Calvary Chapel is a non-denominational protestant fellowship of churches. But as a movement we are associated with the worldwide movement of Calvary Chapel churches that started in 1965 in the Southern California. The term “fellowship of churches” is used only to distinguish us among many other Christian denominations.
Churches who apply to affiliate with the movement should accept the statement of faith of Calvary Chapel and use the name Calvary Chapel (or equivalent name in their native language). In Ukraine our churches are called «Церква Голгофи».
There are over one thousand Calvary Chapel congregations all over the world. The list and geographical location of each of them is here.
The original Calvary Chapel was Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa started by Pastor Chuck Smith. In Ukraine the first Calvary Chapel fellowship was planted in 1992 by pastor-missionary George Markey. To date there are more than 15 Calvary Chapel churches in Ukraine.
Calvary Chapel doctrines.
By doctrine Calvary Chapel is evangelical, pre-tribulationist and a solely “sola scriptura” community of believers. Calvary Chapel affiliates believe in the fundamental doctrines of evangelical Christianity which include inerrancy of the Bible and the Trinity. Calvary Chapel believes in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit, based on the instruction of 1 Cor. 12-14.
Baptism
Calvary Chapels practice baptism by immersion. Calvary Chapel does not regard baptism as necessary for salvation, but instead sees it as an outward sign of an inward change. As a result Calvary Chapels do not baptize infants.
Every month Calvary Chapel congregations partake of communion, we consider it to be symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Calvary Chapel teaches that the rapture of the Church will occur first, followed by a literal seven-year period of great tribulation, followed by the second coming of Jesus Christ, and then finally a literal thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth called the Millennial Kingdom. Calvary Chapel also rejects super-secessionism, and instead believe that the Jews remain God’s chosen people and that Israel will play an important part in the end times.
Calvary Chapels mainly have an Episcopal type church government.
Calvary Chapel utilizes an expository method of teaching through the Word of God. This simply means teaching through the Bible sequentially, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse, which makes it possible to go through the whole Bible during the year. Practically, this means that sermons are given based on the texts from the Bible, and consequently the next sermon starts with the passage where the preacher left off. Occasionally, the pastor will pick a different book of the Bible to study. Topical sermons are given when the pastor sees the need. But topical teaching is not a distinctive of Calvary Chapel. In studying the Bible, the desire of Calvary Chapel is to develop a deeper understanding of the Word. This understanding leads us to emphasize strong personal relationships with God and evangelism.
