Joel Osteen
If a person, pastor, singer, or anyone that loves Jesus, is pointing people to Him – then what is the issue?
It seems some Christians are eager and willing to slice and dice other Christians and I just don’t get that.
How in the world are we going to win the world for Jesus if we are so busy trying to deeply analyze people’s statements and find something bad in them?
People are NEVER going to like the exact same ‘style’ of worship around the world.
Our cultures are different, our experiences are different, and our personalities are different. That is okay!
What Type of Christian Are You?
Some Christians are calm. Some traditional. Some wild. Some expressive. Some we can’t tell what they are feeling because they don’t have an expression – but that is their expression!
Some Christians cry when they pray. Others close their eyes and fold their hands. Others get on their knees. Some lay on the floor. Some pray inside. Others out loud…
Some people must think God has a hearing problem because they shout at the top of their lungs.
All different – none wrong.
Our Calling
We love God. We worship Him. We are saved through Jesus’ blood and point people to Him. The Holy Spirit guides us daily through life.
Does it have to be any more complicated?
Chocolate Ice Cream
I think of it this way. I do not like chocolate. I know. Strange for a woman but it is true.
However – my daughter and husband LOVE it. Crazy, passionate love.
So when we go to an ice cream shop, we get different things. I get vanilla, or maybe raspberry, or even possibly orange and vanilla combined (I think I am getting hungry here.)
But Ashtyn and David??? They get chocolate ice cream, with chocolate chunks and hot fudge on top. EEEWWW!!!!!
My teeth hurt just thinking about it, but…
Just because my teeth hurt thinking about what ice cream they like, it doesn’t make the ice cream that they like wrong or bad.
It’s not illegal. They won’t go to hell for eating it. It wasn’t created by the devil.
The way that people connect with Jesus in their own personal style is not wrong. Whether their pastor yells, sings, speaks, laughs or whispers is not wrong.
Its All About Love
If we use as much energy to love and support other Christians as we do criticizing other Christians – we just might get this love your neighbor thing accomplished and win the world for Jesus.
So go out there and love someone today!
Then go buy some ice cream.
{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
Please remember this when Evangelicals attack us Catholics. I believe Pastor Nicole’s chocolate ice cream analogy said it best!
What a blessing it was to me to find this blog tonight. I just bought a computer and found something so negative about Joel Olsteen, and Joyce Meyer and my own pastor David Crank and found myself really asking the Lord to help me with it because it was disturbing to me and then tonight I came across this. I have been attending Faith Church for a year now and have been so very blessed and drawn so much closer to the Lord. These people who do all this criticizing probably have a very critical spirit and it is not pleasing to the Lord. I know alot of people myself with this type of critical judjement of others.I actually took someone to church once who started making judgements from the time they entered the doors about everything and everyone. If God blessed these ministers with money I am glad for them
If you are a christian and a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ…pls just leave Joel alone unless you are the LORD JESUS HIMSELF.
I think his message is good but have a problem with where the money goes. He lives a luxurious lifestyle which is probably funded by us. But he will be judged one day as well, like all of us. I just feel that if you are in such a high profile position as a pastor, you should live moderately, especially if you are preaching the “word” which teaches humility and not to be sucked in by material possessions. But then again, pastors aren’t exempt from temptation but should be an example. For instance, “I could live like a king, but I CHOOSE not to.”
Am glad you posted this and wish more would nation wide. I happen to be an old, very analytical and exceedingly logic, HIGHLY moral, with a code of ethics that few in decades could meet, let alone exceed…old woman. I witnessed Joel on tv one early morning years ago and was fascinated. Followed him along his journeys (well, that is Pastor Joel, his exceptional wife, family AND the invent of Lakewood), reading the growing “concerns” all along yet it was Joel who lead my son and me and to Faith Church, and we are eternally grateful. What I have determined through evaluation and substantial research is….the reason behind some for negating Joel’s intention is simple. He takes us away from the fire and brimstone era, highlighting only the gifts our God offers, His mercy and kindness…not His wrath and need for vengeance. :) Angels come in all shapes, colors, sizes, genders, from critters to man, if you will…and in that, many a half-hearted JUDGMENTAL Christian needs to remember is…how you treat His angels is what He looks for. How you treat and receive those who bear His message is on His radar. And….He is also pretty big on the credo…we are NOT judge nor jury, it is in His hands to decide the fate of those who may….or may not….make it to His door:) Sorry to ramble here, but the downfall of the Internet, a most innovative communication tool for sure, is….people sit behind a screen, ie, ivory tower….and often feel the need to be something more than they really are. Naysayers? Take heed…what goes around comes around three-fold. Be blessed, stay positive and let the light lead your way….not your mind, which is where the human element resides, eh? :)
Way to go Pastor Nicole! It sometimes amazes me how we can be so critical of each other. We need to accept that we are all different in our worship styles and put those differences aside to come together for Jesus. Think of how effective we would be and how many people we could touch!!!
