Posted on 07/06/2015 6:07:46 AM PDT by Gamecock
While American evangelists such as Franklin Graham and Rick Warren are not afraid of speaking on sensitive topics such as same-sex marriage, abortion, or political strife, Joel Osteen prefers not to discuss those while at the pulpit, saying those topics often "turn people off."
During a recent interview with WBUR's "Here & Now" radio program, Osteen said everybody has his or her own calling, but tackling politically controversial issues is not something that he has been called out to do.
"I have friends who are very political. They're pastors and that's what their thing is. But I think sometimes, in the church world, we can take one issue and make it really, really big and it can turn people off where there are many bigger issues. That's why I don't like to be defined by one thing," he said.
"You know, our message is about lifting people up, helping them fulfill their destiny, helping them to forgive in a tough time, how to make it through this life when life tries to push you down," Osteen added.
The pastor founded Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, back in 1959. It is the largest congregation in the United States, with around 43,500 people attending church services weekly.
Osteen said Lakewood Church continues to grow in number because they focus on issues that affect people in their daily lives as opposed to handling controversial ones.
But just recently, six men belonging to the Church of Wells heckled Osteen during service. "Joel Osteen, you're a liar!" one of them shouted, while another one who carried the Bible shouted some lines from the Scripture at him.
Osteen simply continued preaching, but churchgoers got scared in light of the recent Charleston Church shooting.
Before things could get worse, the six men were escorted out of the church by security personnel. They were later slapped with criminal trespassing, according to World Religion News.
His “calling” is $$$$$.
Right. His calling is MONEY.
And Christ said: “Deny me before man and I will deny you before my Father in Heaven.”
YBPDLN* Ping List Ping!
Generally speaking The YBPDLN Ping List is published infrequently, however based on the exploits of the megachurch pastors posts can spike for a season.
Management will not ping members to every thread addressing megachurch pastors, but will tag articles of interest with the KEYWORD: YBPDLN.
If you would like on or off of this list please FReepmail me.
*YBPDLN=Your Best Purpose Driven Life Now
It’s calling his name JOELLLLLLLLLL.
His “calling” is $$$$$.
I don’t know much about him, but if he says preaching or speaking out about deviancy is “not his calling,” then I have to conclude he’s just in the business for the money.
Good grief, Mr. Osteen, the Bible specifically condemns homosexuality, so, it’s hardly just a political issue.
‘That’s lessens my income’: Joel Osteen on why he’s mum on hot issues such as gay union
Fixed it
Sounds like “not my job”.
If it’s not his calling, then he’s not called to be a minister of God.
Meanwhile, Pastors who are preaching the truth are in the Houston Mayor's crosshairs:
City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons
Houston Lesbian Mayor Brings New Assault: Claims Pastors have no Right to a Jury Trial
Not to worry, Joel was not caught up in all of this!
I'm guessing this is a typo. Or he is much older than he looks. (Dorian Gray?)
His father founded Lakewood.
Joel is a motivational speaker and entertainer. I don’t think he is a BAD guy, but I find it offensive that he seems to pose as a quasi-Christian preacher, who preaches only from the Book of Joel.
Unbelievable the suckers he reels in.
**he seems to pose as a quasi-Christian preacher, who preaches only from the Book of Joel**
IMHO, that makes him a bad guy.
He is a BAD guy if he misleads. He is misleading a lot of people.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.