I read an article the other day on Calvary Chapel and Chuck Smith in Christianity Today entitled Day of Reckoning. To say that I was concerned after reading the article would be an understatement. The article was alarming in many ways. But first and foremost was Smith’s misinterpretation of scripture and misunderstanding of power and authority. The purpose of my writing this article is not to condemn or judge Chuck Smith or Calvary Chapel, but rather to shed light on a gross error within the Body of Christ today evidenced by Smith’s own words.
I have a friend and we have a little ongoing joke where we state that “everything comes back to power and authority.” I am firmly convinced of this. Everything comes back to power and authority. All of the evil in this world can be traced back to a misunderstanding and abuse of power and authority. The misunderstanding began in the garden, and Satan has continued to permeate its abuse throughout history. This flawed ideology has found its way into the doctrine and theology of today’s corporate church.
I must admit that I do not disagree with all of Smith’s views on authority, nor do I have full knowledge of what he believes. I’m simply going to address some of what was posted in the article.
How Accountable was Moses?
Chuck Smith’s experiences in local churches led him to place great authority in the office of senior pastor. Smith believes denominations stifle ministry growth. He also rejects control of local church affairs by a governing board of elders.
I believe that denominations can and sometimes do stifle ministry growth. However, the answer is not to place great authority in the office of senior pastor. Remember that true authority flows down, from God. The purpose of the power and authority that we have received is to set the captives free. It’s purpose is not to set men up in the position of lords and kings over others. The head of the church is Jesus Christ, not the senior pastor. Smith states that he also rejects control by a governing board of elders, which too is a dangerous position. It is not wrong nor unbiblical for church affairs to be overseen by a board of elders. However, it is our inability to understand the role of those in power and authority that has fostered unhealthy models of this form of church governance. The problem is not in principle, but rather in application.
Early in his ministry, Smith left an independent church he founded in order to pastor Calvary Chapel. The issue was micromanagement by elders, who confronted him when he arranged chairs in a circle before opening Bible study.
The elders told him not to do it again. Smith told CT he recalls thinking, “I’ve got to establish a church on a little different basis. I really felt that was probably the finest Sunday night service that we had.” It was then he accepted the offer from Calvary Chapel.
It appears as though Smith was offended by the correction of the elders. And while it appears that the elders clearly did not understand their role or position, Smith’s conclusion to eliminate the position altogether is not the answer. The elders offered Smith their opinion. Opinions are just that – opinions. Did it really matter how Smith arranged the chairs? No. But yet there were two differing opinions on the event. The elders opined that it was not good. Smith opined that it was. Were the elders wrong for offering their opinion. No, of course not. Where they may have been wrong, was to use their authority and power to enforce their personal preferences. Smith has a valid complaint if this was the case. However, eliminating elders is not going to solve the problem. Many times the problem is our inability and stubborn refusal to embrace any opinions other than our own.
Though Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa had (and still has) an independent board of elders, Smith’s book Calvary Chapel Distinctives teaches that senior pastors should be answerable to God, not to a denominational hierarchy or board of elders.
Now here is where I see a major problem. Senior pastors are answerable to God, as are we all, but they should also be answerable to men. Senior pastors are not supreme beings. They are people, just like you and me. This is a major problem in the church today. Pastors feel that they should not have to answer to the people they lead. That they are somehow above the people. I’ve been advised many times in so many words, “Who do you think you are questioning me? I’m the pastor. I’m in charge here. Who are you?” My response was just the same, “Who do you think you are that you are so superior to me?”
Just the other day I listened to a sermon that gave this very illustration. Where someone new came into the church, and wanted to rebuke the pastor. It was all played for laughs, but the problem is the message it sent. It very explicitly communicated that the Holy Spirit would not send someone like this to correct the senior pastor. The senior pastor was to look for any truth in what the messenger was saying, but overall was just supposed to dismiss the incident. After all, this messenger could not have been sent by God. You don’t question the pastor. You don’t make suggestions to the pastor. If the pastor says something, it is final. Don’t even ask “Why?” You see if a dialogue were to take place, then it would be with someone higher in the ranks then a mere parishioner. Sounds a little like the pope instead of a pastor to me?