Criticism comes naturally for so many people for so many different reasons. It takes the God in us to push that down and love people.
Before I was “introduced” to Faith Church, I would watch Joel Osteen’s service on TV, Sunday mornings. He is very inspirational, never judging or condemning. I heard of Faith Church, wondered about it, knowing if it was anything like what I watched Sunday morning, probably a pretty good place to be.
A friend asked me to meet her for service, I did and really enjoyed it. The next time I brought my grandchildren and stepson to KOF, as we were leaving, they asked when they could come back!! That was really exciting for me!!
I Thank God for Joel’s teaching of the word of God and planting the thought of Faith Church in my brain. I also Thank God for Faith Church and Pastors David and Nicole! Since attending Faith Church, I read the Bible everyday (never owned a Bible before). Pastors David and Nicole teach/preaches the word of God in a way anyone can understand.
Thank You, Pastor Nicole for your weekly blogs, it’s like you’re writing directly to me.
I have heard, when you dislike or hate something about someone else, it’s because you don’t understand their ways, or, you wish you had that same ability or character that you just don’t understand. Maybe that’s why other Christians are questioning Joel Osteen.
By the way, I sometimes cry when I pray, I pray standing, sitting, laying down; I pray quietly and out loud. But, I do pray!!!
Thanks again Pastor Nicole and May God Keep Blessing You!
Christine,
Your reply made me warm and fuzzy. When you talked about bringing your grandchildren to the Kids of Faith, I think I figured out why. Your response has a sweet grandmotherly tone. You know through walking in life more than 20 years that we encounter tough things. But the wisdom of God in your life has come through you. Bless you Christine!
Pastor Nicole,
All I can say to this is a great big AMEN!!! Nobody could have said this better than you!
Love Rebecca Parker
I just defended Joel Osteen to another Christian a couple days ago. He told me Pastor Osteen is a “feel-good preacher.” I simply defended him saying, “I love to feel good!” My wife, a little more eloquent on the topic said, “I just came from a great worship service at church. I know Jesus died for me. I FEEL GREAT!!” ;)
The Bible was not written to condemn us, but to convict us. Make us want to change. To come running to a loving God instead of our own ways. Well said David!
Excellent blog! I have always found it both perplexing and disheartening when I hear Christians flippantly attacking other Christians. In John 7:24, Jesus commands us to “…….judge righteous judgement”. In other words, if there is a Christian who is being flagrantly dishonest or in obvious error, we are directed to deal with that situation according to various Scripture protocol. But these pharisaical type attacks against Christians, especially Pastors and church leadership, over slight differences in what amounts to not much more than church etiquette is so wrong and counterproductive to what we are called to do as true Christians. Thank you again for the great blog!
Bill – Such a great and eloquently stated point! This isn’t as eloquent, but it reminds me of ‘We all have to stand together, or else we will all hang separately!’
Wow, you really hit the nail on the head with this one. I searched for a church for over 6 months. One Sunday I was watched Joel. It was a very powerful sermon, so when the program was over I went to his website. I hit the link for “find a church in your area”. And guess what? It said Faith Church. I got the directions and went that very Sunday. I have now been attending a year and it has brought so much into my life. I consider myself a “recovering baptist”. All those RULES – you can’t dance, drink or smoke stuff. It is so wonderful to have found a church that welcomes everyone and lets us all worship individually. I have found a home in Faith Church and Joel is the one who lead me there. It is so easy to judge others. I know that comes from the devil. When we judge others we don’t have to look at ourselves. You keep preaching Nicole. I love you!!!!
Linda – I just decided that judging was above my pay grade :)
In reading your excellent blog of the day Pastor Nicole, I was reminded of a story in the Gospels…It took me awhile to find it but in Mark 9:38 it states “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39. “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40. for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. NIV version.
This speaks to me that Jesus didnt want the disciples worrying about someone elses ministry. The disciples might have even been jealous that this other guy was casting out demons and sometimes they weren’t able to.
I think its dangerous to throw stones at anyone but especially other Christians. I think Pastors are careful in what they say on television and cant always go as deep in the word and teaching as what Pastor David does in the Tuesday night services. Tonights service was awesome from the first musical note to the final AMEN…and how about that song that had everyone leaping? Thank you Pastors David and Nicole for your steadfastness in spreading the Gospel.
