What Is Calvary Chapel Today?: Part 2
Previously we looked at the Calvary Global Network side of the split, today we look at the Calvary Chapel Association.
Frankly, I find it difficult to be “fair and balanced” about this group.
Headed by Don McClure, this is the side that forced the split by making it nigh impossible for Brian Brodersen to continue in fellowship with them.
Having chronicled this movement long before the split and after, (as well as having impeccable sources inside it), I say without hesitation that this side was born and thrives on the basis of deceitful narratives.
Those narratives include “this was Chuck Smith’s vision going forward” (it wasn’t, he hated the idea), “Brodersen has compromised CC distinctives”, (he hasn’t, he has just broadened the tent a bit, which may indeed be a compromise to some), and the idea that they are the true keepers of the flame that Chuck Smith sparked.
That flame was extinguished when he passed.
Narratives are more powerful than facts, however, and this group has used those stories and others to attempt to exercise power over the movement and it’s future.
They are not above using financial coercion to exercise that power, particularly on the mission field.
While the split has been mostly a side show here in the states, it has been anything but that overseas.
Missionaries depend on the support of local churches here and some have been forced to take sides in order to continue the work that God has set before them.
Brodersen has made no such demands on those Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa supports.
The tactics have worked to a degree and at the conference next week you will hear the narratives reinforced.
There will be much talk of “old paths” and “restoring foundations”.
Heathens should make a drinking game where one takes a shot every time the name “Chuck Smith” is invoked… it would be a sure fire way to get crocked quickly.
I digress…
Still, this is an effective strategy within a group that is accustomed to “strong man” leadership.
Despite any short term success this side may gain, the future is cloudy.
The main power brokers are all in their late sixties and early seventies, many with physical ailments.
These traditionalists are aging out, often without succession plans or with plans to turn their churches over to less gifted family members.
There will soon be a leadership void at the top of the Calvary Chapel Association.
Combine this with the issues that Brodersen faces with the Calvary Global Network and one wonders what “Calvary Chapel” will be in a decade.
My guess is that the one word answer would be “irrelevant”.
Church movements come and go, only whats built on Christ will last.
They chased off Broderson and quickly purged CC Costa Mesa from their rolls, but their claims of upholding the purity of the movement ring false. If it were true, then Greg Laurie and Harvest would be gone also. All that Broderson did was become buddies with an SBC guy (Rick Warren), while Laurie became one.
Just checked CCA’s church locator and… yup Harvest Christian Fellowship is still there. Church politics. Yuck.
EricL,
I made similar points back when the news broke that Laurie was joining the SBC while still maintaining CCA affiliation. If the CCA had any integrity as to their principles they “applied” to Brodersen, then they should have kicked out Laurie, too. But of course, they’re friends with Laurie and Laurie wields much more power and influence in the church world as a whole then does Brodersen, and so it does not appear as if a peep was barely raised.
One of the biggest tools the CCA guys use is character assassination shot straught at the reputation of those they dictate are guilty by association. It can be very effective as peeps believe the lies being spread. If you do not tow the line they will literally destroy you and you become the dinner table topic of slander, gossip, and lies. Why men who don’t pastor anymore would be allowed to dictate any direction to a loose movement of churches doesn’t make sense.
Michael: “My guess is that the one word answer would be āirrelevantā.”
No doubt. š
Barnabas,
That’s just one of many things that hasn’t made sense about this situation all along. Why men to whom many have looked up for so long would be acting like horse’s backsides when they had the opportunity to influence the future of the movement and finish strong is beyond my pay grade.
“Heathens should make a drinking game where one takes a shot every time the name āChuck Smithā is invokedā¦ it would be a sure fire way to get crocked quickly.”
I’m game. Good way to pass the time.
“My guess is that the one word answer would be āirrelevantā.”
Already are, from the cheap seats. And all these narcissistic pastors have no great claim to no great name, because the dude died, and it was all based on him. The fight over “The real Chuck” is all they have left, and Chuck will equate to zero in actual historical terms, because Lonie is the foundation, and Lonie started the “Jesus Movement”, and Lonie… oh yeah, he was gay, so that’s all out too.
Calvary Chapel – The Holy Spirit’s last holdout — now the Restrainer is lifting — but He left all your churches before He got to CC – so don’t be so damn smug!!
Can I post laughing emojis? Because Jackie, that was funny!
It will be a small footnote in church history; or at least have a small section in church histories. Under the category of: āThe Jesus People.ā But I donāt see Calvary Chapel as a denomination making it for the long haul; itās too tied into personality cultismāCosta Mesa illustrates this to a T; as youāve noted its decline.
