Calvary Chapel

[SavannahSage]

Is Calvary Chapen non-denominational, or a "type" of non-denominational church. I never see anything on here regarding Calvary Chapel. Is there another place to look perhaps?

 

[rmw8855]

Most people I know consider Calvary Chapel a non-denominational church, however, I think according to the definition of this forum it is considered a denomination.

You might want to check out the Spirit Filled - Pentecostal / Charismatic Forum

The forum specific guidelines here - explain how the forum defines non-denominational and they list Calvary Chapel as a denomination here.

 

[Cris413]

Calvary Chapel is non-denom...and fits the definition of ND as discribed in the FSGs. I'm not sure why Calvary Chapel is on this list...this list is outdated...and incorrect.

 

[MySockPuppet]

Calvary Chapel isn't charismatic - is it?

 

[BustedFlat]

From About Calvary

Calvary Chapel is a non-denominational Christian church which began in 1965 in Costa Mesa, California. Calvary Chapel's pastor, Chuck Smith became a leading figure in what has become known as the "Jesus Movement."

From CC Fort Lauderdale: HOME > ABOUT US > DOCTRINE

http://www.calvaryftl.org/aboutus/doctrine.cfm
​

We believe that all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness of sin are freely offered to all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God, destined to spend eternity with the Lord.

As we previously mentioned, we believe in the proper Scriptural exercise of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, the greatest gift of all being God's love.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cris413]

From the Bulletin from the Calvary Chapel I attend:

Calvary Chapel has formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Our supreme desire is to know Christ and to be conformed into His image by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of the doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ.

We believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is His (Agape) love ,which is greater than any difference we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians...

We gather together to praise and glorify Jesus Christ. Our purpose is threefold:

Pursuing a loving relationship with God is man's highest calling and it should be every believer's focus. All ministry flows out of this relationship.

As Christians, it should be our desire to equip and prepare each other for service as we grow in God's Word. We meet regularly to be trained according to what the Bible teaches. We believe the Bible is the owner's manual for the lives of all people.

Jesus commanded, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." (Matt 28.19) Our desire is that every Christian will influence those he or she associates with and make and impact for Christ.

I've attended Calvary Chapels in three different states...while there are similarities...there are differences as well...depending on the leadership of the each Calvary.

Each Calvary is an independent church...totally relying on God's guidance and provision. There is no financial support from any other Calvary Chapel.

There is spiritual support though out Calvary Chapels for one another and such but each Calvary stands on their own with God.

Not only does Calvary not rely on financial support from any governing Calvary body...most Calvary Chapels do not even ask for a formal offering...relying totally on God and the leading of the Holy Spirit to provide and grow the fellowship according to His good purpose.

Hope that helps clear things up a bit.

 

[BustedFlat]

Calvary Chapel isn't charismatic - is it?

Chuck Smith, the founder of CC was an ordained Pentecost minister who started holding bible studies in his home for hippies and surfers in the 60s. That ministry blossomed into Calvary Chapel.

If you like you can read through

CALVARY CHAPEL DISTINCTIVES
The Foundational Principles of the Calvary Chapel Movement
by Chuck Smith http://www3.calvarychapel.com/library/smith-chuck/books/ccd.htm

from the preface:

There are many who believe in the gifts and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but they don't have a strong emphasis on Biblical teaching, nor do they look to the Word to guide their experiences with the Holy Spirit. There are many who have a strong emphasis on teaching the Word of God, but they don't share the view that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available and valid today. In Calvary Chapel we find the teaching of the Word, and an open heart to the work of the Holy Spirit. It is this balance that makes Calvary Chapel a distinct and uniquely blessed movement of God. And so it's important to understand the Biblical principles that make up the picture of why God has allowed us to exist and grow.

​

 

[SavannahSage]

Thanks for clarifying. I've been reading up on it. It sounds like what my husband & I were looking for. Many thanks for your great responses.

 

[MySockPuppet]

So, take it they say they are - but theres no real emphasis on the charisms

 

[BustedFlat]

The emphasis is different from pastor to pastor, church to church. Many churches hold afterglow service where the focus is much more on the gifts. Others, not so much, but will concentrate more on the Word. There will still be small group focus on the chrisms within the body.

 

[Cris413]

Thanks for clarifying. I've been reading up on it. It sounds like what my husband & I were looking for. Many thanks for your great responses.

Blessings...I believe...when we prayerfully seek where it is God would have us fellowship and worship...He leads us exactly where He wants us!

 

[ANM29]

So, take it they say they are - but theres no real emphasis on the charisms

No, not the one I attended in Ft.Lauderdale..Not during service anyway.

I almost felt like I would end up thrown out if I yelled out Hallelujah too loud.

Very orderly services....

 

[Cris413]

Every CC I've attended or visited was warm and welcoming...I attended CC Ft Laud for years...and I miss it very much.

Wonderful fellowship and awesome teaching.