P.S. Where do I Fedex the chocolate icecream with fudge on top?
John – Fantastic biblical response! Jealousy is such a negative motivator and most of us never want to admit it or talk about it. Great insight!
Ps – don’t FedEx chocolate ice cream, send vanilla bean :)
You are right on with this blog Pastor Nicole!! I love Pastor Wagner’s blog as well. You know when I hear about people criticizing Pastor Joel I don’t even blink an eye anymore. Talk about him. They talked about my dear Savior, Jesus Christ. But truth always prevails and light always shines! I think of our worship song, Our God is Greater which says, ‘and if our God is for us, then who could EVER stop us; and if our God is with us then what could stand against.’ Mmmm. Mmmm. Mmmm. What indeed? Nothing!! NOTHING can!!! This may sound odd but I don’t mind the criticism. When others criticize, his ministry grows, his book sales go up, his crusades are attended at maximum capacity. People get nosy, people get curious. People want to ‘check it out’ and see for themselves. People tune in. People come to church…and they keep coming and they get saved and the Kingdom grows for Jesus!!! It’s like trying to push back the suns rays with your hands; it’s coming THROUGH bright and shining, like it or not. Talk all you want critics. Bring it on!! Make people curious about the gospel, the love and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ!! I’m gonna laugh all the way to Heaven with a George Jefferson strut at that!! LOL!!!
Fantastic thought Cherise!!!! If CHRIST had haters, why do we think that WE won’t? Girl – you bring light!
Yes! I agree, I agree. We all have so many interpretations and proclivities of our belief in God, Jesus and the Bible. I think a simple question can be asked of each situation. Does it work? Is it the truth? Truth- does it work? We have to quit beating each other up. I used to love the Bible Answer man, but he started condemning and criticizing all the other pastors out there. It turned me completely off about the Bible Answer Man. I no longer listen to his show. I know that he has many answers that are probably right. However, his anger and envy for my fellow Pastors in the business is distasteful and hypocritical. Sorry, Bible Answer Dude but I love Jesus and he loves me and everyone can’t suit everyone. Pastor Osteen bears so much fruit, how does he explain that one.? Good Topic, PNC
The differences in worship, the differences in people, ALL of our differences is why I love our church so much. We are ALL created in God’s image and each of us are unique and therefore express ourselves uniquely. I totally agree, we can do so much more in winning the world for Jesus if we stop over analyzing everyone. Very nicely stated Pastor Nicole!!
Melissa – I agree. Diversity may be the most beautiful thing God made. If everything was the same, there would be nothing to look at, behold, or appreciate. Love your perspective!
I love that Joel preaches positive gospel. The world is FULL of negativity and depression everywhere we look. People need to see that Jesus is good and there is hope, no matter where they are in life. That is what Joel presents.
Along with that it makes me so sad to me that christians get so caught up in judging leaders in ministry, thinking it is their job to change people. All they are there to do is present Jesus…point people in his direction. The rest is up to God.
Christine – and God is such a positive God! He says ‘we are more than conquerers’ and ‘if God be for us, who can be against us’ and ‘we are the head and not the tail’ and…well now I’ve just got to go rejoice!
HIGHER THE LEVEL— Greater the devil ! God reigns- Enough said! Who can be against me if God be for me!!!!!! Go Joel and Victoria and reach the lost! Ken and Christine Collier
BOOM! This post is on point for sure! Fantastic job, Pastor Nicole! Way to stand up for men and women of God everywhere that are making Jesus famous!
Jesus famous – enough said David!
Jesus Himself confronted the religious of His day, He lived a sinless life, He proclaimed the Word and was the Word, He lived and taught all who would listen how to live, Jesus used The Word(s) of God to face the people and Satan in that time and even unto our day He shows us how to face the devil and temptations of our lives. Jesus loved/ loves, sinners, for WE ARE ALL BORN SINNERS according to His Word, but He also knew His task at hand would not be easy but in doing the Father’s Will He/Jesus would complete His mission in redeeming the sinner from their/our sin, thereby making a way for us to live with Him eternally but also to live within us ( Holy Spirit ) so we too can be about the Father’s business. Bottom line is “IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS AND MAKING HIM FAMOUS” in all we do, in all we say pointing others to HIM, and in doing so, doing it in LOVE for our brothers and sisters, seeing them thru Christ’s eye, with His Heart of Love and Compassion, thus becoming HIS hands and feet, allowing Him to work through us as believers. If I/we focus less on what we want Jesus to do for us, and more on what WE MUST DO FOR HIM, seeking HIM first………that’s when it all comes together and the ‘stuff’ is added to us.
