Changes
→History: add former name
{{Infobox church
| name = Lakewood Church
| img = Lakewood worship.jpg
| caption = Worship in 2013
| location = [[Houston, Texas]]
| denomination = [[Non-denominational Christianity|Non-denominational]], [[Word of Faith]], [[Charismatic movement|Charismatic]]
| attendance = 52,000
| founded date = May 10, 1959
| founder = [[John Osteen]]
| capacity = 16,800
| seniorpastor = [[Joel Osteen]] and [[Victoria Osteen]]
| pastor = [[Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff]], [[Danilo Montero]], John Gray
| country = United States
| website = {{URL|http://www.lakewoodchurch.com}}
| logo = Lakewoodchurchlogo.jpg
| logosize = 250
}}
'''Lakewood Church''' is a [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational]] [[charismatic movement|charismatic]] [[Christian]] [[megachurch]] located in [[Houston, Texas]], US. It is one of the [[List of the largest Protestant churches in the United States|largest congregations]] in the United States, averaging about 52,000 attendees per week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://christianpost.com/news/joel-osteens-lakewood-church-ranked-americas-largest-megachurch-with-52k-in-attendance-169279|title=Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church Ranked America's Largest Megachurch With 52,000 Weekly Attendance|website=christianpost.com}}</ref> The 16,800-seat [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Lakewood Church building]], home to four English-language services and two Spanish-language services per week,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakewood.cc/Services/Pages/LakewoodChurchServices.aspx|publisher=Lakewood Church|title=Services}}</ref> is located at the former [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Compaq Center]].<ref name=USA>{{cite news|title=America's largest church opens in former arena|work=USA Today|date=July 14, 2005|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-14-largest-church_x.htm |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> [[Joel Osteen]] is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church with his wife, [[Victoria Osteen|Victoria]], who serves as co-pastor. Lakewood Church is non-denominational (not affiliated), while the leadership may be considered part of the [[Word of Faith]] movement.<ref name=southerncrossroads67 />
==History==
[[File:Lakewood church.jpg|thumb|right|Building in Houston]]
[[File:Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church.JPG|thumb|upright 0.8|Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church, December 8, 2007]]
Lakewood Church, originally called "Lakewood Baptist Church", was founded by [[John Osteen]] and his second wife, Dolores (Dodie) on Mother's Day, May 10, 1959, inside an abandoned feed store in northeast Houston.<ref name=southerncrossroads67>{{cite book |editor-last=Conser Jr |editor-first=Walter H. |editor2=Rodger M. Payne | title =Southern Crossroads:Perspectives on Religion and Culture| publisher =The University Press of Kentucky| year =2008| pages =67–68| isbn = 978-0-8131-2494-0}}</ref> John was a [[Southern Baptist]] minister, but after experiencing [[baptism in the Holy Spirit]], he founded Lakewood as a church for charismatic Baptists. The church soon dropped "Baptist" from its name and became non-denominational. By 1979, attendance was over five thousand, and the church was becoming prominent among [[Pentecostals]] and Charismatics. John and Dodie created and hosted Lakewood's weekly television program, which could be seen in 100 countries worldwide. Upon John Osteen's death on January 23, 1999, his youngest son, Joel Osteen, became the pastor.
