Joel Osteen vs. Dale Glading

“The poorest spiritual preacher is infinitely to be preferred to the exquisite orator who has no wisdom but that of words, no energy but that of self.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Joel Osteen pastors Lakewood Church, a Pentecostal and Word of Faith megachurch in Houston, Texas that attracts 45,000 congregants every Sunday. The 16,800-seat building in which the church meets was formerly a sports arena where the Houston Rockets played their home games. It now hosts four English-language and two Spanish-language services per week, all of which highlight Osteen’s false prosperity gospel and his “name it and claim it” teaching.

Meanwhile, approximately 1,060 miles to the east, I preach every Sunday morning at Midway Bible Fellowship in Vero Beach. Our church, which God led Deanna and I to plant in April 2022, meets in the clubhouse at Midway Estates, a small RV and manufactured home community. We average 15-20 people in the summer and 30-40 during the winter months when our “snowbirds” return.

Osteen attracts a worldwide viewing audience whereas our church services aren’t even livestreamed. And while Joel grins constantly and flashes his pearly whites, I speak with a thick South Jersey accent and a slight lisp that I’ve had since childhood. Another difference is that Osteen tickles his listeners’ ears and I am not afraid to step on my congregation’s toes.

But guess what? As mediocre of a preacher as I may be, I believe in my heart that my sermons are far more biblical – and therefore, far more pleasing to God – than the mindless pablum that comes out of Joel’s mouth week-in and week-out. Simply put, I preach to please an audience of One, whereas he preaches to please the masses… and solicit their donations.

Another difference between Osteen and me is that he has written more than a dozen best sellers, including such heretical self-help books as Your Best Life Now; Become a Better You; It’s Your Time; I Declare; You Can You Will; and The Power of I Am. The three books that I have written – all of which were focused on God, not self – sold less than 100 copies combined.

Despite Joes Osteen’s notoriety and his $100 million net worth – and my relative obscurity and limited savings – I’d rather be me (warts and all) on Judgment Day. Not because I am anything special, but at least I am not a heretic, peddling a false gospel and deceiving people straight to hell.

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I Corinthians 2:1-2 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President