Reading this story you understand how in the bad old days, when the king would die, the new king would go around killing anyone else he feared would be a rival.
MS. ADM has been to all of your churches and noted the lack of Holy Spirit.
I was hoping she could point us all somewhere to find the Spirit. Unfortunately, she says CC was the last place , and now He’s gone.
Surely, Ms. ADM you kept a little of the Spirit for yourself? Won’t you share with us, oh great discerner?
Gee Josh — The Holy Spirit is still with the scattered sheep – He has a remnant — to get in that number, you must be born-again. –
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” – Rev. 3:8
hahahahaha, do you hear yourself Jackie? You just quoted Revelation to defend yourself! How do I post emojis on here?!?
Eric,
That’s an excellent observation…and applicable.
It boggles my mind that the “CC distinctives” written by Chuck Smith are put on par or elevated even higher than the Apostles creed or the Nicene creed in CC parlance.
Steve, they were merely the Chuck of their time.
Ms. ODM,
Surely you jest…but I know you don’t.
The Holy Spirit is in many different places, including some CC’s…
Reuben,
Good point. That explains why the flame went out when he passed. Keeping a movement alive via an expired personality is pretty darn silly if it were not so idolatrous.
For myself, I’ll remember the fire and warmth of CC in the day. I’ll leave it to others to pore over the cooling embers of the movement…
I truly believe that the Holy Spirit moves in certain times using men suited to the task… I know that there are strong Christians in my family that were mentored by Chuck Smith…
But I also think that the Holy Spirit moves on – on to other places and times that serve God’s design for another time and place… we want to believe that the man and the place that has blessed us is God’s permanent place of residence – it goes without saying, I know, but a good teacher leads us to God, not to himself
CC distinctives can quickly become CC restrictives, quenching the Holy Spirit. š
In my opinion Calvary operated in the Spirit and the Word in a great balance at the beginning. We had a lot of miracles and such. But when Frisbee departed so did the spiritual side of things for the most part.
Recognizing this, Chuck then made the statement, “While there doesn’t seem to be that many miracles these days we still have love.”
His “After glows” just became nothing more than opportunities for young ministers to do some more teaching practice. People went from Chuck’s teaching to a back room for some more teaching.
Where as when Lonnie had the after glows it was not teaching but exercising of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some may recall this.
A balanced New Testament church has a balance of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of the Word. Some churches dominate in teaching the Word only while others lean towards only the Spirit.
Here is a better explanation of what I am trying to point out:
http://shekinahfellowship.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-word-and-spirit-together.html
I think the much guarded image of Calvary Chapel will eventually fade and there will be nothing more left than just another denomination like all the rest.
Although I think Brian is bringing back the New Testament church balance that I just shared. He is open to the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit and teaches the Word. Brian is less likely to quench the Holy Spirit. Although ousting Greg Laurie from doing Monday nights was a very foolish move on his part for sure! Brian is no Greg IMO.
Interesting to see what develops on both sides of the fence.
Off topic, I know where a lot of the Jesus People from CCCM landed. At Poiema, where Oden Fong pastors.
sorry surfer, I got to Costa Mesa about 1970, Frisbee had left, and the Afterglows were some songs, full on tongues, prophecies and people falling on the the floor. Just calling it the way I remember it.
“I think the much guarded image of Calvary Chapel will eventually fade and there will be nothing more left than just another denomination like all the rest.”
I run in a lot of non-Calvary circles, most who consider Calvary an irrelevant relic from the Jesus Movement gone bad. From where I sit being “just another denomination” is not the worst thing in the world either. Its a big tent out there, dysfunctional and problematic to be sure, but big.
Peace.
Something just occurred to me. What I’m seeing in this post and the other, and particularly from the people who have CCA leanings online, is that the way one judges a local church/movement/denomination to be “the real deal” is in its longevity. I don’t see a Biblical case for that.
I’m pretty sure that there are now and have been local churches who were totally balanced, totally in the center of God’s ideal (whatever that looks like), and lasted maybe a year for whatever reason. I’m also sure that there are churches around today that God wishes would shut down because they don’t reflect His best, they aren’t the real deal.
This is the problem with trying to maintain a legacy, of being the “true” torchbearers. The Church is what endures, not a church. I think the unhealthy assumption that a movement is the one true church of this age and few others are “close enough” to fellowship with, is empowering, it emboldens, but is crazy unhealthy. And this is coming from someone who used to drink that elixir of life.
At any rate, the “longevity = authenticity” perspective is confusing, now that I notice and think about it. That’s what I’m saying.
CCA conference is packed…. massive turnout, possibly larger than Aprilās conference