GARDEN GROVE – Robert H. Schuller and Arvella Schuller have done a disservice to themselves and their church by placing their unqualified offspring in high places at the Crystal Cathedral, said famed pianist Roger Williams, who played at the church for 35 years before leaving over a disagreement late last year.
Williams returned to Garden Grove as the Strawberry Festival Parade’s grand marshal last month. He spoke exclusively with The Orange County Registerabout his relationship with Robert and Arvella Schuller, which soured last year after what he called repeated unpleasant encounters with the younger Schullers.
Roger Williams, who played piano at the Crystal Cathedral for 35 years, says he left the church because he was tired of dealing with Robert H. Schuller’s offspring, who are now in charge.
Photos by: ROD VEAL, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Although the photo of the Crystal Cathedral’s Campus Buildings is an optical illusion it sadly portrays the feeling on campus and the present condition of this remarkable sanctuary and the dream of now aging founders Dr. Robert H. and Arvella Schuller.
“I left the Crystal Cathedral because all I wanted to do was play the piano,” said Williams, who has 21 gold and platinum albums and was the first pianist to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “I did not want to get into church confrontations.”
When Arvella Schuller recently asked him to return to the cathedral, Williams said he wrote a letter to her stating: “I don’t get involved in bitter family fights. No one wins.”
Williams made his comments in light of the financial turmoil that has gripped this Garden Grove megachurch. The cathedral’s troubles began nearly two years ago when Robert A Schuller left the church after a bitter dispute with his father, sisters and brothers-in-law. The older Schuller named his daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman, as the head of Crystal Cathedral Ministries.
Coleman and Gretchen Schuller Penner did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Williams says Coleman did “a wonderful” job with the cathedral’s school, but seems to be struggling with the responsibility of managing the entire ministry.
Williams has kind words for the elder Schullers.
“They have saved thousands of people around the world from suicide,” he says. “They have done so much – so much good over the years. But it hurts me to see what has become of the church they worked so hard to build from the ground up.”
Coleman has consistently maintained that the church is in a $55 million debt because of the economy and dwindling contributions. The church recently sold land donated by John and Donna Crean in San Juan Capistrano, which is expected to clear about 22 percent of their debt. The mega-church began struggling financially beginning in the late 1990s after building the visitors center and demographics in the area began to change. It is also said that Dr. Robert A. Schuller spent $3M on an office remodel for himself after taking over the job s the senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral Ministries from his father which may have been the straw that broke the camel’s between father and son… or perhaps with the Board? (Since the original posting, Dr. Robert H. Schuller (Sr.) has also been ousted from his position on the Board and the Cathedral has filed bankruptcy and is facing being sold.)
It was also reported by the O.C. Register that the Glory of Creation was partly involved in creating the Crystal Cathedral’s financial problems, but those facts were false and have been verified!
Creation facts:
1) Creation was paid in full through a property sale (long before the Cathedral had creditor issues) and was approved unanimously by an independent, family minority, board. Carol Schuller Milner, who headed the project (writer, director, and producer of the ‘Glory of’ Creation), was not an employee of the Crystal Cathedral but co-pastoring a church with her husband, Tim Milner, in Colorado at the time. So, she had no impetus to get the church to do the production. Milner states below in a comment to this posting that it was very difficult on her husband and children since she was gone from home so much but that she responded to the board’s wishes. She said it was her most diligent labor ever (working 18 hour days, six days a week, for months while her family was in Colorado). She states it took her three years to recover, and that I can believe.
2) 70,000 saw Creation in 2005 (a little more, actually – that number is rounded down) – Milner still has the reports). There were $2MM in ticket and product sales that first season.
3) Creation was never restaged despite Dr. Schuller’s passionate desire to have it join the other shows in becoming church tradition. (Reasons cited were unease with the storyline and style among older constituents… perhaps not recognizing that it was the younger audience that they needed to reach, has been part of their problem.) Robert A. Schuller’s son, Robert V. and also a pastor, was running a very successful youth ministry on campus and after the fallout between his father and grandfather moved it to downtown Orange near Chapman University, one of the present potential buyers of the Cathedral property now in bankruptcy… to be used as a medical school.