Please show me one Biblical reference that supports this model of leadership. Oh, I know what you’re going to say:
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:7)
If this isn’t one of the most misquoted passages, I don’t know what is. This verse is clearly stating that we are to give honor to whom it is due. Just because someone has a title does not mean that they are due honor. If we’ve got to remind people that they need to honor us, then are we really due any honor? Nowhere in the scriptures do I find a principle where we are required to honor dishonor. Let me ask a question: to whom is honor due? Honor is due God (1 Timothy 1:17.) Honor is due our fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12.) Honor is due the elderly (Leviticus 19:32.) However, is there ever a time that a father or mother would not be due honor? Maybe we should ask the kids who’s father walked out on him, and whose mother chose drugs and alcohol over her own children? Would there ever be an elderly person who would not deserve honor? Are we due honor simply for getting older? These are hard questions, and I won’t try to answer them here, but let me ask one more question. When is God not due honor? The answer is: never! He is always due honor, and more honor.
So are we to honor a man who as a senior pastor is an adulterer and thief? Is he due honor simply because of his title? Maybe we can honor his office, without honoring the fallen man?
“We take the model from the work that God established in the nation of Israel,” Smith says. “Moses was the leader appointed by God. He took 70 men, and they assisted Moses in overseeing the mundane types of issues that developed within the nation. There was the priesthood under Aaron.” Similarly, he says, “we have assistant pastors, and they look to me as the senior pastor. I’m responsible to the Lord. We have a board of elders. We go over the budget. The people recognize that God has called me to be the leader of this fellowship. We are not led by a board of elders. I feel my primary responsibility is to the Lord. And one day I’m going to answer to him, not to a board of elders.”
“The people recognize that God has called me to be the leader of this fellowship?” What? Excuse me. Did I catch that correctly? Since when did the senior pastor become the head of the church. I thought someone else already laid claim to this title?
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
Christ is head of the church. We are to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. We are not to blindly follow the leading of any man. Whether he be Chuck Smith, Martin Luther or the Pope! We are to follow Christ. Further we are only to follow men as long and as far as they follow the Lord. The reason the people followed Moses, was not because he was a great leader, but rather because he was a great follower. Moses acknowledged continually that it was the Lord who was leading the children of Israel, and not by his own hand.
I have a problem with the statement that “I am responsible to the Lord, . . . not to a board of elders.” This paragraph implies that while the senior pastor is responsible only to the Lord, the rest of us are responsible to the senior pastor. The senior pastor can question and hold accountable the people he is called (by God) to lead, but they cannot return the favor. Does God show this kind of favoritism?
But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. (Galatians 2:6)
God doesn’t look with partiality upon those in leadership. If anything he holds them to a higher standard then he does those who are not in places of authority.
We are all responsible to the Lord. He alone will judge us for our works. His judgments are sure. However, none of us are above being questioned yet even rebuked by our brothers. Whether they be a recognized authority within the body or an average Joe. As leaders we are not above those we lead. We are to follow Christ’s lead and lay down our lives for the sheep. That they might become more than we ever could. We should live our lives in transparency with all humility before God and others. We should submit to one another – even you senior pastor. Yes that means even to a mere sheep!
submitting to one another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21)
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “ God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
Sadly, one day these men who view themselves as some kind of Superman before the Lord, superior to the people will be held accountable for their actions. They will have to answer to the Lord for every word and deed. What will the answer be if the Lord asks: “Who told you that you were not answerable to anyone but me?”
Critics say this “Moses model” produces pastors who refuse to let their authority be challenged. Such pastors often resist accountability measures such as financial audits and providing detailed financial statements. Some curious Calvary Chapel attendees, who have sought financial information from their churches, say they were ostracized.
Sadly, this “Moses model” produces more than pastors who refuse to let their authority be challenged. It produces spiritual abuse. I creates an atmosphere ripe for pride to take root. It allows for provisions that enable men to abuse the power and authority that they have received from the Lord. The “Moses model” is a dangerous model, because we are men who do not understand power and authority as Moses did. Moses did not think highly of himself. He knew he was a man under authority. Moses was acutely aware of what it meant to fall into the hands of an angry God. Oh, but that’s right, God’s not angry anymore! That was the Old Testament. I forgot!
