June
13, 2005
Pastor
Chuck Smith
Calvary
Chapel
3800
Dear
Pastor Chuck,
I am writing you this letter because I have a deep love and
appreciation for you personally and am grateful to God for all He has done through
you and the ministry of Calvary Chapel.
It
is hard for me to believe that it was 24 years ago this month that I first met
you and was introduced to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Through those years the
Lord has allowed me to participate in the Calvary Chapel movement, a ministry I
believe that God has raised up to proclaim the truth
of God’s Word to the world in these last days. Through the Calvary Chapel movement God has opened doors for the ministry of Understand
The Times around the world and throughout the
Further,
the Lord has used Calvary Chapel and the Calvary Chapel movement as the very
core of the ministry I have been called to do. Wherever I have gone, it has
been my goal and desire to represent and reflect the foundational principles of
the
It
is with a heavy heart that I must communicate to you that over the past several
years, because of many firsthand encounters and experiences in various places
with numerous Calvary Chapel pastors, that I have observed a change in the
Calvary Chapel movement that deeply concerns me. Perhaps some of my concerns
have filtered back to you through others. Until writing this letter, I have not
formally contacted you with these concerns. I regret now that I have waited so
long. After leaving the Pastors Conference in Murrieta this past week, I laid
awake several nights contemplating what I should do or say. This letter is the result.
We
are living at a critical time in the history of the Calvary Chapel movement and
church history. The truth of God’s Word is being compromised and watered-down.
Obviously, it is not just the Calvary Chapel movement that is being influenced
and it is not all Calvary Chapels that are being impacted. This trend crosses
all denominational boundaries.
The
comments I will now make are general in nature, but are indicative of the
direction that some in the Calvary Chapel movement are headed in spite of your
clear warnings to teach the Word of God and not be caught up
in trends that lead away from the teaching of the Word.
Ecumenical
and unbiblical teachings are being endorsed for the cause of unity and church
growth. The gospel of Jesus Christ is being disguised to make it less offensive
and more acceptable.
Churches
that once taught the Bible faithfully verse by verse preparing the flock for
the imminent return of Jesus Christ, now are looking for ways to make their
services more seeker-friendly and are less concerned about the prophetic signs
we are living in the last of the last days.
Pastors
and churches that once believed church growth was dependent on feeding the
sheep and equipping the saved to share the gospel, now promote humanistic means
to draw in the masses based on a consumer style of evangelism focused on
“finding out what people want” to “get them in the door.”
Churches
once led by pastors committed to biblical truth, now are employing experts who
use worldly principles borrowed from secular corporations with material goals
for success. Rather than following Jesus and His Word, pastors and church
leaders are looking to successful men and their methods so they can become part
of a movement that is based on principles foreign to the Scriptures.
Further,
when church leaders promote strategies to establish the
Bible-believing
pastors that once taught the Bible are now looking for ways to attract people
to their congregations by providing extrabiblical experiences and an atmosphere
that includes candles, icons, incense and the
introduction of Roman Catholic sacraments. When concerned observers suggest
this appears to be leading to a partnership with Roman Catholicism they are
considered to be negative opponents of the “new thing” God is doing that is
reaching our generation.
It
is apparent to some that we are at another crossroads in church history, a fork
in the road. Are pastors going to stand up and make their voices known if they
have concerns about the direction current trends are
leading? While some say, don’t be negative – just be known for what you
believe, not what you are against – the Old Testament prophets were outspoken
when followers of God strayed away from the truths of God and never allowed the
sheep to feel comfortable in their sin.
If
we truly believe that Jesus may return soon, what position do we want to take?
Should we be promoting methods of success that produce big churches with
shallow believers who are asleep when Jesus returns? Shouldn’t leaders be
sounding the trumpet and warning of His imminent return?
I
realize you were not present when the panel discussed the purpose-driven
question at the Pastors’ Conference. Many came away confused or disappointed by
what they heard. As you know, the purpose-driven philosophy does not promote
the teaching of the Bible verse by verse and does not warn about the imminent
return of Jesus because this “takes away from individuals being purpose driven
in the present.” This is exactly opposite of what I know you believe. Further the purpose-driven movement has linked hands with
Chuck Colson to establish the
Many
pastors went away from the conference recognizing there was a contradiction
with statements made by panel members and the position you have previously stated.
Unfortunately, others did not. The applause for Greg Laurie’s endorsement of
purpose-driven was evident.
Further, while you graciously allowed Another Jesus? The Eucharistic Christ and
the New Evangelization to be handed out to pastors when they registered for the conference, at
the end of the conference the pastors were presented a dangerously close view
of the Roman Catholic Jesus by Jon Courson who left
the impression that “Jesus” is present in the wafer and that the wafer is more
than a symbol. Many left upset, especially former Roman Catholics. Others were
confused, and could not believe what was happening.
I know that I will not be the only one who contacts you
with their concerns. In my travels and conversations with
Calvary
Chapel is at a crossroads. It is similar to the John Wimber situation in the
early 1980s. What does Calvary Chapel stand for and how will it be perceived in
the future? What will the Calvary Chapel movement accept or reject? As you made
a definitive statement in the past on what
Pastor
Chuck, I pray that God gives you insight and wisdom to take a bold biblical
stand at this time. This is not a time to condemn others should they choose to
go in various ways. This is a time to raise a standard by making a clear
statement what you, the leader of the Calvary Chapel movement, believes God wants for the Calvary Chapel movement to
represent.
If
there are those who do not agree, then they should be free to be whatever they
believe God is calling them to be. There are many pastors who are waiting for
you, our shepherd, to speak and give clear direction. This is a time to
proclaim God’s Word with boldness. Jesus is coming soon!
Sincerely
in Jesus,
Roger
Oakland
Cc.
Paul Smith C.C.O.F.