Sacremento Bee June 3, 2001

Southern California Televangelist turns to phones to lure parishioners

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) -- The Rev. Robert Schuller is taking a page from telemarketers in promoting his Crystal Cathedral and "Hour of Power" TV show.

Over the past few months, a church campaign has sent Schuller's recorded voice into as many as 400,000 homes each week. The 30-second messages invite listeners to watch Schuller's show or attend services at the Orange County cathedral "and bring a friend."

Church officials say television ratings and Sunday service attendance are up and there have been few complaints.

"We really believe in the product," said Larry Sonnenburg, the cathedral's chief operating officer. "A certain segment of the market might take offense, but Dr. Schuller is not afraid to market the church."

Indeed, Schuller has long used mass-marketing. He began preaching atop a drive-in theater concession stand in 1955. His weekly show is broadcast worldwide.

But some consider the telemarketing approach crass and annoying.

"What an incredible intrusion," said Polly Stanbridge of Corona del Mar, who got two recorded calls. "I get so incensed. I'm not so sure why it's so offensive -- it's just way too gimmicky for me."

"When I find out it's an advertisement, I feel used."

On the other hand, Carol Dobyns, who has attended the church for 40 years, appreciated the call that came the same day that her doctor warned her cancer might be returning.

"It was so assuring and uplifting to hear my pastor's voice, even though it was recorded," said the Laguna Woods resident, who was later determined to be cancer-free.

Other churches have tried telemarketing only to drop it, said Mike Regele, president of Percept, a company that provides market information to churches nationwide.

"I've heard some pretty negative feedback," Regele said. "Religious faith is such a personal thing. People want some contact with a human being ... We're co-opting the methods of selling Fords to sell Jesus."

Problems? Suggestions? Let us hear from

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), June 04, 2001

Answers

God loves you and so do I (if you send money).

-- (RevSmiley@Crystal.Cathedral), June 04, 2001.

As tacky as this is, IMO it is less offensive than the confiscatory, capricious and deliberately convoluted tax policies of the Federales.

I hang up on telemarketers routinely. I will hang up on Rev Smiley if he calls. The IRS will penalize me usuriously or confiscate my property if I "hang up" on them.

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), June 04, 2001.

Lars, if you want the telemarketing company to stop calling you, say "take me off of your calling LIST" or "put me on your do-not-call LIST". For some reason the law requiring telemarketing companies to leave you alone at your request specifies that you use the word LIST.

-- helen (former@tele.marketer), June 04, 2001.

You can also tell the Jehova's Witnessess to not visit your house anymore.

-- davey12 (davey12@thistlerspointcove.com), June 05, 2001.

Beeeeep beeeeeeeep beeeeeeep bee

"Hello"

"Hello friend, this is Robert Schuller. God loves you and so do I". (sound of smiling face)

"Rev Schuller, how nice of you to call this old gray shut-in. I always watch your.."

"God loves you and so do I".(no smiling sound)

"Yes"

"We invite you to come share our worship at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. No stone-throwing please".

"But I am a shut-in and can't get.."

"It's the Hour of Power and I do many catchy word things and there are celebrities and you might get on TV".

"But..."

"God loves you and so do I" (sound of smiling). Click.

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), June 05, 2001.