God’s word is like a 2-edged sword, it cuts the tares from the wheat, it divides, it has our does and don’ts……and by using Christ’s example we too understand there is much sacrifice in following Him, people will hate us and we will be persecuted for HIS Name sake even as Christ himself was, right now we have a brother in Christ, in Iran, facing death because he will not renounce his faith and belief in Jesus. Our lives are not our own, we were purchased by Christ’s Blood……let’s make JESUS FAMOUS !
Blessings,
bro-ken <
Making Jesus famous – amazing and fabulous concept!!!!
I love to hear Joel speak. He doesn’t even talk bad about other religion’s so how can he be bad. He preaches from the Bible. Tells you how it is. Just pick up your Bible and check. I think they just need some one to pick on, and Joel is a good man because he is so blessed. Hang in there
Love your thoughts Paulette! You are right on!
Amen Pastor Nicole! So true! LOVE this & thank you for this amazing word.
Rebecca – you encourage me! Thank you.
Amen! I couldn’t agree more with this!
Jon – Gotta love an amen corner!
Awesome word for today!!! Love how you always tell it how it is!!
Debbie – I try to be honest. But loving. Try to tell the truth in love. That you for your encouragement.
I have one word for this…. AMEN!!!
Deb Sanders with one word? I must have stolen the other ones!
I dont understand the critics of Joel Osteen,I have never meet him,iam glad i stumbled upon his book in 2007 ,read it from cover to cover couldnt put it down,now fast forward to Sept of 2010 ,thats when we walked into Faith Church so without Joel not sure we would have found Faith Church ,I know every time I listen to Joel,Pastor David and Pastor Nicole and a host of great people that you bring to our Church,I know the decision we made is the right decision and that for the 1st time in my life I cant wait to go to Church and not just on Sundays,as far as ice cream i dont believe i have had a flavor i didnt like,chocalate and various forms of it is definately my favorite,but maybe we should look at worship like that there are many ways to praise God
Greg, I may be picky about my ice cream and personally I prefer the Faith Church flavor of worship. :) Not that i am biased (or maybe I am!!!) I agree with what you are saying!
Thank you for always speaking so candidly and challenging us to be all that God has called us to be!
Adrienne – Iron sharpens iron. Yours sharpens me and hopefully mine sharpens you. Oh that we may never be dull!
I like Joel ..If he is a fraud,God knows and he will answer to God ….
Jane –
Great point. God’s job to judge, not ours :)
I can understand some of this, but when I watched Larry King’s interview, Mr. Olsteen would not give a definite answer that to get to heaven is through Jesus, accepting Jesus, repenting, etc.. In front of millions watching, he sidestepped our most basic belief of what Larry was trying to extract from him. I know this will not be popular to point out, but I know that Pastor Crank would not have sidestepped the question. I just don’t understand why he did not take that opportunity to put it out there. I’m not saying he is not a Christian, or that his work and effort is not good.
Dale – I’m sorry but I didn’t see it that way. It’s ok that we had a different take. I don’t think it’s ok to judge someone for one statement on a national interview that they might have been nervous and communicated it in a way that they didn’t exactly mean. Especially when his entire ministry is based on Jesus and the Bible.
As a speaker, sometimes I think I communicated clearly in my mind, then I go back and watch what I said and think, “Wow, that did not come out like I thought!’
Keeping in mind that we are all human and what may happen in the moment and how we may refine that moment if we could happens to all of us.
You seem like a God loving person. Thanks for commenting on my blog and sharing your thoughts!!!
thanks for your reply Nicole. But I want you to understand I am not judging Joel nor questioning that one and only statement as for as the positive info he relays. I listen to Anthony Robbins and he is very positive also to bring out the best in us. You seem like a God loving person too and thank you again for replying.
LOVE THIS!!!!!!! Great word.
A few verses to keep in mind when asking yourself if Joel Osteen is a Fraud…
“And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” 1 John 3:23
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 16 :31
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34
It doesnt get any simpler than that folks. This is the message Joel is teaching and living. No one cans say that Pastor Joel Osteen is not a compassionet and loving man.
And because Joel loves his fellow man he is a disiple of God.
Amy – It sounds like you are spending you time reading your Bible! God likes that and so do I!!! Keep it up!
Great blog post, Pastor Nicole! We should never judge a man of God(or a worship style). And…we are ALL men/women of God!
Kristy,
Sounds like Matt 7:1 to me!