In 2001, [[Tropical Storm Allison]] caused flooding in the Houston area. Lakewood church was opened as a shelter to approximately 5,000 displaced persons.<ref name="Denver Post">{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/29/joel-osteen-houston-church-shelter/|title=Joel Osteen's Houston megachurch opens doors as shelter|agency=Associated Press|date=August 29, 2017|work=Denver Post|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="Lubbock">{{cite news|url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/061801/sta_LD0666-7.001.shtml|title=Faithful return to Houston church to worship and to help storm's refugees|date=June 18, 2001|work=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="Kuzydym">{{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'|last1=Kuzydym|first1=Stephanie|last2=Phillips|first2=Kristine||date=August 30, 2017|work=Washington Post|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref>
Under Joel Osteen, Lakewood's congregation increased almost fivefold.<ref name="msnbc.msn.com">{{cite web| title = Nation’s largest church opens in stadium| work = MSNBC| url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8565629/| accessdate = 2007-02-25}}</ref> Attendance increased to 30,000 weekly, prompting a move from its location at 7317 East Houston Road<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20001018024013/http://lakewood.cc/ Contact Information]." ''Lakewood Church''. October 18, 2000. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20030623055648/http://lakewood.cc/contactus.htm Contact Us]." ''Lakewood Church''. June 23, 2003.</ref> to a larger facility.<ref name=USA /> In late 2003, the church signed a long-term lease with the city of Houston to acquire the [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Compaq Center]], a 29-year-old former sports arena.<ref name="A Sports Arena Gets Religion">{{cite news| title = A Sports Arena Gets Religion| work = New York Times| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/business/10prop.html?ex=1172552400&en=c8cb3279d9f71269&ei=5070 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090424123021/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/business/10prop.html?ex=1172552400&en=c8cb3279d9f71269&ei=5070 | dead-url = yes | archive-date = April 24, 2009 | accessdate = 2007-02-25 | first=Terry | last=Pristin | date=March 10, 2004}}</ref>
Lakewood Church relocated to the Compaq Center on July 16, 2005. It is a 16,800-seat facility in southwest downtown Houston along [[U.S. Highway 59 in Texas|U.S. Highway 59]], that has twice the capacity of its former sanctuary.<ref name=USA /><ref>Lonsway, Brian. “Spiritual Summit.” ''The Houston Journal of Architecture''. 74 (2008): 14–19.</ref> The church was required to pay $11.8 million in rent in advance for the first 30 years of the lease.<ref name="A Sports Arena Gets Religion"/> Lakewood renovated the new campus at an estimated cost of $100 million.<ref name="msnbc.msn.com"/>
On March 31, 2010, the Houston City Council voted 13–2 to sell the property to Lakewood for $7.5 million.<ref>Bradley Olson and Moises Mendoza. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6937849.html City Council OKs sale of ex-Compaq to Lakewood]." ''Houston Chronicle''. March 31, 2010.</ref>
==Beliefs==
Lakewood Church believes that the entire Bible is inspired by God, and the church bases its teachings on this belief. The church also holds in account the belief in the [[Trinity]], as well as the recognition of the death of Christ on the cross and resurrection.
From the commands found in the Bible, the church practices the following:
* Salvation: Each service offers an [[Altar call]] at the end in order for people to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
* Water Baptism: The church believes the Bible asks for this as a symbol and a testimony to faith in [[Jesus Christ]] – in his cleansing power through his shedding of blood on the cross for us. [[Baptism]] is practiced every Saturday night in the church's [[Chapel]].
* [[Eucharist|Communion]]: The church believes the Bible asks for this act of remembering what Jesus did on the cross. It is offered once a month.
* Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ: Lakewood believes that every believer should be in a growing relationship with Jesus by obeying God's Word, yielding to the [[Holy Spirit]] and by being conformed to the image of Christ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakewood.cc/pages/new-here/what-we-believe.aspx|title=What We Believe|publisher=|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref>
Lakewood Church is known for its Word of Faith teaching.<ref name=southerncrossroads67 /> It is also known, before every sermon, for a confession (originally led by John and continued by Joel) that the congregation repeats in unison.<ref>https://www.joelosteen.com/downloadables/Pages/Downloads/ThisIsMyBible_JOM.pdf</ref>
==Church organization==
Lakewood offers different types of ministries, fellowships, and services depending on the age, marital status, and need of its members.
===Services===
* Kidslife: Children
* Lakewood Middle School: Middle School Students
* Lakewood Youth: High School Students
* Main Service: All Adults
* Lakewood Young Adults: In-college and Post-college Young Adults
During Weekend services, Joel Osteen, Victoria Osteen, John Gray or [[Danilo Montero]] preach. On Sunday nights, Nick Nilson or John Gray preach. On Wednesday nights, the Associate Pastors John Gray, Paul Osteen, Lisa Osteen Comes, or guest speakers preach.
