Faith

Crystal Cathedral Founder Rev. Robert Schuller Controversially Ousted From Church Board

Crystal Cathedral Founder Rev. Robert Schuller Controversially Ousted From Church Board The situation is looking pretty grim for the Crystal Cathedral, one of the nation’s first prominent megachurches. Last year, in the middle of financial crisis, the church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now, internal debate seems to be spilling over into the public sphere after Rev. Robert Schuller — the founder who literally built the Crystal Cathedral from the ground up — was controversially removed from the church’s governing board.

Crystal Cathedral’s demise comes after decades of hard work and dedication on behalf of Schuller, who got his start in Southern California in the mid-1950s preaching about the “power of positive thinking” from the roof of a concession stand at a drive-in theater.

He later turned his humble pulpit into one of the nation’s first megachurches, beaming his weekly Sunday service into 1 million homes worldwide through the “Hour of Power” TV show, which went on the air in 1970. Watch a KTLA-TV interview below for more:

According to sources, Schuller wanted to enlarge the ministry’s board of directors but members voted him off instead. Robert A. Schuller, who was his father’s designated successor but himself was ousted from the church by family members in 2008, has also confirmed this in recent interviews.

“It’s a very sad day and unfortunately, I know how that feels,” the younger Schuller told the Orange County Register. “A majority of that board consists of paid employees of the church, and that’s a serious conflict of interest.”

Robert H. Schuller has been at odds about the church’s direction with his two daughters, including Sheila Schuller Coleman, who has served as senior pastor since 2008. The church has seen a host of problems since then, including succession fights, dwindling attendance and most recently bankruptcy brought on by massive debts.

Schuller and the Register did not give details on the vote, but he said his mother, a board member, voted with the minority to keep the senior Schuller.

The elder Schuller’s granddaughter and the daughter of Robert A. Schuller, Angie Schuller Wyatt, says that the ousting was “surprising, but not completely unexpected.” As CNN reports, she continued:

“They did it behind his back, just like they did to my dad. They conspired behind his back and made this happen. This board is causing the demise and the destruction of the Crystal Cathedral.”

Pastor James Kok, who has been on staff with the church for 28 years, mirrored similar sentiments:

“They weren’t letting him do anything anyway. Those of us here see it as symbolically awful. They had effectively stopped listening to him two or three years ago. It’s symbolic, not functional. He was mostly put on the shelf by his daughters.”

“They have no experience in ministry and no care for the people of the church. They have no theological experience. Zero. Those of us who bothered to go to seminary for five years are left on the shelf.”

The move is the latest of several – some voluntary, some forced upon him – that have brought a diminished role in the California megachurch for the elder Schuller. It is not clear what role, if any, he’ll still have.

The church has submitted a plan in which its campus and famous, glass-spired sanctuary will be sold to a real estate investment group for $47 million, then leased back to the church for services.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (71)

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  • JGraham III
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 10:49am

    The Church in America and around the world can largely be seen in Revelation 3 in the tiny ‘letter’ to the Church of Laodicea. It was a place where the church members thought they had it all together but were according to the Lord woefully lacking. the demise of the Crystal Cathedral as well as any other church or denomination looks very much like the Church of Laodicea: all show but little or no substance inside, with the Lord outside, knocking to come in.. They need to put much less effort into the show and much more into the rediscovering of the Word. and rebuild the foundation.

    Report Post »  
  • rdk
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 10:39am

    Meg churches are mega businesses. Their primary function seems to be that of making the big dough.

    Report Post »  
  • ChinUpUSMom
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 10:03am

    This was one of the churches that Jack Van Impe was sounding the alarm about reading verses from the Koran on Jun. 26 to show that we can get along with Islam. Do you think they would read verses from the Bible to show how tolerant they are of Christians? NO! Many people who claim to be christian never read the Bible, so they have no weapon of defense for the faith. Muslims are way more prepared to defend their religion than Christians here. Are Americans ready to die for their faith, because it is happening all over the world to other Christians. Like it or not we are in a holy war.

    Report Post »  
  • dizzyinthedark
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 10:02am

    This is what happens when you do not do good works, when you deceive the people.

    Report Post » dizzyinthedark  
  • letucci
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:42am

    The Church Age will come to an end, and Christians need to become totally reliant on their faith in Christ and Him alone, and stay in fellowship with the “true Church”…the body of Christ, not organized religion. “…Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee…” The time of sifting and separation is upon us! I pray for those deceived pastors who have signed a pact with Islam to establish a new religion…Chrislam. God will not be mocked…and His Word cannot be compromised!

