Faith

Tearful Schuller Pleads for Dollars for Crystal Cathedral

Tearful Schuller Pleads for Dollars for Crystal CathedralGARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) — Crystal Cathedral founder the Rev. Robert H. Schuller on Sunday tearfully asked his parishioners for help in overcoming the megachurch’s bankruptcy and tens of millions in debt.

Schuller, 84, made the plea from the pulpit as he spoke publicly for the first time since the church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Oct. 18.

“I need more help from you,” Schuller said, according to the Orange County Register. “If you are a tither, become a double-tither. If you are not a tither, become a tither. This ministry has earned your trust. This ministry has earned your help.”

Schuller’s voice cracked with emotion as he told congregants about his family home and cornfield in Iowa getting flattened by a tornado when he was a teenager.

“I learned from my father that tough times never last,” Schuller said. “Tough people do.”

Citing debts of more than $43 million, the Orange County-based church that also produces the long-running “Hour of Power” television show declared bankruptcy last week.

The church, founded in the mid-1950s by Schuller, has already ordered major layoffs, sold property and canceled its annual “Glory of Easter” extravaganza.

Church officials have said that for the time being, “Hour of Power” will remain on the air though the number of stations airing it has been cut.

A New Chapter from Crystal Cathedral Ministries on Vimeo.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows a business to keep operating while it tries to put its finances in order under court supervision.

The church has said its money troubles are almost entirely the result of the recession, but others have blamed an inability to keep up with the times and leadership and succession problems that included a disastrous attempt to hand the church over to Schuller’s son.

Schuller’s daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman, ended up assuming senior pastor duties.

She assured church members Sunday that using “Biblical” money management the church would get out of bankruptcy.

The congregation gave Robert Schuller a standing ovation near the end of his daughter’s remarks.

One longtime member said she admired the Schuller’s efforts but that maybe the church needs a change in direction.

“Sheila is really trying hard and she is a good person,” said Jean Hess, a member for 30 years and a greeter at the church’s doors. “But, I think, to get back to where it was, the church needs to look outside of the family to find a true leader.”

William DeVries, who was visiting the church from Arkansas with his family, said he thought the church would get through the current mess.

“We’ve watched the “Hour of Power” for years,” he told the Register. “This is an inspirational church that has preached to people internationally. This is a tough situation for them. But I think they will survive.”

___

Information from: The Orange County Register, http://www.ocregister.com

Comments (171)

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  • srmumz
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:43am

    I remember as a little kid watching him preach on top of the snack bar at the old Orange Drive-In’s swap meet.

    Where God guides….God provides. Tear down your crystal tower Bob.

    Report Post »  
  • spinwizard
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:42am

    If the “Crystal Cathedral” was about God, it would not be in $84 million in debt.
    God provides for those doing His work. “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [other] things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33) Maybe the “Rev” Schuller
    has lost “The Way”.

    Report Post » spinwizard  
    • Jezreel
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 8:08pm

      You are precisely correct. It is not the will of God. He should not beg for money either. I am glad that not only is the government is being exposed but “judgement start first at the house of God and at us”. It was a horrible waste of money and not a need. It was the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life which is not of the Father, but of the world.

      Report Post »  
  • moonpeace
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:28am

    Since when do we encourage or help poor stewardship. The congregation would just be enabling the same type of mismanagement in the future.

    Report Post » moonpeace  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:20am

    Rev. Robert H. Schuller is an amazing man……….you did what others could not, as you have aged others have not done, and cannot do . The church was about you and God and what you did together…your kids are not you, down size…….relax and watch God.

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • LSX
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 5:46am

    Living beyond your means has consequences.

    .

    Report Post » LSX  
  • dubs-a-loom
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 5:42am

    PATRIOTATHEIST – Don’t condemn all of Christianity for these fools. Sorry we that believe don’t take them when we die, we Go to them eternally. You got someplace to go?

    Report Post »  
    • patriotatheist
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:18am

      Dubs, i do not condemn all of christianity for these fools… i condemn all religions who believe in an invisible sky-being supposedly controlling all things in the universe but who doesn’t possess the cojones to reveal his/her existence to us incontrovertibly….

