Calvary Chapel is a Christian church movement that began in the early 1960s in Costa Mesa, California. It grew significantly under the leadership of Pastor Chuck Smith, who started leading Calvary Chapel in 1965. Today, there are over 1,300 Calvary Chapel churches, making it one of the largest Protestant church groups in the U.S.
Calvary Chapel churches are known for their welcoming worship style, strong teaching of the Bible, and focus on sharing the gospel. The church began by reaching out to the hippie culture in California, welcoming many new believers, often called “Jesus Freaks,” and creating a church atmosphere open to everyone, no matter their background.
Pastor Chuck Smith emphasized teaching the Bible verse-by-verse, and he held to evangelical beliefs while allowing for some charismatic practices, like the gifts of the Spirit, but not making them central. This approach helped Calvary Chapel avoid divisions over doctrines that sometimes separate Christians, focusing instead on the essentials of faith in Christ.
In the 1960s and 70s, Calvary Chapel was among the first churches to use contemporary worship music, helping to create the Christian music movement we see today. Pastor Chuck even started Maranatha! Music to share worship songs more widely.
A unique aspect of Calvary Chapel is its church structure, known as the “Moses model,” where pastors lead their congregations and feel accountable to God. While this leadership style can be effective, there are occasional concerns about pastors having too much authority in some churches.
Overall, Calvary Chapel churches are committed to the Bible and spreading the gospel, and they have a positive influence in the Christian community. While every church is a little different, Calvary Chapel offers a solid foundation in the Christian faith. It’s always wise to pray for guidance when choosing a church, but Calvary Chapel can be a good place to learn, grow, and worship with others.
Leave a Reply