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cybrjewls -> Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 12:14:01 AM)

I would like to discuss the ministry of the Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. Pastors Chuck Smith, Raul R., Greg Laurie...

Peace be with the believers in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.



Propitiation -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 1:07:33 AM)

What exactly would you like to discuss about them?



gaylel1 -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 4:00:31 PM)

What you want to know about them? they are all good godly men who teaches the bible verse by verse and they were unlikely people who became pastors.

Raul had abuse issues and he came to Christ when he saw a Christian program w/Chuck Smith. He pastors one of the larger CC's and is an evanglist, consertrating on the inner cities. BTW, he is running a crusade this year in So Cal.

Greg was the product of being shuffled through stepfathers and is the pastor of one of the biggest CC's and runs the Harvest Crusade, the longest evanglistic movement in So Cal.

You want to know more about CC pastors?....

My pastor, Jeff Johnson who is also a CC pastor also was involved in Eastern Mysticism until he accepted the Lord at CC Costa Mesa. Johnson, Ries, Laurie, Mike Macintosh, Jon Courson and Skip Hetizig are first generation CC pastors.

Some of the second generation CC pastors are Bob Coy, who was an executive w/Capital Records before the Lord called him to pastor CC Fort Laudedale, Damien Kyle in Modesto and many others.

Chuck is in his 80's now, but when he is gone on to be with the Lord, the fellowship will be in good hands because he has capable successors, including his son-in-law, Brian Broderson.



earthless -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 4:38:13 PM)

Greetings, prophetica!

For years I have enjoyed Greg Laurie's sermons - they are down to earth and doctrinally sound. What exactly are you looking at discussing in this thread?



Digrieze -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 8:27:46 PM)

Please clarify the question, you've left this one wide open.

At initial reaction I would say that the Calvary Chapel movement is one of the few that has actually been serious about discipling it's followers and teaching them the word of God in a biblically academic manner. They also have been quite willing to "remove from their fellowship" people who were willing to distort the scriptures for their personal gain.

The combination of the two practices has thus far kept them immunized from most of the excesses of the Latter Rain/New Apostolic Order messes and other problems. Faithful Bible teaching seems to be a wonderful practice for maintaining a church body, wish others would try it.



CherishedbyGod -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 8:49:38 PM)

My many years of attending Calvary Chapels experiences have been mixed.

They are great teaching churches. I have learned so much from them. I will be forever grateful for the example they have set for me in ministry, in their love for the Word, their love for the Lord and being used by God to help get me hungry for God's Word and excited about serving the Lord.

However, they are top-heavy, IMHO. For example one must ask to look at the financial books - their spending is not out in the open.

They greatly lack (at the churches I attended) in stressing the importance of sins that can rip a relationship apart such as gossip, etc. There is very little emphasis on becoming Christ-like, (again, at the chruches I attended).

I believe what started out as a pure movement has taken a slight turn away from making the Lord Jesus Christ the center of our worship instead, they make the "teaching of the Word of God" more of an emphasis.

Nevertheless, they have done an incredible work, will be rewarded much more than myself and all in all are sound, wonderful churches. Many great, great men and women of God in CC's!

Regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit they believe in them with the exception they believe the office of a prophet no longer exists.



DayStar43 -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 10:30:05 PM)

I've attended a Calvary Chapel for about 7 years. It is the manner of Calvary Chapel to preach/teach through a book of the Bible. That way, if you stay, you will have studied all the books of the Bible. I think the Bible can speak for itself. If a passage is covered that addresses sins, should the pastor specifically have to tell his congregation not to commit those sins? Shouldn't we be chastened by the Word? Why is that not sufficient?
However, having said this, my pastor has addressed particular issues that were going on at a given time. He has used different chapters to teach against differents sins, even addressing gossip and rumors, etc.



MusicianDad -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/30/2008 10:58:34 PM)

I was part of a local Calvary Chapel for several years. My experience was that they tended to lean towards legalism and prided themselves on being a "non-denomination", even though they've taken a name for themselves and all follow the teachings of Pastor Chuck.



gaylel1 -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 12:24:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CherishedbyGod

My many years of attending Calvary Chapels experiences have been mixed.

They are great teaching churches. I have learned so much from them. I will be forever grateful for the example they have set for me in ministry, in their love for the Word, their love for the Lord and being used by God to help get me hungry for God's Word and excited about serving the Lord.

However, they are top-heavy, IMHO. For example one must ask to look at the financial books - their spending is not out in the open.

They greatly lack (at the churches I attended) in stressing the importance of sins that can rip a relationship apart such as gossip, etc. There is very little emphasis on becoming Christ-like, (again, at the chruches I attended).