      …and i do in fact have someplace to go… a roast beef and swiss sammy on rye awaits me at the local deli… ; )

      live every day as if it were your last, dubs… you are a good person…

      Report Post »  
  • patriotatheist
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 5:32am

    I say let them go belly up and sink to the bottom of the proverbial ocean where they rightfully belong….

    and may they take their so-called “god” and “savior” with them….

    Report Post »  
    • BlazingPatriot
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:43pm

      I’m sorry, but there is no such thing as a patriot atheist. You are simply confused. On second thought, perhaps it is the “God of Atheism” you believe in

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
    • patriotatheist
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 4:49pm

      Blazingpatriot, you are a blazing idiot… atheism is in no way a religion, and Glenn himself has spoken highly of patriot atheists he knows and respects…. grow up….

      Report Post »  
  • QweeQwa
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 4:33am

    I’m absolutely shocked!

    Report Post »  
  • justice
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 4:23am

    you do not need a church made of million, jesus spoke from a mountain…all it takes is a little white steple church and all will come…

    Report Post »  
    • neverending
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:42am

      That is so absolutely true.

      Report Post »  
    • BlazingPatriot
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:38pm

      ….and when “all start to come” by the hundreds or even thousands, you had better be ready to begin a building plan to fit the needs of your expanding congregation. After all, this is what the true work of Jesus is. Reaching out to lost souls. If your church isn’t growing, perhaps it’s time to find a church that is!

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
  • Hmschlmom
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 4:14am

    Never liked this show, and that is unusual for me.

    Dr. Shuller was way too much of a talk show host for me. I didn’t see why on earth a pastor would do celebrity interviews at the pulpit. What does interviewing the Dad from Eight is enough have to do with Sunday worship service? Feels like church…Vegas style! Too glitzy for my taste…

    I FAR prefer Pastor Charles Stanley…(in touch ministries) He is real…no frills…no talk show/church in Vegas feel…

    Report Post » Hmschlmom  
  • gracie07
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 4:04am

    look at all the beautiful temples that the church of jesus christ of latter day saints build…they are fully running and not one cent of debt..schuller maybe should of taken note

    Report Post »  
    • srmumz
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:51am

      All Cults usually are dept free….especially when they have mandatory tithing.

      Report Post »  
    • BlazingPatriot
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:33pm

      Let’s not mention all the Catholic Churches elaborately filled with mahogany and marble – not glass.

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
  • Richard
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 3:33am

    Shouldn’t of built that building in the first place…..GOD doesn’t need buildings neither does the WHOLE church…..GOD wants your heart, to mold you into who HE made you to be…cleanse you from sin and regenerate you unto salvation…..YOU Christian are HIS tabernacle Where HE dwells, Does HE sit on the Throne of your heart?…………Pray for Schuller to repent seriously…he truly needs to step down and acknowledge his error……….
    REV 3:14-21
    To the Church in Laodicea

    14″To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
    These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

    Report Post » LION4JESUS  
  • TreeTrimmerJim
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 3:28am

    It started with a book signing tour for me. Rev Schuller and his son were both signing books. I bought Rev Schuller’s book and his son was upset when he signed it too. I have remained upset to this day with his son. When his son became the main pastor I stopped my affiliation.

    Sincerity is created by hard knocks not genetics. Same quality we see in Glenn some saw in Rev Schuller, a quality that is not transferable, its earned.

    Report Post » TreeTrimmerJim  
    • BlazingPatriot
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:28pm

      Get over it, cry baby!!

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
    • OBAMAWORSHIOER
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 4:20pm

      I WANT TO GREATLY THANK THE EDITORS OF THE BLAZE FOR PLACING UP THIS HEADLINE. IT GREATLY DIVERTS PEOPLE FROM THE IMPORTANT NOV 2ND ELECTION. I think we have paid the Editor very well. I’m suggesting giving the editor and staff a big raise provided me from Soros. I also to get a raise.

