Joel Osteen

{{Short description|American televangelist, businessman, and author (born 1963)}}
{{Pp-pc}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| name         = Joel Osteen
| image        = Joel Osteen Preaching (cropped).jpg
| caption      = Osteen preaching at [[Lakewood Church]] in July 2016
| religion     = [[Non-denominational Christianity]], [[Charismatic Christianity]], [[Word of Faith]]
| denomination = 
| church       = [[Lakewood Church]]
| birth_name   = Joel Scott Osteen
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1963|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joel-Osteen | title=Joel Osteen &#124; Biography, Books, & Facts &#124; Britannica | date=February 18, 2024 }}</ref>
| birth_place  = [[Houston, Texas]], U.S.
| school       = [[Humble High School]]
| alma_mater   = [[Oral Roberts University]]
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Victoria Osteen|Victoria Iloff]]|1987}}
| children     = 2
| relatives    = [[Paul Osteen]] (brother), [[Lisa Osteen]] (sister)
| parents      = [[John Osteen]] (father)<br />Dolores Pilgrim Osteen (mother)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=obits_3413529 |title=Obituary: Pastor John H. Osteen |work=Houston Chronicle |date=January 26, 1999 |access-date=November 12, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184558/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=obits_3413529 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| title        = 
| period       = 
| post         = Senior pastor (1999–present)
| website      = {{Official website}}
}}

'''Joel Scott Osteen''' (born March 5, 1963) is an American [[pastor]], [[Televangelism|televangelist]], businessman, and author based in [[Houston, Texas]], United States. Known for his weekly televised services and several best-selling books, Osteen is one of the more prominent figures associated with [[prosperity theology]] and the [[Word of Faith]] movement.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bowler |first=Kate |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/841172074 |title=Blessed : a history of the American prosperity gospel |date=2013 |isbn=978-0-19-982770-1 |location=New York |oclc=841172074}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Romano |first1=Lois |title='Smiling Preacher' Builds a Huge Church |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/01/30/smiling-preacher-builds-a-huge-church/6b046a0a-10d0-4c01-812b-b00decbac893/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=30 January 2005}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Osteen was born in [[Houston]], and is one of six children of [[John Osteen]] and Dolores ("Dodie") Pilgrim. His father, a former [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] pastor, founded [[Lakewood Church]] (of which Osteen is the current senior pastor) in the back of an old feed store.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christnotes.org/_joel-osteen.asp |website=ChristNotes.org |title=Joel Osteen Books and Ministry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625224321/http://www.christnotes.org/_joel-osteen.asp |archive-date=June 25, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

He graduated from [[Humble High School]], a public high school in the city of [[Humble, Texas]], in 1981,<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-dsWCgAAQBAJ&q=joel+osteen+humble+high+school+1981&pg=PA113 |title = Salvation with a Smile: Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and American Christianity |author = Phillip Luke Sinitiere |date = November 13, 2015 |publisher = NYU Press |isbn = 9780814708149 |access-date = August 30, 2017 }}</ref> and attended [[Oral Roberts University]] in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], where he studied radio and television [[Communication studies|communications]] but did not graduate.<ref name=About>{{cite web |title = About Joel |url = https://www.joelosteen.com/our-ministry |website = JoelOsteen.com |access-date = November 15, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865587553/Popular-positive-pastor-Joel-Osteen-brings-Night-of-Hope-to-Utah.html |title = Popular positive pastor Joel Osteen brings 'Night of Hope' to Utah |date = October 2, 2013 |last=Brown |first=Matthew |website = Deseret News |access-date = September 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123153501/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865587553/Popular-positive-pastor-Joel-Osteen-brings-Night-of-Hope-to-Utah.html |archive-date=November 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kellner |first=Mark A. |title=Televangelist Osteen baptizes 1,000-plus in four-hour ceremony, first in two years |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/sep/12/joel-osteen-baptizes-1000-plus-four-hour-ceremony-/ |date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1982, he returned to [[Houston]], founded Lakewood's television program, and produced his father's televised sermons for 17 years until January 1999, when his father died  of a heart attack.<ref name=About /><ref name=Interview>{{cite news |title = Joel Osteen: The Man Behind America's Largest Church |url = http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/osteen_010408.aspx |publisher = CBN.com |access-date = November 16, 2013 }}</ref>