When a movement begins to succeed such as Pastor Osteen, Pastor David our church and you Pastor Nicole, that is when the enemy gets scared. The more people who hear all of you, the more walls some will attempt to put in front of you. The devil will work through anyone who has a sense of doubt. We as a church family need to be prepared because there are those who will attempt to stop and true follower of The Lord. I don’t know exactly how they are attempting to attact Pastor Osteen, but I will be praying for him as I believe he is a soldier of God. All of us need to pray, defend his right to convey his message and step up in the right to believe as we want.
Connie – Your prayers are coveted! And they are powerful. Keep praying…
Thanks so much for the blog. Its awesome that you shared on this. That is what I love about our church. We tell people to come just as they are, they dont have to get cleaned up before coming, Listening to Joel and Pastor the main thing I hear God is love and God is not mad and loves us. Im so in awe to give hope and tell people about Jesus. God is good….
Kelley – Thank God we don’t have to be clean to make it to Him. I would have never made it!
Great point Pastor Nicole! I love the different ice cream flavors example, don’t get me wrong, I also like ice cream Lol! We have to recognize that if we are going to win this world for Jesus, we must become very diverse because there are a great diversity of people out there. Paul said it best, 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NKJV)
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. “I Have Become All Things To All Men, That I Might By All Means Save Some.”
Pastor Omar – Fantastic point! I love the way you worded that and brought the Word right into it!
I sure am glad I don’t get ridiculed for the way I serve or worship! All I want to do is Love Jesus & Love people the best way I know how!!! In my understanding- people only pick at what they are insecure at and what they are intimidated by. If we just Love like we are suppose to then Love NEVER fails, and Love DOESN’T judge, and Love WON’T ridicule!
Kat – I agree! Ridicule is harsh. Especially when it is aimed at someone who is trying to point people to Jesus.
Good blog. I respect Joel, any man that can lead the masses and build and do what he has done for God deserves nothing less. I dont relate to him and his delivery like I do Pastor Dave but there is no doubt he is doing good work for the Lord, and thats good enough for me!
Angela – Joel has done so much more for the kingdom than I have! YIKES! I better get to work for Jesus :) I love that point and it really makes it relative to our personal lives.
You hit it right on the head Nicole. Great job.
Joel Osteen is one of the most positive and encouraging people I could EVER listen to. Whenever I’m down, I listen or watch Pastor Osteen and he refills my hope jar! Pastor Crank is the other person. I love their styles of getting the word to me. I am giving serious thought to joining Faith Church St. Louis. Thank you David Crank and Joel Osteen for all you do for me. God bless you both.
Gretchen – He builds my faith every week too…and so does Faith Church!
“You know that’s right!!!” AMEN and AMEN!(I’m obviously a jump up and down, dance, praise and scream kinda girl with mad love for JESUS!!!)
Carrie – DANCE girl!!!!!
Oh how true people are quick to throw judgement on others, but we all need to only judge ourselves and work on the one and only love for Jesus Christ
You’re right James. And it is so much easier to see the splinter in somone else’s eye around our own beams :)
Sister did you get that one right! Amen…
WOW!!!!!!!!!! No one could have said it better. There are so many different styles – we must respect every man appointed by God whether we agree with them or not. The Bible talks about respecting all leadership and illustrates it many times. We should never speak ill of someone God is using to make a positive impact on this world! Thank you Pastor Nicole for writing such a bold & powerful blog!
Julia – wise words!!!
You’ve done it once again Pastor Nicole. Among the names I commonly hear, Joel is at the top. I just don’t understand the intense dislike there. Doesn’t the Bible itself point out believers taking other believers before the judge in front of unbelievers and then say that it’s wrong? Some get so busy in judging others that they have no time for witnessing or loving on those around them who desperately need the love of Jesus. How sad! Who cares if one does or does not like Joel… He’s lifting up the name of Jesus and that’s what matters. Personally, I love Joel and his ministry (How can you not absolutely love someone who’s happy and smiling all the time!).
Stephanie –
Wise words my friend! Reminds me of the beam and splinter analogy in the Bible.
Great words!
Pastor Nicole, I can say that I truely believe in Joel Osteen. Everytime I watch one of his Services its like he is talking directly to me. Threw Jesus, Faith Church along with Joel Osteen have helped me to become the person I am today. I love him and his Family and Honored to be a part of his teachings..Much Love always to Jesus and Everyone.
Personaly, that was the best thing I could have read today, I am a corrections nurse. I work with prisoners in a county jail. I have been asked SO MANY TIMES, “How can you take care of those people”. folks those people are just like all of us, created in Gods Image, we all make “Choises”, some bad, some good. “those” people made bad choices. It might be your brother, father, mother, or sister. I love them just the same, some of then don’t like me, I have to live with that, and know that not everyone will , some of them have thanked me for what I do.
Lesa….. AMEN!!!