The Hour of Power from crystal cathedral may be a favorite program for you. It is not for me, but I have watched it from time to time when the senior pastor and founder, Robert Schuller, was at the helm. Some of the music was magnificent. Prominent guests would bring testimony. The building would be packed with members and the curious. Now the building is being sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for 57.5 million dollars. Crystal Cathedral can continue there for three years. It had to be sold, for the church has sunk into a debt of fifty million dollars which led them to bankruptcy!
Do you recall how this church began? It was quite innovative for the time. They leased a drive-in theatre on Sunday mornings. Dr. Schuller preached over the same speakers folks had heard actors speaking through the night before in the movie playing. They outgrew that setting and through the gaining popularity of Schuller, eventually a church building was built almost beyond description. When Schuller retired he handed the reins to his children. It has not gone well.
How did they sink into a fifty million dollar indebtedness? I do not know. That is a staggering amount!
From one who found the Lord as a nine year old boy in a one- room country church, separated at Sunday School time by curtains; I have not ever understood the extravagance of such places as this cathedral. I do like comfort and beauty when it can be afforded, but there should be limits in a world with so many needing basics like food and a place to sleep.
No matter, the Pope gave a reluctant approval and so the cathedral will become a place where priests will celebrate Mass in a completely different setting. Just imagine! Fifty- seven and a half million dollars for that building of glass! Why that's almost as much as the Angels paid to get Pujols to play baseball for them. Incredible!