== Career ==
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Osteen was ordained through his father's church in 1983 and preached his first sermon on January 17, 1999. By October 3, he was the new senior pastor of Lakewood Church.<ref name="power">{{cite news |last = Mathieu |first = Jennifer |title = Power House |url = http://www.houstonpress.com/2002-04-04/news/power-house/full/ |access-date = January 31, 2014 |newspaper = Houston Press |date = April 2, 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821174508/http://www.houstonpress.com/2002-04-04/news/power-house/full/ |archive-date=August 21, 2008}}</ref> In 2003, Lakewood Church acquired the [[Compaq Center (Houston)|Compaq Center]], former home of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] [[Houston Rockets]] and the [[American Hockey League|AHL]] [[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]] and subsequently renovated it.<ref>{{cite news |last = Somers |first = Meredith |title = Osteen draws 40,000 to Nationals Park |url = http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/29/osteen-draws-40k-to-nationals-park/ |access-date = January 21, 2014 |newspaper = The Washington Times |date = April 29, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8565629 |title = Nation's largest church opens in stadium |agency = Associated Press |work = [[NBC News]] |date = July 17, 2005 |access-date = March 22, 2010 }}</ref> According to Osteen, in 2008, Lakewood Church's weekly service TV program was viewed in more than 100 countries.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_aboutus |title = Lakewood Church, Joel Osteen Ministries. About Pastors Joel & Victoria |access-date = April 16, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080729162130/http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_aboutus |archive-date = July 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Preaching style ===
Osteen memorizes his planned remarks before he delivers them, and listens back to previous ones on tape.<ref>{{cite news |title = Joel Osteen: By the numbers and other interesting facts |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteen-talks-biggest-preaching-mistake-owning-the-room-94667/ |date = April 25, 2013 |work = Christian Post |last=Menzie |first=Nicola}}</ref> His sermons have been criticized as self-serving and revealing a poor command of Scripture.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Christine |last2=Carlin |first2=Nathan |date=February 1, 2010 |title=Joel Osteen as Cultural Selfobject: Meeting the Needs of the Group Self and Its Individual Members in and from the Largest Church in America |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-009-0197-7 |journal=Pastoral Psychology |language=en |volume=59 |issue=1 |pages=27–51 |doi=10.1007/s11089-009-0197-7 |s2cid=143635448 |issn=1573-6679}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Anthea |date=August 31, 2017 |title=Opinion {{!}} The Cheap Prosperity Gospel of Trump and Osteen |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/opinion/trump-osteen-harvey-church.html |access-date=January 27, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2013 |title=The False Promise Of The Prosperity Gospel: Why I Called Out Joel Osteen And Joyce Meyer |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=HuffPost |language=en |last=Henderson |first=Rick}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=R. |first=Geiger, Wayne |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/651017356 |title=Joel Osteen : a critical analysis of sermonic methodology |date=October 10, 2023 |publisher=University of Central Missouri |isbn=978-1-109-60661-4 |oclc=651017356}}</ref> Osteen says he chooses to focus more on the goodness of God and on living an obedient life rather than on sin,<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.foxnews.com/category/person/joel-osteen |title = Fox News on Osteen |website = FoxNews.com |access-date = September 20, 2014 }}</ref> and that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude.<ref name="60 Minutes" /> When asked why he does not focus more on [[sin]], the [[devil]], and [[hell]] in detail, Osteen stated in an interview with [[CBN News]]:

{{blockquote|When I grew up, the devil was a reason why I had a headache or the devil was the reason I got mad today. We always blamed the devil. I think today when I say the enemy, I like to make it broader. Sometimes the enemy can be our own thoughts. We've trained ourselves the wrong way. Or the enemy can be our own lack of discipline. Some people preach about hell like you're already going there, and to me the Gospel means "Good News." I'd rather say God is a God of mercy. So I think the people already know what they're doing wrong, and I certainly believe in hell. But to me, when I see thousands of people before me, it just doesn't come out of me to say, "You guys are terrible, and you're going to hell." I'd rather say that God is a God of mercy. You've got to live an obedient life, but for every mistake you've made, there's mercy there, and I believe we can do better.<ref name=Interview />}}

