Drop in Donations Forces Cutbacks at Crystal Cathedral

Plunging donations are prompting the Southern California mega-church the Crystal Cathedral to lay off workers and sell surplus property, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 7,000-member church, founded by the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, is also considering pulling its television show, Hour of Power, from eight markets in which it airs. John Charles, a church spokesman, said revenues declined from $30-million in 2008 to $22-million last year.

Mr. Charles attributed the decline to the down economy and said a dispute within the ministry since the Rev. Schuller stepped down has had no impact on donations.

(Free registration is required to view this article.)