I believe what started out as a pure movement has taken a slight turn away from making the Lord Jesus Christ the center of our worship instead, they make the "teaching of the Word of God" more of an emphasis.

Nevertheless, they have done an incredible work, will be rewarded much more than myself and all in all are sound, wonderful churches. Many great, great men and women of God in CC's!

Regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit they believe in them with the exception they believe the office of a prophet no longer exists.



I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but not every CC church is like that. There are very good pastors in the movement, who are sincere.



TheosCentric -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 9:24:21 AM)

I guess the biggest issue I have with Calvary Chapel is dispensationalism and pre-trib rapture teachings, but other than that, they seem to be doctrinally sound.



earthless -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 9:28:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheoCentric

I guess the biggest issue I have with Calvary Chapel is dispensationalism and pre-trib rapture teachings, but other than that, they seem to be doctrinally sound.


Secondary issues, nothing to divide over. [:)]



TheosCentric -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 9:30:38 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheoCentric

I guess the biggest issue I have with Calvary Chapel is dispensationalism and pre-trib rapture teachings, but other than that, they seem to be doctrinally sound.


Secondary issues, nothing to divide over. [:)]

You're right, unless they insist on dividing over them.

[:D]



earthless -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 9:33:14 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheoCentric

quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheoCentric

I guess the biggest issue I have with Calvary Chapel is dispensationalism and pre-trib rapture teachings, but other than that, they seem to be doctrinally sound.


Secondary issues, nothing to divide over. [:)]

You're right, unless they insist on dividing over them.

[:D]


It's usually always the post-tribbers that make it an issue.



Kat_D -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 12:02:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CherishedbyGod

My many years of attending Calvary Chapels experiences have been mixed.

They are great teaching churches. I have learned so much from them. I will be forever grateful for the example they have set for me in ministry, in their love for the Word, their love for the Lord and being used by God to help get me hungry for God's Word and excited about serving the Lord.

However, they are top-heavy, IMHO. For example one must ask to look at the financial books - their spending is not out in the open.

They greatly lack (at the churches I attended) in stressing the importance of sins that can rip a relationship apart such as gossip, etc. There is very little emphasis on becoming Christ-like, (again, at the chruches I attended).

I believe what started out as a pure movement has taken a slight turn away from making the Lord Jesus Christ the center of our worship instead, they make the "teaching of the Word of God" more of an emphasis.

Nevertheless, they have done an incredible work, will be rewarded much more than myself and all in all are sound, wonderful churches. Many great, great men and women of God in CC's!

Regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit they believe in them with the exception they believe the office of a prophet no longer exists.


First of all, I go to one of the larger CC's and have since I got saved many years ago. I also work there. I am grateful to God for my CC Pastor/Boss (one of Chuck Smith's original pastors along with Greg Laurie) who instilled the Word of God in me, never wavering from the Truth. It is my foundation and it is what has kept me strong when other friends and acquaintances (too many to count) from other less biblically oriented churches have fallen by the wayside.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of CC's. If you had a bad experience at one or two of them, I'm sorry, but it happens! Things can go wrong...churches are led by men who can make mistakes ...they're human, but doctrinally, I believe CC's are sound.

Regarding the top heavy statement...I don't know what you're talking about. Top heavy would indicate that there are more people on staff (to put it in secular terms) in top management positions. This is simply not true.

Regarding the finances...not quite understanding what you mean by "having their spending out in the open." Do you mean printing it in the bulletin? That would never happen because money in general is never emphasized. Also, there is no formal membership. I would venture to say one would have to request to see the finances in most churches. Most CC's are audited every year by independent auditing agencies and that information is available to anyone who asks for it. CC's also are in complete compliance to government requirements in their record keeping.

You also contend that they are too heavy in the teaching of God's Word, yet contradict yourself by saying they're light on sin. If the Word of God is taught week-by-week and verse-by-verse, sin cannot be glossed over. Regarding the worship...worship at CC's has always been important, but yes, I would have to say, the Word is our center and our worship is based on that, as it should be, imo.

Yes, they are conservative concerning the gifts, something for which I will be forever grateful.



Propitiation -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 12:18:04 PM)

My only beef is that they totally dismiss reformed theology.



gaylel1 -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 2:09:36 PM)

I think CC's are very misunderstood because they do emphaize that the word be taught. Many churches are now adopting CC's teaching verse by verse because it is important to know the word and not sugarcoat the truth with fancy stuff that is infiltrating the church today.


I attend a CC affliated church (it is no secret) and that many of you who has this mis-information about CC got it all wrong. People like Rick Ross, who think they are a cult are misinformed about the movement because this movement is the fastest growing movement in Christianity. Chuck Smith trained his pastors well to become leaders and many of them are great leaders in spite of their upbrininging. I'm not trying to step on toes here, but I look up to these people because these people are not money grubbers, which is prevelent in the church today but their emphasis is to teach the word and the people apply it to everyday lives.

