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Schuller Family Split: Son Out at Hour of Power But Still Senior Pastor

Orginally published on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 11:09 PM
by Todd Rhoades

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Crystal Cathedral founder the Rev. Robert H. Schuller told his congregation yesterday that his son would no longer be the preacher of the church's weekly "Hour of Power'' syndicated TV broadcast. Instead, the church will bring in a guest pastor each week to preach during the show. But he told about 1,000 churchgoers during the 11 a.m. service that he did not force out son Robert A. Schuller. "I did not oust my son," Schuller said. The decision was made by the church's board of directors and leaders, the senior Schuller said. Schuller said the move is not a slight against his son, but rather aimed at growing the church worldwide. "Hour of Power" is broadcast to more than a dozen countries worldwide."

Not a slight against his son? Maybe. But most probably not. The elder Schuller said "I don't want the face of the church to be mine or my son's." But the younger Schuller son will remain as the Senior Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. Can anyone say... AWWWWKKKWWWAAARRRDDD?!

Here’s a press release from the Crystal Cathedral…

Garden Grove, CA October 26, 2008
America’s Television Church ― The Church of Tomorrow

By Dr. Robert H. Schuller

It is no secret to any of you that my son, Robert, and I have been struggling as we each have different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry as we move into the future. For this lack of shared vision and the jeopardy in which this is placing this entire ministry, it has become necessary for Robert and me to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry to each pursue our own unique God-ordained visions.

For over thirty years, my son and I have nearly exclusively served as the face and voice of the Hour of Power, America’s Television Church. But today, I realize that as America’s Television Church, we need to extend the pulpit of the Hour of Power to serve as a platform for the greatest preachers in the world and this is the exciting news we share with you today.

Forty years ago, we founded the trend-setting Institute for Successful Church Leadership. The ministers who attended those institutes went on to build amazing ministries that transcended mine. The pride that I have felt for these men is akin to the pride that a teacher feels when the accomplishments of the students surpass those of the mentor. Their ministries are renowned and they each have built megachurches that are transforming thousands of lives. For some time now, I have been eager to introduce these preachers on our weekly-televised worship service, as well as others who are powerful voices for Jesus Christ:

• Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church in a Chicago suburb (weekly attendance of over 20,000).

• Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas (14,000 members).

• Walt Kallestad of Community Church of Joy in Glendale, Arizona (12,000 members).

• Juan Carlos Ortiz, one of the world’s premier evangelists who is credited for influencing the revivals sweeping Latin America including Columbia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Guatemala, where tens of thousands are accepting Christ each year.

I am so proud of these men and many, many others whose ministries have transcended mine! As a churchman, first and foremost, my goal in life was to build the church of Jesus Christ with our unique positive message and inspire other pastors to build their churches also.

Now, I feel called by God to build bridges between Crystal Cathedral Ministries and these other powerful ministries. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism…” (Ephesians 3:4,5).

I want to continue to share these amazing preachers with the world by sharing the powerful televised platform of the Hour of Power with them. I want my faithful followers on the Hour of Power throughout America to get to know them and to not just hear their messages of hope and inspiration once, but throughout the years to come.

No longer will the Hour of Power be the voice and face of just one or two individuals. We are now going to continue to embrace and celebrate the best of the best by inviting them to share our pulpit with us. Watch for more and more of them and others in the upcoming months of 2009!

I will continue to host the weekly service and also preach from time to time. All the services will continue to be broadcast from the world-renowned Crystal Cathedral with our great tradition of the most beautiful church music in the world. And, of course, we will continue to bring amazing inspirational interviews, living testimonies of God’s power every week.

I believe that this is God’s dream. And with this new vision, we can guarantee for years to come that our viewers will always receive the best message of hope and inspiration possible.

Your thoughts?

Get current updates from MMI and me here: http://www.twitter.com/toddrhoades

This post has been viewed 5773 times so far.

There are 55 Comments:

Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 6:03 AM

Could it be that God is moving to finally rid this country of false teachers? It would be answered prayer.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 7:25 AM

Maybe Schuller’s son came under conviction and repented preaching their “false gospel”. Wouldn’t surprise me. Schuller (sr.)’s church was the original “seeker-sensitive” church and it was upon this foundation which most of the “Seeker-sensitive” churches are built. Schuller (sr.) lays claim to this in his statement concerning being the Teacher/Father to all the “great” pastors (based on size of their churches) in America.

