# Credit-Crunched Megachurches California's Crystal Cathedral Struggles to Meet Financial Needs By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-01-31 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crystal-cathedral References: [bit.ly](http://bit.ly/dpT6gg) & [ow.ly](http://ow.ly/129vz) According to Steven Colbert, “God loves blinking lights and Dolby stereo,” but those are among the cutbacks that may have to be made at the Southern Californian megachurch, the [Crystal Cathedral](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crystal-referral-program). Robert H Schuller’s legacy project is in financial trouble and is struggling after an $8 million drop in revenue in 2009. To keep the 7,000-member church afloat, the Crystal Cathedral is selling 170 acres of Orange County property known as Rancho Capistrano, cutting [television broadcasts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/td-coliseum) and laying off 50 employees. The church claims that the economy, not a family feud, caused a drop in support. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 56% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Life](https://www.trendhunter.com/life) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Megachurch Financial Troubles:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include finding alternative revenue streams and exploring more cost-effective methods of operating megachurches. - **Cutbacks and Downsizing in Megachurches:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include reevaluating church expenses and finding creative ways to engage and serve members without expensive resources. - **Impact of Economic Downturn on Megachurches:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include developing strategies to adapt to changing financial landscapes and maintaining sustainable operations in challenging economic times. ### Where This Applies - **Religious Organizations:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include rethinking traditional revenue models and exploring innovative approaches to religious services and community engagement. - **Broadcasting and Media:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include creating new platforms and technologies for delivering religious content and messages to a wider audience in a more cost-effective manner. - **Real Estate and Property:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include leveraging unused property assets and exploring alternative uses or partnerships to generate revenue for megachurches. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fluted Concrete-Added Chapels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/st-marys-coptic-church.md) - [Metaphorical Physical Community Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lighthouse-church.md) - [Reflection-Encouraging Cohesive Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hjvangen-church.md) - [Need-Based Public Fundraising Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-support.md) - [Denmark Suburban Modern Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/treroner-church.md) - [Sacred Timber Chapels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-church-tolvkanten.md) - [Beautiful Forest-Enclosed Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountain-church-of-julong.md) - [Angular Church Matte Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-church.md) - [Religious Mascot Official Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luce.md)