4) Creation was always scheduled to break ‘even’ in five years, so diverting from that plan , unfortunately, kept it from producing the projected revenue that was hoped for and expected said Milner. She admits it was an expensive production but comparable shows on Broadway had budgets twice that of Creation. (Anyone who has seen the Glory of Christmas, Easter or Creation, or even just Sunday services knows that the Schullers and the Crystal Cathedral always put on a fabulous show,at least while Robert Sr and Arvella were in charge!) “The vendors for the show did us enormous favors, often reducing their cost of services in half. The goal of the show was to reach and renew the audience for the cathedral – to place it back on the map so that it wouldn’t see the dwindling numbers it now is showing” said Carol Milner.
2008 revenues were nearly $5 million lower than revenues for 2007. As of early 2009, the church planned to sell more than $65 million worth of its Orange County property to pay off debt: 150 acres in San Juan Capistrano, California, and an office building in Garden Grove, California. (I have heard more than once, not verified) that the TV ministry, that reached people around the world, cost $1 Million dollars a Sunday to produce and air. As the economy has gotten worse and worse and contributions and collections dwindled so did their TV Ministry, which in turn no doubt cut even more contributions.
Meanwhile, they could face legal action from more than 100 vendors to whom they owe millions. (Now covered under the bankruptcy rules.) In this group are those who provided services to put on the “Glory of Christmas” pageant, television stations and a company that financed the church’s equipment. Coleman asked vendors in April to wait 90 days before they took legal action.
Click here to see a list of vendors and how much they’re owed.
A majority of the vendors agreed to wait and some even formed a committee to help the church work out a payment plan. But a handful of musicians who worked with Williams when he played at the Cathedral decided to go to small claims court – and won.
Williams says he has tried to calm down the musicians who have “cried to him” about not being paid by the Cathedral.
“I try to be objective because I do love the Schullers,” he said. “I want them to succeed. But there is such a thing as right and wrong. Not paying those musicians was wrong.”
Don French, a former keyboardist for the Hour of Power orchestra, said he always admired Williams for his exceptional talent and professionalism.
“He is a consummate artist,” French said. “I can say very honestly that none of the Schuller children or anyone at the Cathedral knew better than him when it came to music or playing the piano.”
Williams is one of many celebrities who have been associated with Robert H. Schuller and his megachurch. Others include Wynonna and Naomi Judd, John Tesh, Jim Nabors, Evel Knievel, Charlton Heston, Mary Martin, Ed Arnold, Wylon, Sir James Galway, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Williams’ best known recordings include Born Free, Impossible Dream, Near You and Lara’s Theme from Dr. Zhivago.
Williams said he left the Cathedral in October after a difference of opinion with Gretchen Schuller Penner, who runs the “Hour of Power” broadcasts, having taken over from her mother.
“But that wasn’t the only reason I left,” he said. “I had a hard time dealing with the (Schuller) kids. All I wanted to do was play the piano. When people with no experience tell me how to play the piano – I just couldn’t deal with it.”
In his opinion, Williams said, Schuller put his children in positions they were not qualified to handle.
“His children had no history of success making it on their own,” he said. “Bob and Arvella went through tough times and built this church one brick at a time. To me, it’s those tough times you had to endure by yourself that make you great. Bob did not give that privilege to his children.”
Williams gives the analogy of the eagle, the emblem of Crystal Cathedral Ministries, to describe what he believes the elder Schuller should have done.
“The eagle kicks its young chicks out of its nest so they can learn to fly,” he said. “Yes, there’s the danger of them falling to the ground and dying, but that’s the only way they learn to flap their wings.”
Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com
Side note on the Schuller and children:
Dr, Robert H. Schuller and wife Arvella De Haan Schuller, a church organist when they married who later became instrumental in developing the music department at the Crystal Cathedral and was the original producer of the Hour of Powertelevision show, a role she filled for over 40 years have five children, one son and four daughters.