===Learning===
Various classes are offered through the Compass Classes ministry, meeting before and after weekend services.<ref>[http://lakewood.cc/pages/ministries/Ministry.aspx?mid=8 Compass Bible Studies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626121908/http://www.lakewood.cc/pages/ministries/Ministry.aspx?mid=8 |date=2010-06-26 }}</ref>
===Television===
The church's weekly services are broadcast on [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] and [[Daystar Television Network]], as well as local channels in most major U.S. markets. Lakewood also appears on secular networks, such as [[Fox Network]], [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]], and [[USA Network]]. In 2007, Lakewood reported spending nearly $30 million every year on its television ministry.<ref>{{cite web| title = Interview: Joel Osteen on the Future of America's Churches and Him Pastoring One| work = The Christian Post| url =http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070215/25806_2_Interview%3A_Joel_Osteen_on_the_Future_of_America%27s_Churches_and_Him_Pastoring_One.htm| accessdate = 2007-02-25}}</ref> Osteen's sermons are also televised in more than 100 countries, with an estimated 7 million viewers each week.<ref>{{cite web| title = No Politics From This Pulpit| work = Newsweek| url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/103290| accessdate = 2010-04-11}}</ref> Lakewood also hosts a Night of Hope every month. This is when the church hosts a Christian service event in one of the arenas or stadiums all across America.
===Hispanic ministry===
In 2002, Lakewood began a Hispanic ministry, Iglesia Lakewood, founded by Hispanic Pastor [[Marcos Witt]] and his wife, Miriam Witt. In September 2012, Danilo and Gloriana Montero assumed the role of associate pastors for the Hispanic ministry. Lakewood has two services each week in Spanish and translates all English services into Spanish. The weekly attendance at the Spanish services is approximately 6,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/horario-de-servicios.aspx|title=Horario de servicios|publisher=|accessdate=20 September 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828013504/http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/horario-de-servicios.aspx|archivedate=28 August 2012|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/marcos-witt.aspx|title=Marcos Witt|publisher=|accessdate=20 September 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829161938/http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/marcos-witt.aspx|archivedate=29 August 2012|df=}}</ref>
==Criticism==
===Prosperity gospel===
Osteen's sermons and writings are sometimes noted for promoting [[prosperity theology]], or the prosperity gospel, a belief that material gain is a reward for pious Christians.<ref name=blumenthal>{{cite news|last=Blumenthal|first=Ralph|title=Joel Osteen's Credo: Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate Prosperity|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/30/books/30oste.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=January 5, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 30, 2006}}</ref><ref name=lite>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318054,00.html
|date=2007-12-23 |accessdate=2011-05-13 |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. |publisher=[[FOX News]]
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=[[Stephen Brooks (academic)|Stephen Brooks]] |title=American Exceptionalism in the Age of Obama |year=2013 |page=51 |quote=... Joel Osteen and T. D. Jakes, the most prominent contemporary messengers of the prosperity gospel ... | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r8fqsvHcRAcC&pg=PA51&dq=Osteen+PROSPERITY+GOSPEL&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Q7QLVe7bB-aIsQSQ0oDoDA&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q=Osteen%20PROSPERITY%20GOSPEL&f=false}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Does God Want You to Be Rich? |url=http://content.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1533448,00.html |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?' ... |newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=September 10, 2006 |accessdate=2015-03-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=[[Cathleen Falsani]] |title=The Prosperity Gospel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/opinions/outlook/worst-ideas/prosperity-gospel.html |quote='God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us,' Osteen wrote in a 2005 letter .... |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date= |accessdate=2015-03-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2005-05-22/online-extra-meet-the-prosperity-preacher|title=Meet the Prosperity Preacher|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.