    Report Post »  
    • Liberty1948
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 1:09pm

      We must get back to the “Home” Churches where a few are gathered in His Name and study directly from the Word. Small groups who work in conjunction without rebuilding the MegaChurches. We tend to be herd animals but we need to know when to stay in smaller herds.

      Report Post » Liberty1948  
  • Susie
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:37am

    All of the mainstream Bible based Christian churches have either thrown the Bible out, torn pages out of it or watered down the gospel to one degree or another, to accommodate the secular gospels, either of social and eco-justice, humanism, or the homosexual agenda, or any combination thereof. I do not know of one church which is not affected by it to some degree. The handwriting is on the wall for any church or congregation which goes down this road.

    Report Post »  
  • Seede
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:30am

    If Schuller had followed the holy scriptures he would not have had the females usurping authority in the church in the first place.– ( 1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
    1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. ) —
    The women today have screamed for years that they have the right to do as a man so this is one example of what they do. A number of years ago Schuller was also exposed as being a fraud — LOL to the whole bunch –

    Report Post »  
    • lhills
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:39am

      Agreed (and I’m a woman). When God says “no” that means no. When you make exceptions for something so basic as to who is to be leading your church, everything else crumbles too.

      Report Post » lhills  
    • mocroft
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:48pm

      Please, please tell me you are joking…

      Report Post »  
    • mocroft
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:50pm

      That was supposed to be a reply to the guy who said Schuller’s problems were because of his women not being in submission…

      Report Post »  
  • jlroejim
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:20am

    Hopefully this will be a big blow for “ Christlam” and for those such as Schuller who push and believe in it! It is not Christian, I pray for Shuller to rethink his views and come back to Christ before it is too late!

    Report Post » jlroejim  
  • Zen Patriot
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:16am

    From USA Today: … He (Schuller) strongly disapproves of an anti-gay covenant his own church administrators asked choir members to sign, stating that it goes against the principles of tolerance, acceptance and positive thinking on which he built his 50-year-old ministry. His daughters, on the other hand wanted the pledge signed — this got him fired I’m guessing.

    Report Post »  
  • Deckle
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 8:54am

    Dr. Schuller did a great job and I love him very much. He had the vision. It is sad that those that follow don’t. God can turn anything around and Schuller knows it. He has the faith the others don’t . This is why I stopped going to churches, I saw too much of this. Jesus never belonged to a church, he was a member of the church just like I am. I have no patience for nonsense like this. Thank you Dr. Schuller for all you have done for this country.

    Report Post »  
  • hojo
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 8:51am

    Religion for the Ma$$e$.

    Report Post » hojo  
  • sbenard
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 8:32am

    I remember occasionally watching Dr. Schuller’s Hour of Power way back in High School. I’ve purchased and read some of his books. They are very empowering. I remember being struck by his testimony of Christ. He was my favorite pastor outside of my own Church. Sad end! Imagine leasing your own Church building after you once OWNED it!

    Report Post » sbenard  
  • Southernguy
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 8:28am

    Chalk up another one to greed. Just like them idiots over on TBN. Name it, claim it, blab it, grab it. Send us your money and you can have your very own personal miracle, delivered right to your door. What ever happened to just plain old simple Bible teaching and faith?

    Report Post » Southernguy  
  • dthej
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 8:10am

    Ye shall now them by their fruits. This doesn’t surprise me at all. I have never been a “fan” of Shuller and his preaching and have always had a bad feeling about his ministry. Christ never preached the power of positive thinking and in fact Paul said I can do nothing without Christ. Sure we all need to make the right choices but that is it, the power to do what is right comes only from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

    Report Post »  
  • MaggieRose
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 7:57am

    I find this very sad. There was a time where the kindness and the preaching of the elder Rev. Schuller made a huge difference in my life, and for him to be repaid this way is just sad. I always found his program uplifting and inspirational. May he find peace. I pray for the direction of his church… sounds like they need it. What a mess.

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  • Weaver
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 7:05am

    So many of the churches today are one verse reverends…..they read one verse of the Bible and then spend the next hour telling personnal stories for amusement. They never quite get around to preaching the true Word of God.. The Bible warns us false teacher at the end times…….judgement starts at the pulpit.

    Report Post » Weaver  
  • holy ghostbuster
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 6:53am

    @ PATRIOTGODANDCOUNTRY – Christianity can’t even be merged into one faith with 30,000 different sects, factions and varieties to choose from!

    Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
    • Weaver
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 7:12am

      We all are part of the Body of Christ……each with our own purpose…..much like you wouldn’t criticise your arm for not doing what your leg does, so is the Body of Christ. We are all charged with finding and searching for truth in the Scriptures…..many are at different learning levels. We are not to judge but to debate vigorously in love and compassion to pursue what is truth.