Other churchgoers say Calvary Chapel pastors also don’t like to be questioned. During the investigation for this article, Smith cautioned CT’s reporter: “The Lord warns, ‘Don’t touch my anointed. Do my prophet no harm.’ I think that you are trying to do harm to the work of God. I surely wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”
This is perhaps the most disturbing part of this article. Smith’s self-proclamation to be God’s anointed and God’s prophet. This is another one of those verses that is often misquoted. Think about the men (and women) you hear most often reciting this passage. Is it not those who refuse to be held accountable for their actions? The passage that Smith is referring to here is a reference to God’s deliverance of the Children of Israel to the promised land. This is a very specific reference, and not a blanket statement. It was God’s promise to protect His people. It was not a warning given to men per se, but rather God’s covenant with His people.
10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”
12 When they were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.
13 When they went from one nation to another,
From one kingdom to another people,
14 He permitted no one to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
15 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105:10-15)
This was a promise for the Israelites. God permitted no one to do them wrong. He even rebuked kings for their sakes. It was as if he was saying “Do not touch my anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm.”
While I think we should be very careful in the way that we judge men and women who claim they are working to promote God’s Kingdom, that doesn’t mean we can’t question them or hold them accountable for their actions. That is different from what this verse is talking about. This verse is talking about trying to destroy and injure God’s people. Something that He would not permit. And while its application is still in effect today, it does not mean what Smith implied it to mean. Smith (and others) have used this verse in order to protect themselves. To elevate themselves to an untouchable status regardless of their actions. This is not what this passage meant. After all, when the Israelites refused to keep their part of the covenant, did God not remove this covering? Were they not carried away captive more than once for breaking the covenant?
Wake up people! Think for yourselves. God has eliminated the need for a mediator between Himself and you. His new covenant includes a priesthood for all who believe. Priests who are not bound to go through any man in order to be justified. However, the fact that we are justified by God alone, does not excuse any of us, including you senior pastor, from being held accountable for our actions by our fellow man. After all, God requires us to submit ourselves one to another. Why then are you trying to elevate yourself above your brethren? Why then do you justify your actions by claiming that you are not accountable to a board of elders? Why then do you have to appeal to ignorance and fear by twisting the scriptures to protect yourself?
The reason is simple. We don’t understand power and authority. We don’t understand it’s purpose. We have embraced a lie, that has led to the downfall of many. May Truth arise, and may his enemies be scattered!
*NOTE* Passages in blue text are taken from an article entitled Day of Reckoning found in Christianity Today.
Here’s a good friend of mines experience with the Calvary Chapel sect. Its lengthy but well worth the read
http://www.biblestudymanuals.net/Calvary_Chapel.htm#Calvary_Chapel
I think your friend is playing spiritual russian roulette. I would like the verses he is relying on that state we can believe Jesus died for our sins and then do whatever we please (it sounds like he’s saying “according to the flesh”). Paul says we should be allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. I would also ask him to look at Hebrews 10:26, “if a person sins deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there remains no sacrifice for sin.” Also, we should begin to exhibit spiritual fruit in our lives as we continue to walk with Christ. God knows we will not be perfect, but he does expect us to let him teach us his ways as we enter into, and grow in our relationship with Jesus.
Also, the definition of a cult is any group that says salvation comes through them — not through Jesus Christ.
God Bless ~~
Sherry M.-
Welcome? I’m not sure if your response was in reply to the article or Matthew’s comment.
That being said, I don’t know if I disagree with what you’ve written?
Blessings!
Thank you This group has been such a source of deception that it is hard for people to stand against them. Those that do are out cast.
i have lost many friends to that Cult.
I will continue to read, learn and heal.
Paul L-
First let me say welcome and that I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
Second, let me say that I am constantly amazed at the number of hits this site gets at people looking for answers for Calvary Chapel and Churck Smith.
I was simply responding to an article in CT. I don’t really have any first-hand knowledge of the group – like it appears you do.
I have had some interaction with a number of Calvary pastors on a site called simplemindedpreacher, and most of them didn’t seem too far from where I was at.
My prayer for you is that you, me and all christians – would continue to read, learn and heal. That we would think for ourselves. That we would become more like Christ each passing moment, and ultimately that we would see His kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven!
Blessings!
