Last Schullers Leave Crystal Cathedral Leadership

by Steve Eastman, Faith Issues

It was a possibility Dr. Robert Schuller may never thought of until recently.  This past weekend he and his wife Arvella announced they were stepping down from the church’s board.  She put it this way, “We cannot continue to serve on the Board in what has become an adversarial and negative atmosphere, especially since it now seems that it will not be ending anytime soon.” The two had been disputing with the board over alleged copyright infringement and back pay for services, tied to bankruptcy issues. This puts the Schullers in the company of vendors who used to supply the Easter extravaganza.  Unpaid obligations to this group is one of the main reasons for the bankruptcy.

In a domino effect, Schuller’s daughter, Shelia Coleman, announced her resignation over the weekend.  She’s starting a new church called Hope Center of Christ.  Coleman had been pastor for several years.  During her watch, the Cathedral’s music switched in a livelier direction.  Reverend Bill Bennett says it will swing back to the direction of hymns.

Two other dominos fell last week.  The ministry fired Schuller daughter, Gretcher Penner, producer of the Hour of Power TV show, and her husband, Jim Penner, the program’s executive producer.

Because of bankruptcy, the physical facility in Garden Grove, California is changing hands. A Roman Catholic diocese, which had been without a cathedral, has paid $57.5 million.  What’s left of the congregation has just under three years to move.

Dr. Schuller says he is not following his daughter to the new church.  It is unknown where he will be spending his Sunday mornings.

© 2012 Faith Issues