Calvary Chapel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNzxE8X-pvA
A personal note from this writer.
Calvary chapel is where I have been since 1998. I came to meet Jesus in a Pentecostal church meeting in 1987 and after growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, my spiritual journey lead me to a Calvary Chapel where through hearing and learning the Word of God on a weekly basis I continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. This week's theme will be on the beginnings of the calvary chapel movement.
Enjoy!
In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa with just 25 people. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God.
With
a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his heart and his
home for a generation of hippies and surfers, generating a movement of the Holy
Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast, and now, throughout
the world. What began as a small local church has now grown into an
international ministry of over 1,500 fellowships throughout the world.
At https://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com
the website invites you to find out more about who they are today and
what they believe. You can also find a Calvary Chapel near you,where you can come to worship the wonderful Lord and Savior, study His Word and fellowship together.
Calvary Chapel presents
itself as a "fellowship of churches" in contrast to a denomination and places great importance
in the practice of expository teaching, which is a
"verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book" approach to
teaching the Bible.
Personal Note: My opinion is that this is an excellent way to begin to study the bible. By hearing and reading The Word along with others, was so instrumental for me in understanding the bible. It's a great way to get started.
Personal Note: My opinion is that this is an excellent way to begin to study the bible. By hearing and reading The Word along with others, was so instrumental for me in understanding the bible. It's a great way to get started.
Calvary
Chapel pastors tend to prefer expositional sermons rather than topical ones,
and they will often give their sermons sequentially from the Bible from Genesis
to Revelation. They believe that expository preaching allows the
congregation to learn how all parts of the Bible address issues as opposed to
topical sermons which they see as allowing preachers to emphasize certain
issues more than others. Another advantage, they say, is that it makes
difficult topics easier to address because members of the congregation won't
feel like they are being singled out.
Personal note: This is so true. In my early years of growing in the Lord, the church taught by weekly topical sermons. Looking back, I realize how that way of teaching, left me feeling like a sinner and never good enough. At that ime perhaps, that is what I needed to hear, but I never learned about the "grace and love of God".
Personal note: This is so true. In my early years of growing in the Lord, the church taught by weekly topical sermons. Looking back, I realize how that way of teaching, left me feeling like a sinner and never good enough. At that ime perhaps, that is what I needed to hear, but I never learned about the "grace and love of God".
It
sees expository teaching as providing consistent teaching that, over time,
brings the "perfecting of the saints" which is part of their general
philosophy for the Church. In teaching the Bible in an expository manner through
scripture, Calvary Chapel believes God sets the agenda, not the pastor.
Calvary
Chapel also believes that most churches have a "dependent, highly
organized and structured" environment, but most
people want an "independent and casual way of life". Sequentially Calvary churches typically have a
casual and laid-back atmosphere, as a practical implication of this philosophy,
people may wear street clothes to church. Praise and worship usually
consists of upbeat contemporary Christian music as well as play hymns. The style of worship generally reflects
the region and the specific make-up of the congregation.
Calvary
Chapel does not have a formalized system of church membership. Calling a
Calvary Chapel one's church usually means regularly attending church services
and becoming involved in fellowship with other
"members" of the church.
So be encouraged, and get on your spiritual journey! You will be surprised as to the many hidden treasures you will find. As you read the verses below, may the
power of the Holy Spirit speak encouragement to your heart in His gentle and loving way.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Speaking to
one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Let the word
of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Draw near
to God and He will draw near to you.
Romans 5:5
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has
been poured out in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.
Have a blessed week and know that your comments are always welcomed. Just click on "Post a comment" and the comment box will pop up. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts / comments.
Have a blessed week and know that your comments are always welcomed. Just click on "Post a comment" and the comment box will pop up. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts / comments.
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