The "Hour of Power" will no longer be the voice and face of just one or two individuals, said renowned preacher Dr. Robert H. Schuller. After 30 years, the popular television ministry is expanding its platform to include other influential Christian voices.
But the vision to expand the program beyond a single personality in order to reach a broader audience has strained relations between Schuller and his son, Robert A. Schuller, who disagreed with the move.
"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," the older Schuller said in a statement released Sunday. "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."
Schuller removed his son as preacher on the weekly show.
The younger Schuller had taken the reins of both the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., and "Hour of Power" ministry in 2006. Shortly after, he published a book, Walking in Your Own Shoes, telling the public that he would not try to fill his father's big shoes, but rather take the ministry forward in his own shoes.
Part of his plans included taking the "Hour of Power" to the entire world, expanding its audience to China, India, parts of Africa and South America.
For over three decades, the Schullers had been the exclusive voice on the "Hour of Power," sharing unique positive messages to now some 20 million people. But the olderSchuller said he feels called by God to build bridges between Crystal Cathedral Ministries and other powerful ministries and wants his listeners and followers to hear other "amazing preachers," including Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church and Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.
The long-term survival of his ministry was dependent on expanding its imprint beyond the Schuller name, he said Sunday to his congregation, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"The real minister's name that we honor is Jesus, not Schuller," he said. Much of the congregation agreed as they applauded.
"[W]e don't want one face . . . to be a spokesman," the 82-year-old pastor added, as he expressed his hope for the ministry to continue on for decades, according to the LA Times.
In a statement of support for both Schullers the Reformed Church in America, Classis of California, which the Crystal Cathedral is a member of, said in a statement, "Classis would appeal to all those who love and serve Jesus to stand with the Schullers and the Crystal Cathedral during this positive transition as Robert A. and Robert H. find more clarity in their very unique and individual callings.
“They are not just television icons; they are precious individuals loved by God and millions of people around the globe,” the church group added, “and they deserve our utmost respect and support."
Robert H. Schuller said he will continue to host the weekly church service and also preach from time to time. Meanwhile, his son will continue to serve as the Orange County church's senior pastor.
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I applaud Dr.Schuller for saying that the real minister's name we honor here is Jesus, not Schuller and his desire to include many more preachers to preach the Word of God. Too bad his son does not share this vision. The son's idea of wanting to expand the hour of power to other continents like Asia, Africa and South America, while commendable reads like a business model for expansion of a family business built by the father. It smacks of wanting to expand the family brand. I would not be so suspicious of the son's intentions were it not of the history of evangelical leaders involving their families in ministries. Joyce Meyer, Oral Roberts, even Billy Graham are some examples. There is nothing wrong in wanting to spread the word of the Lord as a family, but it is wrong if succession is based on heredity and genetics and not based on who is truly qualified for leading the ministry and wanting to keep the wealth as it were inside the family. Serving the Lord is a privilege and a calling. Just because a parent is called to serve, does not mean a child automatically is and should not become the public face of the ministry for the next generation until they have a true calling. These great ministries are not business empires to be bequeathed to family. They are created by people called by God, financed by people of God and should be led in the next generation by people who again have the calling of God and not just by children inheriting their parents ministries by default. Organizations so built will thrive long after the people who built them are gone because they do not depend on a last name to be credible or popular, but on one name - Jesus Christ.
God raised Dr. Robert Schuller and a great ministry was
established. God has a greater plan in everything, and
God can use his son to initiate an entirely new ministry
to reach out the world. Dr. Charls Stanly and his
Rev. Andy Stantly went into two different directions but
God is greatly using both of them reach out millions of
people. It is natural that the dad wants his children
walk in their shoes following their steps exactly in
the same direction, but God's steps and direction for
each person is totally different than the fathers
dream about. Let the will of God be done, and pray for
both of them to be used by God in a greater and mighty
way in the days ahead.
believer,
That is the way we do communion at our church as well. But it is the Pastors job to inform, or warn, people. That's all God asks them to do in that situation. Only the Holy Spirit can convict and execute judgement upon those who are not right.
Well said, believer.The key is to educate people on who is able to partake, but even then we are ultimately letting each person decide for themselves whether he/she qualifies for participation.For example, if we say that anyone who is a Christian may partake, then each person decides whether he/she meets that criterion.I have seen children partake who probably should not have, but the parents said nothing.I had an Elder in the Church come to me fussing about children partaking, and I said you can't walk up to someone and say you can't partake.All you can do is educate people and then you have done your part.They are responsible for what they do once you have told them the truth.
prophet, I agree to a point but let me share this and you tell me what you think, in the Bible we read that leaders and specifically Pastors will have to give an account for what they taught and how they led the people of their congregations. As a Pastor before we observed the Lord's Supper I'd explain to all present that we practiced open communion and what that meant, I'd also talk to the issue of partaking in a worthy manner and I would have a time of silence so people could allow God's Holy Spirit to reveal to them anything in their life be it unconfessed sin or anything else that would cause them to partake of the celebration in an unworthy manner. And even after that there were parents who allowed their children who were not saved to participate as well as those who were willfully living in sin who also participated. I say that to say this, as a Pastor will I have to give an account to God for not confronting those things rather than letting them partake and how could I have kept those things from hindering me of truly experience the fullness of the celebration as I watched people partake of the celebration in an unworthy manner? And I did specifically address those two specific issues on several occassions. That's one reason we observed the Lord's Supper only on special occassions like Christmas Eve and New Years Watchnight Service and Sunday nights, which cut down tremendously these issues.
I agree with you Prophet.What are we going to do, pull the tray back from people we don't think should be partaking?