In all my years there...many would offer an AMEN or a HALLELUJA....and not once was anyone asked to leave.

Now...I'm not sure how it would be handled if someone got up during the teaching and started speaking in tongues...or falling down in the isles or some such...

I've never seen such an occurence.

Yes...the teaching is quite orderly...

1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

As I mentioned...there was a regular after glow service...

and home fellowships to encourage believers to meet in smaller groups for deeper fellowship and study.


Home fellowship is also a more intimate time to share the gifts as the Holy Spirit leads.

I went to a Charismatic Church once...2 preachers were standing on a platform both shouting different things at the same time...the congration was all doing their own thing...

I felt like I was lost in a sea of confusion....

...but that's simply how God made me...

If I'm a foot...I shouldn't expect to be a hand...

1Co 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
1Co 12:15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body?

Awesome study...

Blessings!

 

[Nadiine]

Calvary Chapel is non-denom...and fits the definition of ND as discribed in the FSGs. I'm not sure why Calvary Chapel is on this list...this list is outdated...and incorrect.

I've always attended a Calvary Chapel since coming back to the Lord in 1997.
They are non denom. and definitely fit the criteria of this forum as ND.
I'm not quite sure how Gifts of the Spirit are brought into the discussion as I didn't go thru each post yet, but Calvary Chapels aren't close to pentecostalism or Charismatics.
Here in Cal., we had a man during service doing some "strange" things in his seat which was very distracting and he was asked to go into the Sanctuary by an Usher.

I agree with the verse on being orderly in services. If somebody benefits from jumping around or what I consider chaos (and it's being done by others & welcomed there)... so be it. I won't judge them, it's just not my bag personally.

 

[ANM29]

Of course you can say Amen and Hallelujah...Just still not TOO LOUD...as in the charasmatic kind of way when you just go with the flow......No dancing around, or none of that I have ever seen.

I did love the church..Great teachings, but as any other church..There is always something you wish they had more of, or less of..

Much Love to Bob Coy........

 

[Psalms34]

CC is definitely non-denom. It is an affiliation of churches that believe the same general things.

Calvary Chapel isn't charismatic - is it?

Sure is, but all in order. Generally, in most CC's you won't notice it so openly displayed at will. So like when the Pastor is teaching, there won't be any shouts and tongues filling the room, because the Holy Spirit does not interrupt Himself, being that the Pastor is led by the Holy Spirit to teach. But many have afterglow for that, where people will practice such gifts if they feel led to. Afterglow is basically a worship service after the regular services at some churches.

But yeah, CC believes that the gifts are for today, but they have their own time and place for practice, and must reflect what the bible teaches about them since bible teaching is of great emphasis for all CC's. So don't expect a pastor to break out with the Holy Ghost super soaker water gun during service and start 'slaying people in the spirit'... not goin ta happen heh

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

I have to agree with what the other Calvary Chapel members have said in this thread. I personally love CC, and have been attending CC churches regularly since 1996.

And yes, CC is Charismatic, although not necessarily in the "dramatic" sense. That was why I joined the Charismatic forum when I first joined the site, because, at the time, there were too many "liberal" discussions here in the ND forum, IMO.

 

[Nadiine]

I have to agree with what the other Calvary Chapel members have said in this thread. I personally love CC, and have been attending CC churches regularly since 1996.

And yes, CC is Charismatic, although not necessarily in the "dramatic" sense. That was why I joined the Charismatic forum when I first joined the site, because, at the time, there were too many "liberal" discussions here in the ND forum, IMO.

I left this ND section awhile back to join the conservative forum becuz it was too liberal here and wasn't ND as I know ND'nominalization.
Unfortunately the liberalism crept in over there too & we had a falling out.

But anyways, I've attended quite a few CC's here in Cal. and none of them where Charismatic. That's news to me

 

[Nadiine]

Ok, I read faith Warriors post - I did attend 1 CC that did have an afterglow where gifts were allowed and it was after church.
But I don't label that "Charismatic". Maybe my terms are different.

 

[Cris413]

CCs being ND do differ from fellowship to fellowship depending on the leadership...

there are comonalities...such as leading of the Holy Spirit exponential teaching and high emphasis on worship...

I think Faith_Warrior summed it up pretty well in his post...

Sure is, but all in order. Generally, in most CC's you won't notice it so openly displayed at will. So like when the Pastor is teaching, there won't be any shouts and tongues filling the room, because the Holy Spirit does not interrupt Himself, being that the Pastor is led by the Holy Spirit to teach. But many have afterglow for that, where people will practice such gifts if they feel led to. Afterglow is basically a worship service after the regular services at some churches.

But yeah, CC believes that the gifts are for today, but they have their own time and place for practice, and must reflect what the bible teaches about them since bible teaching is of great emphasis for all CC's. So don't expect a pastor to break out with the Holy Ghost super soaker water gun during service and start 'slaying people in the spirit'... not goin ta happen heh