Hi
Cool website! Keep up the great work. Many thanks. Thanks!
May God receive all the glory. Everything that has been writen here about Calvary is so true. I pray that the abused
find a healthy church home. No wonder why so many people
are turned off or away! It’s By God’s grace I did not walk away from my faith………………….. I Live here in north Idaho
where I went to a Calvary in Sandpoint Id for 1 1/2 years.
Jeff Bradley is Pastor. Sandpoint Christians Just because it’s veres by verse dosen’t mean it’s sprit led. The wolves that devoure are also pastors. I live by this verse the Sprit reveils those things done in secret. So eventually the truth comes out in God’s time …………….. So Jeffery If you read this You are not MOSES you are a teacher who will be judged more harshly .
First of all, being called to pastor/lead a church is not the same as claiming headship over it, which Chuck Smith absolutely does not. Do I agree with every decision he makes? No, of course not.
Do you know that Chuck Smith has NEVER taken a salary from the church? Check out that financial statement
I have been involved with 4 different Calvary Chapels over the past 6 years. CC is absolutely not a cult. That is entirely laughable to me. We don’t believe our way is the only way. No one I know has treated anyone like an outcast who has chosen not to go to a CC anymore. In fact, my very best friend belongs to a Vineyard church. There are some things we don’t agree on, but those things dont’ get in the way of our friendship or our encouraging each other’s walks with the Lord. We are all part of the same body, no?
Also, pastors vary from fellowship to fellowship.
At our CC fellowship, we have a lead pastor and two teaching pastors. My husband is one of those teaching pastors. Our lead pastor does not believe he is the absolute authority! In fact, he encourages us to be very open with sharing and voicing our opinions and concerns to him, and we have great freedom to express anything to him. He is a very humble man. He recognizes that he is BUT a man.
Have people had bad experiences at Calvary Chapels? I’m sure they have. If anyone spends any amount of time with other people, whether in church or in the supermarket, they’re going to get hurt. Churches are filled with people. People aren’t perfect. Even people with good intentions make mistakes. We live in a fallen world, and things won’t be set right until Jesus rules and reigns here on earth. Of course, we want our churches to be a loving, welcoming place that helps facilitate growth in the Lord. I don’t care what denomination people go to, as long as it’s all about Jesus!
Thanks for letting me share here.
Where is your evidence that Smith does not take money? I am aware of many in his denomination that are very well paid preacher boys.
Are you guys saying that CC is full of heretics, henceforth, apostates? if that is the case, are you implying that these men are going to hell and are leading many to hell?
Blessings,
Di
To counter Samantha’s post I will say I have (had) been involved heavily with CC’s for nearly 14 years. I got behind the scenes ( ministry work ) . All that is contained in this article is true ! It took me many years to have my eyes opened to it and of course when I did leave CC (without causing a “fuss”) I was ostracized. I left after being in one CC for 10 years to go to another and no one even called me. You would think the Pastor, the sheperd, would call to see what happened, but if anyone left he took it as personal affront and considered that God had “cleaned” that person out of the fellowship.
The general feeling that is sent is ‘you went out from amongst us’ attitude, and if anyone leaves they are viewed as devisive or ‘of the enemy’. I cannot tell you how many times we were told from the pulpit ” if you don’t like the way things are done here, there’s the door”. So- don’t bother to give a suggestion or dare question the Sr. Pastor. We also never knew where any of the money went either. It was always said that if anyone wants to know how the church spends the money they should ask for an appointment with the Sr. Pastor. Right ! Then you would be labeled a troublemaker, because after all the Lord directed the Sr Pastor as to how the money should be spent. The ‘elders’ we did have in the church were close friends of the senior pastors, ones he mentored and then he personally appointed them as ‘elders’. They would never question anything he did of course. One ‘elders’ wife told me that her husband “worshipped” the Sr. pastor. In my opinion CC also has a bad habit of putting very young guys (sometimes as young as 20) into the role of the Sr. Pastor of a fellowship. You know, the ’surf’ culture. With the Moses Principle in place , young pastors who have no real accountabilty-pride runs amok. While I will say that I recieved excellent teaching of the Word in my CC days, I could no longer swallow the church style government, the pride of it all, so I left.
