The founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove told church elders on Sunday that they should not let the megachurch's financial problems "infect your spirit."
Church founder Robert H. Schuller, 83, and his wife, Arvella, 80, made emotional remarks to elders at a meeting Sunday morning, sometimes tearing up, reported the Orange County Register.
Schuller recently announced that because of a 27 percent drop in revenue last year, the church is closing its 20-acre retreat in Rancho Capistrano known as "The Ranch" and laying off about 50 workers there. It's also cutting its "Hour of Power" broadcasts and canceling this year's "Glory of Easter" pageant.
At today's meeting with about 70 elders, Schuller tried to reassure them, the Register reported.
"2010 is a great year," he said. "This is the 60th anniversary of my ordination. It's the 55th anniversary of this church and the 30th anniversary of the Crystal Cathedral."
He said his ideas always "start with God," who "doesn't promise success." Schuler continued, "and we must remember that there is no success without sacrifice. There will be complaints and criticisms. You must not let that infect your spirit."
Schuler, who has led the congregation for more than 50 years, said, "It's tough being the leader. Leadership has its price. Nobody else wants to do it. Nobody else dares to do it."
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Church officials said the church is about $55 million in debt.
Arvella Schuller told the group the church's pre-school through high school "is doing very well," and that she and her husband are committed to helping the church through its financial problems.
"My husband has said that he would die for this church," she said. "We're here until God calls us home."
Last year, Schuller named his oldest daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman, to head the ministry, several months after his son, Robert A. Schuller, gave up his position as senior pastor and left the church after a family feud with his sisters and their husbands, and joined the Dallas-based American Life Network.
