Rev. Robert Schuller PLEADS For Help For his Church

Rev. Robert Schuller made a plea from the pulpit as he spoke publicly for the first time since the church filed for bankruptcy protection Oct. 18, according to the Associated Press article below. It must be so very hard for Dr.Schuller to be in this position with the church he so proudly founded and prached in for so many years.
     . . . June

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Schuller pleads for dollars for Crystal Cathedral
The Associated Press Sunday, October 24, 2010; 11:21 PM

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.

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.


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