On January 22, 2006, Robert A. Schuller, took over as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, but was removed from that position on October 25, 2008, by his father, who cited “a lack of shared vision”. In a prepared statement, founder Robert H. Schuller stated that “different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry” with his son “made it necessary … to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry”, not long after that announcement, Dr. Robert A. Schuller and his son Dr. Robert V. Schuller resigned and left the Cathedral ministry completely.
On June 11, 2009, Schuller announced that church leadership would pass to his daughter, Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman. Dr. Coleman, age 59 as of 2010, is the oldest of the five Schuller children and the former head of Family Ministries at the Crystal Cathedral. which included their school. Since her brother’s departure, she is Director of Ministry and Mission. She said that the Hour of Power will no longer have the kind of ministry that places the attention “on one pastor.” The Hour of Power will be populated with “a stable of up to six ministers, including herself and her father.”
Another daughter, Jeanne Dunn, and husband Paul Dunn oversee The Glory of Christmas and The Glory of Easter, but appear to have little actual hands-on time at the actual Glory performances. Jeanne has assisted in various editorial contributions to various printed works and for Schuller’s books. Her husband, Paul David Dunn co-authored The Possibility Thinker’s Bible and Living Debt Freewith Dr. Robert H. Schuller.
A third daughter, Carol Schuller Milner (husband Tim Milner), was the writer, director, and producer of the (Glory of) Creation: Once Upon All Time that debuted in 2005 to an audience of 70,000+ (official figures verified by Carol Schuller Milner), for the run. According to the OC Register, it ran a second time in 2007, but that is not true (also verified by Carol… see her comments below.) She was the creative overseer of Schuller’s autobiography, My Journey: From an Iowa Farm to a Cathedral of Dreams (contributing substantially to the writing) and is author of various other works of print. Carol was in a motorcycyle accident at the age of thirteen that resulted in the amputation of her left leg and has been an inspiration to many. In 1986, she was interviewed on The Today Show.
Son-in-law James Penner, husband of fourth daughter, Gretchen, is producer of the Hour of Power telecast. Gretchen is director of programming for the ministry, having taken over her mother’s position after 40-years.
Dear Friend,
Over 58 years ago in Newkirk, Iowa, the man who would become my father met a 22-year-old girl who was the church organist (she would become my mother!). Her name was Arvella DeHaan.
She had a PASSION for music and believed that it held an important, honored, and sacred place in the church worship experience.
They married in 1950, and she immediately became the driving force behind the use of music in every Sunday morning worship service they organized together. Five years into their marriage, in 1955, they began a new church and ministry that would eventually become known worldwide as the Crystal Cathedral.
At the same time, a talented young pianist – also from Iowa, and named Roger Williams – “knocked the socks off” the pop music charts by recording what is still, today, the number one piano recording of all time: “Autumn Leaves”.
He went on to be named the best-selling pianist in history by Billboard magazine, with 22 hits now spanning six decades!
In the 1970s, I remember my parents being so excited because Roger Williams had agreed to play during Sunday morning worship at our church!
Since that time, nobody has given more to our ministry of music than Roger Williams. As you may know, He has appeared and played countless times on the Hour of Power. He has been featured in 28 consecutive Christmas Eve Candlelight Services in the Crystal Cathedral.
He has shared his remarkable talents unselfishly at many, many of our church concerts and fundraising dinners.
He is a member of our church and has purchased a glorious spot in our Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
HE HAS NEVER BILLED US ONE PENNY FOR ANY OF HIS APPEARANCES.
He has always, always given freely of his incredible God-given gifts, and we have loved and rejoiced in his every glorious touch of the piano keys.
(This was written approximately four years ago to help promote a CD and DVD recorded especially for the Crystal Cathedral to help them through these difficult times, as donations and tithes began shrinking… not only for the Crystal Cathedral but at churches and charities all around the country.)