|date=May 23, 2005|work=[[Business Week]]|accessdate=March 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>Pastor Rick Henderson, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384.html The False Promise of the Prosperity Gospel: Why I Called Out Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer], ''The Huffington Post'', 2013.08.21</ref> However, when asked if he is a prosperity teacher, Osteen responded that if prosperity means God wants people to be blessed and healthy and have good relationships, then he considers himself a prosperity teacher, but if it is about money, he does not. He has specifically stated that he never preaches about money because of the reputation of televangelists.<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|accessdate=November 16, 2013}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Christian Post]]'' on April 21, 2013, Osteen expressed his sentiments on being perceived as being part of the prosperity gospel. "I get grouped into the prosperity gospel and I never think it's fair, but it's just what it is. I think prosperity, and I've said it 1,000 times, it's being healthy, it's having great children, it's having peace of mind. Money is part of it; and yes, I believe God wants us to excel ... to be blessed so we can be a bigger blessing to others. I feel very rewarded. I wrote a book and sold millions of copies; and Victoria and I were able to help more people than we ever dreamed of. But when I hear the term prosperity gospel, I think people are sometimes saying, 'Well, he's just asking for money'."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/interview-joel-osteen-on-life-tragedy-and-why-he-shuns-prosperity-gospel-label-94355/|title=Interview: Joel Osteen on Life, Tragedy and Why He Shuns 'Prosperity Gospel' Label|work=Christian Post}}</ref> On October 14, 2007, ''[[60 Minutes]]'' ran a twelve-minute segment on Osteen, titled "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics", during which [[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>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml|date=2007-10-14|accessdate=2011-05-13|title=Joel Osteen Answers his Critics|publisher=CBS News ''[[60 Minutes]]''}}</ref>
===Hurricane Harvey response===
During the immediate aftermath of [[Hurricane Harvey]], Osteen received significant criticism in response to not making Lakewood Church, a 606,000 sq. ft.,16,000 seat, former basketball 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/|accessdate= September 8, 2017|publisher=[[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|accessdate=September 8, 2011|publisher=[[New York Times]]|date=August 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Newsweek_082817">{{cite news|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|accessdate=September 8, 2017|publisher=[[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|accessdate=September 8, 2017|publisher=[[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 |author=Kuzydym, Stephanie; Phillips, Christine |work=The Chicago Tribune |date=August 30, 2017 |accessdate=August 30, 2017}}</ref> On August 27th, 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 posting 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 |accessdate=August 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scng-dash.digitalfirstmedia.com/2017/08/29/joel-osteen-houston-megachurch-to-shelter-people-if-needed/|title=Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch opens doors as shelter after pastor slammed by critics|date=2017-08-29|website=Redlands Daily Facts|access-date=2017-09-09}}</ref> In a subsequent interview, Osteen countered the claim that flood waters closed the church, saying "the church has been open from the beginning," and, "We’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 web|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’|last=https://www.facebook.com/kristineaguerra|website=Washington Post|access-date=2017-09-09}}</ref> <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|last=Metro.co.uk|first=Oliver McAteer for|date=2017-08-29|website=Metro|access-date=2017-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{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=2017-08-29|work=Heavy.com|access-date=2017-09-09|language=en-US}}</ref> On the evening of August 28th, it was announced by Lakewood that it would open at noon the next day as an available shelter, opening to storm victims and emergency personnel on August 29.<ref name=Tribune/>
