Crystal Cathedral loses senior pastor

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The Rev. Robert A. Schuller has resigned his senior pastor post at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., to open a new ministry, a pastor says.

Reformed Church of America Pastor Rick Mysse said Schuller's decision to leave the church follows his dismissal at the hands of his father, church founder Robert H. Schuller, from the Christian TV series "Hour of Power," the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Schuller had been serving as the lone current preacher for the series, which has run for 39 years, prior to his dismissal.

Mysse told the Times the church has not been informed of specific details regarding Schuller's plan for his own ministry.

"We know he's been working diligently on plans. It's probably a bit premature. We're giving him plenty of time," Mysse said. "It's just a question of when he wants to announce it. Frankly, that's his business."

Despite the TV series conflict, Crystal Cathedral spokesman Michael Nason confirmed Schuller is still a vital church member.

"He remains a pastor within the Reformed Church of America," Nason told the Times