Comments on: Calvary Chapel Distinctives: A Second Reading http://diaryofabrokenvessel.com/2008/04/27/calvary-chapel-distinctives-a-second-reading/ Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:11:25 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Mike Stenberg http://diaryofabrokenvessel.com/2008/04/27/calvary-chapel-distinctives-a-second-reading/#comment-1578 Mike Stenberg Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:39:00 +0000 http://michaelbrewer.wordpress.com/?p=330#comment-1578 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. 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.

]]> By: 1peter5 http://diaryofabrokenvessel.com/2008/04/27/calvary-chapel-distinctives-a-second-reading/#comment-661 1peter5 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:13:07 +0000 http://michaelbrewer.wordpress.com/?p=330#comment-661 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/) 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/)

]]> By: Roger http://diaryofabrokenvessel.com/2008/04/27/calvary-chapel-distinctives-a-second-reading/#comment-328 Roger Sun, 27 Apr 2008 08:46:21 +0000 http://michaelbrewer.wordpress.com/?p=330#comment-328 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 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

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