@ Anonymous -
Just to clarify. I never said any of the things you’ve suggested. I was however, addressing what I see as prevalent errors that can be found within the American church today.
I just started a blog about Chuck Smith, the recognized founder of Calvary Chapels. It’s not a cult per se, but the church government is designed like a cult. Here’s my blog:
http://1peter5.wordpress.com/
A LIFETIME OF SERVICE / A CONFIDENCE BETRAYED
If I could handle this in any other way, I would. But all else has failed so I am bringing this issue to Calvary Chapel et al. I was born December 26th, 1948 in Riverside a Baptist. I grew up in church and went to Bible camps every summer in the Big Bear, Arrowhead and Idyllwild areas. . It was there I learned my desire to become a Pastor at a very young age. The last few camps I went to I was a Camp Group Leader. I was very proud of my father’s service in WW11; he was a landing craft driver in the Pacific. The Vietnam War was at full swing so I volunteered for the Army, the Volunteered for Helicopter Aviation training, and Volunteered for Jump School and then volunteered for the most dangerous missions I could find in Vietnam. Little did I know what Jesus had for me at this young age in combat, but I soon found out. When our Choppers were not flying scheduled missions, we were the helicopter crews who were crazy enough to fly in food, medicine, clothing, whatever we could get our hands on. We repaired destroyed chapels, built new chapels; work with the nuns’ and priests among other denominations. We did all this under constant enemy fire and we suffered many hits going in and flying out. Well time went by and I volunteered for a second consecutive combat tour and continued my flying in supplies for the people. It 1968 when I went to Vietnam, and 1970 when I came back to the world. I immediately went back to my old stomping grounds of Corona Del Mar, New Part, Laguna, Ocean front. Anybody remember the Laguna Beach greeter who walked up and down traffic with stuff to give out, always dressed in red? Well, guess who I ran into on the beach in 1970? Calvary Chapel. Who else. I was Born Again in 1970 and started attending Greg Laurie’s Bible Studies, Costa Mesa and other CC in the area as they grew. That was an unbelievable 38 years ago. I got married in 1988 and the marriage started out great, but it degenerated after awhile. I now have incurable Cancer
of my Spine, Lungs and left Femur as well as loss of use of bladder, bowel, feet, legs and a myriad of other medical issues from Agent Orange Chemical Weapons Exposure. My health is fading fast and as a 60 year old Brother and co-laborer in Jesus, I wish to worship Jesus. Have I had a sinless life, NO way. Have I fallen short of Christ in my life, YOU BET. Am I an imperfect man struggling to do God’s will, You Bet. In 2002 my wife abandoned me and cut and ran because she said that she did not want to be married to an old man dying who she had to take care. In 2004 my wife put me in a convelesant home under heavy narcotics and it was her intention to keep me there and keep my VA Benefits and Social Security. I pleaded to her to give me back my finances and she refused and kept me instIutionalized. Finally I broke free and moved back home where she tried again to put me away.
We were talking about reconciliation when she was told by the elders that she should abandon me because I was no good and a sinner. She asked my senior Pastor if it was OK with God to abandon me as well and he said YES?! In one fell swoop I had been thrown away at the hands of my pastor and elders. Then I was thrown out of my home church of Calvary Chapel for 38 years ( 20 years here in Truckee ). I was counseling with my senior pastor and informed him that I wanted to walk with God and Jesus and go through this as Jesus would have me do. Months went by. As God exposes all things ,I found out that my elders and my Wife were talking about what we had discussed in confidence. Worse yet, I found out that my senior pastor was breaking confidence with as well and keeping my wife abreast of my private affairs with my pastor. I pleaded to come back to church to worship God and was denied over and over because my wife said if I went to church she would not go. I asked what my Senior Pastor would do, and he said he would call the secular authorities, he would place me under arrest and then have the authorities take me away. So I was thrown out of Calvary Truckee. Even though they have 2 services, I cannot attend first service and attends 2nd service. I was not allowed, period, even at Christmas and Easter open to the community. All I want is to worship God at my Calvary of 38 years and leave everyone alone. For the 20 years at Calvary Truckee I held many Deaconships, Ministries, Teacher and was the go to guy at church. My character is impeccable, beyond reproach and well respected in Truckee.
Please help. This is all ungodly.