      Report Post » Weaver  
    • Southern Rebel
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 8:45am

      Amen on that!

      Report Post » Southern Rebel  
    • Tepeyac
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 3:41pm

      There is but One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church! There is no unity among sects outside the Church because they decided to pick and chose what they wanted to believe. How could they agree?

      Report Post »  
    • Abila
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 6:22pm

      Religion bashing isn’t wanted. You don’t know much about the differences among the denominations which are very small-they all have the same foundation.

      Report Post » Abila  
  • patriotgodandcountry
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 6:48am

    This is what he gets gets for bringing in Chrislam. Christianity and Islam can not be merged into one faith.

    Report Post »  
    • letucci
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 9:28am

      Is Schuller one of the 200 that signed a pact with Islam to form a new religion…Chrislam???

      Report Post »  
  • holy ghostbuster
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 6:47am

    Modern day scam artist.

    Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 6:16am

    Such churches thrive in times of prosperity because people want to believe that the gravy will always naturally flow. But when times get tough these churches have no Gospel to offer. They deserve to fall.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 6:09am

    I pray for his salvation. Not of money but of forgiveness. I also pray for the churches that are like his that are leading the people away from God with their theater type church services but no word being taught.

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
  • Glenn
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 5:59am

    I used to think that was the best church “money could buy”.

    Report Post »  
  • ssortors
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 2:56am

    dont they ever read what they preach? A house divided can not stand!

    Report Post »  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 2:41am

    Last year Schuller was literally begging people to give him money to help with their 6 million dollar debt. I thought to myself, ”6 MILLION DOLLARS!!!”…..whats up with that!
    The way I read the story, elsewhere, about his son leaving the church was that he did not agree with his father‘s ’secular gospel’ and left……Who knows?
    It appears Schuller was running the church into the ditch and they had to get rid of him.
    Hope they get it together and come to the true gospel…………

    Report Post » Rational Man  
  • Jasgent
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 2:34am

    focusing on money, and not god. A sure way to oblivion. But then again focusing on positive thinking and not god is again a sure way to failure. Looks like the Crystal Cathedral, needs some prayer, if they even do that anymore over there.

    Report Post »  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 2:46am

      I’m sure his daughters want to go in the new-age direction that a lot of mega churches are blundering into. I wish their Father good luck and may his faith not be shaken by the greed in his own family. Does prove on major point though… evil is everywhere. It can even work it way into your blood-lines.

      Give the left a giant middle finger. Help us draft Allen West… http://www.AMillionGoWest.com

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • ramburner
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 3:55am

      This church was never a Christian church anyway. It never preached the Gospel and it has all the markings of the typical Congregational church. More of a social club than a church. God will judge the leaders of the church. I hope they are saved, but I am really not sure of that considering what they allowed to happen. The Congregational church has the same issues; the people tell the leaders what will be done and when. It should be that the Pastor sets the course and the deacons talk about the issues regularly. But as reported in this case, the people are running the church, totally unscriptural in everything they have done over the years. Messages have scratched itching ears and have had no lasting impact on even its congregation. I am NOT surprised.

      Report Post »  
    • dodgeball
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 1:53pm

      Couldn’t agree more. A social, nicey-nice, watered down, don’t offend anyone, Gospel just doesn’t cut it…never has!. A person can think ‘positive’ thoughts all day long and still be lost if they don’t know the truth…and the truth is not necessarily found in ‘positive thinking’. Faith is the substance of things hoped for…the evidence of things not seen—now THAT‘S positive ’confession’! I guess the Crystal Cathedral, besides having money and managerial problems, ran out of things to think positively on.

      Report Post »  
    • Paul G
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 2:33pm

      My Grandmother listened to him EVERY Sunday in the 70‘s and 80’s……But he reminded of a ‘white’ Jesse Jackson. Just wanted $$$….

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 10:56am

      How about a report on Rev. Robert Schuller personal finances. Something tells me he won’t be filing for bankruptcy. Along with James Baker and Jimmy Swaggart this guy is another great example of exploitation of religion. Isn’t this the guy who coined the phrase “God’s favorite color is Green” No doubt he worked tirelessly to spread Christian ideals and do God’s work.

      Report Post »  
    • BlazingPatriot
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 4:36pm

      As in many churches nationwide, change is always difficult for elderly pastors and leaders but it may very well be time for the senior Schuller to retire once and for all.

      Another one who really needs to throw in the towel (cloth), no pun intended, is Jack Van Impe, who’s been getting a bit cantankerous as of late.

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
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