One News Now has on its website an online article dated 02-01-09 written by Associated Press writer Gillian Flaccus entitled, "Televangelism empire in chaos over family split". An excerpt from the article states:
"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."
Chrystal Cathedral is not going down as a church if it is founded on Christ. However, it is the televison programming "Hour of Power" that is going down as of this moment. Perhaps there is a time of judgement for this kind of thing. People have been substituting the local church for television church. One is biblical and the other is not! I agree with the interjection, "OH, WELL!" Parachurch ministries should spring from the local church but not be a substitute for it.
That's the problem with these personality (the best name for Rick Warren's "purpose driven") driven churches. The only person to whom the church should be driven is Jesus Christ. There is to much man-center preaching, rather than Christ-honoring, God-glorifying, expository preaching that gives biblical doctrine ahead of seeker sensitivism. Suffice it to say the fact that the theology of Robert H. Schuller (the dad) is different that Robert A. Schuller (the son). You can even tell it in their preaching.
Church history teaches us that this kind of thing (personality driven church) is never ever going to work, because it does not have God's support or blessings upon it; no matter how long it has been in operation. Swaggart found that out. Check out most of his preaching now. It is totally different than it was years ago.
True biblical exposition doesn't seek to draw crowds. It is exhalts God, and equips and draws saints. Evangelism is how you reach lost men (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16). Discipleship and biblical expository doctrinal preaching is how you "keep" saved men (I Timothy 4:11-16; Acts 2:42-47).