      You folks are so easy to deceive it hardly makes it worth the battle BUT the money is GREAT.

      Report Post »  
    • RedDawg
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 5:29pm

      Every demagogue serves to reinforce the beliefs of his followers.
      When they lose their message, the sheep stray.
      The trick is to stay on step in front of the parade and then convince others
      that you are leading it.

      Report Post »  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 3:17am

    Shuller lost me a long time ago. To me, he became too much the motivational speaker and too little a teacher of the gospel. I prefer a pastor that researches and teaches the gospel in depth and presents that foremost at the pulpit. I was no fan of the celebrities he used for recognition either.
    Perhaps Shuller allowed the church to grow into a bloated bureaucray which always distorts accountability. Perhaps now, he should just allow the church to fail and reorganize into a smaller, more effective voice of the gospel. In any case, it is sad to see them in such dire straits. I am in no position to give them money but, I will pray for them

    Report Post »  
  • burnteye86
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:53am

    I’ve seen churches succeed in strip malls.Churches don’t have to look like the Taj Mahall. (if I did‘nt spell that right i’m sure someone will let me know).

    Report Post » burnteye86  
    • MR_ANDERSON
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 8:21am

      You misspelled, “didn’t.”

      I’ll say a prayer, heck two. One to save a church and to allow it to become a home of great Holy inspiration, and one to provide a leader that the Lord will work wonders through. May only God’s will save the church, for the will of man has not.

      Report Post »  
  • runnin.whitehorse
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:17am

    Preaching for the god of money, the words of filthy lucre. Where in the image of a man do you worship so faithfully to God? That’s right, get out your damn wallets and pay, or God will burn your souls to hell if the preacher man’s wallet is not full. Surely, a biblical over reach.

    Report Post » runnin.whitehorse  
  • ZeitgeistBuster
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:57am

    Joseph,

    Those are some amazing drawings. My cousin Cindy did a drawing inspired by the song “Ghost Riders in The Sky.”

    You people with artistic skill have my respect and admiration! ZEITGEISTBUSTER LOWERS HIS HEAD AND GIVES A RESPECTFUL SALUTE!

    Report Post » ZeitgeistBuster  
  • ZeitgeistBuster
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:50am

    I didn’t set out to offend. Robert Schuller has been a person who a lot of shut-ins connected to and took comfort from because they had precious little contact from their own family. My respects to him for that.

    I just couldn’t get into his style.

    I also didn’t mean to imply that Mr. Schuller was embezzling from the organization. My comment about an independant auditor was steered toward insurance against an employee abusing a position of trust.

    Television time is hugely expensive. And big budgets lend themselves to hiding misappropriated funds.

    It could be as simple as a cultural outlook. Mr. Schuller may have downplayed advice given to him about the downturn in finances. I’m sure that his whole life experience before now has been one of “we will just press forward in faith, and God will provide.” But that is easier when the country you are operating in is expanding and rewarding entrepreneurs. It is much harder if the overall condition is one of decline. There is be no reason to be ashamed of pushing forward in faith like that. Many business owners have to operate that way through the struggling startup phase.

    If the explanation for their situation is the latter, then I really feel for Mr. Schuller. Hopefully we don’t all have to curb our own expectations in like manner in our own lives.

    Report Post » ZeitgeistBuster  
  • joseph Fawcett
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:29am

    I am not sure why, but I have never trusted the message coming from the pulpit. I think he focuses way too much on raising up the individual and lowering God for my liking. I am sorry for their troubles but I won’t be donating to them. I belong to a great small church that is really trying to move into living church together as we are suppose to do. A one hour tv service cannot do that for anyone.

    http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist

    joseph Fawcett  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:19am

      I looked at your art sketches, and will say that your talent is a genuine gift, sometimes that is the way it happens – suddenly you start doing something and you are wonderfully shocked. I used to work in oils and watercolors, mostly landscapes and aniamils for the state fair in AZ. Art colleges have also said I had “No appreciatable talents” so my interests have shifted to doing aniamils and my line of cat-girls in pencils and pastels (Its been just a couple of years for my cat-girls since starting them, I cannot draw or sketch humans worth a hoot.)

