K. Gurley: On Lakewood, Osteen in Houston

[SDG]

Rev. Ken Gurley, Pastor of the First Church of Pearland, in Pearland Texas, writes a blog for the Houston Chronicle. His blog, A Pentecostal Perspective, Seeing life through the Spirit, deals with social issues from a Apostolic view point. Gurley is also the District Secretary for the South Texas District.

This is his blog for Friday, July 18th ...

What’s it like to pastor in the same city as Joel Osteen?

When I travel across America, that’s the question other pastors often ask me. Our nation’s largest church not only intrigues Houstonians, its success attracts a lot of attention afar.

Curiosity is natural when it comes to Lakewood. What other church claims a former professional basketball arena as its sanctuary? The telegenic Joel and Victoria Osteen, the immense crowds, fabulous music, and the high-profile ministry beckon to all.
And, of course, each minister has to try out his Joel Osteen imitation on me. It ought to be a punishable offense to hear a non-Houstonian attempt a Texas twang.

I don’t sense jealousy from other pastors, only incredulity. How can a man who has never pastored literally step into his father’s shoes and succeed so wildly? Some are critical, questioning Osteen’s lack of theological preaching, his failure to address crucial issues, and his somewhat vague answers to intense questioning from figures (See YouTube videos, ad infinitum).


I try to fill in the blanks and catch these pastors up on the amazing story of Lakewood. The late John Osteen and his wife, Dodie, began a charismatic church in a feed store in east Houston. Gracious, generous, and devoted, the Osteen family extended its ministry to all of Houston and the surrounding areas. By the mid 1980s, Lakewood (“An Oasis of Love”) was a regional church quickly working its way toward a national one. Since 1999, when Joel assumed the leadership of the church, the church has grown to stratospheric proportions. Services are now broadcast to over 200 million people.
Pastors are intrigued to find that the Osteens are well-loved in Houston even by those who may disagree with their doctrine. The integrity of Lakewood’s leaders along with the immense compassion shown to area ministries are worthy of anyone’s respect.
So, how does it feel pastoring so close to Lakewood?

Lakewood, to me, is an anomaly – a “perfect storm” of history, personnel, strategy and resources. The church seems more a reflection of the changing face of Christianity-at-large than a model for other churches to follow.


A sizeable crowd chooses Lakewood each weekend, but most Houstonians still prefer churches that are less-crowded and more intimate. In the shadow of Lakewood, most Houston pastors remain content to stay focused on the mission before them.


http://www.chron.com/channel/houston...e-c76ee2b16994
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Your thoughts on Gurley's observations.


Fair? Unfair?

What compliments does he pay Osteen and Lakewood?
Any swipes?

Agree or disagree w/ his assessment?

I thought that Joel's parents were Baptists ... not charismatics ... but apparently they moved up a notch in the 1950's ... at least that's what some sources say.

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Rev. Ken Gurley, Pastor of the First Church of Pearland, in Pearland Texas, writes a blog for the Houston Chronicle. His blog, A Pentecostal Perspective, Seeing life through the Spirit, deals with social issues from a Apostolic view point. Gurley is also the District Secretary for the South Texas District.

This is his blog for Friday, July 18th ...

What’s it like to pastor in the same city as Joel Osteen?

When I travel across America, that’s the question other pastors often ask me. Our nation’s largest church not only intrigues Houstonians, its success attracts a lot of attention afar.

Curiosity is natural when it comes to Lakewood. What other church claims a former professional basketball arena as its sanctuary? The telegenic Joel and Victoria Osteen, the immense crowds, fabulous music, and the high-profile ministry beckon to all.
And, of course, each minister has to try out his Joel Osteen imitation on me. It ought to be a punishable offense to hear a non-Houstonian attempt a Texas twang.

I don’t sense jealousy from other pastors, only incredulity. How can a man who has never pastored literally step into his father’s shoes and succeed so wildly? Some are critical, questioning Osteen’s lack of theological preaching, his failure to address crucial issues, and his somewhat vague answers to intense questioning from figures (See YouTube videos, ad infinitum).


