Crystal Cathedral: Megachurch Has Mega Problems

The Crystal Cathedral is one of the most impressive church sanctuaries in America. Designed by architect Phillip Johnson, it is home to the ministry of Robert Schuller. It is arguably America's first modern megachurch and it is bankrupt. Some say the church may be tens of millions of dollars in debt. Hard to believe that back in the 1950's, Schuller started delivering sermons at a drive-in movie theatre. Schuller deftly brought religion to where the people were: a parking lot. A disciple of Norman Vincent Peale, Schuller preached that a positive outlook could overcome many of life's obstacles, and this brand of feel-good Protestantism, along with old-fashioned showmanship was a huge hit in southern California. The church grew and millions tuned in to watch the hour of power on Sunday mornings. After decades of success, Schuller has tried to pass his ministry to his children. It hasn't worked, leaving the megachurch with megaproblems.

Just a minute...I'm Harry Smith, CBS News.

23 Comments Add a Comment

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Glork says:: Wasn't "hubris" something that caused "a awful, terrible bad downfall"- if I remember my high school classics notes correctly? And didn't a few cool heads try to prevail before the monstrosity building was constructed? I guess restraint has always been the lot of the humble but I for one am thrilled to see this sham of excess bear its rotten fruits. A true herald of the American religious experience that is spiralling downward at an unprecedented rate of gravitational pull, I salute the orgainzation for this role at least. Popularizing the "God is a vending machine-put in your money in the plate-hop on one foot chanting 'I hope! I hope!' and wait to see your prizes fall into you lap" has been their downfall, but now let Osteen (highest bidder for the building so far) take it over. Oh, well. Live by the sword, die by the sword...; reply

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bobsyerunkl says:

If you live your life as though there is no God, you better hope you're right.


youbrew12 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Thats true. Cuz God, is a vengeful God. The creator of the Universe, who created a Universe 330,000 times the mass of the Earth (including all her people), nevertheless has all the petulance of a 2 year old (oh, wait, that's just the ratio of Earths mass compared to its nearest star).

You're an ant. Yeah, you figure in God's calculus, fool.

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cuffhead says:: They could turn this crystal building into a concert hall. Unlike the church, they wouldn't pass the plate every ten minutes.; reply

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tmittelstaed says:: What happened in this church was that Robert Sr. stepped back - which was good. You have to retire sometime. Robert Jr. then took over - and the church started losing members. This is absolutely a normal thing for a church. Churchs are very much cults of personality centered around the pastor and all of the mainstream churches have procedures setup when changing pastors to handle the transition - because they know that there will be many members who permanently leave. But, they also know that new members who like the new pastor and who would have never liked the old pastor, will come along eventually.

In this case, Robert Sr. should have simply grinned and bourne it. But he could not bear to see his church shrink so he decided to step back in and take over again. The end result of course was a disaster. And now, because the Schuller's have not been forthcoming about the real cause of the split, nobody trusts them.

There really is only one option open to the Crystal Cathedral now. And that is to find a dynamic preacher who is outside of the family and not an old family friend, to come in and take the operation over. Then go whole-hog in advertising and everything else to attract new members. Yes they will lose some members. Probably a lot. But much less than this steady bleeding in the long run. And it may be that they will lose the TV show because they cannot sustain the ratings. That is also OK too. 20 years from now when their membership is back up then they can look into doing a new TV show.; reply

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Hosheen says:

It's good to see that one more scam artist "religion" is tumbling down. Religion is, and always has been, the cause of most of the world's problems. That they are given special privileges is a disgrace and proof that many people prefer lies to truth and ignorance to knowledge.


Past80 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; I agree 100% Marx said that (Religion is an opiate for the masses) and I believe that.


murrowseye replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Communism with leaders like Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot etc became an opiate of its own.

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karek40 says:

The church failed because it ceased to preach the word of God and his children tried to run it like a business. For those of you who believe it is a fairy tale, I'll pray God will open your eyes before it is too late.


Hosheen replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Religion IS a business. The most successful scam in history. There is not god, any rational person able to think beyond the brainwashing they receive as children know this. Don't pray for me, that's offensive to anyone that can think for themselves. Your "god" does not and never has existed Dhow even on bit of proof.

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formrusmcsgt says:: Not just anyone could run a business into the ground that doesn't even pay taxes.........; reply

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newsterI says:: I'm so very pleased that this church is falling apart, I can only hope it toally collapses into a sea of crushing bankruptcy suits.; reply

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liberalme says:: Just look at that building--and jesus preached on a hill and got his message out. Wanna bet jesus/god didn't see any of that money?----

All these people "paying to pray" financing a mega church that obviously couldn't handle their (your) money.-----Well good thing there's another "mega" church nearby that would be happy to take your grocery money.; reply

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Farver4girls says:

My children and I went to the Crystal Cathedral's Christmas pageant several years ago. The pageant was absolutely beautiful with live animals for the manger scene and angels flying overhead. The music was beautiful too.


Hosheen replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; And remember, you paid for this circus with its phony message. Your tax dollars help support this scam.


documemts replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Appearance IS NOT substance...people love the idea that they can 'see' religion. What is that warning about "graven images"?