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Hour of Power in hour of peril

Californian-based religious show The Hour of Power may be pulled in up to eight markets following a drop in contributions.

It’s been airing for 40 years of television somewhere in the world but Californian-based religious show The Hour of Power is in danger of disappearing due to a drop in contributions.

The programme, which still airs in Australia on TEN and the Australian Christian Channel, has seen its church suffer a revenue drop of 27% from roughly $US30 million ($A33.53 million) in 2008 to $US22 million ($A24.59 million) in 2009.

The Crystal Cathedral will lay off 50 workers, sell surplus property and may pull The Hour of Power in up to eight markets. The church has put its 170-acre retreat known as Rancho Capistrano up for sale.

The Hour of Power, filmed in the cathedral’s main sanctuary, at one point attracted 1.3 million viewers in 156 countries, including Australia.

The church, founded by the Rev. Robert H. Schuller more than 50 years ago, is now led by Schuller’s daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman, following a family feud which led to his son Rev. Robert A. Schuller stepping down in 2008.

Source: LA Times, Bigpond News

12 Responses

  1. Oh I’m as skeptic as the rest of you, but I loved this show in small doses. Especially Schuller — even if I didn’t absorb his teachings, I did enjoy his speaking style. Ever since I was a little kid.

    Last I remember, his son was trying to do some of the TV show, but he just didn’t have the “gift”, and the old dad had to come back on stage to save the presentation standards. Not surprised to hear he’s left. I wonder how good the daughter is.

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