Robert H. Schuller
Encyclopedia
Robert Harold Schuller (born September 16, 1926 in Alton, Iowa
) is an American televangelist
, pastor, speaker, motivator and author. He is principally known for the weekly Hour of Power television program which he began in 1970. He is also the founder of the Crystal Cathedral
in Garden Grove, California
, where the Hour of Power program originates. On January 22, 2006, Schuller announced his retirement.
in 1926. He studied at Hope College
and received a Master of Divinity
degree from Western Theological Seminary
in 1950. He was ordained
as a minister in the Reformed Church in America
. He worked at Ivanhoe Reformed Church in Riverdale, Illinois, before moving to Garden Grove, California. There he opened the Garden Grove Community Church in 1955 in a drive-in movie theater. He also built a new 300-seat chapel about four miles (6 km) from the drive-in theater. Schuller conducted a service in the chapel at 9.30 Sunday mornings and then drove his organ to the drive-in to conduct a second service there.
As the size of the congregations grew, Schuller purchased 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) at 12141 Lewis Street in Garden Grove for a "walk-in, drive-in" church serving both congregations. Ground was broken September 10, 1958, for construction of the new church designed by international architect Richard Neutra
. The church was completed in 1961 at a cost of $3,000,000. The dedication service was held November 5, 1961.
The design of the new church building enabled Schuller to preach his sermons to worshipers in 500 cars as well as to members of the congregation inside the church.
A "Tower of Hope" building was added on the north side of the drive-in church building in 1968; it rose 90 feet (27.4 m) in the air, the highest structure in Orange County at that time, and was topped by a cross. That same year, Schuller purchased the 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) walnut grove that bordered the north side of the Garden Grove Community Church for the construction of the much larger "Crystal Cathedral
" designed by architect Philip Johnson
. The church, which had glass walls and ceiling, was dedicated on September 14, 1980.
As the Crystal Cathedral’s founding pastor, Schuller was seen and heard internationally on Sundays from the pulpit of the Crystal Cathedral on the world’s most widely watched hour-long church service, the Hour of Power, 1500 of which were recorded. His local congregation at the Crystal Cathedral reportedly had more than 10,000 members at its peak.
, who was instrumental in developing the music department at the Crystal Cathedral and produced the Hour of Power for over 40 years. The Schullers had one son, Robert, and four daughters, Sheila, Jeanne, Carol and Gretchen.
Schuller's son, Robert A. Schuller
, and eldest daughter Sheila Schuller Coleman also became ministers and both have been senior pastors of Crystal Cathedral.
Schuller's second daughter, Jeanne Dunn, and her husband, Paul Dunn, oversee The Glory of Christmas and The Glory of Easter productions. Jeanne Dunn has assisted in various editorial contributions to various printed works and for Schuller's books. Her husband co-authored The Possibility Thinker's Bible and Living Debt Free with Schuller.
The third daughter, Carol Schuller Milner, was the writer, director, and producer of Creation: Once Upon All Time that debuted in 2005 to an audience of over 70,000. She co-wrote Schuller's autobiography, My Journey, and has written several other works.
The youngest daughter, Gretchen, is director of programming for the ministry. Her husband, James Penner, is the producer of the Hour of Power telecast.
, assumed the role of senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. On October 25, 2008, however, Schuller removed his son from that position citing "a lack of shared vision". Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry". Schuller also said "I love my son and am proud of my son" and that the long-term survival of his ministry was dependent on expanding its imprint beyond the Schuller name. "The real minister's name that we honor is Jesus
, not Schuller", he said.
On June 11, 2009, Schuller announced that the church's leadership would pass to his daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman. On July 11, 2010, he announced that he was retiring as principal pastor of the Crystal Cathedral and would become chairman of the church's board of directors. After a year as interim senior pastor, Sheila Schuller Coleman was elevated to senior pastor in July 2010.
Schuller Coleman is the oldest of the five Schuller children and the former head of family ministries at the Crystal Cathedral. Since her brother's departure, she had been the Director of Ministry and Mission. Schuller Coleman stated that the Hour of Power would no longer have the kind of ministry that places the attention "on one pastor" but will use "a stable of up to six ministers, including herself and her father".
On October 18, 2010, Schuller Coleman announced that the Crystal Cathedral was seeking bankruptcy protection.
On July 3, 2011, it was reported in the Orange County Register that Schuller had been ousted from the board of the Crystal Cathedral. At the time of the report the church had not officially stated anything, but when Schuller was contacted he confirmed that the news was true.
