The Associated Press yesterday released the following news bulletin: “The Crystal Cathedral megachurch has restored the voting rights of its founder, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, on the church’s governing board.” Following is the news release from the Board.

In their meeting on Friday July 22, 2011, the International Board of Directors for the Crystal Cathedral Ministries voted to expand and enlarge the board and accepting the challenge of leading the Crystal Cathedral ministry positively into the future. Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman expressed gratitude to the board members for stepping up during challenging times for the ministry. “The new board members are enthusiastic about tomorrow and remain positive and faithful to the future of the ministry as well as honoring my father, Dr. Robert H. Schuller, and his legacy, which has always been one of primary goals.”

The International Board of Directors of the Crystal Cathedral Ministries:

Dr. Robert H. Schuller, Chairman Emeritus
Dr. Arvella Schuller, Member
Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman, non-voting Interim Chairman
James Penner, Member
Ruby Rinker, Member
Rev. Walt Kallestad, Member
Dr. Diane Highum, Member and representative of Crystal Cathedral Consistory
Paul Lips, Member and representative of Crystal Cathedral Consistory
Yvette Manson, Member and representative of Crystal Cathedral Consistory

All members are voting members with the exception of Dr. Coleman who serves as a non-voting member and has never served as a voting member of the International Board. Dr. Coleman is also Senior Pastor for the Crystal Cathedral, and serves as the Executive Director of the Crystal Cathedral Ministries overall. She also chairs the Crystal Cathedral Consistory, the separate board that oversees the affairs and activities of the local Crystal Cathedral Congregation.

“Many people are not aware that there have been, since the inception of the televised Hour of Power in 1970, two separate governing bodies.” Coleman said. “The Crystal Cathedral Consistory governs the local Crystal Cathedral Congregation under the auspices of the Reformed Church in America. The Hour of Power is governed by the International Board of Directors for Crystal Cathedral Ministries.” A truly independent board has always been the goal and objective of Robert H. Schuller and Sheila Schuller Coleman.

Newly elected board member Ruby Rinker said, “It has been exciting for me to take part in the tremendous, positive growth and outreach of the ministry that became the Crystal Cathedral and now literally reaches millions of persons around the world every week on television.” Mrs. Rinker has been honored with a plaque, designating the “Ruby Rinker Lobby” within the Richard Meier-designed Welcoming Center on the forty-acre campus, for her major gift in 2004 that helped complete the final building program at the world-recognized property.

“We have recognized for many years the benefit of ideas brought to the table by innovative, positive, and successful people. This new Board of Directors, created today, is a formula that will guarantee success for both our local Crystal Cathedral ministry and its ministry mission to the people of the world through the televised Hour of Power, now in its 43rd year,” said Dr. Robert H. Schuller.

“I applaud these dear board members for taking the bold step in helping us to continue to lead the way in positive, life-changing ministry.”

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