I try to fill in the blanks and catch these pastors up on the amazing story of Lakewood. The late John Osteen and his wife, Dodie, began a charismatic church in a feed store in east Houston. Gracious, generous, and devoted, the Osteen family extended its ministry to all of Houston and the surrounding areas. By the mid 1980s, Lakewood (“An Oasis of Love”) was a regional church quickly working its way toward a national one. Since 1999, when Joel assumed the leadership of the church, the church has grown to stratospheric proportions. Services are now broadcast to over 200 million people.
Pastors are intrigued to find that the Osteens are well-loved in Houston even by those who may disagree with their doctrine. The integrity of Lakewood’s leaders along with the immense compassion shown to area ministries are worthy of anyone’s respect.
So, how does it feel pastoring so close to Lakewood?

Lakewood, to me, is an anomaly – a “perfect storm” of history, personnel, strategy and resources. The church seems more a reflection of the changing face of Christianity-at-large than a model for other churches to follow.


A sizeable crowd chooses Lakewood each weekend, but most Houstonians still prefer churches that are less-crowded and more intimate. In the shadow of Lakewood, most Houston pastors remain content to stay focused on the mission before them.


http://www.chron.com/channel/houston...e-c76ee2b16994
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Your thoughts on Gurley's observations.


Fair? Unfair?

What compliments does he pay Osteen and Lakewood?
Any swipes?

Agree or disagree w/ his assessment?

I thought that Joel's parents were Baptists ... not charismatics ... but apparently they moved up a notch in the 1950's ... at least that's what some sources say.

Actually more gracious than many UPCers would have written. It's my understanding that Joel's dad was an part of the charismatic/pentecostal movement. He had radical views on doctors and healing and if I heard correctly, he died because of it.

The line that said it all for me was this-

The church seems more a reflection of the changing face of Christianity-at-large than a model for other churches to follow.

I agree with this assessment. This is religion lite and is Christianity with no strings attached. This really is Christianity without a cross.

[crakjak]

Quite gracious, but what could he say without sounding jealous, that would be a not win for someone in Houston.

Sounds like the leadership have a "Christlike attitude and reputation" both with those inside and outside the church, sounds like a great testimony to me. That's a breath of fresh air. May they continue to glorify God.

[Steve Epley]

Joel's father was Baptist pastor that claimed to recieve the HGB and was a prime mover in the early Charismatic movement and quite a speaker. I heard once preach on the HGB it was excellent. His still of preaching was fiery unlike Joel.

[The Mrs]

About 20 years ago, when I was a baby in the Lord, and had just turned to God, I happened to be living in Germany while hubby was stationed there.

My first exposure to 'Pentecostalism' was at the hands of John Osteen. My friend took me to a Crusade he was having in a nearby city. I'd never heard of speaking in tongues, and had never witnessed the exuberant praise and worship of a Pentecostal before. I remember being floored by what was going on around me, and intrigued and wanting what they all had at the same time.

I thank God I was able to witness that Crusade that day. My path may have turned out very differently if I hadn't.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Joel's father was Baptist pastor that claimed to recieve the HGB and was a prime mover in the early Charismatic movement and quite a speaker. I heard once preach on the HGB it was excellent. His still of preaching was fiery unlike Joel.

Many years ago I read an article about John Osteen in The Voice of Healing magazine. I have read a few of his books and have seen him on tv a few times. I personally (and maybe this is an age thing) liked his preaching better than that of Joel.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Joel's father was Baptist pastor that claimed to recieve the HGB and was a prime mover in the early Charismatic movement and quite a speaker. I heard once preach on the HGB it was excellent. His still of preaching was fiery unlike Joel.

John was a very strong preacher, Joel's approach is totally different. Joel's is a soft approach, that has a greater appeal to the unchurched, he is trying to hook'em before he cleans them.

[Bro-Larry]

"Lite Christianity"??? What's wrong with that?

Where did so many get the idea the Christianity was such a hard trudge up and down the rough mountainous long and winding road ????

It is the present day Pharasees.

Jesus himself said, " ...my yoke is easy and my burden is light."???

Lk 3:4-5 says: "...make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked [way?] shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth."

Who was it that made the law an even heavier burden, than God intended??

The Pharasees.

[Brad Murphy]

I think a lot of people just want to be able to check off the box that says they go to church... this fits their needs.

[PraiseHymn]

I was in a writing mood and after reading this post I went straight to my blog and wrote my own thoughts.

http://thepopeofpentecost.wordpress....-for-holiness/