This thesis provides an analysis of one of the leading twenty-first century media-evangelists: Joel Osteen. His popularity is worldwide and has only increased over his seventeen years of ministry. His preaching and teachings enjoy sustained popularity resulting in book sales, internet downloads, radio listenership and television viewership in the millions. He has also created arguably the largest interracial congregation in the United States, boasting around 50,000 members, the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Due to his celebrity he is simply known to many of his viewers and listeners as Joel. This is primarily due to his expert use of new and social media, promoting his distinct version of Christianity. For all his success and many followers, Osteen himself remains something of an enigma. Decoding this enigma is at the heart of this thesis. Section 1 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4) outlines the pertinent literature and methodology used in this dissertation to examine Osteen’s various contexts anchored in the spiritual media marketplace. This is followed by a discussion on the different critiques of Osteen as well as his followers’ emphasis on his expressive theology. Critics vilify Osteen, particular the New Calvinists who chide him for his lack of theological knowledge. By contrast, his followers commonly celebrate his ministry crediting him with life changing insights that have blessed their religiosity and reaped healing, fulfilment and a deepening relationship with God. Section 2 (chapters 5, 6 and 7) places Osteen in both historical and theological contexts that include the dawning of televangelism and Osteen’s theological background. Both shed invaluable light on Osteen. Section 3 (chapters 8, 9, and 10) takes into consideration Osteen’s expressive theology in his preaching, writing and media use, and provides insights into the heretofore-ignored strands of his theology present in both his online and offline communication. This section demonstrates how Osteen’s teaching on self-improvement, faith, and what he terms as ‘God’s favour’ are integrated into his works in relation to his approach to historical Christianity. This thesis therefore takes a more comprehensive and nuanced approach than previous interpretations of Osteen. The conclusions of this research provide rich insight into Osteen’s enigmatic theology and approach, while also interpreting his import in the on-going narrative of media-evangelicalism in American religious culture.

Föreliggande studie har behandlat kultur och systematiskt kvalitetsarbete inom socialtjänsten. Det huvudsakliga syftet var att genom tillämpning av kultur- och kraftfältsanalys studera hur väl förberedd en enhet inom socialtjänsten är att följa intentionerna för systematiskt kvalitetsarbete inom socialtjänsten. Studien genomfördes utifrån PDSA-cykeln som en variant av aktionsforskning och baserades på en fallstudie inom Individ- och familjeomsorgen i Hammarö kommun. Resultatet analyserades utifrån en kraftfältsanalys där med- och motkrafter identifierades. Av resultatet framkom att det sammantaget fanns en positiv inställningen till systematiskt kvalitetsarbete, men att kulturen inte tydde på detsamma. Sammanfattningsvis kan sägas att enheten har dåliga förutsättningar att följa intentionerna för systematiskt kvalitetsarbete. Om de skall införlivas måste enhetens positiva inställning kvarstå, ledningen vara aktivt närvarande, medarbetare göras delaktiga och kulturen förändras. Värdet i studien ligger i att det i Sverige idag finns ett pågående arbete med att implementera eller revidera ledningssystem för systematiskt kvalitetsarbete inom socialtjänsten. Kulturens betydelse av effektivitet och framgångsrikt kvalitetsarbete kan inte nog belysas. Studien kan ge inspiration till ledare och organisationer, främst inom socialtjänsten, att förena systematiskt kvalitetsarbete och arbetet med kultur.  Fortsatt forskning bör ha fokus på ledarskapets betydelse avseende organisationskultur, men det saknas även forskning som visar hur förbättringskultur skapas som stäcker sig över organisations- och professionsgränserna. / The present study has examined the cultural and systematic quality work in social services. The main purpose was that through the application of cultural and force field analysis study how well prepared a unit in social services is to follow the intentions of systematic quality work in social services. The study was conducted based on the PDSA cycle as a variant of action research and was based on a case study in the Individual and family services in Hammaro municipality. The results were analyzed on the basis of a force field analysis, where with and counterweights were identified. My results show that overall there was a positive attitude towards systematic quality work, but that the culture did not suggest the same. In summary, the unit has poor conditions follow the intentions of systematic quality work. If they must be incorporated into the device's positive attitude persist, lead an active presence, employees involved and the culture is changing. The value of the study lies in the fact that in Sweden today there is an ongoing effort to implement or revise management system for systematic quality work in social services. The importance of culture of efficiency and successful quality work can not be elucidated. The study may provide inspiration for leaders and organizations, primarily in the social services, to reconcile systematic quality work and work culture. Further research should focus on the importance of leadership organizational culture, but there is also a lack of research that shows how improvement culture is created that extends across organizational boundaries and profession.