Won’t you, once again, help us keep this ministry alive – continue to make it possible for us to continue on the airwaves and cable systems every week with our positive, emotionally enriching message of a redeeming, loving Savior – Jesus Christ~
God loves you and so do I,
Dr. Robert A. Schuller – taken from the Crystal Cathedral Website and obviously written a few years back during better times by Robert H. and Arvella Schuller’s only son and heir apparent. (Since then Robert A. Schuller, Robert V. Schuller, and Roger Williams have left the church and for the first time since their inception, the Glory of Easter was dark this past year and the Glory of Christmas may be cancelled as well. Robert H. Schuller, who had hoped to be retired and Arvella Schuller, who is at least partially retired, are in their 80’s now, they have sold off their Southern Campus, retreat center and school while the main Crystal Cathedral campus and the Hour of Power is fighting for its existence.
Having been a member of the Cathedral for years and part of both the Glory of Christmas and Glory of Easter casts for 8-years, as our family ministry, I read this all with great sadness. It is however an example of what is wrong with America in general and what has brought our Country, Christianity and institutions like the Crystal Cathedral to their knees. We, Generation Zero… (the baby-boomers and our parents having survived the great depression and WWII ), as parents, Christians and patriots have taken our eyes of the ball(s) and replaced our responsibilities with fun and distractions; then guilt for not spending enough time with our kids or being home with them and a desire to save our kids from the tough times… which created an ever growing need to spoil our children and our grandchild, while indulging ourselves with trivialities instead of focusing on the important things in life. We have created The Lost Generation that desperately needs help to be turned around. Unfortunately turning the tide we have created is like righting the Titanic once she started to sink, if it is possible, it will be an extremely difficult and slow process and unfortunately not in time to stop the affects of the damage for families like the Schullers and many others… as well as for America herself.
I will choose to remember better times on that magnificent campus built out of an inspired dream to honor God and to last for generations; a glass cathedral open to the heavens where twice a year people came from all over the world to relive and participate in the birth and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as thousands were transported 2000+ years back in time, each run, to the holy land where Kings (including my husband) came with gifts riding live camels, angels (including my daughter) flew overhead to the marvel of children and adults alike and as hundreds of volunteers gave of themselves nightly to recreate life-changing experiences for countess believers and non-believers alike, to beautiful music accompanying some the best dancers and most amazing voices to be heard anywhere.
Please pray for the Crystal Cathedral and for the Schuller Family.
Posted by Ask Marion – Marion Algier~ With a very special thank you to Carol Schuller Milner for your input!
askmarion 
Was really thinking about the Hour of Power and the Schuller 40 year ministry. It really gave me much to think about. It is a long article but a fascinating insight into what we have built up as ‘Church”. I’ve taken a lot of time to think and reflect.
The Crystal Cathedral is a beautiful campus an outstanding structure, yet my question is: Is this what Christ came to teach us and to die for? I really don’t think this comes even near to what God wants for us to do as we worship him.
As I see it God never built a building and called into formation a church, neither did Jesus. Christ talked and taught about the Spirit of God and the Kingdom of HEAVEN not a kingdom of church!
True this church has saved thousands of individuals from killing themselves and helped many others learn the gift of positive thinking. That is an outstanding ministry in and of itself.
I really like the numerous buildings and beautiful campus yet I wonder if the Cathedral could have been able to save even more people from all kinds of problems if they had not spent so much on the trappings of church and really focused on the worship, ministry and presence of God.
God is rich enough to build any form of cathedral if that is what was important and such items could become completely formed with only a thought much less a spoken word from God, since God created the universe from thought turned into word. God never lifted a hammer or dug a hole to build the most intricate and beautiful place of worship there will ever be – the universe. God saw and said that it was GOOD. God’s universe IS God’s Cathedral!
Now I can thank God that God never answer my prayer. It is wild to say that I am now so thankful and even joyous inwardly that I never became an outwardly powerful mega pastor for I fear I would have lost the true focus on what is really the GOOD NEWS of JESUS.
The more I pray the more I realize that the Kingdom of God is WITHIN not outside in crystal panels in an earthquake zone.
Now as I see that it is just the opposite of what God wants for God’s people. God wants us to become intimate with the most powerful of powerful beings in the universe — God’s very self, who can do anything and have everything.