I do hope that Schuller (jr.) repented and embraced Yeshua’s death and resurrection.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:14 AM

Katrina,

If God truly were riding the country of false teachers then this blog would cease to exist because the leadership network would close down because of lack of funding.
Posted by Todd Rhoades

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:22 AM

Let’s save all the ‘they had it coming, false teacher’ crap for other websites. They’re talking about this there too, so save it for where people enjoy that kind of thing.

Here, let’s talk about the implications of a rift on staff, this one between father/son; or current pastor/predecessor.

Thanks,

Todd
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:29 AM

sam, explain your self on what you just said, who are you calling a false teacher, or teachers
Posted by Todd Rhoades

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:32 AM

nope… let’s not go there…

Todd
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:46 AM

i was just curious to what sam was talking about, i have read a lot on this blog and have never thought anyone was a false teacher, we do not agree on everything, but surely not false.
Posted by Cindy K

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:48 AM

Thank you Todd.
Posted by Pastor Tony

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:49 AM

Hey Todd…

It’s a beee-yoooo-tiful day in downstate Illinois!

Blessings to you and what you’re trying to accomplish through MMI.

I appreciate you!
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 8:57 AM

Let’s ignore that this is a very public ministry and a very public split. My observations here is that I see this happening a lot when there is a long-time pastor leaving, but not really leaving. Dad was still there and even though son was given the mantle it looks like dad kept the claim check and took it back when they disagreed.

Either the Senior Pastor is the Senior Pastor or he isn’t. If the pastor emeritus can take it back there was never a clear path to a leadership change in the first place.

Regardless of what you think of the Schulers, this is a bad thing.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:03 AM

Father seems to have left but still wanted to control. It’s hard to believe if Dad did not want this the board would have pushed it. The statement read to the congregation is pretty strong. This is a rift that will cause a rift in the congregation. I say it’s a matter of time until Junior is gone. He has already been publicly embarrassed by his father. The only other possibility I see, is that there is something hidden that the leaders don’t want revealed.
Posted by Peter Hamm

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:12 AM

If you can’t get together on vision, the longer you work together, the more the vision and mission suffer. Too awkward, and thanks, Todd, for reigning it in.
Posted by bishopdave

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:16 AM

How reminiscent this is of First Baptist Dallas, when W.A. Criswell stepped down after 3 centuries of successful ministry and after naming his successor, Joel Gregory, wouldn’t step out of the way after the “transition” time passed. Or the fiasco that developed at Bellevue, Calvary Chapel at ABQ, and others.

Megachurches get mega under uber-strong leadership. When that leadership now is retiring, dying, or whatever, many of these leaders don’t seem to lay the mantle down too easily.
Posted by Scott Nichols

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:19 AM

Schuller is one of ours (the Reformed Church in America) and this is not too surprising. The Hour of Power and the day in day out ministry of the Crystal Cathedral have been separate for some time. The move is primarily strategic marketing. Schuller has seen his influence and money dry up in the smiling face of Joel Osteen. To market the greatest preachers in America would draw more people and money back to the Hour of Power.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing since most of the preachers he has already noted are far more evangelical and sound than Schuller himself.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:24 AM

There have been plenty of rifts. Every church has been scrutinized as “false teachers”.

I’ve learned one thing, it’s usually the ones that are pointing the fingers that are the false teachers.

The church has one Commision and One Commandment.

Any church that deviates from that is outside of the will of God, so you can imagine, the list is long, and it probably includes YOUR local church.

This reminds me of the rift between Calvary Chapel Founder Chuck Smith and his son Chuck Smith JR.

Although I do not believe they are identical, the are not completely different either.

There are too many judges in our churches, and it ‘s time for most of them to shut up.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:40 AM

Yes, lets ignore that Schueller is a false teacher and focus on something else because that hits too close to home.

I guess when the bible talks about false teachers that is a bunch of crap too.

I am sorry Todd. Next time you post can you give us the rules of engagement. I dont know why you think that Schueller’s man center false teaching is out of bounds other than it hits too close to organizations that pay your salary but its your sandbox and you set the rules.
Posted by Peter Hamm

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:48 AM

Sam, perhaps you should take another look at the “About MMI?” link at the top.