On August 15th, the City of Houston and Mayor [[Sylvester Turner]] proclaimed a "Lakewood Church Day" in honor of Lakewood's assistance in rebuild 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=2018-08-14|work=ABC13 Houston|access-date=2018-08-15|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=2018-08-14|work=Houston Public Media|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en-US}}</ref> It stated Lakewood has provided ''"assistance to more than 1,150 Houston-area families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters"'' and bought ''"1.1 million dollars in building materials, furniture, appliances, and paid labor, as well as through the contribution of more than 2,500 volunteers".''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/pastor-osteen-recognized-for-his-work-during-hurricane-harvey-with-surprise-proclamation|title=Lakewood Church pastors recognized for work during Hurricane Harvey|last=FOX|work=KSAZ|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Houston}}
* [[Christianity in Houston]]
* [[List of the largest evangelical megachurches|List of the largest evangelical churches]]
* [[List of the largest churches in the US]]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
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* [http://www.lakewood.cc Lakewood Church]
{{Coord|29|43|48|N|95|26|4|W|display=title}}
[[Category:1959 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Evangelical churches in Houston]]
[[Category:Evangelical churches in Texas]]
[[Category:Evangelical megachurches in the United States]]
[[Category:Pentecostal churches in Texas]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1959]]
[[Category:Trinity Broadcasting Network]]
| name = Lakewood Church
| img = Lakewood worship.jpg
| caption = Worship in 2013
| location = [[Houston, Texas]]
| denomination = [[Non-denominational Christianity|Non-denominational]], [[Word of Faith]], [[Charismatic movement|Charismatic]]
| attendance = 52,000
| founded date = May 10, 1959
| founder = [[John Osteen]]
| capacity = 16,800
| seniorpastor = [[Joel Osteen]] and [[Victoria Osteen]]
| pastor = [[Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff]], [[Danilo Montero]], John Gray
| country = United States
| website = {{URL|http://www.lakewoodchurch.com}}
| logo = Lakewoodchurchlogo.jpg
| logosize = 250
}}
'''Lakewood Church''' is a [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational]] [[charismatic movement|charismatic]] [[Christian]] [[megachurch]] located in [[Houston, Texas]], US. It is one of the [[List of the largest Protestant churches in the United States|largest congregations]] in the United States, averaging about 52,000 attendees per week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://christianpost.com/news/joel-osteens-lakewood-church-ranked-americas-largest-megachurch-with-52k-in-attendance-169279|title=Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church Ranked America's Largest Megachurch With 52,000 Weekly Attendance|website=christianpost.com}}</ref> The 16,800-seat [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Lakewood Church building]], home to four English-language services and two Spanish-language services per week,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakewood.cc/Services/Pages/LakewoodChurchServices.aspx|publisher=Lakewood Church|title=Services}}</ref> is located at the former [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Compaq Center]].<ref name=USA>{{cite news|title=America's largest church opens in former arena|work=USA Today|date=July 14, 2005|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-14-largest-church_x.htm |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> [[Joel Osteen]] is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church with his wife, [[Victoria Osteen|Victoria]], who serves as co-pastor. Lakewood Church is non-denominational (not affiliated), while the leadership may be considered part of the [[Word of Faith]] movement.<ref name=southerncrossroads67 />
==History==
[[File:Lakewood church.jpg|thumb|right|Building in Houston]]
[[File:Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church.JPG|thumb|upright 0.8|Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church, December 8, 2007]]
Lakewood Church, originally called "Lakewood Baptist Church", was founded by [[John Osteen]] and his second wife, Dolores (Dodie) on Mother's Day, May 10, 1959, inside an abandoned feed store in northeast Houston.<ref name=southerncrossroads67>{{cite book |editor-last=Conser Jr |editor-first=Walter H. |editor2=Rodger M. Payne | title =Southern Crossroads:Perspectives on Religion and Culture| publisher =The University Press of Kentucky| year =2008| pages =67–68| isbn = 978-0-8131-2494-0}}</ref> John was a [[Southern Baptist]] minister, but after experiencing [[baptism in the Holy Spirit]], he founded Lakewood as a church for charismatic Baptists. The church soon dropped "Baptist" from its name and became non-denominational. By 1979, attendance was over five thousand, and the church was becoming prominent among [[Pentecostals]] and Charismatics. John and Dodie created and hosted Lakewood's weekly television program, which could be seen in 100 countries worldwide. Upon John Osteen's death on January 23, 1999, his youngest son, Joel Osteen, became the pastor.