The Bible says for every person to examine themselves. And if they partake unworthily, then they will will bear the judgement...not the church. So, it's not the church's responsibility to determine who is worthy.
tallguy, I know many Baptist churches who practice closed communion where only those who are a member of that church can take part, but I know many more who practice open communion where if you have made a profession of faith and been baptized you are free to participate. Plus, as a Pastor I've struggled with some who partake since I know they were willfully living in sin. My problem is God's Word limits participation to those who have been saved and followed the Lord in believer's baptism and who will partake of the Lord's Supper in a worthy manner and some would say even the believer's baptism is not specifically spelled out in God's Word for those who are eligible to participate. So once again the catholic church is using an extra-biblical standard to determine who can participate and as far as I know don't allow the local parish to veer from.
You know, while I disagree with Catholics on doctrine, and believe the leaders teach certain doctrines that are against the word of God, I find myself offended by some things being said here. There seems to be no spirit of love among some of us. Can we disagree about doctrine without being rude?
Prophet, I hear what you are saying, but in my case I just chose not to go back.I'm still friends with the girl who attends there, but I haven't visited again.
The Catholic Church and the Pope is not Holy. Only God is and Christ embodied that--outside of that, there is none holy, not one.
If I were to marry the Catholic church then I would defintely be a spiritual adulterer.
Do you worship Catholicism? Or Christ?
No thanks, I'm already married to Christ. Why settle for something fake, when I've already got the real thing?
adultry... yeah kinda like that. Again, you're welcome to "marry the Church" become Catholic, and experience Christ in His fullness. Until then, all they are saying is that it's a mockery to want "communion" with us on your terms.
Prophet, communion or not, I still stand shoulder to shoulder with you and worship Jesus. Really most importantantly, it's all about Him!
The more I hear coming from the Catholic machine, the more I'm glad I live in the Truth.
Oh. So you consider me having communion with the Catholic Church as adultery. Hmmm...might makes right.
Prophet, would you allow me to sleep with your wife? I don't think so, nor would I want to, she's your wife, not mine. Why do you slam the Holy Catholic Church and then want so badly to be in "communion" with it? That makes no sense. If you want the Eucharist, do you also want reconcilation (confession)?
The irony of your statement is that we are the ones that truly accept the body (and blood) of Christ.
Goldeneagle,
Remember what Paul said...it's better to please God than man. If God told His believers to partake of the bread and wine, then do so. If "leaders" and "bishops" condemn you, then their judgement will be seven fold. They are men. God is God, and if I want to observe communion at a Catholic Church then I'm going to. I don't care who it offends. It will only offend those who are carnal and not in tune with God's Spirit.
I am part of the Church. I'm just not part of YOUR church. The only thing that the Catholics are doing is denying the Body of Christ, which is a sin. Catholics aren't the "true church", they are not "the only way to God" (as the Pope claimed). The true Church is people from all denominations who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and have made a committment to attain to His image (not the image of a preacher, evangelist, or Pope).
In all honesty, I feel sorry for the RCC in that it neglects and rejects a huge part of His Body. And they will receive their reward for their lack of unity someday.
I visited a Catholic Church with a girl I once worked with, and I didn't know any better, so I went forward and took Communion.She told me at work that it wasn't appropriate and that I could get in trouble with the Church leaders.I guess being around Protestant Churches all my life that practice Open Communion, I wasn't aware of the differences.A lesson learned.
I know, it's a sore spot with many solid Christians. Some of my Christian friends who have come to Mass with me feel a bit slighted because they are way more committed to Christ then a lot of the bench warming Catholics that we see at the Mass. The bench warmers smugly walk up to receive the Eucharist with their car keys in hand, my friends who live 24/7 for Christ see it as hypocritical and unfair.
Yet the Church isn't doing this to be arrogant. The best parallel that I can give you is that it's similar to a marriage. As a Christian you are not to sleep with your girlfriend until she becomes your wife. The Catholic Church sees this in the exact same way; you are welcome to become Catholic, kinda like marrying into the Church, but until then you are not to receive / partake in the Sacraments. It's not really fair for you to slam the Catholic Church the way you do, and then want to "sleep" with it.
I totally understand you're burning desire to receive the Eucharist, the real body and blood of Christ! It's a beautiful thing, a powerful feeling! But then you might also want to receive another one of the wonderful Sacraments next time you're at Mass with your wife's family; reconciliation. Try it, it's pretty amazing! Confess your sins.
You can join the Church, then you'd be welcome to receive the Eucharist each and every day of the year. Check us out. Sign up for RCIA next season, it's free, and you don't have to make a commitment to the Church. Just explore it, you've got nothing to lose.
God bless and sanctify you .... <><...
Yeah you would. Because I know you would not allow me to have communion with you because I am not Catholic. That there is denying the Body of Christ.
Oh, you've just got to hang out with the charamatic Catholics for a while and you'll see the same kinds of healings. I'm amazed at how many of my prayers are answered!
Prophet, I'm sorry to hear that you've been treated wrongly by these people. I wouldn't do that to you.
God bless...
Yes, it's much easier to blindly follow a lie, than to search out the scriptures yourself.
And we still speak the truth. And we're still a part of the Body of Christ. And God still uses us to do His will.
I just went to a church service last night where people were saved, a man who had lung problems and had a hard time breathing was miraculously healed. A woman with cancer was healed. People were delivered from oppression and addictions. And it wasn't even a Catholic Church. Actually, I've been to a number of Catholic churches and have never experienced anythng close to that. I was unjustly treated by the Catholics, but I forgive them.
Doesn't matter, they're just doing what protestant's do best....protest, then start your own church. That will now make 34001 protestant denominations.
Sounds like a clash of television personalities. He's not the right one to continue with the famous Crystal Cathedral tv ministry but he's fine to run the church as an unseen entity? Much of what the senior Schuller has been teaching in recent years is questionable anyway, so it's no loss.