Daniel Cooley
dan@dancooley.com
Well said!
Love in Jesus,
Dave Christian
Founder, http://www.Helpology.org
helpology@gmail.com | (951) 797-9846
P.S. If I can help you in any way, just let me know.
P.P.S. Keep asking, “What’s the most helpful and simplest way that works?”
P.P.P.S. For FREE help, visit http://www.Helpology.org.
“… believe in … Jesus Christ (and) … love one another” (1 John 3:23 NLT).
@ Dave-
Welcome! Thanks for the kind words. I’m finding that it all boils down to that – Love God & Love People!
Blessings!
You seem like a careful and well-reasoned thinker, so I thought I’d relate my recent experience. I am new to Calvary Chapel, and was recently given a pamphlet to read which included the “Moses Model” of leadership. I was so disturbed by what I was reading that I have sent an email to the pastor asking him to clarify his personal view on the matter. I assume he probably governs on that model, since he was the one who gave me the book.
Never in my life have I come across a church that operates this way. The lack of accountability is bad enough, but there is an attitude behind it that I find particularly disturbing. The booklet, which was written by an assistant pastor of Chuck Smith, goes so far as to say that open disagreement with any of the pastor’s doctrines is forbidden simply because it causes “division” in the church. When did the fear of “division” become the rationale for supporting a pastor’s beliefs? The Reformers are rolling over in their graves.
Welcome Anthony!
I totally don’t agree with the Moses Model. God’s original plan was to lead His people Himself. It was the people who wanted Moses. It was the people who wanted King Saul. This was and still is man’s desire and not God’s. God desires for His people to be led by His Holy Spirit.
However, that doesn’t mean that God does not give men authority over other men! God does place authority in a senior pastor, but His authority is for a specific purpose. That is the question that we should be answering – for what purpose does God give men authority? I’ve tried to answer this question in other posts. They do have authority, but it is rather limited in scope and purpose (ie “to set the captives free”), and if truly understood – would revolutionize the church as we know it!
Blessings!
As a former member of CC, I can verify that The senoir pastor position is akin to a Guru. Do not even think about questioning his authority. They truly have a form of godliness but really no power. They are masters of subtilty.
The verse by verse bible study is uninspired and filled with distortions of scripture with some far out Greek lexicon definitions as the real final authority.
The music is used to put one in a trance like state so you will be more susceptible to the heretical doctrines. I heard from a reliable source that Chuckie recieved a 4,000,000.00 dollar check from the Vatican to start up his music ‘ministry’.
An evangelist friend of mine from Uganda told me that the Roman Catholic bishop of Uganda told him that Calvary Chapel is their best hope for the reunion of the protestant churches with the RC church.
The largest Calvary (Skull) Chapel in Las Vegas was built on land donated by the mob.
Only those who believe God’s word and diligently study it with the unction of the Holy Spirit can see through CC’s deceptions.
It truly is a cult. We need to reach out in love to those ensnared in it.
Your fellow servant in Christ
Antipope.
Welcome Former Chuckite!
I don’t know anybody in a CC, but I do know that we are called to set the captives free. So if those captives are found inside a church or a bar, we have the authority to open the doors and let them walk free. It’s the keys to the kingdom. We’re called to fight the darkness. The best way we can do that is by being the light of the world!
Blessings!
You and you friend’s on going joke about power and authority needs to b updated to include pride. It seems to me that is what motivate you to write this blog!
Welcome Ralph!
Interesting observation – maybe you’re right? But then again – as I remember back over 2 years ago – it seems to me that what motivated me to write this blog was brokenness and the desire for truth. Pride? Maybe, but I’m not so sure how you got there from the joke?
Life’s a journey. I’ve said that faithfully – when my life was crashing down around me over 2 years ago, and now on the other side I can say that it definitely is. At the end of the day the only pride that I have is in my King and My God, who is forever good, and I am forever unworthy without the blood of His son. I don’t know why I’m on the journey I’ve been on, in fact I haven’t enjoyed most of it – but the journey has proven to me that God is good – and that it is His children who most times mis-represent Him to the world.
It would seem to me from the tone of your comment that perhaps the post allowed you to look into a mirror, and when you didn’t like what you saw – you took a shot at me? That’s ok, I hope you find healing and the grace and peace of God on your own journey!