In 2001, [[Tropical Storm Allison]] caused flooding in the Houston area. Lakewood church was opened as a shelter to approximately 5,000 displaced persons.<ref name="Denver Post">{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/29/joel-osteen-houston-church-shelter/|title=Joel Osteen's Houston megachurch opens doors as shelter|agency=Associated Press|date=August 29, 2017|work=Denver Post|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="Lubbock">{{cite news|url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/061801/sta_LD0666-7.001.shtml|title=Faithful return to Houston church to worship and to help storm's refugees|date=June 18, 2001|work=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="Kuzydym">{{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'|last1=Kuzydym|first1=Stephanie|last2=Phillips|first2=Kristine||date=August 30, 2017|work=Washington Post|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref>
Under Joel Osteen, Lakewood's congregation increased almost fivefold.<ref name="msnbc.msn.com">{{cite web| title = Nation’s largest church opens in stadium| work = MSNBC| url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8565629/| accessdate = 2007-02-25}}</ref> Attendance increased to 30,000 weekly, prompting a move from its location at 7317 East Houston Road<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20001018024013/http://lakewood.cc/ Contact Information]." ''Lakewood Church''. October 18, 2000. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20030623055648/http://lakewood.cc/contactus.htm Contact Us]." ''Lakewood Church''. June 23, 2003.</ref> to a larger facility.<ref name=USA /> In late 2003, the church signed a long-term lease with the city of Houston to acquire the [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Compaq Center]], a 29-year-old former sports arena.<ref name="A Sports Arena Gets Religion">{{cite news| title = A Sports Arena Gets Religion| work = New York Times| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/business/10prop.html?ex=1172552400&en=c8cb3279d9f71269&ei=5070 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090424123021/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/business/10prop.html?ex=1172552400&en=c8cb3279d9f71269&ei=5070 | dead-url = yes | archive-date = April 24, 2009 | accessdate = 2007-02-25 | first=Terry | last=Pristin | date=March 10, 2004}}</ref>
Lakewood Church relocated to the Compaq Center on July 16, 2005. It is a 16,800-seat facility in southwest downtown Houston along [[U.S. Highway 59 in Texas|U.S. Highway 59]], that has twice the capacity of its former sanctuary.<ref name=USA /><ref>Lonsway, Brian. “Spiritual Summit.” ''The Houston Journal of Architecture''. 74 (2008): 14–19.</ref> The church was required to pay $11.8 million in rent in advance for the first 30 years of the lease.<ref name="A Sports Arena Gets Religion"/> Lakewood renovated the new campus at an estimated cost of $100 million.<ref name="msnbc.msn.com"/>
On March 31, 2010, the Houston City Council voted 13–2 to sell the property to Lakewood for $7.5 million.<ref>Bradley Olson and Moises Mendoza. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6937849.html City Council OKs sale of ex-Compaq to Lakewood]." ''Houston Chronicle''. March 31, 2010.</ref>
==Beliefs==
Lakewood Church believes that the entire Bible is inspired by God, and the church bases its teachings on this belief. The church also holds in account the belief in the [[Trinity]], as well as the recognition of the death of Christ on the cross and resurrection.
From the commands found in the Bible, the church practices the following:
* Salvation: Each service offers an [[Altar call]] at the end in order for people to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
* Water Baptism: The church believes the Bible asks for this as a symbol and a testimony to faith in [[Jesus Christ]] – in his cleansing power through his shedding of blood on the cross for us. [[Baptism]] is practiced every Saturday night in the church's [[Chapel]].
* [[Eucharist|Communion]]: The church believes the Bible asks for this act of remembering what Jesus did on the cross. It is offered once a month.
* Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ: Lakewood believes that every believer should be in a growing relationship with Jesus by obeying God's Word, yielding to the [[Holy Spirit]] and by being conformed to the image of Christ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakewood.cc/pages/new-here/what-we-believe.aspx|title=What We Believe|publisher=|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref>
Lakewood Church is known for its Word of Faith teaching.<ref name=southerncrossroads67 /> It is also known, before every sermon, for a confession (originally led by John and continued by Joel) that the congregation repeats in unison.<ref>https://www.joelosteen.com/downloadables/Pages/Downloads/ThisIsMyBible_JOM.pdf</ref>
==Church organization==
Lakewood offers different types of ministries, fellowships, and services depending on the age, marital status, and need of its members.
===Services===
* Kidslife: Children
* Lakewood Middle School: Middle School Students
* Lakewood Youth: High School Students
* Main Service: All Adults
* Lakewood Young Adults: In-college and Post-college Young Adults
During Weekend services, Joel Osteen, Victoria Osteen, John Gray or [[Danilo Montero]] preach. On Sunday nights, Nick Nilson or John Gray preach. On Wednesday nights, the Associate Pastors John Gray, Paul Osteen, Lisa Osteen Comes, or guest speakers preach.
