Watching Church on TV....Joel Osteen

[Alicnwondrln]

do you do this? I am not a very religious person. I only go to Church when someone dies, no flames I am just being honest.
Anyway latley I have been up late on Sunday nights. One night I flipped on this Joel Osteen program and was really just struck by him and his words.

Of course I didnt know half the stories he was talking about, as I dont read the bible and never have. BUt none the less I did enjoy listening to him and what he spoke about. I stayed up to wach it the past several weeks.

I know his church is no where around here, I live MA. I would be willing to bet there are no churches like that around here. Has anyone read his book ?

 

[JoyG]

I LOVE to watch church on TV, although I'm not a fan of Joel Osteen.

I do have some favorites I watch and tivo. One who's national that I like is David Jeremiah.

 

[Mkaz]

Even though I do go to church on a regular basis, I do watch him often. So far my mom, my sister, and I have read his book. We really liked it. If I didn't already pass my book on to someone else, I would send it to you. You could check out your local library and see if they have it.

 

[left210]

You should watch Joyce Meyer. She is a great christian speaker. Straight and to the point. Her topics relate to everyday life and offer alot of encouragement.

 

[Golf4food]

I LOVE to watch church on TV, although I'm not a fan of Joel Osteen.

I do have some favorites I watch and tivo. One who's national that I like is David Jeremiah.

I love David Jeremiah. One of the best preachers out there.

I'm not an Osteen fan, though.

But I listed to Jeremiah on the radio or his website, not on TV. I attend church (and work part time at church as the music leader) so I don't watch it on TV much. We don't pay for cable, so the only church programs we could get on TV are all on at the same times that are, in fact, AT church...

 

[pearlieq]

There's something about him--I can't look away whenever the TV lands on him. It's like the world's best animatronic preacher. There's something "off" about him and I just can't put my finger on what it is, but I can't look away until I figure it out!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

There's something about him--I can't look away whenever the TV lands on him. It's like the world's best animatronic preacher. There's something "off" about him and I just can't put my finger on what it is, but I can't look away until I figure it out!

That's exactly what I think of him.

 

[cybrkitn]

I have watched him on occasion, haven't read any of his books, though. He's very soft spoken and gentle with his words and can come up with a few good clean jokes, too.

He does travel. Joel was here in NY two years in a row. If you are interested in seeing where he will be next, you can check out his website. Most television preachers (televangelists) travel to different places and have it listed on their websites.

 

[Robinrs]

I actually saw him on Joyce Meyer for a week and found him interesting. Before that I just thought he looked too young and happy to speak to me...

I now set my alarm to watch him every Sunday! Every single week he says SOMETHING that I can totally relate to! He is truly annointed!

BTW, my pastor is on TV just about everyday, Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries. He is such a wonderful man, so gentle and SMART. His way is very much like my Dad, just like Joyce is like my Mom, which is why I levitate to their way of teaching. Joel, though different, has found a part of my heart, too.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I don't watch any preaching on TV. I do like to take in a variety of live preaching whenever I can. I enjoy preaching from a variety of traditions. As for Joel Osteen... lemme just say I have some extreme theological differences with him.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

BTW, my pastor is on TV just about everyday, Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries. He is such a wonderful man, so gentle and SMART. His way is very much like my Dad, just like Joyce is like my Mom, which is why I levitate to their way of teaching. Joel, though different, has found a part of my heart, too.

I find Charles' son Andy to be a very insightful preacher (and author) as well.

 

[trappednabox]

he's from one of the giant churches here in Houston. He took over after his father passed away. His church is Lakewood Church, they took over the compaq center after the Rockets started playing in the Toyota Center. I think he's ok, but I just don't like the GIANT church feel.

 

[minnieandme]

I like to watch him whenever I can catch him on tv. They changed the time he would come though so I haven't watched him in a while. His teaching makes it very easy to understand as he speaks in everyday life. I would like to read his book.

