I read through Chuck Smith’s “Calvary Chapel Distinctives: The Foundational Principles of the Calvary Chapel Movement” for a second time. This time I made sure to prayerfully consider what I was reading, and to keep an open mind. Originally I had planned to walk through each chapter on this blog discussing the positive and negative aspects I came across, but as I re-read the book I came to realize that I had many very strong concerns over what I was reading.
There are some great things in this book for every church to consider, the greatest I think was balance -balanced attitudes, balanced hearts, balanced worship, balanced teachings, etc., etc. as long as that balance is balanced to the Word of God. Nevertheless the good things that I did read do not negate the exceedingly dangerous things this book had to offer.
The positive thing to note is that Calvary Chapel describes itself as a movement and not a denomination. The reason that this is important to take notice of is that it identifies Calvary Chapel Churches as independent, self-governed, non-denominational churches. Each church is its own entity and does not necessarily agree with or subscribes to any or all Chuck Smith’s Distinctives. This book is not THE rule book for Calvary Chapel Churches to live and die by; it is merely what Chuck Smith (the movement’s founder) considers to be the distinct attributes that would describe/define his movement.
Here is what I am going to do now that I have re-read this book and find myself left with the disappointment and disbelief. I am going to take the next couple of weeks to look at the things I considered dangerous and toxic to the health of any church . I will discuss those issues here.
These posts are not intended to tear down Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Churches, or any particular Calvary Chapel pastor. These posts are being offered for discussion, review, observation, and consideration. As always comments, questions, other perspectives are always welcome, BUT I will not tolerate any berating or belittling of any person through this series. This is to simply look at the ideas and discuss their implications, what does/does not make them dangerous, how they could affect a church, believers, and our relationship with our Savior.
I think that this may be a difficult and uncomfortable series, but I really want to talk about what I read. There are some serious concerns that I need to talk out.
See You Soon!
27 April 2008 at 5:46 pm
You know, its been a long time since I read that book myself. I don’t even think I made it all the way through! Looking forward to what you have to say, Michael.
Grace & Peace,
Roger
3 July 2008 at 3:13 pm
I just started a blog specifically about Calvary Chapels. The focus deals with the government of Calvary Chapel and the CC Distinctives. You are absolutely right about having concerns about what you read in that book. I too have read it a couple of times and find portions of it compelling. On the whole, most Calvary Chapels are a strange mix between good and decent bible believing Christians who unfortunately have a somewhat blind allegiance to a senior pastor who takes on a Moses-like role. In a sense, Calvary Chapels are rock solid and an amazing place to learn about Jesus. In another sense, they take on a cult-like following and structure. Of everything you wrote in the above post, I would disagree with only one thing. You wrote that, “Each church is its own entity and does not necessarily agree with or subscribes to any or all of Chuck Smith’s Distinctives.” That is essentially not true. If you go to Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship (The group that inducts churches into the CC movement – http://ccof.ccofweb.net/) it says right on the front page what is “necessary” to be a Calvary Chapel. The very first requirement to be a Calvary Chapel is that “pastors and leaders need to embrace the characteristics of the Calvary Chapel movement as described in Calvary Chapel Distinctives.” As a practical matter, ever Calvary Chapel I’ve been to is essentially the same. Take care and God Bless. (http://1peter5.wordpress.com/)
30 June 2009 at 11:39 pm
I am currently an elder within a small Calvary Chapel Fellowship and have been for about 7 years. The “Moses Style” leadership biblical example can be dangerous in the wrong hands but when you have a man who can “follow God’s lead” and not be a “hireling” it is good. Any many that has to think, speak and behave according to the dictates of fussy, picky people is not serving God but serving the self interests and pet peeves of people. A leader “shepherds and oversees”. Power and such responsibility in the wrong hands can corrupt and has done so to many men from Presidents to elected officials. The members can evaluate the fruit of the pastor and make a choice to listen to the Shepherd or leave…it’s that simple.