===Learning===
Various classes are offered through the Compass Classes ministry, meeting before and after weekend services.<ref>[http://lakewood.cc/pages/ministries/Ministry.aspx?mid=8 Compass Bible Studies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626121908/http://www.lakewood.cc/pages/ministries/Ministry.aspx?mid=8 |date=2010-06-26 }}</ref>
===Television===
The church's weekly services are broadcast on [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] and [[Daystar Television Network]], as well as local channels in most major U.S. markets. Lakewood also appears on secular networks, such as [[Fox Network]], [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]], and [[USA Network]]. In 2007, Lakewood reported spending nearly $30 million every year on its television ministry.<ref>{{cite web| title = Interview: Joel Osteen on the Future of America's Churches and Him Pastoring One| work = The Christian Post| url =http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070215/25806_2_Interview%3A_Joel_Osteen_on_the_Future_of_America%27s_Churches_and_Him_Pastoring_One.htm| accessdate = 2007-02-25}}</ref> Osteen's sermons are also televised in more than 100 countries, with an estimated 7 million viewers each week.<ref>{{cite web| title = No Politics From This Pulpit| work = Newsweek| url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/103290| accessdate = 2010-04-11}}</ref> Lakewood also hosts a Night of Hope every month. This is when the church hosts a Christian service event in one of the arenas or stadiums all across America.
===Hispanic ministry===
In 2002, Lakewood began a Hispanic ministry, Iglesia Lakewood, founded by Hispanic Pastor [[Marcos Witt]] and his wife, Miriam Witt. In September 2012, Danilo and Gloriana Montero assumed the role of associate pastors for the Hispanic ministry. Lakewood has two services each week in Spanish and translates all English services into Spanish. The weekly attendance at the Spanish services is approximately 6,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/horario-de-servicios.aspx|title=Horario de servicios|publisher=|accessdate=20 September 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828013504/http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/horario-de-servicios.aspx|archivedate=28 August 2012|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/marcos-witt.aspx|title=Marcos Witt|publisher=|accessdate=20 September 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829161938/http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/marcos-witt.aspx|archivedate=29 August 2012|df=}}</ref>
==Criticism==
===Prosperity gospel===
Osteen's sermons and writings are sometimes noted for promoting [[prosperity theology]], or the prosperity gospel, a belief that material gain is a reward for pious Christians.<ref name=blumenthal>{{cite news|last=Blumenthal|first=Ralph|title=Joel Osteen's Credo: Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate Prosperity|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/30/books/30oste.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=January 5, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 30, 2006}}</ref><ref name=lite>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318054,00.html
|date=2007-12-23 |accessdate=2011-05-13 |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. |publisher=[[FOX News]]
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=[[Stephen Brooks (academic)|Stephen Brooks]] |title=American Exceptionalism in the Age of Obama |year=2013 |page=51 |quote=... Joel Osteen and T. D. Jakes, the most prominent contemporary messengers of the prosperity gospel ... | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r8fqsvHcRAcC&pg=PA51&dq=Osteen+PROSPERITY+GOSPEL&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Q7QLVe7bB-aIsQSQ0oDoDA&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q=Osteen%20PROSPERITY%20GOSPEL&f=false}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Does God Want You to Be Rich? |url=http://content.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1533448,00.html |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?' ... |newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=September 10, 2006 |accessdate=2015-03-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=[[Cathleen Falsani]] |title=The Prosperity Gospel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/opinions/outlook/worst-ideas/prosperity-gospel.html |quote='God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us,' Osteen wrote in a 2005 letter .... |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date= |accessdate=2015-03-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2005-05-22/online-extra-meet-the-prosperity-preacher|title=Meet the Prosperity Preacher|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.|date=May 23, 2005|work=[[Business Week]]|accessdate=March 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>Pastor Rick Henderson, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384.html The False Promise of the Prosperity Gospel: Why I Called Out Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer], ''The Huffington Post'', 2013.08.21</ref> However, when asked if he is a prosperity teacher, Osteen responded that if prosperity means God wants people to be blessed and healthy and have good relationships, then he considers himself a prosperity teacher, but if it is about money, he does not. He has specifically stated that he never preaches about money because of the reputation of televangelists.