 

[brerrabbit]

Joel Osteen is an interesting guy. He's actually not an ordained minister and a lot of his teachings, and writings are more about how to deal with life issues and self help type stuff with biblical references thrown in. As an earlier poster mentioned their congregation is huge and they actually rent an old entertainment arena from the City of Houston for their services. The Rockets, the Aero's hockey team and concerts used to be held in the Summit but once the Toyota Center was completed everything moved over there and Lakewood Church took over the Summit. Our Minister talks about Joel Osteen all the time during his sermons and watches him regularly. I think with the current push towards mega churches and their success a lot of the other denominations leaders are paying close attention to them and trying to learn from their success. We recently sang with a massed choir for the realignment of our local Methodist Conferance district and the dedication ceremony was held at a church in our area. No where outside or inside the church did it say it was Methodist and the only music they did for services was conterporary Praise and Worship type songs with drums and electric guitars. The lobby had a Starbucks in it with flat screen TV's everywhere so the men could watch their sports while the kids were in Sunday school. With attendence dropping at the more traditional services churches in general are paying close attention to the Joel Osteen's of the world and trying to emulate their practices. I'm not saying thats good or bad, just that it is happening.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

My husband and I really enjoy his preaching. We have been watching him for about 6 years. I first started watching his program when my dd was a newborn and in the hospital for jaundice. His sermons helped me since I was a nervous wreck and had just had a baby. He is an excelllent speaker and is very interesting and uplifting. His book was pretty good. I'm sure you could get it from your library.
Also, his wife Victoria has beautiful hair! Wonder what her secret is? I know she used to do her father in laws hair before he went on TV each week.

 

[DMickey28]

I am not religious but am working on finding God in my life. I love Joel Osteen. I don't make it a point to watch him but I have his book and some other things and watch him when I can. I really feel like is his message and his delivery is meant for the "average" joe. I don't feel like he is preachy or anything.

 

[cybrkitn]

BTW, my pastor is on TV just about everyday, Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries. He is such a wonderful man, so gentle and SMART. His way is very much like my Dad, just like Joyce is like my Mom, which is why I levitate to their way of teaching. Joel, though different, has found a part of my heart, too.[/b]

I love listening to Charles Stanley between 1 and 1:20 p.m. on one of the AM Christian stations here. The topics are usually addressing what I'm going through. When they don't, I still enjoy listening to him.

 

[stevenpensacola]

Osteen preaches a Christ-less gospel....nothing more than positive thinking, self help speeches.

Want more proof:

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/2006/03/whats-wrong-with-prospering-gospel.html

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/outing-joel-osteen-a-challenge-to-the-evangelical-blogosphere

http://albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=583

an example:
"The first question is this -- Would anyone watching his television program, or sitting in his vast church facility, hear in Mr. Osteen's message a clear and undiluted message of Gospel proclamation? Would this person have any reason, based on hearing Mr. Osteen's message, to know himself as a sinner and to understand how the cross of Christ is the only ground of his salvation? Would he come to know that Jesus the Christ is fully human and fully divine, and that He came in order that we might have everlasting life -- not just a good parking space?"
Dr Al Mohler

 

[Pigeon]

Want more proof:

You have an entertaining notion of what constitutes "proof."

Dh and I occasionally watch televangelists, but only when we want a good belly laugh. The entertaining things you can learn about science...

This guy is a little less rabid than some of them.

 

[Brier Rose]

I LOVE Joel Osteen, and would even go as far as to say that he changed our lives!

My DH has always been a good man, but had never explored his feelings on God and religion. As far as myself goes, I had definitely put my relationship with the Lord on the back burner so to speak.

We started watching several churches on TV in an effort to get our lives in order and put Christ first in our hearts. My DH was just totally uninterested, then we found Joel Osteen.

It was like he was speaking directly to us! We came away after watching him feeling positive and WANTING more..which I think is the key!

He doensn't have to be overly preachy to get the message across. His approach is what many NEED to even began the process of their relationship with God! He doesn't have to "shove it down your throat" to make you want to learn more.

After several weeks of watching him, my DH came home one day with a Bible he had purchased and began reading it. That says it all to me.

At the end of EVERY sermon he encourages people to get involved with a bible based church, so he certainly isn't trying to neglect the spiritual aspects of his message??