Question about Calvary Chapel Churches

[GraceLikeRainFallsDown]

Hi All,

My family and I have been looking for a church in our new area. We have been to a Calvary Chapel a few times that we seem to like. The preaching has been very biblical.

I was speaking to a friend I have known "forever" and she had some reservations about Calvary Chapel.

I was wondering if any of you have experiences with one of the many Calvary Chapels. If so, what were the positives and negatives? Does anyone have any doctrinal issues with them?

I just want to know what I am getting into before I commit. We asked if they had a membership information packet and were surprised they do not have membership. That is what lead me to ask my friend if she knew anything about them.

Any opinions will be appreciated.

 

[A New Dawn]

I have never been to one, but I have heard good things and bad things about them. I think that they, like every other church, needs to be evaluated to see if they teach the truth, have the types of services you can worship at, have other things you might need available for a family. If you have some specific questions, you could make an appointment with a pastor there.

 

[mont974x4]

I have attended one here and found it pretty good, depending on who was preaching. It was a small group and met in public places (like a school gym) and the pastor was not salaried....he had a regular job to support his family.

I do listen to Calvary Satelite Network on the radio (and webcast) and have found most (95% or better) of their teaching to be biblically sound.

 

[calidog]

They're great, every one that I attended. Check out calvarychapel.org for more info.

 

[Cris413]

I've been to several. The first Calvary I went to was Calvary Chapel Ft Lauderdale...Pastor Bob Coy. When I attended there...I grew more in 1 year there than I did in the prior 10 years at other churches all together.

I think that's because of the exponential teaching directly from the Word as led by the Holy Spirit.

Calvary is a come as you are fellowship. You don't have to have it together to attend Calvary. Just come as you are and let the Spirit do the rest.

The pastors are Servant Pastor-Teachers. Meaning they are there to serve, teach and care for the flock intrusted to them.

Most do not take an offering...some do....but not many. The thought is that where God guides...God provides and your gifts and offering are between you and God...not between you and the church.

Some people do not like the informality. As I say...it's come as you are. God is not real concerned about our outside appearance...but the condition of our hearts.

We have been to a couple Calvary Chapels that did not turn out to be our "home" church for whatever reason but for us there is no place we would rather fellowship unless God leads us somewhere else as He calls us for His good will and purpose.

What has touched my heart the most...is Calvary Ft Lauderdale, Calvary Tri-State in Ohio... or Calvary Katy (where we are now) big or small...all were Spirit led with the same heart to serve the Lord!

The aspects of Calvary that mean the most to me are the exponential teaching...word by word, line by line through Bible, as led by the Holy Spirit. A huge emphasis is placed on worship and fellowship.

There is no membership and the suggestion to speak one on one with the pastor is excellent!

Most Calvarys do have websites that should include a mission statement. If it is Calvary Chapel associated with Chuck Smith from Costa Mesa California...then there would be little variance in the mission statements and exponential teaching.

As I'm sure you already know, sister, first and foremost seek where God would lead you to fellowship. He always knows exactly where we should be!



Feel free to PM if I can be helpful to you!

God bless sister.

 

[JTLauder]

I've never attended a Calvary church regularly but the couple of times I've visited one and from what others have said, they are a solid Biblical church.

They do tend to be more casual and charismatic in nature which can put off some conservatives Christians who are used to more traditional and reserved worship services.

You might want to ask your friend what reservations she has about them. It may just be a matter of taste and preferences of worship styles.

 

[GraceLikeRainFallsDown]

I've never attended a Calvary church regularly but the couple of times I've visited one and from what others have said, they are a solid Biblical church.

They do tend to be more casual and charismatic in nature which can put off some conservatives Christians who are used to more traditional and reserved worship services.

You might want to ask your friend what reservations she has about them. It may just be a matter of taste and preferences of worship styles.

My friend's issue with them was that they do not agree with using modern therapy techniques. They believe that all the answers you need in life are in the Bible. While I understand that everything you need is in the Bible, I do not think that all science of the human brain should be disregarded. I believe that God can reveal himself to us through science. (Just look at nature)

Someone may need to go to a Christian therapist to get help or have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Her understanding was that they do not agree with mental health treatment.

I am trying to investigate this a little. It seems she is right according to what I have read. I might ask the Pastor about his thoughts on the subject.