<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|accessdate=November 16, 2013}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Christian Post]]'' on April 21, 2013, Osteen expressed his sentiments on being perceived as being part of the prosperity gospel. "I get grouped into the prosperity gospel and I never think it's fair, but it's just what it is. I think prosperity, and I've said it 1,000 times, it's being healthy, it's having great children, it's having peace of mind. Money is part of it; and yes, I believe God wants us to excel ... to be blessed so we can be a bigger blessing to others. I feel very rewarded. I wrote a book and sold millions of copies; and Victoria and I were able to help more people than we ever dreamed of. But when I hear the term prosperity gospel, I think people are sometimes saying, 'Well, he's just asking for money'."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/interview-joel-osteen-on-life-tragedy-and-why-he-shuns-prosperity-gospel-label-94355/|title=Interview: Joel Osteen on Life, Tragedy and Why He Shuns 'Prosperity Gospel' Label|work=Christian Post}}</ref> On October 14, 2007, ''[[60 Minutes]]'' ran a twelve-minute segment on Osteen, titled "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics", during which [[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>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml|date=2007-10-14|accessdate=2011-05-13|title=Joel Osteen Answers his Critics|publisher=CBS News ''[[60 Minutes]]''}}</ref>
===Hurricane Harvey response===
During the immediate aftermath of [[Hurricane Harvey]], Osteen received significant criticism in response to not making Lakewood Church, a 606,000 sq. ft.,16,000 seat, former basketball 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/|accessdate= September 8, 2017|publisher=[[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|accessdate=September 8, 2011|publisher=[[New York Times]]|date=August 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Newsweek_082817">{{cite news|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|accessdate=September 8, 2017|publisher=[[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|accessdate=September 8, 2017|publisher=[[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 |author=Kuzydym, Stephanie; Phillips, Christine |work=The Chicago Tribune |date=August 30, 2017 |accessdate=August 30, 2017}}</ref> On August 27th, 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 posting 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 |accessdate=August 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scng-dash.digitalfirstmedia.com/2017/08/29/joel-osteen-houston-megachurch-to-shelter-people-if-needed/|title=Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch opens doors as shelter after pastor slammed by critics|date=2017-08-29|website=Redlands Daily Facts|access-date=2017-09-09}}</ref> In a subsequent interview, Osteen countered the claim that flood waters closed the church, saying "the church has been open from the beginning," and, "We’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 web|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’|last=https://www.facebook.com/kristineaguerra|website=Washington Post|access-date=2017-09-09}}</ref> <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|last=Metro.co.uk|first=Oliver McAteer for|date=2017-08-29|website=Metro|access-date=2017-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{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=2017-08-29|work=Heavy.com|access-date=2017-09-09|language=en-US}}</ref> On the evening of August 28th, it was announced by Lakewood that it would open at noon the next day as an available shelter, opening to storm victims and emergency personnel on August 29.<ref name=Tribune/>
On August 15th, the City of Houston and Mayor [[Sylvester Turner]] proclaimed a "Lakewood Church Day" in honor of Lakewood's assistance in rebuild 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=2018-08-14|work=ABC13 Houston|access-date=2018-08-15|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=2018-08-14|work=Houston Public Media|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en-US}}</ref> It stated Lakewood has provided ''"assistance to more than 1,150 Houston-area families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters"'' and bought ''"1.1 million dollars in building materials, furniture, appliances, and paid labor, as well as through the contribution of more than 2,500 volunteers".''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/pastor-osteen-recognized-for-his-work-during-hurricane-harvey-with-surprise-proclamation|title=Lakewood Church pastors recognized for work during Hurricane Harvey|last=FOX|work=KSAZ|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Houston}}
* [[Christianity in Houston]]
* [[List of the largest evangelical megachurches|List of the largest evangelical churches]]
* [[List of the largest churches in the US]]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
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* [http://www.lakewood.cc Lakewood Church]
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[[Category:1959 establishments in Texas]]
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