Bankrupt church wants donations for pastor’s sick wife ferried in limo

[troung]

Bankrupt church wants donations for pastor’s sick wife ferried in limo
By Zachary Roth | The Lookout – 1 hr 54 mins ago

Bankrupt church wants donations for pastor
Some members of a bankrupt Orange County, Calif. megachurch are expressing outrage after fielding an email request for congregants to deliver food to waiting limos so that it can ferried to the founder's sick wife. The appeal comes weeks after a lawsuit charged that the founder of the Crystal Cathedral house of worship, Rev. Robert Schuller, and his family had been paying themselves lavish salaries and other benefits while the church was in financial straits.

"They've completely depleted the church's funds," one member, Bob Canfield, told the Orange County Register. "But they have shown that they have absolutely no remorse for what they've done. They're still being chauffeured around in limos. We, the congregants, have nothing."

An email sent recently by Crystal Cathedral administrators said that Schuller and his wife, Arvella, "would appreciate meals over the next three to four weeks." It added: "They are to be sent to the church in order to be transported to Arvella. The limo drivers could pick up the dinners or meet in the Tower Lobby around 4:30 p.m."

Arvella Schuller has been suffering from pneumonia, and the email asked that the food be low in sodium and include items such as fruit, meat, soup and eggs.

Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for bankruptcy last month. A lawsuit filed by creditors alleges that the Schullers borrowed more than $10 million from the church's endowment fund, and used it for salaries and regular church expenses.

"R.H. Schuller used his control and influence to cause the [cathedral] to enter into the agreements that benefitted himself and his family, to the detriment of the creditors and in breach of his fiduciary duties" to the church, the suit charges.

A spokesman for the church, John Charles, said the food request was in keeping with the church's commitment to Christian charity. "As Dr. Schuller always says, 'Find a need and fill it,'" he said. "I think that's what we were trying to do here."

But Canfield sees things differently. "These are millionaires who have limos and chauffeurs," he said. "Why in God's name would they want the congregants to deliver meals? It's ludicrous."

[bonehead]

I'm appalled. This guy missed his calling as a politician.

[gunnut]

It seems we have a lot of these "prosperity ministries" in Orange County. There's one I drive by every single day called Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN). It's a tele-evangelist ministry asking for donations from its followers. Orange County Register did a story on the family that runs the outfit. They all make between $150k to $300k a year working at the church. I don't know if any of them do charitable work for the community. I'm not a christian but I don't think that's what Jesus taught.

[Dreadnought]

Its also no doubt a "tax shelter" as many of these "Ministries" dont pay taxes.

[troung]

Remove the shelter -tax them

[dave lukins]

Goes to show that you can fool all the people all the time.

[tankie]

Hmm only one comment V OFF

[tim52]

Saving souls is an expensive business!

[dave lukins]

Saving souls is an expensive business!

You missed out the 'ass' in front of souls

[tim52]

You missed out the 'ass' in front of souls

Let’s not be too quick to judge Dave, perhaps the good reverend is just following the old biblical proverb that money is the root of all evil and is merely trying to unburden his flock.

[dave lukins]

Let’s not be too quick to judge Dave, perhaps the good reverend is just following the old biblical proverb that money is the root of all evil and is merely trying to unburden his flock.

Never thought of that. I must punish the kids for allowing me to be too cynical. No pocket money for them for a whole year.. and when you are 37 and 39 that will sting.