It is not a huge issue for me personally. I am fortunate to not have ever been in therapy for anything. But, I am concerned if they ignore this type of science that the people that come to them may not be getting the appropriate help they need.

While researching this point, I found that they have a top down heirarchy. I have not attended a church with that structure since I left Catholicism. Their philosophy is that if you do not like what the pastor is doing - leave. I am not sure how I feel about this. I think I prefer the pastor to be accountable to the people in the congregation.

But, the teaching has been very good and Biblical so far.

 

[solo56]

My friend's issue with them was that they do not agree with using modern therapy techniques. They believe that all the answers you need in life are in the Bible. While I understand that everything you need is in the Bible, I do not think that all science of the human brain should be disregarded. I believe that God can reveal himself to us through science. (Just look at nature)

Their are a couple of these churches in my area. They don't say much about their doctrinal beliefs on their website. If indeed it's true that they don't believe in modern therapy means they are a branch off the church of Scientology. That's not a good thing imo.

 

[A New Dawn]

Their are a couple of these churches in my area. They don't say much about their doctrinal beliefs on their website. If indeed it's true that they don't believe in modern therapy means they are a branch off the church of Scientology. That's not a good thing imo.

I wouldn't necessarily jump to that conclusion. I think there are probably quite a few churches that don't approve of modern therapy. Some only approve of therapy if it is done by the church.

 

[malckiah]

Hello, i have not only been a part of Calvary, but i have participated in their yearly pastor's conferences and i can tell you that Calvary is pretty good! I have recently been called to start my own church in Kansas, it will just be non-denominational and not a Calvary, at least not yet. Truly each Calvary is a bit different.....but for the most part you will typically find good teaching that doesn't add or take away from The Word of God! I know that Calvary doesn't teach against medicines or any medical practices. But, like i said each church is a bit different. The best thing to do is pray and ask if that is where The Lord wants you! Even if it is good, The Lord may have somewhere else planned. God Bless!

 

[david1988]

Here is a link of what Calvary Chapel believes. The link is from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, the home of Chuck Smith founder of Calvary Chapel.

http://costamesa.calvarychapel.com/pages/statementoffaith

 

[jad123]

I have been attending a Calvary Chapel for about 2 1/2 years. I think you will find there are some very good Calvary Chapels and there are some very bad Calvary Chapels. I have found the Calvary is very Pastor centric which has pros and cons. For the most part I look at Calvary Chapels as a denomination. Pick up the book Calvary Distictives by Chuck Smith and sets up the basic teachings what sets Calvary apart.

 

[jad123]

My friend's issue with them was that they do not agree with using modern therapy techniques. They believe that all the answers you need in life are in the Bible. While I understand that everything you need is in the Bible, I do not think that all science of the human brain should be disregarded. I believe that God can reveal himself to us through science. (Just look at nature)

Someone may need to go to a Christian therapist to get help or have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Her understanding was that they do not agree with mental health treatment.

I am trying to investigate this a little. It seems she is right according to what I have read. I might ask the Pastor about his thoughts on the subject.

It is not a huge issue for me personally. I am fortunate to not have ever been in therapy for anything. But, I am concerned if they ignore this type of science that the people that come to them may not be getting the appropriate help they need.

While researching this point, I found that they have a top down heirarchy. I have not attended a church with that structure since I left Catholicism. Their philosophy is that if you do not like what the pastor is doing - leave. I am not sure how I feel about this. I think I prefer the pastor to be accountable to the people in the congregation.

But, the teaching has been very good and Biblical so far.

I have never seen this therapy issue at the Calvary that I attend and if I did I would be out the door. The structure is very loose and is very dependent upon who the pastor is. Worship services differ church to church as well.

 

[Moonlight Lady]

I have never seen this therapy issue at the Calvary that I attend and if I did I would be out the door. The structure is very loose and is very dependent upon who the pastor is. Worship services differ church to church as well.

I have never been to a Calvary Chapel Church, but my cousin and her husband have been going to one in Florida for about 3 years, and based on what she has told me I'd have to agree with Jad. They seem to have wonderful open fellowships, and (knowing my cousin), if the church did have such an aversion to modern science or modern medicine she and her husband would both be out the door. See... their little boy has had leukemia from birth, and by the grace of God he has lived many more years than he was expected to, mostly because God allowed them access to (almost) free modern day medical treatments. So there is no way my cousin would stay at a church that didn't support modern medicine.