It hit me when I read that Schuller had written a book called Debt Free Living yet allowed his son to gain a position that resulted in a $5 MILLION remodeling of the Senior Pastor’s Office! What happened to Walmart, K-mart, Staples and Tuesday Morning! It makes me sad that I contributed to a church that lost its way in what God really wanted. Yet I am also thankful that there is a ministry that was and is helping individuals from so many places and walks of life. I pray God’s wisdom will be with all those that are in leadership position. Perhaps this is God’s great way of bring all closer to the holy presence of God’s true and magnificent self.
Our world, country, church / faith center and yes I too have received so much and now it is all gone or going in this deep recession we are having. All of us are having to tighten our belts if we have one. It is really sad but it is also a blessing. Now I have learned more deeply that ever the value of what is important: God, Family / Friends and Faith. At some point our world, country, church and family will get back on it’s financial feet to some degree. I too will move on with my life and I hope and pray I journey ever deeper into God’s presence through prayer, meditation and scripture reading / study.
I just pray that our world, county, church and myself will have learned a transformational lesson – that is not the trappings or fleeting fame or power that is important. Instead I hope and pray that all of us will get our values and focus clear and realize that family, friends and faith relationship with God is what makes us really rich not the materialistic – power trappings.
A cottage filled with the Spiritual presence of God, the joy of friends and family gathered together in love is what makes life worth living. We do not need to search outside ourselves to journey to the deep knowledge of God and wisdom — instead we must journey within to the deepest essence of our soul’s center of being where we are one with God, nature and one with each other. That is when the Kingdom of God is really here!
So bit it! Amen.
Yep the preacher in me sure did jump in the pulpit tonight. Hope you don’t mind the sermon!
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My husband and I just found out about that yesterday the Orange County Register reported on yesterday (July 3, 2011) that the kids just ousted Robert H Schuller from the board. He did not have a vote anyhow. Ousting him was just cruel. It looks like because of the family feud that we may sadly be seeing the end of this church.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/schuller-306881-church-board.html
Thank you so much for alerting me to this. It is so very sad!! It verifies what Roger Williams said, the kids were spoiled and are out of control! Pianist Roger Williams: Schuller Kids Spoiled It hurts my heart to read this. The Schullers obviously made some serious financial mistakes, but the church and the Glory of Christmas and Easter ministries brought joy to so many and introduced others to the Lord. My family and I were part of those productions for 13-years.
Seems that the wrong Schullers have floated to the top…
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I’m not sure where the Christian Post got their information for this article but it includes comments from Robert A Schuller’s daughter. She is pretty disgusted with this for obvious reasons. As you know young folk are not shy about sharing their feelings.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/robert-schuller-ousted-leadership-crisis-deepens-in-crystal-cathedral-51858/
I agree that this is dreadful to see.
From the article it appears their facts came from CNN or the people being interviewed. Will see if I can find out anymore. We know Christina as well as Donna fairly well and Robert A. to speak to beyond just a few words at church. Our daughter attended the school at Rancho Capistrano with Anthony and Christina and they were cheerleaders together. And my husband has taken classes and attended events with both Donna and Robert A. And we feel like we know Robert H and Arvella after attending there and being part of the Glories for so many years. It really is heart-breaking. Since the changes after Robert A. was ousted, the feeling there is no longer positive. We attended the late service for Christmas Eve last year… and it was just sad!
