…I’ll report it anyway.
Robert Schueller, the founder of the Crystal Cathedral megachurch, is suing claiming that the Cathedral owes him millions of dollars. It’s quite a battle, from what I’ve read.
Well, he recently took the stand and…
At times, the 86-year-old appeared confused. Asked to confirm statements he made previously, he sometimes said he did not know or did not recall.
When asked by opposing counsel if he were still on the Crystal Cathedral Ministries board of directors, he said “yes.” And asked if he were still the chairman, his response was: “I believe I am.”
Schuller is neither on the board nor the chairman. He and his wife, Arvella, cut their ties to the Crystal Cathedral this year.
The man’s getting old and confused, much like the many senior citizens who helped build his empire. Check out this quote:
Throughout his nearly two hours of testimony, Schuller was firm on one idea: He had always allowed the Crystal Cathedral to use his books and other works without receiving royalties, but the work was his nonetheless – and not property of the ministry.
“We never had anything in writing. We just had an understanding,” Schuller said – “a gentleman’s understanding.”
Gentleman’s understanding. Yeah. I own a small publishing company and even I am not stupid enough to rely on any kind of “understanding.” Get it in writing. Everything. Always. If it’s not in print, it doesn’t exist. (Ha. Imperfect rhyme. Silly, but it stays.)
It seems part of this suit has to do with the selling of his books on the Internet.
At times, Schuller appeared to contradict previous sworn statements filed in court documents. For example, a declaration he signed stated the Crystal Cathedral Ministries exploited his intellectual property on the Internet.
But when asked about it on Wednesday, Schuller said he did not know. When asked again by his own attorney if the Crystal Cathedral had permission to sell his material on the Internet, Schuller said: “I need to discuss that with the Lord.”
Other claims:
For example: Attorney Todd Ringstad, who represents creditors after the 2010 bankruptcy of the Crystal Cathedral, asked if the ministry owed Schuller $55,226 for a housing allowance.
“I didn’t even know they owe me that. I don’t try to remember what people owe me,” Schuller responded.
The housing allowance is one of the smaller claims filed by Schuller; his wife; daughter Carol Schuller Milner; and her husband, Tim Milner. The Milners said they were not paid for their work with the church and have various claims pending for approximately $272,000.
Former congregants watched the proceedings.
Three Crystal Cathedral congregants were in the courtroom, listening to their former pastor testify. All three said they are attending the proceedings because they want to “learn the truth” about what led to the bankruptcy and forced sale of their church in Garden Grove to the Catholic Diocese of Orange, which will take over the campus next summer.
“It’s sad. It didn’t have to be this way,” said Pam House, a Crystal Cathedral elder. “If they had been more open about their finances, like other churches, and worked as a team, maybe we all could have worked on this together and prevented the bankruptcy.”
It’s strange to watch the slow motion imploding of a megachurch. I have a hunch that we’ll see more as time marches on.