=== Events===
Since 2004, Osteen, along with his wife, have hosted Night of Hope events, as well as their annual stadium event called "America's Night of Hope", in the U.S. and around the world.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Jill |title=Preaching pep in a troubled world, Joel Osteen comes to AT&T Park |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Preaching-pep-in-a-troubled-world-Joel-Osteen-6431802.php |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=8 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ibanga |first1=Imaeyen |title=Pastor Joel Osteen to Give Message of Hope at Yankee Stadium |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7203675&page=1 |work=[[ABC News]] |date=March 29, 2009 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Boorstein |first1=Michelle |title=Osteen's 'Night of Hope' draws crowd to Nationals Park |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/osteens-night-of-hope-draws-crowd-to-nationals-park/2012/04/29/gIQAntkOqT_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=29 April 2012}}</ref> The event incorporates contemporary Christian music and inspirational messages to reach the masses at the venue and others watching online.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnhart |first1=Melissa |title=Joel Osteen at Night of Hope Miami: Relinquish Control to God |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteen-at-night-of-hope-miami-relinquish-control-to-god.html |work=[[The Christian Post]] |date=April 21, 2013}}</ref> Osteen also hosted an event at his Lakewood Church in 2018, in collaboration with rapper [[Kanye West]], called Sunday Service. According to media reports, the event was attended by 17,000 as well as joined by many people streaming online.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Morgan |title=Joel Osteen on Collaborating with 'Very Genuine' Kanye West: 'We Just Struck Up a Friendship' |url=https://people.com/music/joel-osteen-talks-kanye-west-collaboration/ |work=[[People magazine]] |date=December 17, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He also held his Easter service during [[COVID-19]] with [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Tyler Perry]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yancey-Bragg |first1=N'dea |title=5 powerful quotes from livestreamed Easter Sunday services around the world |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/04/13/5-powerful-quotes-live-streamed-easter-sunday-services/2981757001/ |work=[[USA TODAY]] |date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>

===Shooting===
{{main|Lakewood Church shooting}}
On February 11, 2024, a woman with a history of mental health issues, Genesse Ivonne Moreno, accompanied by her 7-year-old son, entered the church between services and began firing an [[AR-15]]. Two off-duty police officers working security returned fire and killed her. Her son was critically injured with a gunshot to the head during the exchange of gunfire.{{by whom|date=March 2024}} Another man who was present was wounded in the hip, treated at a local hospital and released.<ref>[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shooting-joel-osteen-church_n_65c93fdbe4b067c6b73d4836 Woman Firing Rifle Killed By 2 Off-Duty Officers At Joel Osteen's Church, 2 Others Hurt, Police Say], ''[[Huffington Post]]'', Juan A. Lozano, February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/12/us/joel-osteen-lakewood-church-shooting-monday/index.html| first1 = Christina | last1 = Maxouris | first2 = Lauren | last2 = Mascarenhas | first3 = John | last3 = Miller |title=Shooter at Houston megachurch had lengthy criminal history including weapons charges, police say|publisher=CNN|date=February 12, 2024}}</ref>

== Books ==
Osteen's first book, ''[[Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential]]'', was released in October 2004, and reached the number 1 position on [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' Best Seller list]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Bob |title=Your Best Life Now: Seven Steps to Living at Your Full Potential |url=https://www.equip.org/article/your-best-life-now-seven-steps-to-living-at-your-full-potential/ |website=equip.org |date=June 11, 2009 |publisher=Christian Research Institute |access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref>