Blessings!
Christians who have a “problem” with authority do not belong in a Calvary Chapel. They would be better off in a “congregational” type church government where the will of the majority is believed to be equal to the will of the Lord. There, they can be “somebody.”
If there were ever a church leadeship structure with no biblical support, it is the congregational type. Biblical history bears out the truth that the majority of God’s people are AWAYS wrong. They persecute and kill the prohets!! The truth has never come to God’s people through a majority vote.
Why would anyone want to be a part of a Calvary Chapel, or any church for that matter, if they do not believe in their teachings?
Apparently, for many christians (as is evidenced from this blog) engaging in a truly democratic process by voting with thier feet is not enough for them. They want the tail to wag the dog. As soon as they get a few Bible verses under their belt, they begin to believe that every thought that comes into their head is the sanctified will of God. They soon forget that God saved them, fed them and provided them with spiritual nourishment through the very church they are now criticizing.
Those of you who cannot agree with some aspect of their teaching, have two options: either ask God for the grace to put it aside and continue to work together in harmony or leave the fellowship. However, if you decide to leave, you will find that although the issues you will find to disagree with will be different in your new church, you will still be faced with only these two options. Submit or leave. In a congreagtional setting you may be able to cause a bigger stink and a lot more damage, which will ehance your self-esteem, and perhaps you will even get your way, but make no mistake about it, your pride will undermine every good and perfect work the Lord intended for you to do.
Opportunities for ministry and service exist more abundantly in Calvary Chapels than in almost any other church. At Calvary, you may exercise all your power and influence to further the work of the Lord. But what irks some christians to no end is that they have no (zero) power over the pastor. All the opportunites in the Kingdom may be laid at their feet and it will all be rejected because they cannot humble themselves enough to work along side another Christian over whom they have no veto power. Truly sad.
Alex
Hello Alex & Welcome!
Surprisingly, I do not disagree with most of what you have said. Democracy was never God’s idea. In fact the idea is outright absurd. If the majority of the people (51%) say something is true – then it becomes truth. This is why we see the moral and economic decline in our country today. Because the majority is rewriting truth.
But if you’ll look into the story of the Exodus – the Moses Model was never God’s idea either. It was God’s compromise with His people. He wanted to rule them Himself, but when He revealed Himself to them, they cried out for Him to stop. “Only speak to Moses, and then let Him speak to us.” That was the desire of the people. God’s desire was personal relationship with each of His children – with no middle man.
If you read further, God also was opposed to the idea of a monarchy – and gave a stern warning about the serious and malevolent outcome from having one. Never-the-less, the people were tired of being led by a God that they couldn’t see, and would rather be led by a man (who they could put the burden of blame on!)
Christians who have a problem with authority really need to go back and read the Book again, because an underlying plot – is that it all goes back to power and authority. The fall of Lucifer – the fall of Man – as well as the redemption of man.
However, I believe many people that have a problem with authority, do so because they have been abused by it. We don’t understand authority. We don’t understand power. And we get the two confused. God gives authority to men in His kingdom (His government), but whenever He gives authority it is for a specific purpose, and has specific limitations. God does not place authority in pastors to have power over the flock. He places authority in pastors to have power over the wolf to protect the flock. He places authority in pastors to have power over the darkness – and to set those in captivity free, and then to enable them to continue walking in freedom. Sadly, pastors (and lay people alike) view the pastor’s authority as absolute in the lives of the flock. His authority (or power if you will) may not be questioned. To do so is to question God Himself – and nearly an unpardonable sin.
You said:
And I agree with this statement to a point – but I would like to add that the same should apply to the pastor or leader. He does not sit on a throne. He may and will be wrong at times. He is not elevated above the people he is to lead, that they too cannot speak into his life. In fact he is not at all elevated above the people he was given authority to lead, he is actually placed below them. His authority is to lay down his life for the sheep. He becomes a mere stepping stone for his sheep to be able to see the kingdom of God become a reality in their lives. If pastors would understand and model this form of leadership – then the sheep would be better equipped and more eager to follow.
