Posted on 07/17/2011 9:35:10 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Crystal Cathedral, Orange Countys landmark megachurch, now faces an online petition launched by senior members alleging nepotism and a doctrinal shift by founder Robert H. Schullers daughters.
It is time to rise up and take our church back! says the petition, soliciting signatures of Crystal Cathedral members, former members, friends and viewers of Schullers Hour of Power weekly show.
The petition, which had received over 330 signatures as of Sunday, seeks a truly independent board, meaning no family member, no paid staff, and no paid contractors.
The board of trustees of the Crystal Cathedral currently includes salaried employees apart from Robert H. Schullers daughters and son-in-laws. Schuller, who along with his wife Arvella founded the church in 1955, was removed as a voting member early this month. His son Robert A. Schuller was voted off the board three years ago. Their dismissals followed their attempts to induct members who had no self-interest.
We have been in contact with the Classis and Synod of the RCA [Reformed Church in America] Denomination Headquarters, who governs our Church, and they will help us, adds the petition. Once 1,000 signatures are obtained, the petition will be sent to the RCA, the denomination the church is affiliated with.
The feud in the Schuller family became prominent in 2008 when the founders daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman, took control of the ministry after his son Robert A. Schullers departure. Robert H. Schuller, then 81, had given leadership of the church to his son.
Quoting longtime member Jim McDonald, The Orange County Register said Saturday a section of the church wanted the Schuller family to be transparent and was concerned about the large sums of money the church owes to creditors, and a recent decision to move the church toward a Pentecostal-type service with praise music.
The petition, posted on a new website started to bring supporters of traditional music together, also seeks to restore the long-established music of the Crystal Cathedral as presented by former choir director Don Neuen and pianist Roger Williams.
In my opinion, the Reformed Church did not do their job over the years to protect us members, but they were not consulted by the cathedral administrators either, McDonald said, adding that the Schuller children had brought down what their father built with their in-fighting, which is why it was time for them to leave.
McDonald recalled a meeting church members and elders had with Sheila Schuller Coleman in April 2010, which made no difference. When Robert H. Schuller was overthrown, they resorted to the petition seeking intervention of the denominations headquarters.
The megachurch, known for its iconic glass sanctuary but which owes about $7.5 million to unsecured creditors, filed for bankruptcy last October. The church owes money mainly to the vendors that provided services rendered for its Christmas pageant, overseen by Schullers second daughter, Jeanne Dunn, and her husband, Paul Dunn.
The churchs budget crunch forced it to lay off 140 people in a little over a year, cut 50 percent of its Hour of Power air time, sell assets and cancel key functions last year.
When founded over 55 years ago, the Crystal Cathedral was known as the Garden Grove Community Church and its first services were held in an Orange drive-in theatre. The construction of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove was completed in 1980 and cost $18 million.
Have a fund raiser Pellet guns 5 shots for ten bucks
Question.Are we just shooting at the glass,or do we get a shot at some of the people involved?
I don’t even consider it a “church.” It’s a post-Christian cult centered around positive thinking and personality, not Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
RE: Shuller was always smiling and the word “sin” was seldom mentioned.
Schuller’s message is mostly about positive thinking and feeling good about yourself. His message is not very Biblically balanced.
Oh Heavens! I just meant the glass. I drive by that place a lot. and i just would love to plink out a window or two I would never really do that it would just be kinda fun
I was just kidding...
What the heck? Even most Baptist churches don't allow a pastor "giving the leadership" to someone else. What kind of Consistory do they have?
---(From a Baptist who grew up in a community chocked full of RCA churches)
Met one of the daughters when they were crewing for the TV show. Escaped moments later.
What happens when your “church’s” foundation is built on the ego one man rather than on the Glory of God.
Aren’t these also the folks who practice ‘Chrislam’?
The first clue was hidden in their lavish surroundings for all to see.
But if i could it would be old man shuller pop him in the nutz wipe that carp eating grin off his face
We have been in contact with the Classis and Synod of the RCA [Reformed Church in America] Denomination Headquarters, who governs our Church, and they will help us,
'bout time. "Church as family owned franchise" is not normal Reformed church polity.
Karl: WTF??
Hans: Shoot the glass!
Karl: Whatever. Learn some German, Hans!
“”The construction of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove was completed in 1980 and cost $18 million.””
AND God was not impressed....but the people attending there sure were.
It might stop the local Catholic bishop (Tod Brown), who covets this monstrosity, from buying it.
I used to watch once in awhile, and I always had a bad feeling about it. I can't remember ever hearing about sin, judgement, repentance, and the blood of Christ. It did not take me long to figure it out.
Regards
Obviously, Crystal Cathedral is in the same shape as California is.. pity..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.