(RNS) The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, founding pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California, announced Sunday (June 7) that he has turned over the administrative duties of his ministry to his daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman.
The transition comes after Schuller’s son, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, resigned late last year as senior pastor of the church. In October, his father said the two men differed over the “direction and the vision” of the megachurch and its related “Hour of Power” television program.
“I believe God has called me back to give leadership once again to this ministry,” the elder Schuller, 82, wrote in a Wednesday (June 10) statement on his Web site. “I have committed to giving two more years of casting God’s vision for this ministry and Sheila has accepted my request to put legs to the vision.”
Coleman, a 58-year-old author, has been the director of family ministries at the church and the superintendent of its private school. Now, she will be the administrative leader of Crystal Cathedral Ministries.
“We’re excited that a woman has an opportunity to step forward and do something like this,” said church spokesman John Charles.
He said Coleman will assist in the worship services by reading Scripture or making announcements.
“She’ll be preaching occasionally,” Charles said. “We will still be using Dr. Schuller and some visiting pastors.”
The Rev. Juan Carlos Ortiz, who has served as interim senior pastor, will continue at the church as a teaching pastor, Schuller said.
— Adelle M. Banks