Pastor and author Joel Osteen tops the list of the 50 Most Influential Christians in America, according to The Church Report magazine.

“Osteen is most deserving of this note of thanks from the readers of The Church Report,” said Jason Christy, The Church Report's publisher/editor in chief who announced the publication's annual list today. The list is the result of more than 200,000 nominations from readers of the magazine and its online readers.

Osteen, author of the No.1 New York Times best-selling book Your Best Life Now (FaithWords), joins other past recipients President George W. Bush and Bishop T.D. Jakes as the magazine's most influential Christian.

The Church Report's top 10 of the 50 Most Influential Christians in America 2007 list includes Billy Graham, Bill Hybels, Bishop T.D. Jakes, James Dobson, Paul Crouch Sr., Joyce Meyer, Leonard Sweet, John Piper and Rob Bell.

Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, was chosen last month as one of the 10 most fascinating people in 2006, according to Barbara Walters. Osteen was selected among other prominent pastors after Walters heard him preaching.

For a complete list of the 50 Most Influential Christians in America, visit www.thechurchreport.com.