| Lakewood Church | |
 |
|
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Non-denominational, Evangelical |
| Website | Lakewood Church |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Joel Osteen |
Lakewood Church is a non-denominational Christian megachurch located in Houston, Texas. It is the largest congregation in the United States, averaging more than 43,500 in attendance per week.[1] The 16,800-seat Lakewood Church Central Campus is located at the former Compaq Center.[2] Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church with his wife,Victoria, who serves as co-pastor. Lakewood Church is evangelical in belief though not political.[3]
Contents |
History
Lakewood Church was founded by John Osteen and his wife, Dodie, on Mother's Day of 1959 inside an abandoned feed store in northeast Houston. John and Dodie created and hosted Lakewood's weekly television program, which could be seen in 100 countries worldwide. Upon John Osteen's death in 1999, his youngest son, Joel, became pastor.
Under the leadership of Joel Osteen, Lakewood's congregation increased almost five-fold.[4] Attendance increased to 30,000 weekly, prompting a move from its location at 7317 East Houston Road[5][6] to a larger facility.[2] In late 2003, the church signed a long-term lease with the city of Houston to acquire the Compaq Center, a 29-year-old former sports arena.[7] Before being acquired by Lakewood, tenants to the arena, once called The Summit, included the Houston Rockets, the Houston Aeros, and the Houston Comets.
On July 16, 2005, Lakewood Church relocated from its old building in northeast Houston into its new home, the newly renovated 16,800-seat facility southwest of Downtown Houston along U.S. Highway 59, having twice the capacity of its former sanctuary.[2] The church was required to pay $11.8 million in rent in advance for the first 30 years of the lease.[7] and renovated the new campus at an estimated cost of $75 million.[4]
Television
The church's weekly services are broadcast on Trinity Broadcasting Network and Daystar Television Network, as well as local channels in most major US markets. Lakewood also appears on secular networks, such as Fox Network, and USA Network.[8] In 2007, Lakewood reported spending nearly $30 million every year on its television ministry.[9]
Joel Osteen, according to the Lakewood Church website, preaches approximately 75% of the Sunday morning services. His brother, Paul Osteen, M.D., sister, Lisa Comes and Marcos Witt preach the other 25%. However, since Lakewood Church has been at the location on Highway 59, Joel Osteen & wife Victoria are the only persons to be seen from the Lakewood staff or directorship to preach in English on their television program. Marcos Witt preaches in Spanish, but he is not shown preaching in English.
Criticism
Critics have said that Lakewood Church's ministry under Joel Osteen has de-emphasized traditional Christian teachings regarding the sinful nature of mankind and the need for repentance.[2] They also criticize the absence of traditional religious symbols in the former Compaq Center, such as a cross or altar.[2]
Notes
- ^ Top 100 Churches
- ^ a b c d e "America's largest church opens in former arena". USA Today. July 14, 2005. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-14-largest-church_x.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ "No Politics From This Pulpit". Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/id/103290. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ a b "Nation’s largest church opens in stadium". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8565629/. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ "Contact Information." Lakewood Church. October 18, 2000. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.
- ^ "Contact Us." Lakewood Church. June 23, 2003.
- ^ a b "A Sports Arena Gets Religion". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/business/10prop.html?ex=1172552400&en=c8cb3279d9f71269&ei=5070. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ "Television week". The Baltimore Sun: p. 2. July 19, 2009.
- ^ "Interview: Joel Osteen on the Future of America's Churches and Him Pastoring One". The Christian Post. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070215/25806_2_Interview%3A_Joel_Osteen_on_the_Future_of_America%27s_Churches_and_Him_Pastoring_One.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
External links
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