Hello,
I appreciate your very real heart felt concern for all that my father founded. I seldom get in the middle of all that is being said because operating from a defensive stance is seldom productive. I understand how you all feel about the sad last years. I join you in your grief. I have had no place in management or decision making at the CC so I can’t comment on a lot of what you have talked about but I do want you to know that there is at least some error in what you are reporting. I can offer you some help with Creation facts: 1) 70,000 did see the show in 2005 (a little more, actually – that number’s rounded down – I still have the reports). 2) Creation was never restaged despite Dr. Schuller’s passionate desire to have it join the other shows in becoming church tradition. (Reasons cited were unease with the storyline and style among older constituents.) This is the first I heard anyone claim that it was staged again in 2007. That’s just an enormous mistake. Strange. Can you please correct it in the body of your blog? There was a show in Pennsylvania that was modeled, extensively, off of Creation (but with decreased production value). It filled 2000 seats, three times a day, six days a week, four months a year, with ticket prices of $45. Is that what you’re thinking of? But, that’s a huge audience, so probably not. Creation was paid in full through a property sale (long before they had creditor issues) and approved, unanimously, by an independent, family minority, board. I was not an employee but co-pastoring a church with my husband in Colorado at the time so I had no impetus to get the church to do the production. In fact, it was very difficult on my husband and children since I was gone from home so, so much but I responded to the board’s wishes with the most diligent labor I’ve ever offered (working 18 hour days, six days a week, for months). It took me three years to recover. I do (though I’m biased) think t’s too bad Creation didn’t continue so that it could generate revenue for the church and minister to the young and unchurched of Orange County that is increasingly pluralistic in religious belief. These need to know the nearness of a Heavenly Father. It’s really sad that Glory of Christmas and Easter was stopped – they were staid and beautiful OC traditions. I can tell you mean well in your reporting and only want to give a place for all of us who are grieving. I thought you’d appreciate the corrections above. Bless you, Marion, Carol.
Hi, Carol
I am honored that you read my blog and have added your insight. I will certainly and gladly make those corrections. My posts are to keep people informed and hopefully praying for a positive resolution. They were also a bit of walk down memory lane for me.
We love(d) the Crystal Cathedral, your Dad’s dream and were so happy and honored to be part of that ministry as well as the Glories. We no longer live in O.C. but were part of that church until we moved in early 2011 and our daughter flew the last time for the Christmas 2009 – 2010 season. We went to a Christmas Eve service in 2010 and were overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness.
Beside our involvement in the Glories and attending church at the Cathedral, our daughter went to junior high at the Ranch; she cheered with Christina. We know the Coleman kids from stage. And my husband was involved in men’s ministry at the CC and took a weekly parenting class from Donna that I registered for and then couldn’t attend, so we know a lot of your family members and are praying for them. Although I’ve never met you, we used to be in Amway with a gal who went to school with you and she thought you were terrific! Your story is one of inspiration, especially for young people!!
We saw the Glory of Creation as ushers and were really sad that your dad could not convince the church board to run it regularly!! And the fact that the production in Pennsylvania, modeled after Creation, did so well shows it would have been an asset and a money maker.
And although I am not privi to what made the Board vote to remove your dad, it makes me very sad! I can hear him talking at our new member’s class when we first joined the church and more than once at a sermon about his dreams and vision for the ministry and the Cathedral. I remember him talking about choosing the Italian Cypress that are planted around the perimeter of the property because they live for such a long time. He must be devastated and that just seems wrong! My husband is an architect and was at a special tour and presentation before the Cathedral officially opened. He feels the same way… SAD!
My mother-in-law teaches piano and she got her music degree in the same program (and time) with Roger Williams. She just mailed us an article that ran in the Press Enterprise stating that there are now 3-offers to purchase the Cathedral (Greenlaw Partners LLC., the O.C. Catholic Diocese and Chapman University (our daughter’s Alma Mater) and perhaps a couple of other options. I had a horrible dream one night that it had been turned into a mosque.
My information about the Glory of Creation came from and O.C. Register article by 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com.
Please feel free to send me any additional input on the situation, especially if it is positive! I’d love to post some good things!
I agree with you whole-heartedly that the young and unchurched of Orange County are growing and are increasingly pluralistic in their religious belief. They do need to know the nearness of a Heavenly Father, and I feel for those who didn’t/don’t know the Lord or attend church regularly or even at all, the Glory productions… all three were amazing and often a turning point for many. The loss of those productions are perhaps the greatest loss of all in this. My husband was on the Kings or Wisemen for Christmas so we always stood outside to greet after every show and the comments, stories and reactions we’ve heard are amazing… from people who came from all over the world just to see one of the shows!
