The largest megachurch in North America sits right off of 59 in southwest downtown Houston. Pastor Joel Osteen leads the Lakewood Church – a church he inherited from his father John Osteen in a building that previously served as the Houston Rockets’ home with 52,000 regular attendees each week. That is 7,200 more than in 2010 and five time the size it was when Osteen’s father Pastor John Osteen, who founded it, died in 1999.
Andrew Gabriel of PAOC recently posted two consecutive mini-articles on Joel Osteen to spark a vivid discussion with the Pentecostal Theology Group; which naturally led to the question: Why is Joel Osteen’s Church Still Growing?
Neither Pastor Joel Osteen, nor the Lakewood Church implement:
- multi campus; it is just one big mega-church
- CEO leadership strategies like John Maxwell
- complicated theology (for which Osteen is often criticized)
- overemphasize prophetic or otherwise charismatic gifts
- imlpement more media than a regular TV evangelist
- belonging to a larger denomination at this time
- projects a close type of conduct, but reach to all kind of unbelievers
- have an open political preference (like Franklin, Jakes, etc.)
- use negativism or criticism of other ministers and churches
- purposely ask for money on TV
Yet, it remains the largest and fastest growing church in America today.
So how and why Lakewood Church – Houston keeps on growing under the leadership of Pastor Joel Osteen?
Troy Day
not sure that they use a CEO leadership strategies like _John Maxwell_ I have also not heard much overemphasize prophetic or otherwise charismatic gifts with Osteen Peter Vandever
Sherry Tilley Armijo
I heard his background growing up was pentecostal..I havent really ever listened to a full sermon so Im not sure what he.believes or preaches.
Troy Day
Osteen?
Sherry Tilley Armijo
Troy Day yes
Sherry Tilley Armijo
I think he went to Oral.Roberts University.
Sherry Tilley Armijo
I just read this.
Sherry Tilley Armijo
And this
Troy Day
Of course he was brought up His dad was one of the top Pentecostal preachers ever His sister also preaches
Sherry Tilley Armijo
Yep, so I cant fault a man of God Unless he preaches in Any other name than Jesus and the salvation message with Repentance
Troy Day
No He preaches. The question is what
Isara Mo
Because be inspires but doesnt condemn…
He parts them.on the back but doesnt pierce their hearts..
Anywhere where preaching and teaching soothes the heart but doesnt pierce it, growth is imminent..
The Bible says when Peter preached they were pierced in their hearts and asked “what should we do?
When Jesus preached they said” this is hard teaching…..and many left him.(John 6:66)
If the word of God is a sword(Hebrews 4:12) and a fire and a hammerJeremiah 23:29) instruments/ objects that hurt and harm when applied to the flesh, then surely you wont find applause when it is applied but cries..
But as long there is applause clapping and no conviction in the hearts…it is just another gospel…
That explains it
Troy Day
My point was that John Maxwell are used there. This is quite the wrong assumption
Andrew Gabriel
No doubt it is growing in part because he encourages and inspires people. But I’m sure there is much more ministry going on at the church than one can tell from watching Joel teach on t.v.
Troy Day
Granted – lots of ministry but he did lock the church for the hurricane victims
Troy Day
it is not really
Isara Mo
Everyone loves to be inspired, but not everyone likes to be rebuked.
When Jesus taught something new, on hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
Hard teaching doesnt inspire…
Brian James
2 TImothy 4:2 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Troy Day
most ppl love to be misled in the wrong direction
Shannel Taylor
Broad is the way…
Jeremy Watts
It’s still growing because he says what they want to hear!!
Isara Mo
Jeremy Watts
There is a great difference between preaching and entertaining.
If you do the first truthfully as Jesus and the apostles did you risk bring thrown down the cliff flogged in public and thrown into jail and you will remain with a few members..
But if you do the latter i.e entertain the people, as we see done in most churches today especially “mega churches” then growth is imminent.
Everyone dislikes rebuke:everyone loves to be entertained.
Jeremy Watts
Isara Mo absolutely
Troy Day
wondering why FB put this thumb instead of Joels
Daniel J Hesse
What they need to hear also?
Benjamin Freeman Herbest
So why did the Church in Acts grow daily? Sometimes thousands at a time
Jeremy Watts
Benjamin Freeman Herbest very different times and very different culture. In America we have become soft and want people to speak easy to us, to motivate us and never rebuke us. By large majority, we don’t seek truth, we seek for those that will agree with us, not challenge us and people that will make us feel good about ourselves. People don’t want to be disciplined, we live in the fattest and laziest country. Joel does exactly what the masses want. Gives them a feel good message and tells them that they are perfect and getting better. He is nothing more than a motivational speaker!
Troy Day
Benjamin Freeman Herbest you think Joel is Paul and Houston is Jerusalem?
Jevan Little
People go there for a positive message, not to grow a relationship with God imo.
I would not be surprised to find Uniarian Universalists and gays in the congregation.
Troy Day
people go there period A LOT
Daniel J Hesse
A lot in word and deed.
Troy Day
whose word and which deed?