UPDATED from February 1, 2009: How ironic!! Exactly one year ago to the date, comes this update on the Crystal Tower of Babel. Apparently, the downturn in the economy may not be such a bad thing. I posted a while back that Rod Parsley is hemorrhaging cash. Just goes to show, when you base your “ministry” on how many unsuspecting people you can fleece out of their hard-earned money, it’s a pyramid scheme that’s bound to come crashing down. Well, now, it looks like the ungodly empire built by Mr. Self-Esteem himself is about to circle the drain:
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.”
Charles 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.”
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The original February 1, 2009 post:
Apparently, the Robert Schuller empire, symbolized by the Crystal Tower of Babel Cathedral and built by the ultimate ultra-feel good pastor, the one who built a monument to man, whose shimmering building commemorates the gospel of Satan, is about to come crumbling down. (NOTE–link no longer works. sorry). One word describes this news:
Good.
It is a good thing that this man-made facade of a church should dissolve into dust. It is a good thing that this empire, built on the lie of universal salvation, should return to the dung heap from which it came. Just like the Tower of Babel, which was built for men to worship the “God” of their own making, so was this abomination of man’s making built to worship a fuzzy-wuzzy “God” who is not holy, is not righteous, and is not even real.
Once one of the nation’s most popular televangelists, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller is watching his life’s work crumble.
His son and recent successor, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, has abruptly resigned as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. The shimmering, glass-walled megachurch is home to the “Hour of Power” broadcast, an evangelism staple that’s been on the air for more than three decades.
The church is in financial turmoil: It plans to sell more than $65 million worth of its Orange County property to pay off debt. Revenue dropped by nearly $5 million last year, according to a recent letter from the elder Schuller to elite donors. In the letter, Schuller Sr. implored the Eagle’s Club members — who supply 30 percent of the church’s revenue — for donations and hinted that the show might go off the air without their support.
If Robert Schuller continues to preach a God who will save everybody, and that we are not sinners, and that we will all go to heaven–in other words, if he continues preaching a different gospel–then when he dies, he will suffer a much greater fate than watching his private Tower of Babel fall to the ground.
Galatians 1:8-9–But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Christ Alone Wyoming 
I was in a room a few years ago where the channel was on a mothers day program with Schuller Sr. His special guest was Naomi Judd. This is a person he held up as a wonderful mother. I nearly choked when he ask her what was her key to raising such successful children. That alone should sound off warning signals to Christians that something wasn’t right in this church. I agree with you that it won’t be a great loss if the church goes down. Doylene
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Perhaps failing megachurches could start asking for government bailouts?
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Ginger,
When I first read what you said, I started to chuckle. But then I started running it through my mind. That might not be as far-fetched as it may sound.
Think about it: we have a president who is eager to show the world that he considers himself a Christian. He promises these large churches some kind of financial benefit from the government–with one condition. Don’t talk about the two things he supports very fervently (namely abortion and homosexuality). Considering how cozy Rick Warren is with Osama, and how Warren doesn’t mind tossing biblical doctrine out the window in the name of Purpose™ and a dollar, he just might put his support behind some kind of deal like that.
Not saying it will happen, but…..
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John Charles said:
” “If it maintains, that would be fine, but we don’t have a crystal ball, so we are cutting.”
I’m rather surprised the crystal cathedral didn’t come with a crystal ball. To think all these years they only had a Bible. Hmmph!
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To think all these years they only had a Bible.
Yes, that is correct–a Bible, singular. Unfortunately, that was being used by the maintenance staff to level a table in their break room.
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If he hasn’t done so already. Maybe Schuller should take some pointers from his WOF brothers and sisters.
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It served it’s “purpose”. It can come down, or become a giant greenhouse. It’s glass, representing non-separation from the world, has done it’s job. Schuller can retire with his riches. Others have now taken over. He has mentored Warren well. Warren is now the mentor of a bumper crop of emergent pastors, who, in turn, have captured much of the next generation in their false gospel, presenting a false Jesus, and inventing a false, worldly Christianity for the postmodern world.
“Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE., COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.” (2Cor.6:16-17)
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May the LORD be glorified in the demise of this heretic and his false gospel…….
Sounds harsh I know, but enough is enough.
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Maybe if they had a crystal ball?
I was drug to a men’s seminar at that place several years ago by a friend who didn’t hardly survive the 60’s, but became a believer anyway. A physiologist spoke, then Schuller, then Coronal James Irwin spoke. His (Irwin’s) was one of the most power personal testimony’s I’ve ever heard. As he was about to extend an invitation to give your live to Jesus, Schuller interrupted him, and changed the subject. Very sad indeed.
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So sorry to hear they couldn’t make do with only 22 million a year. Yeah, everyone is tigtening their belts!
Since when does a church have “revenues” anyway..where is THAT in the Bible?
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“Since when does a church have “revenues” anyway..where is THAT in the Bible?”
Answer: When they are being run like businesses as opposed to churches.
I caught the same thing too when they mentioned “revenues”.
W.
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All I can say is, “Let The Idols Hit The Floor!”
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