He released his second book, titled ''Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day'', in October 2007. It also topped ''The New York Times'' Best Seller list<ref>{{cite book |title=Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qo3ulRddHiIC |isbn = 9780743296922|access-date=30 September 2020|last1 = Osteen|first1 = Joel|date = August 4, 2009| publisher=Simon and Schuster }}</ref> and had a first printing of three million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6433682.html?nid=2286 |title = New Osteen Book at Three Million |last=Garrett |first=Lynn |work=Publishers Weekly |date=April 13, 2007 |access-date = September 20, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118052203/https://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6433682.html?nid=2286 |archive-date=January 18, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Osteen has said that the book focuses more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/22/lkl.01.html |title=CNN Larry King Live: Interview With Joel and Victoria Osteen |website=CNN.com |date=December 22, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829164844/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/22/lkl.01.html |archive-date=August 29, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
On April 4, 1987, Osteen married [[Victoria Osteen]] (née Iloff), who later would become co-pastor of Lakewood Church.<ref name="harris">{{cite web|url=http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/harris/vitals/births/1963/harrb63n.txt|title=Joel Birthday-1963-March-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830035734/http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/harris/vitals/births/1963/harrb63n.txt|archive-date=August 30, 2007|access-date=May 8, 2007}}</ref> They have two children.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCaugherty |first1=Stephen |title=Joel Osteen's Kids & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/04/joel-osteen-kids-family/ |website=Heavy.com |date=April 12, 2020 |publisher=Heavy, Inc. |access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> In 2002, some of his siblings, including [[Paul Osteen|Paul]], were also involved in full-time ministry.<ref name=power />

Osteen lives with his family in a 17,000 square-foot mansion in River Oaks, with an estimated value of $10.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ibtimes.com/joel-osteen-net-worth-pastor-closes-megachurch-during-hurricane-harvey-2583646 |title = Joel Osteen Net Worth: Pastor Closes Megachurch During Hurricane Harvey |date = August 28, 2017 |website = ibtimes.com |access-date = December 31, 2017 }}</ref> Osteen says that as senior pastor, he draws no salary from the church, which has an annual budget of $70 million,<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/26/joel-osteen-megachurches-business-osteen.html |title = A Conversation With Joel Osteen |last = Bogan |first = Jesse |work = Forbes |access-date = December 21, 2017 |language = en }}</ref> and that he instead relies on income from book sales.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/15/business/media/religious-broadcaster-gets-rich-contract-for-next-book.html |title = Religious Broadcaster Gets Rich Contract for Next Book |last = Wyatt |first = Edward |date = March 15, 2006 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 21, 2017 |language = en-US |issn = 0362-4331 }}</ref>

== Political and social views ==
Osteen has generally avoided discussing or preaching about controversial issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and politics.<ref name=walters>{{cite web |url = https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2716887 |title = The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006 |publisher = ABC |work = 20/20 |date = December 12, 2006 }}</ref><ref name="blumenthal">{{cite news|last=Blumenthal|first=Ralph|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/30/books/30oste.html |title=Joel Osteen's Credo: Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate Prosperity|date=March 30, 2006|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref> Having gone on record saying homosexuality is "not God's best",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/joel.osteen.says.homosexuality.is.not.gods.best.for.man/27428.htm|title = Joel Osteen says homosexuality is not God's best for man| date=January 28, 2011 |website=ChristianToday.com}}</ref> he has stated he believes the church has a tendency to become overly focused on single issues (such as homosexuality) to the point of neglecting others.<ref name="walters" /><ref name="morgan">{{cite news|first=Piers |last=Morgan|url=http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2011/01/24/piers.osteen.homosexuality.cnn.html|title=CNN.com Video|date=January 24, 2011|access-date=January 4, 2014 |website=CNN.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301002113/http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2011/01/24/piers.osteen.homosexuality.cnn.html |archive-date=March 1, 2011}}</ref> When asked if he thought God approves of homosexuality, Osteen said homosexuality is a sin according to his interpretation of Scripture, but said gay people are welcome in his church without judgment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joel-osteen-being-gay-is-a-sin-fox-news_n_1471247|title=Joel Osteen: Being Gay Is A Sin. But I Don't Dislike Gay People (Video) |date=May 2, 2012 |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tapper|first=Jake|url=http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/29/televangelist-joel-osteen-on-the-power-of-twitter-and-same-sex-marriage/|title=Televangelist Joel Osteen on the power of Twitter, and same-sex marriage|date=March 29, 2013|website=CNN.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103221400/http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/29/televangelist-joel-osteen-on-the-power-of-twitter-and-same-sex-marriage/ |archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref><ref name="morgan" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Tenety|first=Elizabeth|title=Joel Osteen: 'Homosexuality is a sin'|date=January 28, 2011|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|page=B2}}</ref>

