Hour of Power - History

History

The program first aired in 1970 as a church service of the Garden Grove Community Church. It was originally hosted by the elder Schuller; the younger Schuller co-hosted it from 1976 to 2008.

On July 9, 2008, the presidency of the church was shifted from the senior Schuller to his son-in-law Jim Coleman.

On October 26, 2008, it was announced that the elder Schuller had removed his son, Robert A. Schuller, as teaching pastor, but allowed him to remain as the Crystal Cathedral's senior pastor. Schuller senior said that he wanted to take the ministry in a different direction and for the foreseeable future would use guest speakers for the weekly services rather than his son. Well-known speakers who were used in the early stages of the new format included Lee Strobel, John C. Maxwell, and Bill Hybels. On November 29, 2008, the church announced that the younger Schuller had resigned.

On October 18, 2010, the board of the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy in Santa Ana, California.

On March 10, 2012, it was announced that Robert H. Schuller and his wife, Arvella, will be leaving the church. The following day, March 11, 2012, Schuller Coleman announced at the morning service that she, too, would also be leaving the church, cutting all family ties with the Crystal Cathedral and Hour of Power, stating that "This is the last Sunday we will be worshiping in this building." The ministry's successor, Rev. Bill Bennett, said that the ministry will continue, but now using a more traditional service.