osteen released his second book, entitled Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day in October 2007 under Simon & Schuster publishing, which has also topped the New York Times Best Sellers List.[13] Osteen told Larry King the new book will focus more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my basic message of becoming all God's created you to be," he added.[14]
Preaching Style
Osteen says that he chooses to focus on the goodness of God rather than sin.[15] In answer to questions raised over why he does not include many Bible verses in his books, he says that he sees himself as more of a life coach, and thinks that there are probably others better qualified, or more gifted for explaining Bible verses. Osteen explains that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude. [16]
Criticism of Style
Osteen was criticized, after a 2005 appearance on Larry King Live, for not being clear enough in saying that Jesus Christ is the only way to get to Heaven. He stated only God can look at somebody's heart, but that as a believer in the Christian faith, he believes in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. [14] In late 2006, Osteen again appeared on Larry King Live and clarified his prior statement, saying he believes a personal relationship with Christ is the only way to Heaven.[14]
On the December 23, 2007 edition of FoxNews Sunday, host Chris Wallace brought up criticisms of Osteen's lack of study of scripture in his sermons, and lack of bringing up sin as an integral part of life. Osteen responded that "And I am ultimately trying to do that, but I'm trying to teach people how to live their everyday lives, and so I do focus on it, probably not as much as some people would like."[17]
Osteen has been criticized for preaching too much on prosperity gospel, which focuses on good health and prosperity for Christians, and not enough on sin.[14] Due to not mentioning Jesus much and displaying World Map instead of a Cross, many non-Christians admire Joel as well. There are many Jews and Hindus who are his followers. He preaches "way of life", which gets accepted across religions and boundaries.
Osteen has also been critized for not having any theological training. Osteen has received a BA in television production, but did not study theology or religion in college, and has never attended a Seminary.[18]
See also
References
- ^ "Obituary: Pastor John H. Osteen". Houston Chronicle. 1999-01-26. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|1=,|2=,|3=, and|4=(help) - ^ "Joel Birthday-1963-March-05". Retrieved 2007-05-08.
- ^ "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006". 20/20. ABC. 2006-12-12.
- ^ "The 50 Most Influential Christians in America]". The Church Report. Jan 07. Christy Media, LLC. 2007.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Garrett, Lynn. New Osteen Book at Three Million. Publisher's Weekly. 13 April 2007.
- ^ Rootsweb.com Vital Records - Harris County, TX - Marriage 1987
- ^ Osteen, Dodie. "Choosing Life: One Day At A Time." New York: Free Press, 2001
- ^ a b c Mathieu, Jennifer. Power House. HoustonPress News. 4 April 2002
- ^ Christ Notes, Joel Osteen Books and Ministry
- ^ Lakewood Church, Joel Osteen Ministries. About Pastors Joel & Victoria
- ^ Kwon, Lillian. ChristianPost.com. Joel Osteen Dubbed 'Most Fascinating'. 11 December 2006.
- ^ Joel Osteen Ministries Events
- ^ SimonSays.com
- ^ a b c d CNN Larry King Live: Interview With Joel and Victoria Osteen. 11 December 2006.
- ^ Fox News on Osteen
- ^ CBSNews.com: Joel Osteen Answers His Critics. 14 October 2007.
- ^ "Transcript: Pastor Joel Osteen on 'FNS'". FOX News. 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ Liichow, Robert S. "The Leaven of Lakewood". Retrieved 2008-01-06.