      My hat is off to you.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • cmoursler
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:25am

    Hey, I know there are a ton of showboater preachers…but I have never viewed Reverend Shuller as one of those. He is a genuinely nice guy. Yes he preaches positivity almost exclusively, but I have a feeling the reason he took the church back from his son was because his son wouldn’t teach about sin. He built that church. When are we going to stop ripping people down. I don‘t know if it’s just in our nature as people or if we all get some kind of sick jollies off it. He has done something with his life…he built something. If it’s crumbling then this is the last gasp of an old man watching his life and his dreams fall apart. Maybe we should have some compassion.

    Report Post »  
    • Goldenyears22
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:25am

      I haven’t seen Dr. Schuller do any preaching about sin. God does not intend for churches to go into debt and spend, spend, spend. Sounds like our government. We are told in the Bible to owe no man anything but to love them. Maybe they could start by selling their big homes, cars and returning to what God intends for them to be. A church that preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have not heard them preach very much about Jesus, but a lot about accolades for all kinds of people. How can the people give more than they are giving when they have not been careful with money and just borrow and borrow and go deeper in debt. A reminder to all of us to be careful with what we have and not overspend or ove rextend. Look at our government, take a lesson government. Stop the spending and cut back.

      Report Post »  
  • ZeitgeistBuster
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:13am

    I was never impressed with Robert Schuller’s mellow-dramatic style. Always seemed insincere to me.

    Money problems are bad. They need a good auditor to see if there has been some embezzling. They obviously were not watching month to month trends, or there would have been course corrections indicated as early as 30 months ago.

    They should become a Muslim organization…. then the Petro Dollars would flow in on a magic carpet and rescue them…. ;)

    If this is a trend away from Ostentatious show boat Christianity back to something more humble and hearthy and genuine, then it is a welcome sign to me.

    Report Post » ZeitgeistBuster  
  • Huckabee Gingrich 12
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:11am

    The fact that the church is “tens of millions” of dollars in debt begs the question…why? This sounds irresponsible at best and scandalous at worst. Either way Schuller seems to be a poor steward of God’s money, and needs to retire immediately.

    Report Post » Huckabee Gingrich 12  
    • mexicanhasmyjob
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 8:10am

      i agree. and i wonder after all those layoffs is he still getting a check?

      Report Post » ((GB)) FAN  
    • White Devil
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:12pm

      As a Christian, I’ve always felt uncomfortable when I saw schuller in his robes and his crystal cathedral. He had that pharasidical pious look. Maybe God is trying to tell schuller something. He has an opportunity to turn this around. Lose the mega church, get back to the basics. That being said, I try hard to follow scripture and be the best I can be and blow it every day. I don’t beat myself up, I just keep trying to be better the next day. This can be a teachable moment for schuller and he can become an effective minister.

      Report Post » White Devil  
  • IOnceWasLiberalButNowISee
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:46am

    Schuller has been preaching “name it, claim it” all these years and the irony of the moment doesn’t register on him? If the “gospel” he has been preaching all these years were true, this wouldn’t be happening. All that money that went into building such a magnificent facility and now the place may end up empty and on the auction block . . . sad.

    I can’t help but think of the contrast between Schuller and George Mueller, who raised hundreds of orphans in England in the 1800s. George never asked people for money, praying to God instead and the ministry NEVER had a shortage of funds.

    Report Post »  
    • joseph Fawcett
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:31am

      Great point!! I have to agree!

      http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist

      joseph Fawcett  
    • sgallion1
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:21am

      100% agree.

      Report Post »  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 3:23am

      The Rev., his son and daughter need to become a double tithers. Theirs is the name on the deed to the place.

      Report Post »  
    • dubs-a-loom
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 5:37am

      90% is the mortgage 32 million! Please stop telling us you are so sad…… We are so sad that you couldn‘t or wouldn’t be better stewards of God’s money. This remonds me of historical evalist that said if we didn’t give a Million dollars God would take him home, I‘ll say what I sad then I love you and hope you are known by the father’s son, your works will not get you in.

      Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 7:38am

      And what cup would Jesus chose? The simple one or the crystal one?

      Report Post »  
    • bstand
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 8:36am

      It is a great point and truthful. However, Schueller is not a “name it and claim it” guy, he is a feel good, speak positive guy and the point doesn’t really apply to his ministry. I pastored for 40 yrs and finally the last 10 we only put out an offering basket for people to give as they purposed in their hearts. We prayed and never asked for money and operated with what God provided….. it was amazing.!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • neverending
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:29am

      It is a great point and all so true.

      Report Post »  
    • DeclareTruth
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:19pm

      What a good observation!!

      Report Post »  
    • rebel4liberty
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 8:12am

      You nailed it. God doesn’t need that building. He wants to reach people where there at, not make folks feel glamorous at church. Think of how many people could have been reached with the Gospel if they hadn‘t wasted it on ’outward appearances’.

      Report Post »  
  • benditlikebeck
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:39am

    Good riddance

    benditlikebeck  
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 7:07am

      Kind of a douchie response there bendy,,, Maybe you can try a hetro type relationship.. You know ,,One you don’t have to pay for by the hour??

      MAULEMALL  
    • lmikow
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:05am

      Wow…that’s cold. So what does your remark prove other than you’re hateful?

      Report Post » lmikow  
    • Race
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:35am

      If a classroom need be no more than a log with a teacher at one end and a student at the other, why must a church be some grand edifice filled with bling?

      Report Post » Race  
    • Red1492
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:19am

      Hey, if they can’t pay their bills like everyone else, they need to downsize. It‘s what we’re all doing.

      Report Post » Red1492  
    • NewportDan
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:12pm

      The best churches are the ones without the cameras and multi million dollar fancy buildings. Just some good ol’ preaching n teaching of the gospel.

      Report Post »  
    • Ready for Revolution
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:08pm

      Be very careful where you throw your stones. We “all” live in glass houses and are just an illness or job loss away from losing “some or all” of what we have. I’d bet that Schuller and company are very good stewards of money but are simply caught up in the economic times.

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:12pm

      I don’t blame “bendy” for feeling this way…i had ordered newsmax for awhile…but the day joel olsteen was on the cover…I cancelled….this guy wouldn’t now a hard time if it bit him in the___….schuller gives me this same feeling…the greatest “preacher” I ever read about was John the Baptist and he wore sackcloth and ate locust…now you tell me who was working for God and who isn’t…these churches don‘t even follow God’s word…they tickle your ears…God will not be made a fool and he is not the God of confusion…the bible says the pastor is to be the husband of one wife…so many of these mega churches have woman preachers…I know I will hear alot of backlash on this…but I’m just quoting from the bible…if you don’t FEED the people…they will starve….

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • RedDawg
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 5:25pm

      Maybe “the flock” is donating to the Tea Party, or buying gold or investing in Beck merchandise.
      Politics is the new religion for some……….
      Get a new message Robert.

      Report Post »  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:34am

    Get some introspection. Why with all the parishoners are you losing money?

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:12am

      Understood, a church is still a form of business where you need fiscal responsibility and have the accountablility go along as well. Most people assume the equation of Church = Money, and that Church = Gullible/Greedy. Depending on ones outlook and experience.

      Most churches do try to keep a reserve emergency fund availible, for facing the tough times such as in an recession. So I wish them luck and Gods grace, they may succeed. Hopefully they and others will learn from this happening.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Stuck_in_CA
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:57am

      Amos 8:11. God will bless a church that feeds the sheep.

      Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
    • WVRob
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 7:15am

      Look at the building and the money and how they spend it. Look at the pulpit. Look at the people who run this church. Listen to what is said in the pulpit. Now, take out your bible and look to the first Christians and how they worshiped, read the word of God.

      Report Post » WVRob  
    • ME
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:10am

      Suffering for Jesus these poor souls just suffering for Jesus. Yes that is sarcasm, mega churches are just mega businesses. I would love to see the assets of the board and pastors I bet there golden parachutes make Enron look conservative.

