Pastor's (Joel Osteen's)wife involved in flight disturbance

ABC 13 ^ | 12-20-05 | Jessica Willey

[truthandlife]

A dispute that involved the wife of Houston's most famous pastor, Joel Osteen, and a Continental Airlines flight attendant ended up delaying a flight for hours Monday. And now, Victoria Osteen's actions on that flight are in the spotlight. Also on ABC13.com: Send us a news tip | RSS feeds | ABC13 E-lert | Info mentioned on air Statements from Lakewood and Continental Following the incident on Continental flight 1602 Monday, both Lakewood Church and Continental Airlines released these statements. The Osteens run the largest church in the nation, so passengers on a Continental flight were shocked Monday when Mrs. Osteen was removed from that flight after a disturbance.

Taking time off from the high profile hustle and bustle of running a mega-church, Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen and his family boarded Continental flight 1602 Monday morning at Houston's big airport. They were bound for the slopes in Colorado.

Their trip was delayed and so was the entire flight by almost two hours. Fellow passengers blame the popular Osteens, specifically Joel's wife, Victoria.

According to passenger accounts, the Osteens were sitting in first class. Soon after the plane's door was closed, the FBI says Victoria Osteen was removed following what Continental would call only a disturbance. The Osteens' spokesman confirms it involved a flight attendant, but that's all. However, one passenger tells Eyewitness News she was alerted to the front of the plane when she heard a commotion.

"She violently ran towards the cockpit, scaring everyone around her," said passenger Knicky Van Slyke. "Everyone was terrified about what was going on. And a bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door."

"Of the cockpit?" we asked.

"Yes."

Passengers say Victoria was removed first. Joel and the children followed. Meantime, everyone waited.

"They unloaded all the luggage to get their luggage and deplaned her, Joel, and the kids," said passenger Dawn Dixon.

Passenger Chad Clay said, "They kept telling us they were waiting on some passengers to find their luggage underneath in the plane, and it was going to be delayed for looking for that luggage."

According to the Transportation Security Administration, federal air marshals were never involved. Local authorities also know nothing of this event. Continental would not discuss details.

The Osteens' spokesman denies a physical altercation, denies Victoria ever banged on the cockpit door, and says she left on her own.

"The account of the event which has come to our attention is inaccurate and overblown. The misunderstanding was minor and was resolved when Victoria voluntarily removed herself from the situation," read the statement.

The FBI says it was not voluntary. Though agents are not investigating, they will review the incident as the Osteens enjoy their Colorado vacation.

The Osteens' spokesman says they took another flight to Colorado Monday.

Nobody has been charged. As for the FBI's involvement, we're told it's standard procedure for them to review all passenger removal incidents. According to Continental, this one is a closed case.

Pastor Joel Osteen preaches to an average of 40,000 people a week at Lakewood Church services. Lakewood opened in the former home of the Rockets, Compaq Center, back in July. It took $90 million and a year and a half of renovations. Osteen's ministry is taped and aired around the world.

[TigerSilly]

You've expressed exactly the thoughts I have! Thanks!

[Steve_Seattle]

"Charles Stanley has a private plane."

When I defended Charles Stanley and James Robison, I was making a judgment based on the content of their preaching and the general impression I have of their ministry, along with anything I might have heard from outside sources, and I've never heard anything about either of those two that would suggest they are strongly motivated by money. Now, I could be wrong, and if Stanley has a private plane that raises a red flag, but having a private plane is not necessarily a sign of greed. It could just be - for a man who has a national ministry and probably enormous demands on his time - a way of doing things efficiently. All I know is that Stanley - unlike many other TV preachers - spends very little on-air time soliciting contributions, and I've never heard him preach the "prosperity Gospel," although I admit I listen to him only occasionally. Stanley has written some succesful books, and perhaps that is the source of the money for the plane; I never hear him asking for people to empty their wallets to make "love offerings" the way some of the others do.

[hummingbird]

There is a growing contingent here that will go off 1/3 cocked, or quarter-cocked and less.

LOL, Keith in Iowa...maybe has sumtin' to do with the local barometric pressure as to the extent with which one will go cocked!

Who am I kidding...I just wanted to make, once before I die, a post with the word "cocked" in it!

[hummingbird]

Well, bless them. *hork*

Don't know why but seeing the "word" "*hork*" made me laugh so hard, tears streamed down my face!

One good belly laugh a day is considered, by some, as essential for good health. Thanks for contributing to my good health for today, TankerKC!

[Steve_Seattle]

"What's your opinion of James Kennedy."

I don't have a clear recollection of him; he's not one I've seen, at least not often enough to form an impression. I mentioned Robison and Stanley because they are two who I've actually listened to for their whole show. I'm also familiar with Paul Crouch, Steve Munsey, Benny Hinn, Mike Murdock, and the Hillsong show from Australia, among others. I have serious doubts about all of this latter group, although Hillsong occasionally puts out some good music (Darlene what's-her-name and Miriam Webster are both - in my opinion - very good singers, and easy on the eyes).

[hummingbird]

Do you live in a covered wagon or something?

Oh, I need a coffee mug with that on it! I can't wait to use it at the most appropriate time (if that's a-okay with you).

[TankerKC]

Thanks for contributing to my good health for today, TankerKC!

I'm always trying to help!

[hummingbird]

Oh, yes, Dr. Adrian Rogers. May he RIP. I enjoyed listening to his sermons.

[hummingbird]

Got an email that Fr. Pacwa will be in Florida for a seminar that looks fascinating. If you haven't gotten it, I can Freepmail it to you (and to cyborg...Hi, cyborg!).

You two just tickle me!

[hummingbird]

P.S. Mother Angelica makes me sit up a little straighter when her old shows are aired! Mother is "Old School" done right!.

I love the way she'd say "That's Awesome!" in her later programs.

[hummingbird]

Thank you for posting that, Sybeck1. I will take that to meditation today (and probably for days to come).

[hummingbird]

God Bless him in the twilight of his life....

May it be so. Mr. Billy Graham and his whole family have been such an inspiration. And, you are right...he played/plays a big role in President Bush's life.

[WhiteGuy]

heh heh heh, drunks..............

What are we gonna do with 'em?

[fishtank]

"Stay away from Joel Osteen and his no condemnation, self-esteem, false-gospel."

Thanks.

[1Old Pro]

it looks like he's yet another TV preacher living the high life. I saw Joyce Meyer on TV a couple of weeks ago, dressed to the hilt

What gives you that idea? Doesn't everyone jet to Vail or Aspen for Christmas?

[Frapster]

How often do you listen to Joel preach? Or, how many times have you ever heard him preach?

[fishtank]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1544299/posts?page=541#541

[editor-surveyor]

"He had a treasurer Judas and told the disciples to go and buy food for the five thousand."

An egregiously inaccurate statement.

Judas appointed himself treasurer. The Lord didn't tell the disciples to 'buy' food, they erroneously inferred that. He told them to feed the people, and he, through his own power miraculously provided the food.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I reckon some just envy his success and beautiful wife.

I have no opinion or judgment to make about the Olsteens...but I'm guessing you are right.

This thread has brought out some of the most ornery and belligerent bastards I have ever seen. The entertainment value is priceless!

[MamaB]

How is she doing? She had some good programs and I am Southern Baptist.