I also agree with my fellow CC sister, Kat about their operation. What she said is very, very true.



DayStar43 -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 7:21:05 PM)

I love Calvary Chapel's way of teaching the scripture. Again, you get the whole Bible and not just favorite texts or topics. Yes, my pastor admits to having a favorite book of the Bible but we get ALL the scripture.
I have never found CC to be legalistic. One of the things that I appreciate about CC is that we do believe in the gifts of the Spirit...but it is balanced. In a lot of charasmatic churches, services are disorganized. Nothing is ever questioned whether what is going on is of God. In I Cor. Paul says to let everything be done decently and in order. My pastor so aptly put order as "God does not interrupt Himself."
My pastor is conservative in his personal finances. Whenever there is a Dave Ramsey seminar nearby, we send people to attend. We have a follow-up "Financial Peace University" for anyone who wishes to attend. It is my opinion that someone who is responsible with his own finances will be responsible with the church finances. We pay for building additions as we have the money. We don't go out and borrow it. I like that.
I reject reformed theology; I would not go to a church where it is taught. So I have absolutely no problem with Calvary Chapel not teaching reformed theology. That's why there are denominations. You can go where you agree with what is being taught. No body is twisting anyone's arm to go to a church where doctrine that the person may not believe is being taught.



MusicianDad -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 9:46:48 PM)

One of the drawbacks to being a denominationalist is having to defend your denomination if someone is remotely critical of it.

On the cult thing, yeah, I think they can come off that way because they are so insular (in my experience).



Propitiation -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (3/31/2008 11:25:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DayStar43

I reject reformed theology; I would not go to a church where it is taught. So I have absolutely no problem with Calvary Chapel not teaching reformed theology. That's why there are denominations. You can go where you agree with what is being taught. No body is twisting anyone's arm to go to a church where doctrine that the person may not believe is being taught.


That's why I'm glad we have denominations but to totally reject it is kind of unorthodox since it is rooted deep in church history. Sorry for derailing the topic. Back to your regular schedule program.



gaylel1 -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (4/1/2008 12:43:51 AM)

Calvary Chapel's mission statement says that they are not opposed to demoniations, but the doctinal differences which lead to the division of the body of christ. They believe that the only true fellowship is his agape love which is greater than any differences.

I agree whole heartly with this statement.

Musician Dad, you are wrong about CC coming off as a cult. Any of us who attend a CC fellowship knows better because Chuck in his 81 years of life has done something right.

I rather listen to a CC teaching than the arrogance of a Word of Faith teacher like Creflo Dollar.

Back to your regurally scheduled thread...



Propitiation -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (4/1/2008 1:30:00 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: gaylel1

I rather listen to a CC teaching than the arrogance of a Word of Faith teacher like Creflo Dollar.

Back to your regurally scheduled thread...[/font]


That's one thing that is refreshing about CC. They have a good balance when it comes to gifts of the Holy Spirit without going wof wacky. That my charismatic friend is something to be proud of.



cybrjewls -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (4/1/2008 10:26:55 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DayStar43

"God does not interrupt Himself."


This looks like prophecy! For it is written: If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. And: "According to your faith will it be done to you"; For "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.



Kat_D -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (4/1/2008 1:46:13 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MusicianDad

One of the drawbacks to being a denominationalist is having to defend your denomination if someone is remotely critical of it.


Well, this might be true if CC's considered themselves to be a denomination, but they do not.

quote:

On the cult thing, yeah, I think they can come off that way because they are so insular (in my experience).


I have to take issue with this. I believe Gayle mentioned that Rick Ross had classified CC as a cult on his site and he actually has not. He has expounded on certain issues that have arisen in the movement that he considers to be controversial which is another aspect of what he does.



lw9 -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (4/1/2008 1:49:53 PM)

quote:

prophetica: I would like to discuss the ministry of the Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. Pastors Chuck Smith, Raul R., Greg Laurie...


prophetica

What specifically did you want to discuss about Calvary Chapel, Chuck Smith, Greg Laurie...



Kat_D -> RE: Calvary Chapel! (4/1/2008 2:30:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lw9

quote:

prophetica: I would like to discuss the ministry of the Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. Pastors Chuck Smith, Raul R., Greg Laurie...


prophetica

What specifically did you want to discuss about Calvary Chapel, Chuck Smith, Greg Laurie...


Yes, that indeed is the question! I do hope you'll be able to get an answer...it was asked when the thread started but, alas and alack, no luck yet!! [:D]



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