Read the latest here on Robert Schuller’s response to the covenant

GARDEN GROVE – Choir members at the financially troubled Crystal Cathedral say they are upset by a covenant they have been asked to sign that places a strong emphasis on them being heterosexual and Christian.

The “Crystal Cathedral Worship Choir and Worship Team Covenant,” recently handed out to members, states that members should commit to being Christians by following the Bible in every way.

Former and current choir members say they are particularly offended by a statement in the document that refers to homosexuality. Long-time church members say this is the first time they have seen the cathedral take a firm stand against homosexuality and are disturbed by it.

The covenant states: “I understand that in an era where images of family relationship and personal sexuality are often confused, Crystal Cathedral Ministries believes that it is important to teach and model the biblical view. I understand that Crystal Cathedral Ministries teaches that sexual intimacy is intended by God to only be within the bonds of marriage, between one man and one woman.”

Ann Moore Waltz, a long-time church member and the Cathedral’s first soloist to stand and sing on top the snack shack in Robert H. Schuller community church at the Orange drive-in said, she does not agree with the statement in the covenant.

“If I were still in the choir and if that was presented to me, and if a gay person had walked out, I would have walked out with him or her,” she said. “If you are a Christian group and people come to you, you should be a good servant, love them and shine the light of Jesus on them – regardless of who they are.”

Sheila Schuller Coleman, daughter of the founder and senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, issued a statement Tuesday saying the document is intended to “clarify expectations placed on them as ministry leaders.”

“It is true that our new choir covenant includes a definition of marriage and that may have contributed to the hurt,” she stated. “The definition is the one that our denomination, The Reformed Church in America, and the Crystal Cathedral adheres to, based on its understanding of the scriptures.”

Coleman apologized for the pain the covenant has caused some choir members.

“As the church has been engaging in this sensitive dialogue, people that we care for deeply have been hurt,” she said. “We are sincerely sorry. Those of us in church leadership ask for understanding as we seek to obey God and love all of His children.”

The contract also states: “I will be committed to sharing my complaints and issues only with the people involved…I will not discuss any unresolved issues with anyone other than the person(s) involved along with the Minister of Worship.”

John Charles, a spokesman for the cathedral, said this does not mean gays are banned from the choir.

“This contract is to educate choir members about what our church believes in,” he said.

Choir members at this point are “strongly encouraged” to sign the covenant if they wish to sing in the choir, Charles said.

The megachurch has dealt with a wave of controversial issues over the last two years – from the family feud that prompted Robert A. Schuller, the founder’s son, to walk out to salaries and housing allowances for Schuller family members. Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Oct. 18. Prior to bankruptcy, the church sold several assets, cut about 150 of its staff members and slashed air time by 50 percent. Its congregation has shrunk to about 5,000 from its highpoint of 10,000.

A bankruptcy court hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday to discuss salaries for insiders, particularly Gretchen Schuller Penner and her mother-in-law, Neva Penner Klaassen

According to bankruptcy filings, donations fell by 24 percent in 2009. The church, at this point, owes money to about 550 creditors. The Cathedral lost $16.8 million over three years on total revenues of $70.8 million. The cathedral still owes about $7.5 million to unsecured creditors including long-time vendors who help stage the “Glory of Christmas” pageants.

The choir covenant is the most recent issue to raise concern among church members regarding the cathedral’s future direction.

A church member who has been with the Crystal Cathedral choir for the last 19 years said she will quit if she is required to sign the covenant.

“I have already told them I won’t sign it,” said the choir member, who asked not to be identified. “We have had gays in the choir before. I’m not gay. But I don’t believe in what they’re saying.”

The choir member says she doesn’t agree with the statement that choir members should be “Christian” either.

“We have had members in the past who had personal problems, but turned their lives around and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior after they sang in the choir,” she said.

Don Neuen, the cathedral’s beloved, long-time choir director, left the church last year because he disagreed with Gretchen Schuller Penner’s view that choir members should be “vetted” to make sure they are good Christians. Penner is a producer for the cathedral’s “Hour of Power” program, broadcast to audiences worldwide.

Larry LaBonte, a church member for more than three decades, said choir members are not happy to sing Gospel and praise music, which Coleman announced would be the new way at their church as opposed to the classical style. LaBonte said Coleman made an announcement during a fellowship class in which he was a participant.

“It was given to us as information,” he said. “The elders were not even consulted about it. It’s possible that Sheila and Gretchen are trying to reach out to a younger crowd.”

LaBonte said he disagreed with the clause in the covenant with regard to homosexuality as well.

“I’ve never understood that to be the teaching at the Crystal Cathedral,” he said. “Anyone should be welcome here.”

Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com