MISSION | VISION | VALUES
OUR BELIEFS
OUR MISSION
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS FOR MINISTRY, MATURITY, UNITY, AND THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. EPHESIANS 4:11-13
Our vision
GROW
We are called to mature in our relationship with God (Hebrews 6:1-2). The word of God is our growth catalyst. It is how we build ourselves up. We teach people the Word of God in our services, connect groups, etc. so they can be equipped for the work of the ministry!
GO
We are called to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), to GO into all the world and make disciples. That means we are called to share the Gospel with lost people. Jesus came for the sick so that they could be made well.
GIVE
We are called to offer up our time, talents and finances for kingdom work as our worship to God. It’s our reasonable service (Heb 12:2). God doesn’t want us to do this flippantly or under compulsion, but cheerfully (2 Cor 9:6).
OUR VALUES
01
GLORIFICATION
We commit to making the glorification of the Lord our chief end. We commit to doing whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to ensure Jesus gets the maximum glory from our lives.
1 Cor. 10:31 | Col. 3:17 | 1 Peter 4:11
02
IDENTIFICATION
We commit to finding our personal identity in Christ and not in a title, whether it be in the world or the church.
Col. 3:3 | Gal. 2:20 | Gal. 3:28
03
MAGNIFICATION
We commit to using our gifts and talents from the Lord for magnifying our King, Jesus! Each of us have been given gifts from the Holy Spirit for the purpose of magnifying the presence of God in our midst.
1 Cor. 12-14 | Mark 16:17-18 | Acts 10:46
04
MULTIPLICATION
We commit to making disciples for Jesus in and outside of the church walls. Telling others about the love of Jesus is a privilege not a chore.
Matt. 28:18-20 | Matt. 13:52
05
RECONCILIATION
We commit to reconciling with one another in accordance with the words of Jesus. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation, and we commit to operating in a spirit of reconciliation towards each other.
Matt. 18:15-20 | 2 Cor. 5:18-21
06
MATURATION
We commit to growing spiritually in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
2 Pet. 3:18 | 1 Pet. 2:2 | Eph. 4:14-15 | Col. 1:10
07
PARTICIPATION
We commit to Koinonia, the close association and fellowship with one another inside and outside of the walls of the church.
Acts 2:42 | Gal. 2:9 | 1 Jn. 1:3
08
CONTRIBUTION
We commit to sowing financially to the building of the kingdom of God with a heart of gratitude and obedience not by compulsion.
2 Cor. 9:6-7 | Exo. 25:2
THE DISTINCTIVES
WHAT MAKES CALVARY CHAPEL DISTINCT
In Calvary Chapel we find the teaching of the Word, and an open heart to the work of the Holy Spirit. Adapted from Pastor Chuck Smith’s Calvary Distinctives.
THE CALL TO MINISTRY
If there is one characteristic that is absolutely essential for effective ministry, it’s that we must first have a sense of calling - the conviction in our hearts that God has chosen and called us to serve Him. Ministry is not a profession that we might choose. It’s a calling of God.
Heb. 5:4
GOD’S MODEL FOR THE CHURCH
In Calvary Chapel we look to the book of Acts as the model for the church. The divine ideal is found in the book of Acts. It was a church led by the Holy Spirit and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:42 | Gal. 2:9 | 1 Jn. 1:3
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head over the body of the church. It’s His church. The church leaders resemble Moses and his supporting leaders, going to God, and then coming back to God’s people with God’s will, guidance and blessing.
Eph. 1:22
MALE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
We hold to male spiritual leadership at Calvary Chapel Columbia. The issue is not value or ability, but order as established by God. Women hold many vital roles at CCC, including the role of Deacon and the leading of ministry teams, the teaching of other women, praying, exercising spiritual gifts etc., as outlined in the scriptures.
1 Tim. 2:12-14
EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT
We believe that there is an experience of the empowering of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer that is distinct and separate from the indwelling of the Spirit that takes place at conversion.
Acts 1:8
BUILDING GOD’S WAY
We don’t get involved in a lot of spiritual hype. We are of the belief that if the Lord doesn’t build the house, those who labor, labor in vain. We simply trust in the work of the Holy Spirit, and of Jesus Christ who is building His church as He said He would.
Zech. 4:6
GRACE UPON GRACE
We realize that without the grace of God none of us would have a chance. We need the grace of God in our lives. We need it daily. But we also stand in grace. We believe in the love and grace that seeks to restore the fallen (Gal 6:1).
Heb. 13:9
THE PRIORITY OF THE WORD
Although topical sermons have their place, they can never substitute a systematic study of the entire Bible, verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, and book-by-book.
1 Tim. 4:13
THE CENTRALITY OF JESUS CHRIST
We don’t allow any practice or behavior that would distract the people from focusing on Him. We strive to maintain a Christ-centered atmosphere in all that we do. All eyes on Jesus.
2 Cor. 4:5
THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH
The Rapture refers to the time when Jesus Christ will come, without warning, and take away His church from this earth. We hold to and teach a pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine. We believe the Rapture is imminent, meaning it could happen at any time. It could happen today!
Titus 2:13
HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT
Calvary Chapel is a work that was begun by the Spirit. Every new and great movement of God is born of the Spirit. We pray continually to be led by the Spirit.
2 Cor. 3:5-6
THE SUPREMACY OF LOVE
Without love all the gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit are meaningless and worthless. God’s supreme desire is that we experience His love and then share that love with others.
John 13:35
STRIKING THE BALANCE
An important characteristic of Calvary Chapel is our desire to not divide God’s people over non-essential issues. When the Bible gives two aspects of truth, we should never overemphasize one at the expense of the other.
2 Tim. 2:15
VENTURES IN FAITH
It’s always an exciting thing to give God a chance to work. God has a work that He desires to do, and God is simply looking for people who are in harmony with what He desires. I’ve found that the best way is by just stepping out. Try it and see.
Heb. 11:6