In July 2011, Schuller was honored as "Chairman of the Board Emeritus". Sheila Schuller Coleman said that "Dad will continue to provide leadership for this ministry through me for as long as possible" and "I have and will continue to defer to his wisdom and honor him for his unprecedented accomplishments."
including:
Alton, Iowa
Alton is a city in Sioux County, Iowa, United States, along the Floyd River. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,095.-Geography:Alton is located at ....
) is an American televangelist
Televangelism
Televangelism is the use of television to communicate the Christian faith. The word is a portmanteau of television and evangelism and was coined by Time magazine. A “televangelist” is a Christian minister who devotes a large portion of his ministry to television broadcasting...
, pastor, speaker, motivator and author. He is principally known for the weekly Hour of Power television program which he began in 1970. He is also the founder of the Crystal Cathedral
Crystal Cathedral
The Crystal Cathedral is a Protestant Christian church building in the city of Garden Grove, in Orange County, California, United States. It is the headquarters and principal place of worship for Crystal Cathedral Ministries, a church founded in 1955 by Robert H. Schuller and affiliated with the...
in Garden Grove, California
Garden Grove, California
Garden Grove is a city located in northern Orange County, California. The population was 170,883 at the 2010 census. State Route 22, also known as the Garden Grove Freeway, passes through the city running east-west. The city is known outside the Southern California area for being the home of Robert H...
, where the Hour of Power program originates. On January 22, 2006, Schuller announced his retirement.
Early years
Schuller was born near Alton, IowaAlton, Iowa
Alton is a city in Sioux County, Iowa, United States, along the Floyd River. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,095.-Geography:Alton is located at ....
in 1926. He studied at Hope College
Hope College
Hope College is a medium-sized , private, residential liberal arts college located in downtown Holland, Michigan, a few miles from Lake Michigan. It was opened in 1851 as the Pioneer School by Dutch immigrants four years after the community was first settled...
and received a Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree from Western Theological Seminary
Western Theological Seminary
Western Theological Seminary is a professional and graduate school in Holland, Michigan affiliated with the Reformed Church in America....
in 1950. He was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
as a minister in the Reformed Church in America
Reformed Church in America
The Reformed Church in America is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination in Canada and the United States. It has about 170,000 members, with the total declining in recent decades. From its beginning in 1628 until 1819, it was the North American branch of the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1819, it...
. He worked at Ivanhoe Reformed Church in Riverdale, Illinois, before moving to Garden Grove, California. There he opened the Garden Grove Community Church in 1955 in a drive-in movie theater. He also built a new 300-seat chapel about four miles (6 km) from the drive-in theater. Schuller conducted a service in the chapel at 9.30 Sunday mornings and then drove his organ to the drive-in to conduct a second service there.
As the size of the congregations grew, Schuller purchased 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) at 12141 Lewis Street in Garden Grove for a "walk-in, drive-in" church serving both congregations. Ground was broken September 10, 1958, for construction of the new church designed by international architect Richard Neutra
Richard Neutra
Richard Joseph Neutra is considered one of modernism's most important architects.- Biography :Neutra was born in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Vienna, Austria Hungary, on April 8, 1892. He was born into both-Jewish wealthy family...
. The church was completed in 1961 at a cost of $3,000,000. The dedication service was held November 5, 1961.
The design of the new church building enabled Schuller to preach his sermons to worshipers in 500 cars as well as to members of the congregation inside the church.
A "Tower of Hope" building was added on the north side of the drive-in church building in 1968; it rose 90 feet (27.4 m) in the air, the highest structure in Orange County at that time, and was topped by a cross. That same year, Schuller purchased the 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) walnut grove that bordered the north side of the Garden Grove Community Church for the construction of the much larger "Crystal Cathedral
Crystal Cathedral
The Crystal Cathedral is a Protestant Christian church building in the city of Garden Grove, in Orange County, California, United States. It is the headquarters and principal place of worship for Crystal Cathedral Ministries, a church founded in 1955 by Robert H. Schuller and affiliated with the...
" designed by architect Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson
Philip Cortelyou Johnson was an influential American architect.In 1930, he founded the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and later , as a trustee, he was awarded an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the first Pritzker Architecture...
. The church, which had glass walls and ceiling, was dedicated on September 14, 1980.
Ministry
Schuller focuses on what he believes are the positive aspects of the Christian faith. He deliberately avoids condemning people for sin, believing that Jesus "met needs before touting creeds". Once in relationship with God, Schuller emphasizes, someone who is sowing positive faith in his heart and actions will discover that the by-product is a reduction of sin. He is known to say, "Sin is a condition before it is an action." Known by many as the father of the "dreamer" movement (a new surge of inspiring preaching that increased in popularity in the last decade), Schuller encourages Christians (and non-Christians) to achieve great things through God and to believe in their dreams. He wrote, "If you can dream it, you can do it!"As the Crystal Cathedral’s founding pastor, Schuller was seen and heard internationally on Sundays from the pulpit of the Crystal Cathedral on the world’s most widely watched hour-long church service, the Hour of Power, 1500 of which were recorded. His local congregation at the Crystal Cathedral reportedly had more than 10,000 members at its peak.
