An Evening With Joel

As I complete this sentence to admit to you on Friday night I attended an event called “An Evening with Joel Osteen,” I know some of you would begin to roll your eyes at me, some of you would cheer me on, and yet others of you would have no clue what I am talking about. So, allow me to explain (I’ll try to provide an unbiased opinion at this point). And say the only reason why I went is because my boyfriend Kevin really wanted to go and bought us tickets before I could say no.

Joel Osteen is the pastor of the largest and fastest growing Protestant church in America, Lakewood Church near Houston, Texas. Each weekend over 28,000 members attend one of his services. Joel is a pastor who never completed college (correct me here if I am wrong fan club members) or seminary, but got his start via his father’s previous position as senior pastor at this church.

After Joel left college after one year, he came home to assist his father as the church’s multimedia director. Joel was instrumental beginning an expansive radio and television ministry for his dad. Yet, Lakewood church did not explode to its international fame until Joel succeeded his father as pastor over seven years ago. (It is interesting to note that Joel preached his first sermon only one week before his father’s death). Currently, Joel Osteen is well known for his dynamic, positive preaching whose themes could be summed up by the book title of his New York Times best seller, Live Your Best Life Now. Joel’s messages encourage people to get up with a smile on their face, praising God no matter the circumstances, believing healing, transformation, and brokenness can all be healed by the power of the gospel. His messages always end with a plug for the local church as Joel believes that involvement in a local congregation is the only way that a Christian can grow in their faith.

And while of all of this does sound nice, and at face value what Joel stands for is not outside of the witness of scripture…. In the end we know that God has the ultimate victory. It is true that praising God can transform our circumstances. And, God can work miracles (just check out the ministry of Jesus). In addition, I am so excited that Joel realizes church on t.v. or attending a Friday night rally is not all people need, so how he encourages membership and tithing at a local church is good!

But I had a few complaints…

• Use of his family: Joel paraded his wife and children on stage as if they pieces in his public relations campaign. I know that politicians do this all the time and sometimes religious leaders as well. But, this practice bothers me, especially considering the fact that I grew up with a father for a pastor. I hated when he would call me out in church or tell embarrassing stories about me. From the other side, I have to be a voice to say that pastor’s kids are people too! I would tell Joel that it isn’t fair to use them to make you look better. And, even if your wife looks like a Barbie doll, it is not right to sell your ministry based on her either. (Victoria Osteen’s pictures are all over Joel’s website, brochures, and she had a prominent “supporting role” on Friday night).
• The overly positive tone: While I am not an advocate for pessimism and cycles of depression that are based on patterns of negative self talk and behavior (as Joel spoke against), I have to say that there ARE times in life when we don’t need to be so positive. Life can suck sometimes. There are days when self-pity is ok; when we need to sit on the couch and wallow for a while [Abby and Jenn name the episode of the Gilmore Girls where this phrase comes from]. The Psalms are full of laments to God about situations that are just this bad. As Christians, I believe the life we are called to is one of authenticity, and to do this, we often have to be willing to unpaint the smiles on our faces and REALLY tell people how we are doing. We only get through grief and trials if we lament them to God and other people, unlike what Joel advocated for on Friday evening.
• The alter call: Now I admit here that I am a Baptist who still loves the invitation at the end of the service (if it is done with theological and emotional integrity). I like people having an opportunity to respond or commit to how the Spirit has spoken to them in the service. But I have to say that Joel’s invitation was overdone and manipulative. He brought up his seven year old daughter to sing a long slow song. He asked the entire audience to pray the sinner’s prayer (even those who didn’t stand to make a decision). Then, he cried over the benediction. I could go on all day about this… but for now I’ll say that I believe salvation is a process. It is not about a moment of saying a perfect prayer. It IS about life together in the community of God and God’s reconciliation work in the midst of your local church and the world global.
  
  But in the end, I’m glad I came and saw… I’ve now seen one of “America’s premiere” preachers in person. All I have to say is Joel GO TO SEMINARY then come back in three years and start preaching again. I believe your messages might just have a different sound.