The problem of authority is rooted from the top and goes down – because in God’s Kingdom the top is on the bottom. His kingdom is upside down, and seems unconventional. It’s principles and values fly in the face of our modern day corporations with their CEO’s and CFO’s. And sadly that is many times the structure that exists in our own churches. The sheep today are no different then they were in Moses’ or Samuel’s day. They would rather God speak to a man for them, rather than hear from Him themselves. And the reason for this is truly sad – because the sheep are lazy, and don’t want to hear from God themselves. Sad because, if God speaks through a shepherd, then they can blame the shepherd when things go wrong. Sad because, shepherds feed off the desire of the sheep and love the place of power (not authority) that they are given. And that is truly sad.
[Aside - I say power because, power comes from the people - authority comes from God. People cannot give authority to a pastor - they can only give power.]
Paul L
I understand you were involved in leadership at CC for 14 yrs.
I got saved at CCSD when Pastor Bryan Newberry and Greg Opean came knocking at my door in 1987.
I attend CCSD for 13 yrs until moving to WI where I now attend a Baptist church.
The problem I have with this website is your motive. I mean don’t you think it is up to each person before the Lord where they decide to attend church and get fed? My reason for leaving was because of relocation. While I do not think everything is perfect in any church, I did not bad mouth the church or its leadership or its people.
That my friend is where is think you are sewing discord amongst the brethern.
how can you possibly say you learned a lot by the teaching on one hand then call it a cult on the other?
I pray you can be happy where you currently reside and I sure hope you do not bad mouth that Pastor or church when or if you leave.
I would call you a blessed subtraction. I wouldn’t want you in my church if you were doggin the Pastor and I certainly wouldn’t call you to ask where you went either.
Sheila Froehlich
WI
Welcome Sheila –
Your comments puzzle me? This is not Paul L’s website.
Blessings!
Former Chuckite
Largest CC in Las Vegas bought land from the Bureau of Land Management on what was then the outskirts of town. Please resist the temptation of spreading falsehood; they did not get the land from the “mob”.
Welcome Erik -
To clarify – you are stating that the Bureau of Land Management is not involved in organized crime – right?
)
Spot on article.
The things I learned from twenty years inside Calvary Chapels, the final five on staff at a megachurch in southern California:
Calvary Chapels’ orthodoxy is often not seen in their orthopraxy, which is to say they do not always practice what they preach.
Zeal and enthusiasm equates to God’s calling.
Many of the pastors teach a functional modalistic view of the Trinity because they are not equipped with a basic orthodox theological education and do not even realize their analogy “God is like H2O and the Father, Son and Spirit are to God like ice, liquid and steam are to water” is inadequate and misses ontologically.
Theological education at a seminary is denegrated and held in no esteem by those who came up the ranks in ministry as laymen. The attitude was that all you need is your Bible, a set of Chuck Smith tapes covering the entire Bible, an open (non-critical, emptied and blindly accepting) mind and the Holy Spirit would sort it all out in your head.
The pastor is infallible and unaccoutable.
The pastor should have an exceptional salary, bottomless church credit card for personal use, the latest electronic gadgets and a luxury import car.
The church is a family business and the pastor’s son should be groomed for suceeding his dad.
The pastor’s wife acts and speaks with the same unchallenged authority of her husband.
It is good to reach out and minister to a higher income demographic.
It is good to have a childrens ministry because the congregation has kids (implication: the kids are not part of the congregation.)
It is good to have a missions ministry because the congregation expects it and it makes for good publicity.
Actual quote: “We get no return on investment with children and missionaries. Kids tithes amount to nothing and missionaries are leeches looking for a handout.”
Never allow the congregation to know when the pastor will not be in the pulpit because the congregation is here to see him and if they know he will be out, then attendance (meaning offering) will drop.
After a the church reaches a certain size the pastor should be on the radio and have books published with his name as author. It does not mean he actually has to write them if he has people to do that for him.
Access and relationship between the pastor and the parishoners is directly
propotionate to the contributions or public personality of the parishoners. Professional atheletes move to the front of the line.
My experiences reflect the similarity of ministry and auto racing – shiny on top and greasy underneath. This is not to be taken as a wholesale characterization of all Calvary pastors, just my observations of a few of the prominent ones; but even those were basically well-intended men who just are under educated for their posts and who have allowed themselves to receive the glory of enamoured congregants.