 

[hopeinGod]

I think, it comes down to understanding where it is you see yourself in regard to the vision the Lord has for His Church.

I am from a Charismatic background. My beliefs encompass truths regarding the gifts of the Spirit, the manifestations of the Spirit of Christ, and the great truth that there were, and will continue to be within the real Church, great and marvelous movements of God.

From speaking to leaders within Calvary Chapel, I have been told that they do not hold to the notion of "movements," that they hold their services with regard to maintaining order above all. There is no desire within them to seek the manifest presence of God.

A new movement of God is on the horizon, even greater than what was experienced by those on Azuza Street and in the 70s, and all church leaders should be praying for and anticipating it -- as church prophets are consistently prophecying.

Most churches remain as they have for centuries. Services are being held with nothing more in mind than having musical performances and speaking in predictable fashion, without regard for the yoke-breaking, divine interruptions of the Spirit which the Lord wants to produce from out of his anointed vessels.

If you want to attend a Calvary church, then go. If you want to be among those who understand the leadership of the Holy Ghost, I would suggest you move on.

David

 

[solo56]

I have never seen this therapy issue at the Calvary that I attend and if I did I would be out the door. The structure is very loose and is very dependent upon who the pastor is. Worship services differ church to church as well.

I can't find any info that says the "Calvary Chapel Church" doesn't believe in therapy issues either. Here's another link to some of their doctrinal beliefs.
Calvary Chapel

I think I will attend one of their services. The closest church to me is 35 miles away. I'm looking for a church and this may be the one.

 

[Pasat_14]

I can't say I've ever been to a Calvary Chapel but I was once part of a group that used to get DVDs by Pastor Chuck and other well known pastors of the Calvary Chapels. This group felt Calvary Chapel was the only church that was 'right' and anyone who is Lutheran or any other denomination was not saved.
I am now not welcome within this group anymore as I've become friends with someone who is a Christian but they believe isn't saved. I don't know whether this is Calvary Chapels influence or what, but I would say be careful. Their teachings are biblical and I really like it how they go right through the Bible, not missing a verse. Though I felt some of their teachings relied to heavily on works saving us, even though it's not one of their beliefs.
This is my experience anyways, I'm not here to attack anyone or anything. If you attend a Calvary Chapel and feel it's right for you, then that's cool! lol.
Also - check out the testimony of how Calvary Chapel formed, there's some awesome God stuff happening in that!

 

[GraceLikeRainFallsDown]

I think this statement that I found on a few Calvary church sites is what lead to the conclusion that Calvary does not support modern psychology. I underlined the part that applied most.


From: http://www3.calvarychapel.com/lakeland/donot.htm

"Some churches have incorporated human secular psychology and philosophy into their teaching programs, creating sermons that are more based on secular humanistic theory than on the Word of God. While we respect our fellow believers who work in mental health related fields, we at Calvary Chapel believe that the central mission of the church is to proclaim God's Word to a lost and hurting world. Moreover, it has been our experience that humanistic psychology and philosophy often do more harm than good, and people respond best when God's Word is proclaimed in the power and love of the Holy Spirit. It is God's Word that changes lives for the better. At Calvary Chapels our services remain centered on the teaching of the Bible."

They do say that they respect fellow believers in the mental health fields though. So, it is conflicting.

I have decided this is not enough to stop me from going to the church we started atteding. They do not ban modern psychology, they just do not promote it or use discuss it in teaching programs or sermons.

I do not go to church to hear about psychology anyways.

 

[solo56]

They do say that they respect fellow believers in the mental health fields though. So, it is conflicting.

I have decided this is not enough to stop me from going to the church we started atteding. They do not ban modern psychology, they just do not promote it or use discuss it in teaching programs or sermons.

I do not go to church to hear about psychology anyways.

I agree. I don't see anywhere that they forbid therapy, or even think it's a sin. No problem here. I don't think anyone will ever find a church that they believe 100% with.

What's that saying again?

"If you find the perfect church. Please don't go to it because you will mess it up"

 

[Moonlight Lady]

I agree. I don't see anywhere that they forbid therapy, or even think it's a sin. No problem here. I don't think anyone will ever find a church that they believe 100% with.

What's that saying again?

"If you find the perfect church. Please don't go to it because you will mess it up"

lol... Cute.

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