In an interview on [[Fox News]] in 2008 during the [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2008|Republican Party presidential primary race]], when discussing whether he thought that [[Mormonism|Mormons]] were [[Christians]], Osteen indicated that he believed that they were. He further revealed that he had not studied the religion.<ref name=lite>{{cite news |url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318054,00.html |date = December 23, 2007 |access-date = May 13, 2011 |title = Transcript: Pastor Joel Osteen on 'FNS' |quote = Now, as with most successful people, you have critics who say that what you offer is gospel 'lite,' the prosperity gospel. |website=FOXNews.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917155457/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318054,00.html |archive-date=September 17, 2008}}</ref> In an interview in 2011, Osteen stated his support for [[Israel]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://jewishjournal.com/culture/religion/86975/ |title = Joel Osteen, Israel and the Jews: an exclusive Q&A |website = JewishJournal.com |date = January 19, 2011 }}</ref>

== Controversies ==
=== Prosperity gospel ===
Osteen's sermons and writings are sometimes criticized for promoting [[prosperity theology]], or the prosperity gospel, a belief that the reward of material gain is the will of God for all pious Christians.<ref name=blumenthal /><ref name=lite /><ref>Sources:
*{{cite book |author = Stephen Brooks |author-link = Stephen Brooks (academic) |title = American Exceptionalism in the Age of Obama |year = 2013 |page = 51 |isbn = 978-0-415-63641-4 |publisher=Routledge |quote = ... Joel Osteen and T. D. Jakes, the most prominent contemporary messengers of the prosperity gospel ...|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=r8fqsvHcRAcC&q=Osteen+PROSPERITY+GOSPEL&pg=PA51 }}
*{{cite magazine |title = Does God Want You To Be Rich? |url = https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1533448,00.html |last1=Van Biema |first1=David |last2=Chu |first2=Jeff |quote = 'Does God want us to be rich?' [Osteen] asks. 'When I hear that word rich, I think people say, 'Well, he's preaching that everybody's going to be a millionaire.' I don't think that's it.' Rather, [Osteen] explains, 'I preach that anybody can improve their lives. I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. To me, you need to have money to pay your bills. I think God wants us to send our kids to college. I think he wants us to be a blessing to other people. But I don't think I'd say God wants us to be rich. It's all relative, isn't it?' ...|magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date = September 10, 2006 |access-date = March 19, 2015 }}
*{{cite web|date=May 23, 2005|title=Online Extra: Meet the Prosperity Preacher|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2005-05-22/online-extra-meet-the-prosperity-preacher|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327214424/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2005-05-22/online-extra-meet-the-prosperity-preacher|archive-date=March 27, 2020|access-date=March 19, 2015|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|quote=Osteen is also a leading proponent of what is sometimes called the 'prosperity gospel', which teaches that God wants people to prosper in all areas of their lives—including material success.}}
*{{cite web |last=Burton |first=Tara Isabella |title=The prosperity gospel, explained: Why Joel Osteen believes that prayer can make you rich |url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/9/1/15951874/prosperity-gospel-explained-why-joel-osteen-believes-prayer-can-make-you-rich-trump |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |language=en |date=September 1, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Perspective {{!}} Here's why people hate Joel Osteen |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/08/29/heres-why-people-hate-joel-osteen/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Critics of prosperity gospel consider its teachings anathema to the gospel of Mark:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joel Osteen is successful: But does God want us all to be rich? |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/joel-osteen-is-successful-but-does-god-want-everyone-to-be-rich |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Vancouver Sun |language=en-CA}}</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text=Jesus, looking at the man, loved him and said, 'You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.' When the man heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
|author={{Bibleverse|Mark|10:21-22}}
}}

On October 14, 2007, ''[[60 Minutes]]'' ran a 12-minute segment on Osteen, titled "Joel Osteen Answers His Critics", during which [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] theologian [[Michael Horton (theologian)|Michael Horton]] told [[CBS News]] correspondent [[Byron Pitts]] that Osteen's message is [[Christian heresy|heresy]]. Horton stated that the problem with Osteen's message is that it makes religion about us instead of about God.<ref name="60 Minutes">{{cite news |url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml |date = December 23, 2007 |access-date = May 13, 2011 |title = Joel Osteen Answers His Critics |publisher=CBSNews.com |work=[[60 Minutes]] |location=Houston |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418022950/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml |archive-date=April 18, 2008}}</ref>

