Crystal Cathedral Lays off 50 People; Selling More Property
- Posted on February 10, 2010
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- (4) comments
According to the LA Times:
The Crystal Cathedral, the Garden Grove megachurch, is laying off 50 workers, selling surplus property and may pull its "Hour of Power" television show in up to eight markets because of a precipitous drop in contributions.
The 7,000-member church also has 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."
harles said the church's revenue sank 27% from roughly $30 million in 2008 to $22 million in 2009. Anticipating a drop in 2010 revenue, 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 retired. His son, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, succeeded his father, but stepped down in 2008 after disagreements. His sister, is now the church's leader.
Charles said the church surveyed its members last fall to see if the dispute had caused a drop in contributions. "We found out it had no effect. It is the economy. We have a lot of older, retired people," he said.
Thought: What stuck out to me was the "We have a lot of older, retired people". That should be a wake up call. If the economy doesn't sink you, the old people dying will, unfortunately 'bury' you. It's only a matter of time.
What do you think?
Todd
Comments
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Peter Hamm on Wed, February 10, 2010
Yes, if you don’t have something for younger people, you will, logically, die off with your older ones.
That’s why we should all try to give the church to its young leaders! NOW!
Geoff Surratt on Wed, February 10, 2010
“If the economy doesn’t sink you, the old people dying will, unfortunately ‘bury’ you.� It’s only a matter of time.” Todd, you’re such a sensitve guy. I’m starting to tear up just reading this.
Jed on Fri, February 12, 2010
I’m not buying the “we have a lot of older, retired people” as an excuse for not giving. My church in California is 50% over 65, 75% over 45. Our giving went up 8% last year. I’m calling shenanigans.
Jan on Tue, February 16, 2010
CC is also in a bad area. We lived there early in our marriage and it is honestly gotten dangerous there.
I think they probably need to take a very hard look at who they are trying to reach.
It is no longer an affluent white community.
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