But beyond that, I think a common-sense rule of engagement is to be polite and respectful, kinda what the Bible is talking about when it says “do your best to live at peace with everyone”.

Ask yourself if you do that, Sam.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:49 AM

I’ve been in the same place. Was elected Sr. Pastor of a church my father pastored for decades when he ‘retired.’ A few months later he was rested and decided he didn’t care for the direction that I felt the church needed to go.

It was brutal! I hung on, as humbly as possible, but feeling that God had called me and the congregation elected me. Cost 40% of the congregation and a relationship with my father for 3 years!

But, today… 9 years later, the church is stronger than ever and our relationship has healed.

I don’t wish it on anybody!
Posted by Todd Rhoades

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM

Sam… the best rule of engagement that I can give you, is… quite frankly, to go away.

I can’t think of ANY comment you’ve ever left here that wasn’t negative against me or any of the topics we discuss here. Yet you return, time and time again.

The rules of engagement are totally up to me, you are correct, since it is my blog.

However, continuing to say that I won’t discuss touchy subjects here because of my employment is ludicrous.

And, just for the record, I have no connection with the Schullers, the Crystal Cathedral, or the Hour of Power. i’m not on their payroll, they are not a client, and I’ve visited their campus one time (and pressed my nose up against the glass just like everyone else there on a weekday).

As I said, if you want to discuss false preaching, feel free… at any of the other websites that are closer to your ‘sandbox’. Just not here… not because I agree with everything anybody says (obviously I don’t), but because that is not our discussion focus here.

Thanks… now back to my work of propogating false doctrine and expanding my sandbox and financial base.

Todd
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 10:01 AM

“Scott Nichols” is on the right track. Anyone who thinks this is anything other than a business decision needs to step back and consider. All the talk about “false teachers” and the like ignores the business reality of Crystal Cathedral and other megachurches. We should view them as little more than business enterprises, handed down from father to son (like Pat Robertson’s broadcast enterprise, Jerry Falwell’s university, even Billy Graham Ministries), focused on business survival strategies. There is little to be found of truth and light in such enterprise.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM

Peter,
you mean this from About MMI:

“You don’t need to agree with everything printed here at MMI. Most don’t; and that’s ok… we especially like pieces that we can read and stretch our mind; and sometimes we even like to read things that we really don’t agree with so we know what ‘the other side’ is thinking and where they are coming from.”

Yes sir Mr Rhodes. I didnt see the qualifications about the discussion when you posted this about Schueller. I missed the part where we werent supposed to talk about the false teaching that has led thousands astray and fleeced the flock throughout the tenure of the Hour of Power.

I will bow out now. Wouldnt want to disturb your “gravy train” any more. My apologies
Posted by Todd Rhoades

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 10:05 AM

John U,

Why paint with such a broad brush when you say, “We should view them as little more than business enterprises, handed down from father to son (like Pat Robertson’s broadcast enterprise, Jerry Falwell’s university, even Billy Graham Ministries), focused on business survival strategies. There is little to be found of truth and light in such enterprise.”

That seems a tad bit unfair…

Todd
Posted by Todd Rhoades

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 10:06 AM

Sam,

Thanks for bowing out… now we can get back to what we do best here…

Hop on board… the gravy train is leaving the station and Sam’s not on it…

Todd
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 10:33 AM

This kind of stuff is sad to me. Never really mush paid attention to the Schuller’s or hour of power. But I am a dad, I am a son and that dynamic is what makes me sad.
Posted by

Monday, October 27, 2008 at 10:45 AM

Two things strike me:
1) the refusal to relinquish the reins by leaders as they advance in years, and 2) the nepotism so rampant in the church --particularly fundamentalist, or pentecostal/charismatic churches (some of them Sam-the-castic-critic’s type). Running a congregation --or denomination in the case of Calvary Chapel-- like a closely-held family concern, or business, is NOT healthy. The feedback from “outsiders” that I receive is that it’s hurtful to our image as Christ-followers. The medieval church had the same problem: the “ecclesia propria” however with a different cause (Feudal landlords).

Thanks for kickin’ Sam off, Todd.

Kevin

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.