Osteen is estimated to have a net worth of over $50 million, with his church taking in $43 million a year in collections.<ref name="indystar">{{cite web|first1=Dwight|last1=Adams|access-date=2020-05-31|title=Joel Osteen in Indianapolis: Why the televangelist is so beloved and controversial|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/08/09/joel-osteen-house-net-worth-lakewood-church-wife-why-televangelist-so-beloved-and-controversial/935789002/|website=The Indianapolis Star}}</ref>  According to the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', Osteen's church's income was $89 million in the year ending March 2017. More than 90 percent of that was raised from church followers and barely one percent of its budget went to charitable causes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-04-18 |title=A preacher for Trump's America: Joel Osteen and the prosperity gospel |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3990ce66-60a6-11e9-b285-3acd5d43599e |access-date=2023-01-31}}</ref> Osteen denied taking any pandemic CARES Act assistance, but U.S. Small Business Administration data revealed his church actually received $4.4 million from the fund.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-15 |title=Here's How Joel Osteen and His Tax-Exempt Megachurch Legally Got $4M in COVID-19 Funds |url=https://lawandcrime.com/opinion/heres-how-joel-osteen-and-his-tax-exempt-megachurch-legally-got-4m-in-covid-19-funds/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Law & Crime |language=en}}</ref>

