‘Discover the Champion in You’ – Lakewood’s Gospel of Greed
Under the new leadership of Joel Osteen, son of the late founder, John, Lakewood Church has grown in church attendance, tithes and television markets. It has also provided numerous benefits to Joel, including a $1 ¼ million dollar home. [Source: http://north-valley.com/realestate_board/messages/157.html ]
One can only imagine the number of servants needed to keep this busy, professional, prosperous, religious household of four afloat and fed. One can also only imagine the budget needed to keep the Osteens cloaked in Neiman Marcus’ finest.
Never short on million-dollar smiles and warm, humorous anecdotes, many about ‘Daddy,’ Senior Pastor Joel, an Oral Roberts University dropout, exudes confidence and success. Certainly, in worldly terms, he has achieved this at the young age of 39, thanks to the multitudes of deceived tithing Lakewood churchgoers. In what is no less than a meteoric rise to prominence, Joel Osteen has invented an extremely lucrative career as a ‘Christian’ Motivational Speaker, having worked diligently for years behind the scenes supervising the television production of his father’s services. Awarding himself the title of pastor, ‘one who feeds his flock,’ Joel reluctantly took the torch passed to him by his dying father. Today, boosted by his sudden and unexpected success, a confident Pastor Joel urges his disciples to discover the champion in you, teaching them weekly how they, too, can achieve their dreams and hearts’ desires. God wants to reward his congregation and viewers abundantly, he tells them, if only they would use the principles the Word-Faith Teachers have discovered to tap into this divine treasure trove.
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The latest "star" among the Christian world is Joel Osteen, pastor of nondenominational Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Osteen claims the nation’s largest congregation with over 30,000 members. Lakewood recently purchased the colossal Compaq Center, formerly home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. After a whopping $95 million in renovations, the Compaq Center now houses Osteen’s empire called Lakewood Church. Osteen continually sells out huge arenas (at $10 a ticket) across the country. (on ebay Osteen’s tickets list for over $100—can you say $ch-ching$?) New York Times (July 18, 2005) reports Lakewood’s 2004 revenue’s of $55 million. Osteen’s book of human-potential, self-esteem, "feel good," self-help-guide titled, Your Best Life Now: Seven Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, ranks number one on the prestigious "New York Times" best-seller list. Wxyz.com writes of Osteen’s enormous popularity, "In the world of religion, he’s achieved the status of a rock star. . ." Clearly, Mr. Osteen wears the coveted crown prince of the Christian kingdom.
http://tinyurl.com/b8cty
church encourages Christians to ‘Sponsor-A-Seat’ in the nearly 18,000 seat Center at a cost of $2,500 per to pay for the rebuilding effort
Joel & Victoria Osteen standing beside $2,500 theater seat.
http://www.iconbusters.com/iconbusters/docs/letter/letter.files/image003.jpg
It follows that a church of Lakewood's size draws in an enormous amount of income. As a church and a registered nonprofit, it doesn't have to reveal its budget. But public records show Joel and Victoria Osteen's home in Tanglewood is worth more than $1 million --
And when it came time to hire a lobbyist, Lakewood settled for no less than one of the best: Dave Walden, right-hand man for former mayor Bob Lanier.
The straight-shooting Walden, who smokes Marlboros and swears freely, might have seemed like an odd choice at first for a bunch of Christians. After all, when asked if he goes to church, Walden answers bluntly, "I don't like the circus."
Why would a church hire a lobbyist?
So you agree with me that he does not preach to 40,000 people each Sunday.
One can only imagine the number of servants needed to keep this busy, professional, prosperous, religious household of four afloat and fed.
There's little reason to doubt they have domestic help, given his schedule and the size of the house. But, is there ANY evidence of THIS:
One can also only imagine the budget needed to keep the Osteens cloaked in Neiman Marcus’ finest.
Is there evidence that the Osteens are "cloaked in Neiman Marcus' finest?" Or did the writer just make it up?
Myself, I prefer men like Dr. James Dobson or Dr. James Kennedy, and their examples of leadership in the Christian kingdom. Nellie Grey, with the American Life League, is another example of leadership in the Christian kingdom that I admire. Chuck Colson rings true as well. John Hagee, Dr Tony Evans, there are many others that come to mind.
So what? Whats wrong with it? The most devout Christian woman I know lives in a $15 million dollar home. She's a great person. They give gobs of money to charity. They have adopted four kids and they are happy as larks. I say more power to them. There's nothing sinful about having money and enjoying your station in life.
You realise, of course, that you are quoting a man who believes that the Holy Catholic Church is the "Whore of Babylon" and that the Papacy is the "Anti-Christ."
I live in close to a half million dollar home and I am involved in the ministry. My homes value has gone way up in the past five years. (4/2 1900 sq ft). I also believe Joel does not get a salary from the church but from the sale of his book. As far as people selling tickets and people wiling to pay $100 I think the buyer is nutty.
I'm a CHristian and I've ALWAYS had a "problem" with pastors who are WEALTHY. I can't believe the worshipers can get so caught up in the "cult of personality" and continue to give their money to this guy, seeing how he is wallowing in the money.
I cannot believe they CHARGE MONEY for folks to attend their traveling ministries. Why isn't it sponsored by a "mission fund" provided by that giant church?
Does the Billy Graham Crusade charge admission?
