Schuller was raised in Garden Grove, California, where he attended Santa Ana High School. He then graduated in 1976 from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. He was also employed at Crystal Cathedral, leading worship services every Sunday evening, working under a 24-hour prayer group and organizing small group fellowships. In 1980, Schuller became an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, after receiving a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He received an honorary doctorate degree from National Hispanic University in San Jose, California in 1996.

Schuller has four children and lives in Laguna Beach, California. His oldest son, Robert Vernon ("Bobby"), is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, as well as having a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bobby Schuller is pastor of The Gathering, a nondenominational reformed church in Orange, CA. A daughter, Christina, was a cast member during the first season of The Real Orange County. Another daughter, Angie, is also a graduate of Oral Roberts University and is a pastor at megachurch Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. Schuller's first marriage ended in divorce in 1983 and he married his current wife, Donna, on November 10, 1984.

In 1981, Schuller founded Rancho Capistrano Community Church in San Juan Capistrano, California, where he served as senior pastor for over 20 years. He also founded the Rancho Capistrano Conference Center in 1981 and still serves as Chief Executive Director. In 1992, he established the Rancho Capistrano School, offering pre-school, elementary school and middle school.

In 1987, he was one of the ministers who helped to raise $250,000 to rebuild La Carbonera, Mexico, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Gilbert. He has taken more than 3,000 people on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He continues to partner with several non-profit/charitable organizations which help people worldwide.

From 1995 to 2000, Schuller also hosted a one-hour live coast to coast radio show, which gained popularity. The program revolved around health and wellness and featured a number of guest stars, including Larry King, Robert Atkins, and Elizabeth Dole.

Following his father's retirement as senior pastor in 2006, the consistory of the Crystal Cathedral voted to approve him as the new senior pastor (his father continued to serve on the board of the Hour of Power). With over 25 million viewers worldwide, the Hour of Power is the fourth longest-running Sunday series in the United States.

On October 25, 2008, his father announced that Schuller had been removed from the Hour of Power television program, citing "a lack of shared vision". In a prepared statement, founder Robert H. Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry". It was subsequently announced on November 29, 2008, that Schuller had resigned from his position as Senior Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral.

On April 8, 2009, it was reported that Schuller would be launching his own television and internet ministry. Schuller will also be a pastor emeritus at The Gathering, the church started by his son, Robert V. "Bobby" Schuller. Schuller will also be involved in Bobby Schuller's "St. Patrick Project", a community outreach ministry.

In 2009, Schuller became chairman of Comstar Media Fund, a media investment company. Comstar owns several media companies including cable television networks FamilyNet and American Life TV.

Like his father, Schuller emphasizes the teaching of "positive Christianity", sometimes called "positive gospel" (not to be confused with the Prosperity Gospel). It is argued in some schools of theological thought that doing so overemphasizes grace over holiness.

However, where his father's preaching tends to be heavier on psychological reference and lighter on scriptural reference, Schuller's messages rely considerably on scriptural reference, hermeneutics, and apologetics, making the role of "positivism" secondary and more in line with mainstream evangelicalism.

Schuller has written numerous books. Some of the more popular include, "Getting Through What You're Going Through", "Possibility Living" and his New York Times best seller, "Walking in Your Own Shoes".