=== Hurricane Harvey response ===
During the immediate aftermath of [[Hurricane Harvey]] in August 2017, Osteen received significant criticism for not making [[Lakewood Church]], a 606,000-square-foot, 16,000-seat former sports arena, available as an emergency shelter for those displaced by the storm.<ref name="WaPo_083017">{{cite news |last1 = Kuzydym |first1 = Stephanie |title = Joel Osteen calls claim he shut church doors on Harvey victims 'a false narrative' |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/08/29/we-were-never-closed-joel-osteens-houston-megachurch-disputes-claims-it-shut-its-doors/ |access-date = September 8, 2017 |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] |date = August 30, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="NYT_082917">{{cite news |last1 = Bromwich |first1 = Jonah Engel |title = Joel Osteen Says Lakewood Church Is Open to Harvey Victims After Criticism |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/29/us/joel-osteen-backlash-church.html?mcubz=0&_r=0 |access-date = September 8, 2011 |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = August 29, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Newsweek_082817">{{cite magazine |last1 = Sinclair |first1 = Harriet |title = Is Joel Osteen's megachurch too flooded to help hurricane Harvey victims? |url = http://www.newsweek.com/televangelist-joel-osteen-flood-hurricane-harvey-656163 |access-date = September 8, 2017 |magazine = [[Newsweek]] |date = August 8, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="LAT_092917">{{cite news |last1 = Associated Press |title = After criticism, televangelist Joel Osteen denies closing Houston megachurch to people seeking shelter |url = http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-joel-osteen-houston-megachurch-harvey-20170829-htmlstory.html |access-date = September 8, 2017 |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date = August 29, 2017 }}</ref><ref name=Tribune>{{cite web |url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-joel-osteen-megachurch-harvey-victims-20170830-story.html |title = Joel Osteen pushes back against accusations he closed his megachurch to Harvey victims |author1=Kuzydym, Stephanie |author2=Phillips, Christine |work = Chicago Tribune |date = August 30, 2017 |access-date = August 30, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Joel Osteen defends not opening megachurch to Harvey victims |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/hurricane-harvey/joel-osteen-defends-not-opening-megachurch-harvey-victims-n797036 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=NBC News |date=August 29, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> On August 27, posts from the church and a Lakewood Church associate pastor's social media accounts stated that the church was "inaccessible due to severe flooding," and associate pastor John Gray posted further, "If WE could get there WE WOULD OPEN THE DOORS."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fox13news.com/news/277145632-story |title=Joel Osteen's megachurch blasted for lack of outreach during Houston flooding |work=Fox 13 News |date=August 29, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017 |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829225240/http://www.fox13news.com/news/277145632-story |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox26houston.com/news/kwalking-should-osteen-have-opened-church-as-a-shelter-sooner|title=KWalking – Should Osteen have opened church as a shelter sooner?|last=FOX|website=KRIV|date=September 4, 2017|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>  Lakewood spokesperson Don Iloff later described floodwaters as one foot from spilling over the facility's floodgate and surging into the building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/megachurch-hurricane-harvey-lakewood_n_59a60e8be4b00795c2a28e87|title=Inside The Megachurch Accused Of Closing Its Doors During Harvey|last=Lohr|first=David|date=2017-08-29|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref> He also stated that pictures showing Lakewood free of flooding were taken on Monday, after the flood waters had lowered.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-joel-osteen-megachurch-harvey-victims-20170830-story.html|title=Joel Osteen pushes back against accusations he closed his megachurch to Harvey victims|last=Phillips|first=Stephanie Kuzydym, Kristine|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=July 27, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/4469615/joel-osteen-responds-to-criticisms-over-closing-lakewood-church-amid-hurricane-harvey/|title=Hurricane Harvey Flood: Joel Osteen Didn't Turn People Away, Says There Was Safety Issue At Lakewood Church|date=August 31, 2017|work=The Inquisitr|access-date=July 27, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Osteen disputed the claim that flood waters closed the church, saying "the church has been open from the beginning," and, "[w]e've always been open ... How this notion got started, that we're not a shelter and we're not taking people in is a false narrative."<ref name="Tribune" /><ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/08/29/we-were-never-closed-joel-osteens-houston-megachurch-disputes-claims-it-shut-its-doors/ |title = Joel Osteen calls claim he shut church doors on Harvey victims 'a false narrative' |newspaper = The Washington Post |access-date = September 9, 2017 }}</ref> This contradicted his earlier statement that the church would open when other refugee centers were full.<ref name="Tribune" /><ref>{{cite web |url = http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/29/joel-osteen-opens-his-megachurch-for-shelter-after-video-showing-it-empty-6888322/ |title = Pastor opens his megachurch for shelter after video showing it empty |first = Oliver |last = McAteer |date = August 29, 2017 |website = Metro |access-date = September 9, 2017 }}<br />{{cite news |url = http://heavy.com/news/2017/08/joel-osteen-wikipedia-summary-trolled-vandalized-hurricane-harvey-lakewood-church-photo-screenshot/ |title = PHOTO: Joel Osteen's Wikipedia Trolled Over Church's Response to Hurricane Harvey |last = Prince |first = S.J. |date = August 29, 2017 |work = Heavy.com |access-date = September 9, 2017 |language = en-US }}</ref> On the evening of August 28, it was announced by Lakewood that it would open at noon the next day as an available shelter to storm victims and emergency personnel, which it did.<ref name="Tribune" />

On August 15, 2018, less than a year after Harvey struck, the City of Houston and Mayor [[Sylvester Turner]] proclaimed a day in honor of the assistance of Lakewood and Osteen in rebuilding efforts across the Houston area.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://abc13.com/society/joel-osteen-honored-by-city-of-houston-for-post-harvey-help/3957138/ |title = Joel Osteen honored by city of Houston for post-Harvey help |date = August 14, 2018 |work = ABC13 Houston |access-date = August 15, 2018 |language = en-US }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2018/08/14/300096/lakewood-church-receives-mayors-proclamation-for-harvey-support-after-initial-criticism/|title=Lakewood Church Receives Mayor's Proclamation for Harvey Support – After Initial Criticism {{!}} Houston Public Media|last=Martin|first=Florian|date=August 14, 2018|work=Houston Public Media|access-date=August 15, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Other ===
In 2011, Osteen and Lakewood Church were sued by the band [[The American Dollar (band)|the American Dollar]] for copyright infringement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteen-church-sued-by-band-for-3m-54585/|title=Joel Osteen, Church Sued by Band for $3M|newspaper=Christian Post|last=Perkins|first=Joseph}}</ref> A judge in 2012 ruled in favor of Osteen.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/joel-osteen-and-lakewood-mostly-win-copyright-suit-filed-by-indie-duo-6726800|title=Joel Osteen & Lakewood Mostly Win Copyright Suit Filed by Indie Duo|newspaper=Houston Press|date=February 21, 2012|last=Connelly|first=Richard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906031846/http://www.houstonpress.com/news/joel-osteen-and-lakewood-mostly-win-copyright-suit-filed-by-indie-duo-6726800|archive-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+List of film and television appearances
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Role
! class="unsortable" scope="col"| Notes
|-
! scope="row"| 2007
| ''[[Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi]]''
| Himself
| Documentary
|-
! scope="row"| 2014
| ''Words of Art''
| Himself
| Documentary
|-
! scope="row"| 2015
| ''I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song''
| Himself
| Documentary
|-
! scope="row"| 2017
| ''[[The Star (2017 film)|The Star]]''
| [[Caspar (magus)|Caspar]]
| Voice role
|}

