GARDEN GROVE, Calif., March 7 (UPI) -- Three family members of California's Crystal Cathedral's founder have been fired from their positions, church officials said.
Founder Robert H. Schuller's daughter Gretchen Penner and her husband, Jim Penner, were terminated from their positions as producers of the church's "Hour of Power" television show, The Orange County Register reported Wednesday. Jim Coleman, husband of Senior Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman -- another of Schuller's daughters -- was fired from his job as director of creative services.
Schuller and his wife Arvella, both members of the ministry's board, abstained from voting Thursday.
"So this isn't a family dispute," Schuller said.
The Garden Grove church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2010, which has led to a shakeup in leadership. Schuller Coleman was replaced by John Charles as the chief executive officer and president of the church last month.
"Organizational changes affecting ministry leaders are never easy to make, especially when it involves individuals who have devoted their lives to this ministry and have served with great distinction," Charles said in a statement. "It was a very difficult decision the Crystal Cathedral Ministries board of directors prayerfully deemed was necessary in order to make a change in direction for the 'Hour of Power' and reverse recent declining donations and viewership."
