A Study of the Demographics, Exposure Levels, and Perceptions of the Viewing Audience of Pastor Joel Osteen, America’s Most Popular Preacher

Abstract

Joel Osteen is America’s most popular televangelist and pastor of the America's largest congregation, Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. The 54-year old has been preaching since 1999, and his sermons air in over 200 U.S. markets and over 100 around the world. This study provides a brief introduction to the man and his ministry and reports the results of a self-selective survey (N = 403), employing analysis of variance and correlation analysis to examine relationship between viewer exposure to Osteen and perceptions of him and his message through five measurement scales. Key demographic variables are also considered for interaction effects.