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Christianity Today, July, 2009 |

Q & A: Robert A. Schuller

The son of a famous evangelist tells CT why he left The Hour of Power.

Interview by Sarah Pulliam | posted 6/19/2009 10:09AM

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After parting ways with his father's Crystal Cathedral, Robert A. Schuller left preaching to start a television career. The son of The Hour of Power founder Robert H. Schuller Sr. recently acquired AmericanLife TV with GodTube founder Chris Wyatt.

Why did you resign from the Crystal Cathedral?

They decided to no longer air my messages on The Hour of Power. They felt they could have greater impact if they had lots of different preachers. The Hour of Power owns the Crystal Cathedral, and the owners, in effect, evicted me … so that they could have other preachers on Sunday mornings.

What theological differences do you have with your father?

My father has a different method. He likes to go more into the psychology, and I like to go more into biblical teaching. But the goals are the same, the visions are the same. I don't think that was a problem.

Did you envision yourself staying long-term at the Crystal Cathedral?

I did. I was disappointed, sad, hurt, and angry. It was a very difficult time, and quite frankly remains a difficult time. I believe God dragged me out of the Cathedral in order for me to do this.

How is The Hour of Power different from what you're doing now?

The Hour of Power is a … show that airs on different networks. [It] was spending $4.5 million for one hour of airtime. It's very difficult financially to make ends meet. This is an entertainment channel.

Why are you leaving preaching?

I'll probably have 5- to 10-minute messages throughout the program, but it won't be sitting down with three points and a poem. Chris Wyatt resigned a month before I left the Cathedral because his investors told him they wanted to take God out of GodTube. Chris discovered through GodTube that nobody listened to preaching. People are interested in other ways to communicate the message, such as interviews as opposed to a talking head.

Related Elsewhere:

See Christianity Today's news section and liveblog for more news updates.

Previous Christianity Today articles on the Crystal Cathedral or Rev. Robert Anthony Schuller include:

Schullers Part Ways at Crystal Cathedral's 'Hour of Power' | Son will remain senior pastor of Crystal Cathedral. (October 27, 2008)

Evel Overcome With Good | Daredevil Knievel's testimony triggers mass baptisms at Crystal Cathedral. (April 13, 2007)

Farm Boy Makes Good | Robert Schuller's story is a distillation of his gospel. (August 5, 2002)

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disappointed

Posted: June 25, 2009 12:34 PM

Robert A. says that "in effect, they evicted me..." He neglects to mention that he was asked to remain as senior pastor and to rotate along with the other pastors on the Hour of Power. He could have been a part of this powerful format of excellent pastors. He chose to resign. I'm so very disappointed in him for leaving his father. No, we will not know all the details because part of it is family/personal. I pray that it was God's will for him to start something on his own. Notice he did not answer "Why are you leaving preaching?" I find it hard to understand why some people don't believe that Robert H. Schuller preaches the gospel. Listen closely to the messages given by Dr. Schuller and other preachers that appear on the Hour of Power. The sermons, interviews, and testamonies are incredible and have helped many, many unbelievers find their way to Christ. God uses people in different ways to reach all differents kinds of people. Let's have open hearts & minds.

dismayed

Posted: June 25, 2009 7:53 AM


It must be wonderful to sit back in judgement when there is so much behind the scene we know nothing about.

Judith

Posted: June 24, 2009 8:48 AM


Sometimes it is not logical what God calls us to do, and worse it is very hard to explain to others that this your calling. He is going into ministry and this is good. My church had a splintering and there are at least ten ministries that came out of this. That's good. God bless Schuller Jr. and his new ministry.