A movement of evangelical churches that emerged from the Jesus Movement of the 1960s–70s, known for verse-by-verse Bible teaching, contemporary worship, and a casual, welcoming culture.
Calvary Chapel began in 1965 when Chuck Smith took over a small struggling congregation in Costa Mesa, California, and opened it to the hippies and counterculture youth flooding Southern California. The result was one of the most remarkable revivals in American history — the Jesus Movement. Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa grew into a congregation of thousands, and the movement it spawned planted hundreds of churches across the country and around the world.
Calvary Chapel is not a denomination in the traditional sense — it is a fellowship of autonomous churches that share a common culture and approach to ministry. The movement is known for its verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter teaching through the entire Bible (called 'expository teaching'), its contemporary worship music (Maranatha! Music, which emerged from Calvary Chapel, helped launch the contemporary Christian music industry), and its casual, come-as-you-are culture.
Theologically, Calvary Chapel occupies a middle position between Calvinist and Arminian views, emphasizing both God's sovereignty and human responsibility. It tends to avoid taking strong positions on secondary theological debates.
Calvary Chapel is distinguished by its verse-by-verse Bible teaching, its roots in the Jesus Movement, its contemporary worship culture, and its casual, welcoming atmosphere. It helped pioneer the contemporary Christian music movement.
Contemporary and relaxed — acoustic or full-band worship music, verse-by-verse Bible teaching, and a casual atmosphere.
Costa Mesa, California, 1965, by Chuck Smith.
Its role in the Jesus Movement, launching the contemporary Christian music industry, and its verse-by-verse Bible teaching model.