I do not understand how Joel Osteen can be considered as one of the 50 most influential church leaders. He does not like to talk doctrine. He does not know Revelation. He is good at making inspirational speeches and makes everyone believe that by doing and saying certain things that they are going to be as successful as he seems to be.
I want my spiritual leaders to be able to preach on any book in the Bible and to let me know that serving God can also be difficult because of
the way the world in turning. I want some inspration, but I also want some
hell-fire and brimstone preaching when it is needed. I think his congregation is so large because he is preaching what they want to hear and not what God would have him say.
I hate that there are those who lashed out at CR for their work they put into compiling this list. I would like to think that the Spirit within us would lead us to act with dignity and maturity when we disagree with a survey.
I believe the list was reasonable in what it set out to do. Identifying a church as influential makes no judgment as to the nature of the influence. Influence can be good. Influence can be bad. So take it for what it is, a snapshot of the state of the church in 2007 in the USA.
Yes, I think some clarity around our language helps... "Influence can be good. Influence can be bad." And the 'good' and the 'bad' is in the eye (or mind or heart) of the beholder.
Just as I don't want anyone dictating what I may believe, practice and think, I think this is an opportunity to simply see what appears to be 'influencing' others.
(Personally I admit that I love inspiration that reminds me I am made in the image and likeness of God. Not of the worm.)
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