The Glass Church: Robert H. Schuller, the Crystal Cathedral, and the Strain of Megachurch Ministry

The collapse of Robert H. Schullers' ministry, including the Crystal Cathedral, highlights the organizational pressures and strains on megachurches, which depend on a mix of constituents, charisma, and capital to continue growth and maintain momentum. The book "The Glass Church" explores how megachurch strain can lead to congregational fragility and the threat of implosion, emphasizing the need for proper calibration of these core elements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

The ministry of Robert H. Schuller, known for its architectural marvels like the Crystal Cathedral and its polished television broadcast of "Hour of Power," had a profound impact on American Christianity. Pastors from all over the country flocked to Southern California to learn Schuller's techniques, and even the President of the United States invited him to sit prominently next to the First Lady at the State of the Union Address. Muhammad Ali even sought the pastors' autograph, suggesting that Schuller might have initiated a second Reformation. However, it all came to an end when Schuller's ministry faced internal turmoil and bankruptcy.

While all churches rely on a combination of constituents, charisma, and capital, the size and ambition of large churches like Schuller's Crystal Cathedral exert enormous organizational pressures. These pressures include the need to maintain a steady flow of people committed to the congregation, to reinforce the charismatic excitement generated by high-profile pastors, and to secure fresh capital funding for ongoing maintenance projects and new initiatives. The constant focus on expanding constituencies, boosting charisma, and stimulating capital among megachurches creates a particularly burdensome strain on their leaders.

In order to understand the collapse of the Crystal Cathedral, The Glass Church takes a comprehensive approach by examining these three core elements: constituency, charisma, and capital. By analyzing the factors that contributed to the church's decline, the book demonstrates how congregational fragility is significantly accentuated in larger churches, a phenomenon we label "megachurch strain." This strain increases the threat of implosion, particularly when failures to properly calibrate the inter-relationships within the church occur.

The book explores the various challenges faced by megachurches, including the need to balance the demands of their large congregations with the personal needs of their pastors. It also examines the impact of celebrity pastors on the church's identity and mission, as well as the challenges of maintaining financial stability in an era of economic uncertainty.

Furthermore, The Glass Church offers insights into the role of technology in shaping the future of Christianity, particularly in the context of megachurches. It discusses the challenges of using digital platforms to reach and engage with a wider audience, as well as the potential risks associated with over-reliance on technology.

Overall, The Glass Church provides a valuable contribution to the study of Christianity and megachurches, offering a comprehensive analysis of the factors that led to the collapse of the Crystal Cathedral and the challenges facing large churches today. By examining the inter-relationships between constituency, charisma, and capital, the book sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape these institutions and their impact on the broader Christian community.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813589060