Schuller Shakeup at Crystal Cathedral: Reverend Robert's Daughter 'Temporarily' off board

By Josh Dulaney Wed., Feb. 15 2012 at 3:45 PM

Categories: Gimme That OC Religion

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The Crystal Cathedral announced in a statement Wednesday that Senior Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman is temporarily leaving the board of directors.

"The leadership changes to the Board of Directors for Crystal Cathedral Ministries are temporary and we believe that they will be good for the Crystal Cathedral during this time of transition," Schuller Coleman said in a joint statement with Crystal Cathedral Ministries interim chief executive officer and President John Charles.

Schuller Coleman had been serving as the church's CEO and the board's non-voting interim chairman, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Charles will oversee board meetings and assist Schuller Coleman -- the oldest daughter of Crystal Cathedral founder Rev. Robert H. Schuller -- while she focuses on her duties as pastor and shapes a vision for the future of the ministry, according to the statement.

"I'm very grateful for John's help and support at this time," Schuller Coleman said. "We're prayerfully considering many options regarding the new location for the church and the ministry, and are excited about the future. We're confident we will end up where God needs us most."

CCM's congregation is a separate entity from the TV ministry Hour of Power, according to a spokesman.

The spokesman said Schuller and Jim Penner, executive producer for Hour of Power, were temporarily removed from the CCM board because the directors decided they didn't want any overlap in directors from the two boards that could lead to a potential conflict of interest.

A bankruptcy judge in November ruled that the Crystal Cathedral could be sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for $57.5 million. The Protestant ministry can lease back the church for three years before it moves. The Diocese has plans to erect a permanent church there.

The Diocese is accepting from parishoners new names for the Crystal Cathedral through Feb. 20. According to sources, Bishop Tod Brown is requiring that "transfiguration" be included in the winning title.

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