== Selected works ==
* ''[[Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential]]'' (2004)
*''Daily Readings from Your Best Life Now: 90 Devotions for Living at Your Full Potential'' (2005)
* ''Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day'' (2007)<ref>{{cite web |url = https://bookpage.com/reviews/5395-joel-osteen-become-better-you#.V1cbPpMrJE4 |title = Joel Osteen – Become A Better You – Book Review |access-date = April 16, 2017 |archive-date = February 26, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200226070942/https://bookpage.com/reviews/5395-joel-osteen-become-better-you#.V1cbPpMrJE4 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
*''Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every New Day of the Year'' (2008)
* ''It's Your Time : Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams, and Increase in God's Favor'' (2009)<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qRxZPgAACAAJ |title = It's Your Time: Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams, and Anticipate God's Favor |first = Joel |last = Osteen |date = October 1, 2009 |publisher = Simon & Schuster, Limited |isbn = 9781847376572 |access-date = April 16, 2017 |via = [[Google Books]] }}</ref>
*''It's Your Time: Finding Favor, Restoration, and Abundance in Your Life Every Day'' (2009)
*''Everyday a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week'' (2011)
*''I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life'' (2012)
*''Break Out!: 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life'' (2013)
*''You Can You Will: 8 Undeniable Qualities of a Winner'' (2014)
*''Fresh Start: the New You Begins Today'' (2015)
*''The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today'' (2015)
*''Think Better, Live Better: A Victorious Life Begins in Your Mind'' (2016)
*''Blessed in the Darkness: How All Things Are Working for Your Good'' (2017)
*''Empty Out the Negative'' (2017)
*''Next Level Thinking: 10 Powerful Thoughts for a Successful and Abundant Life'' (2018)
*''The Power of Favor: The Force That Will Take You Where You Can't Go on Your Own'' (2019)
*''The Abundance Mind-Set: Success Starts Here'' (2020)
*''Peaceful on Purpose: The Power to Remain Calm, Strong, and Confident in Every Season'' (2021)
*''You Are Stronger than You Think: Unleash the Power to Go Bigger, Go Bold, and Go Beyond What Limits You'' (2021)
*''Rule Your Day: 6 Keys to Maximizing Your Success and Accelerating Your Dreams'' (2022)
*''Your Greater is Coming: Discover the Path to Your Bigger, Better, and Brighter Future'' (2022)
*''15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier: Life-Changing Strategies for Greater Energy, a More Focused Mind, and a Calmer Soul'' (2023)
*''Psalms and Proverbs for Everyday Life: 100 Daily Devotions'' (2023)
*''Believe: Hope Has Your Name on It'' (2023)
*''Speak the Blessing: Send Your Words in the Direction You Want Your Life to Go''  (2024)

== See also ==
* [[Christianity in Houston]]
* [[Charismatic movement]]
* [[Gospel of success]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Osteen, Joel}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Protestant religious leaders]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Protestant religious leaders]]
[[Category:American Charismatics]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American Pentecostal pastors]]
[[Category:American self-help writers]]
[[Category:American television evangelists]]
[[Category:Intelligent design advocates]]
[[Category:Oral Roberts University alumni]]
[[Category:Pentecostal writers]]
[[Category:Pentecostals from Texas]]
[[Category:Prosperity theologians]]
[[Category:Religious leaders from Texas]]
[[Category:Writers from Houston]]
[[Category:1963 births]]