Prayers Up!!
God Bless You, Your Whole Family, the Future of the Crystal Cathedral and America!
Marion~
This article proves what I have known all along, if Jesus ever does come back it is folks like the Shullers who will get their butts kicked first. It is really because of these idiots and scam artists that I am sure Jesus has absolutely no wish to come back here at all. This entire article and the stupid comments after it would make a good play for Broadway, The nitwit that tried her hand at producing could go and watch it and learn how a comedy is supposed to be produced. But then I guess that since she is living in a farce, it is too hard to see the forest for the trees.
i have watched the Hour of Power for years and will really miss it if it was not on the air.
It is very difficult when so many family members are involved.
It is different now even the singing. I enjoyed it better before that new couple came.
may he rest in peace
http://newssun.suntimes.com/entertainment/8124984-421/famed-pianist-roger-williams-dies-at-87.html
Thanks for the heads-up Pamela, I hadn’t seen this or heard that he had passed. My mother-in-law went back to college after her kids were grown and got her degree in Piano with Roger Williams. That connection plus having been a member of Crystal Cathedral and hearing him play so many times makes it feel like we’ve lost a member of the family.
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I am one of millions touched by Robert Shuller senior and want to thank him for all his insite and inspiration. My heart goes out to him at the loss by the sale of the cathedral and take over. He must remember to be positive and how much good and love he spread. The minor amount owed him and his family should be paid and his positive memories will live on. May god bless him and comfort him. Its very sad it ended like this but I know he is the same person and god knows he helped millions. We all wished we could do this much good in our life soI hope he can have peace with knowing millions will always be thankful. Thank You Robert And Arvella
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First of all I would like to say awesome blog!
I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out. I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Appreciate it!
Thanks and welcome!!
I wish I could say that my thoughts just flow through me onto the paper and that I had some simple tips. But as most writers will tell you, it is fortitude and tenacity through those blocks and scattered thoughts that eventually result in articles.
With very few exceptions, I write daily and am constantly make notes on scraps of paper as thoughts come to me. I generally begin with a set idea, but often I end up with an article on a completely different topic than what I started with. Sometimes the originally article idea gels into another article later… sometimes not.
I write or contribute to 8 different blogs regularly, a few others occassionally and have more books than I would like to admit to in various stages of completion. I write throughout the day and evening is bits and pieces of time in-between taking care of my father-in-law with Alzheimer’s and cook, clean, do laundry, bake and take care of the pets (ours and theirs) because my mother-in-law, who is in her 80’s, is slowing down and has developed an arthritic condition. I also help my husband with paperwork for his business as needed and usually have TV or radio playing in the background so I can keep up with what is going on… so my head is always spinning to some degree.
My best advice is just write as often as you can and generally the article you are suppose to write is what you end up with, even if it changes or requires re-writes or reorganization as you go along. My easiest posts and pieces come to me when I am passionate about my subject; my most difficult are those that I must write on a deadline (and I have several of those to meet each week).
Marion~
I’m really enjoying your blog. Superb work!
I always used to study articles in the newspapers but now as I am a user of net so am using the net for content, thanks
for posting on the web.
Why users still read newspapers always amaztes me when in this technological world the whole thing is accessible on net? And more than one view!
Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around
on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed
in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks
My best suggestion is to write and post daily. M~
Wow, sweet piece, my younger sister is analyzing these things, thus I am going to tell her to check this out.
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I pray for an out pouring of the Holy Spirit and for unity to become the future one again for all the shullers.
Bobby is doing a wonderful spirit filled job each saturdY night
I thank God for The Schullers, each and all ! ! ! We are truly blessed to have Bobby at the reigns of a ministry that cannot be allowed to fall into the shadows. Robert V. Schuller will succeed . . . our Lord will see to that ! ! ! I know Arvella and Robert H. are beaming with pride from their well earned lofty height.
I’m wondering if there is an historical archivist for the works of Robert H Schuller? I have some very excellent early items that may be of interest.
Chris Taylor
taylorfct@gmail.com