Family
On June 15, 1950, Schuller married Arvella De Haan, a church organistOrganist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, who was instrumental in developing the music department at the Crystal Cathedral and produced the Hour of Power for over 40 years. The Schullers had one son, Robert, and four daughters, Sheila, Jeanne, Carol and Gretchen.
Schuller's son, Robert A. Schuller
Robert A. Schuller
Robert Anthony Schuller is an American televangelist, author, and television executive. He was formerly a minister on the Hour of Power weekly television program broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, where he was named senior pastor in 2006...
, and eldest daughter Sheila Schuller Coleman also became ministers and both have been senior pastors of Crystal Cathedral.
Schuller's second daughter, Jeanne Dunn, and her husband, Paul Dunn, oversee The Glory of Christmas and The Glory of Easter productions. Jeanne Dunn has assisted in various editorial contributions to various printed works and for Schuller's books. Her husband co-authored The Possibility Thinker's Bible and Living Debt Free with Schuller.
The third daughter, Carol Schuller Milner, was the writer, director, and producer of Creation: Once Upon All Time that debuted in 2005 to an audience of over 70,000. She co-wrote Schuller's autobiography, My Journey, and has written several other works.
The youngest daughter, Gretchen, is director of programming for the ministry. Her husband, James Penner, is the producer of the Hour of Power telecast.
Retirement and succession
On January 22, 2006, Schuller's son, Robert A. SchullerRobert A. Schuller
Robert Anthony Schuller is an American televangelist, author, and television executive. He was formerly a minister on the Hour of Power weekly television program broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, where he was named senior pastor in 2006...
, assumed the role of senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. On October 25, 2008, however, Schuller removed his son from that position citing "a lack of shared vision". Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry". Schuller also said "I love my son and am proud of my son" and that the long-term survival of his ministry was dependent on expanding its imprint beyond the Schuller name. "The real minister's name that we honor is Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, not Schuller", he said.
On June 11, 2009, Schuller announced that the church's leadership would pass to his daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman. On July 11, 2010, he announced that he was retiring as principal pastor of the Crystal Cathedral and would become chairman of the church's board of directors. After a year as interim senior pastor, Sheila Schuller Coleman was elevated to senior pastor in July 2010.
Schuller Coleman is the oldest of the five Schuller children and the former head of family ministries at the Crystal Cathedral. Since her brother's departure, she had been the Director of Ministry and Mission. Schuller Coleman stated that the Hour of Power would no longer have the kind of ministry that places the attention "on one pastor" but will use "a stable of up to six ministers, including herself and her father".
On October 18, 2010, Schuller Coleman announced that the Crystal Cathedral was seeking bankruptcy protection.
On July 3, 2011, it was reported in the Orange County Register that Schuller had been ousted from the board of the Crystal Cathedral. At the time of the report the church had not officially stated anything, but when Schuller was contacted he confirmed that the news was true.
In July 2011, Schuller was honored as "Chairman of the Board Emeritus". Sheila Schuller Coleman said that "Dad will continue to provide leadership for this ministry through me for as long as possible" and "I have and will continue to defer to his wisdom and honor him for his unprecedented accomplishments."
Writings
Schuller has authored 37 hardcover books, six of which have made the New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists,including:
- Way To The Good Life (1963)
- Move Ahead With Possibility Thinking (1967)
- Self-Love (1975)
- You Can Be The Person You Want To Be (1976)
- Toughminded Faith for Tenderhearted People (1979), Thomas Nelson, ISBN 0-8407-5329-2
- Self-Esteem: The New Reformation (1982)
- Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do (1983), Thomas NelsonThomas Nelson (publisher)Thomas Nelson is a publishing firm that began in Scotland in 1798 as the namesake of its founder. Its former US division is currently the sixth largest American trade publisher and the world's largest Christian publisher. It is owned by the private equity firm Kohlberg & Company...
ISBN 978-0840-75287-1 - The Power of Being Debt Free (1985); Thomas Nelson Publishing, ISBN 0-8407-5461-2
- Living Positively One Day At A Time (1986)
- Success Is Never Ending, Failure Is Never Final (1990)
- Life's Not Fair, But God Is Good (1991)
- Prayer: My Soul's Adventure with God (1995), Doubleday ISBN 978-0385-48505-0
- My Journey: From An Iowa Farm To A Cathedral Of Dreams (2001)
- Hours of Power (2004)
- Don't Throw Away Tomorrow (2005)