Crystal Cathedral laying off workers, selling property, canceling "Hour of Power" in some markets [Updated]

The Crystal Cathedral, the Garden Grove megachurch, is laying off workers, selling surplus property and may be pulling its “Hour of Power” television show from eight markets in the wake of a precipitous drop in contributions.

[Updated at 7:40 p.m.: An earlier version of this post said the church was pulling its "Hour of Power" TV show from a dozen markets.]

The 7,000-member church has also canceled its “Glory of Easter” pageant, a popular reenactment of the life and death of Jesus Christ, which sold tens of thousands of tickets each year.

“This cuts to the heart of our ministry,” said spokesman John Charles. “It is sad news.”

Charles said that the church’s revenue dropped 27% from roughly $30 million in 2008 to $22 million in 2009. “Our indicators show that 2010 revenue will drop,” he added. “If it maintains, that would be fine, but we don't have a crystal ball, so we are cutting.”

The church, founded by the Rev. Robert H. Schuller more than 50 years ago, lost members in the wake of a family feud after he stepped down. His son, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, succeeded his father, but stepped down in 2008 after disagreements. His sister, Sheila Schuller Coleman, is now the church’s leader.

[Updated at 7:10 p.m.: A previous version of this post incorrectly identified the founder as Robert A. Schuller and his son as Robert A. Schuller Jr.]

Charles said the church surveyed its members last fall to see if the dispute had caused a drop in revenue. But he said, “We found out it had no effect. It is the economy. We have people living on fixed incomes and a lot of older, retired people. Revenue has dropped at all nonprofits across the board.”

--Margot Roosevelt

Comments

[Pete Sommer]

Spelling, people, spelling. Or is now, the Gen. Stanley McChrystal Cathedral?

[My opinon means nothing]

Hummmmm, could this be part of the fullfillment of Rev. 18 about the judgement on the Whore of Babylon? They are part of The Whore whether you like it or not!

[Otis]

No crystal ball? They have a crystal cathedral! What happened to their faith? The Lord works in mysterious ways.

[Dave A]

I respect people of faith, but abominations like the Crystal Cathedral have always disgusted me. So much money poured into the glorification of man's attempt to look faithful that could have been better spent on "good works" and helping the poor.

How much did that thing cost to build? How much does it cost to maintain?

It's like Cardinal Mahoney's obscene cathedral downtown. $300,000 if I recall. How many homes for the disadvantaged Catholics in the area could that money have built?

These buildings are more about the ego of the ministry and members that build them than about doing "God's work" on earth.

[DeWayne]

Jesus cancels Easter. "We don't have a crystal ball, so we are quitting." For some reason I would think a Crystal Cathedral would have a crystal ball or something similar they could use.

[boris8]

Whatever else he was, Robert Schuller had great taste in architecture. (Has great taste: he's still alive) Neutra, Meier, Johnson/Burgee. The place is still worth a visit even if you're an atheist.

[MikeP]

Many today prefer to attend a small church where people know you and there is personal care and accountability. That's probably one reason CC is declining.

[Emilie in Minneapolis]

Well, the rift between Robert H. and Robert A. didn't bother the people they polled, who were probably sitting in the cathedral every morning, no matter who was or is preaching. It did bother people who left the church, and those of us who watched faithfully every Sunday from across the country. It bothered me a LOT.

Long story short: I had two uncles who inherited family farms. When Son-1 took over farm-1, Dad and Mom moved to town because, quoting my aunt, "There were too many bosses out there." Son moved the farm from dairy to small grains (his own path, not appreciated by his father). The farm remains in the family and is now profitably farmed by the grandson. When Son-2 moved to his family's farm, Dad and Mom lived in a different house but stayed on the farm, actively participating in all decision-making. That lasted about two years and son moved off the farm, went back to college, and is now nearing retirement. His children have no interest in farming. The farm was sold off piecemeal to neighbors and is lost to the family.

Robert A. may or may not have kept the CC profitable, but it was clear, even while he was preaching, that Robert H. still considered himself the boss. He'd sit in the background staring at his son and looking grumpy, not positive, not encouraging, just disapproving.

I was sad at having to watch that.

Best of luck to the Schuller family. I sincerely wish Shiela well--and hope she keeps "the farm."

[Jim8]

Our world would be better off when people get wise to donating money to TV preachers.

[Ranch Employee]

The facts in this story are: Rancho Capistrano has seen it's best year ever financially in 2009, and it's positive cash flow was used by the Crystal Cathedral to subsidize their operations. We have cut our expenses to the bare minimum and still are able to give guests a quality experience. They are not telling the true story. There is a story to be told that can be found by some good investigative reporting here. It has nothing to do with us being a financial burdern to the Crystal Cathedral. We had 98 weddings booked already in 2010 and many conferences, retreats and celebrations. Rancho Capistrano is not just a retreat center. It has a Wedding Department, Churches, Soccer Leagues, a Preschool and Camps. All of the people being displaced (over 65,000 come through the gate each year)and they have been given 60 days notice. All these people now have to find new places. The 2 churches have to find a new home in 60 days. The soccer leagues need to find new fields. The preschool and Kindergarten parents now have to find new schools mid year. The Crystal Cathedral could have kept the Ranch open until the end of 2010, and everyone would have had ample time to find alternative venues and jobs plus they would have had some extra cash to relieve their burden. The employeed are getting no unemployment or severance, and there are more than 50. At our staff Christmas party, we sent out 110 invitations to everyone on payroll. The day before Christmas, the food servers and groundsmen were given a 30% cut in their slightly over minimum wage pay on their paycheck with no notice at all that their checks would be less. No one quit, everyone stayed working. The rest of the staff has had a 5-10% cut and most of their benefits taken away and we all stayed working there, for the love of the guests, and the Lord, certainly not for the money we were making. We never get overtime or bonuses, and are paid about 30% less than others even in the non-profit sector. We are at the ranch because we are called to provide a "Spiritual Oasis" and ministry. We are grieving more for the guests and brides than for ourselves.

[Emilie in Minneapolis]

Am I correct that Rancho Capistrano was Robert A.'s creation? I think I recall the story from a sermon some years back, or did Robert A. start a different spinoff? Whatever, when he was named Senior Pastor I do recall wondering who was going to take over his former position.

[TANGYTOO]

hmmmm the Chrystal Cathedral closing or reducing, God bless them, where will the money come from? God, that cruise of oil that was used to make those hot cakes, it turned out to be more than enough., and Jesus fed 5,000 with 2 fishes and 5 loaves, where have we come to, where have we come from? where are we going? it was "give until it hurts" now no one dares to give?????

[jim]

we really need a new governor fast. the civil service penchions MUST be CUT or poor CALIFORNIA is going into the pacific ocean for ever. better speak up people..........................

[Noah Logan]

I for one do not care much about these kinds of facilities that take in all this money and to me, making over 22 mil is still a large sum of money to keep the people employed. I wonder just how much the leader of this scam id pocketing each and every year. His salary is probably 5 mill a year or more. 22 million is enough to keep these people employed. someone is taking in all the profits, and I don't think this pastor is looking to make any deal soon to save these people's jobs.
Hope the whole place falls and crumbles to the ground. Then he can take all the money he scammed from all the people and rebuild another one.

[Chris]

This is great news!

[BOOYA]

Can the city pay for the layed off workers early
retirement ? ...
...might as well...they are having taxpayers pay
for others...
all workers who are layed off should get full retirement
pay as well as others.

[BOOYA]

Can the city pay for the layed off workers early
retirement ? ...
...might as well...they are having taxpayers pay
for others...
all workers who are layed off should get full retirement
pay as well as others.