      Report Post » ME  
    • Mustangdave
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:35am

      Perhaps…Mr Schuler’s personal accounts should be looked into? TV preachers always seem like flim-flam artist to me.

      Report Post » Mustangdave  
    • ConsChristian
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:12am

      There are many television ministers that I enjoy watching. None of them preach “religion”, they all preach the Holy Bible. Most of them teach prophecy – which I have studying for over 30 years.

      Having said that, I find Reverend Schuller’s program unwatchable. God has told us to “test the spirits”. I believe that he lets us know who is right and who is wrong through the Holy Spirit. I‘m sure there is a reason that I don’t like this guy. In my opiniont, the luxurious, egotistical “crystal palace” thing does not represent God’s teaching – especially when they are so far in debt and trying to guilt Christians into giving more.

      Report Post »  
    • wonderbug
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:15am

      Sometimes, Mustangdave, but I’ve never thought of Rev. Schuller to be flim-flam. It‘s been a while since I’ve tuned in, but when I had, I always found him to be inspirational. Ever hear how that Crystal Cathedral came to be? Quite a story! Strikes me as a man of deep faith.

       
    • broncocasey
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:47am

      The tower of Babel comes to mind.

      Report Post »  
    • stephenb.net
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:58am

      I NEVER liked that building or his focus on the Crystal Cathedral. What a huge waste of money for the sake of what? What good has that building done for people of the world? “Opulence…I has it.”

      Jesus didn’t preach opulence he taught humility and sacrifice. There is no place in Christianity for such a vapid display of wealth as a pulpit to spread the word of God.

      Report Post »  
    • SoonerChap
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:23pm

      True ministry is helping the hurting not paying for the building, tv show, or the theater show. Get back to the basic and focus on the people.

      Report Post »  
    • Peraslax
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:50pm

      Not my place or business to judge this guy at all, wether it is what he preaches about or what his finances are. But I do know a bit about church finances and I can guess what happened here. They probably had a set budget going on what they had received from viewers and paritioners in the past. When things get tough as they are now and specially out there in Calif, those donations drop FAST. It’s amazing how the church offering plate is so affected by the economy. Now when this happens, churches can usually tighten their belt buckles and ride out the storm. But this has been a LONG run and when 90% of your dept is your mortgage, it’s tough to cut corners to affectively ride out the storm. Im not talking the merits of weather the mortgage should be that high, thats between Shueller, his paritioners, and God. After all, that Crystal cathedral was built YEARS ago and the original mortgage had probably been paid off at least once. Now they are just caught up, like a lot of people and businesses, in this whole mortgage/ wall streat mess.
      Now as far as Shueller owning a big house, so what? He is a multi best selling author so owning a big home doesnt neccesarily mean he was skimming from the church. He didnt need to.
      I‘d just admonish all of us into not turning into Job’s friends here and automatically think Shueller is in this mess because of something he did wrong.

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    • Strictlybusiness
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:49pm

      You MAY be a truthtalker, but your a bit SLOW in your thought process. California – 60 Mins,TV News Hour did a story last night 10/25/2010on the true unemployment numbers in California 22% Who pays the tithes in the church in question, Hmmmmmm? That would be the same people unemployed !!.

      Report Post » Strictlybusiness  
    • leumas
      Posted on October 25, 2010 at 7:52pm

      Probably most are unemployed or have taken serious cuts in compensation as I have. I only know a few hundred folks, of all of them 3 got a tiny raise, 90 got laid off, and 60 took a 40% cut in pay. The others I haven’t talked to lately.

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    • Spookytruck
      Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:14am

      The church is the people, not the building. When Jesus preached the sermon on the mount, there were no walls, no steeple, no pews. When Jesus said “Upon this rock, I build my church.” He was speaking of the foundational truth that Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, son of the living God.” The foundation of the church is in the recognition of that truth. Not Peter being the foundation, whose name means rock. Christ was not building the foundation of His church upon Peter, but rather upon the revelation Peter received from the Father in heaven.

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