Joel Osteen

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Joel Osteen

Joel and his wife Victoria
Born Joel Scott Hayley Osteen
March 5, 1963 (1963-03-05) (age 45)
Houston, Texas
Occupation Pastor, Author
Employers Lakewood Church
Title Pastor
Term October 3, 1999 - present
Predecessor John Osteen
Religious beliefs Non-denominational Christianity
Spouse Victoria Osteen (1987-present)
Children 2 children Jonathan, Alexandria
Parents John Osteen (father)
Dolores (Dodie) Pilgrim Osteen (mother)[1]
Website
joelosteen.com

Joel Scott Hayley Osteen (born March 5, 1963[2]) is a best selling author, and the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He is married to Victoria Osteen, who serves as co-pastor. His non-denominational Christian ministry reaches over 2 million broadcast media viewers weekly. Osteen's media ministry regularly features an upbeat and sometimes humorous message of life lessons of hope, kindness, optimism and biblical relevancy and redemption through Jesus Christ.

Osteen's popularity led to him being featured as one of ABC News "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]

Contents

[edit] Biography

Born in Houston, Texas, 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.

Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church, December 8, 2007
Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church, December 8, 2007

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 Joel 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]

[edit] 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. Osteen explains that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude. [16]

[edit] Criticism

Osteen received much criticism from many in the Evangelical community, after a 2005 appearance on Larry King Live, when he did not clearly affirm that Jesus Christ is the only way a person can reach Heaven. He stated repeatedly that only God knows a person's heart, but that as a believer in the Christian faith he believes in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. [14] In late 2006, Osteen again appeared on Larry King Live and clarified his prior statement, saying he does in fact believe a personal relationship with Christ is the only way to Heaven.[14]

On the December 23, 2007 edition of Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace brought up criticisms of Osteen's lack of Scripture reference in his sermons, as well as his hesitancy to discuss sin as an integral part of life. Osteen responded: "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 also received criticism for his lack of formal theological training. Osteen has received a Bachelor of Arts degree in television production but did not study theology or religion in college, and has never attended a theological seminary.[18]

[edit] See also

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Obituary: Pastor John H. Osteen. Houston Chronicle (1999-01-26). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  2. ^ Joel Birthday-1963-March-05. Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  3. ^ The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006. 20/20. ABC (2006-12-12).
  4. ^ The 50 Most Influential Christians in America]. The Church Report. Jan 07. Christy Media, LLC. (January 2007).
  5. ^ Garrett, Lynn. New Osteen Book at Three Million. Publisher's Weekly. 13 April 2007.
  6. ^ Rootsweb.com Vital Records - Harris County, TX - Marriage 1987
  7. ^ Osteen, Dodie. "Choosing Life: One Day At A Time." New York: Free Press, 2001
  8. ^ a b c Mathieu, Jennifer. Power House. HoustonPress News. 4 April 2002
  9. ^ Christ Notes, Joel Osteen Books and Ministry
  10. ^ Lakewood Church, Joel Osteen Ministries. About Pastors Joel & Victoria
  11. ^ Kwon, Lillian. ChristianPost.com. Joel Osteen Dubbed 'Most Fascinating'. 11 December 2006.
  12. ^ Joel Osteen Ministries Events
  13. ^ SimonSays.com
  14. ^ a b c CNN Larry King Live: Interview With Joel and Victoria Osteen. 11 December 2006.
  15. ^ Fox News on Osteen
  16. ^ CBSNews.com: Joel Osteen Answers His Critics. 14 October 2007.
  17. ^ Transcript: Pastor Joel Osteen on 'FNS'. FOX News (2007-12-23). Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
  18. ^ Liichow, Robert S.. The Leaven of Lakewood. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.

[edit] External links