Harvest

There are many misconceptions or misunderstandings about the doctrine Calvary Chapel teaches. This book spells out their teachings and beliefs in a clear and scriptural way.

Many years ago I attended a church where, if someone wanted to sing spontaneously, if someone had a praise report to share, if someone wanted to play the harmonica, or worship dance--leaving no more time for preaching/teaching the Word--it was all right because, "That was worship." I thank God for Calvary Chapel where I learned sound doctrine, walking in the Spirit, the exaltation of Christ and not man ... you get the point. I pray that would-be pastors will read this book first and do things the biblical way.

Calvary Distinctives answered tons of questions I had about where Calvary Chapel came from, and what the church was. I was raised Lutheran Missouri Synod. When I was invited to go to Calvary Chapel I had wondered if it was a cult. This book assured me that Calvary was legit and that the Word of God is the motivation for the church. Now I have been attending Calvary Chapel for seven years, and I love the Lord more than ever before!

Chuck Smith gives an inspirational history of how Calvary Chapel got started in the 1960's. The first three chapters and the last, of this 13-chapter book, are Chuck's thoughts, memories, ideas and encouragements about the ministry and the beginnings of Calvary Chapel. He highlights these beginnings with the stories of nine C.C. pastors who were broken hippy kids, but who are now part of the harvesting ministry today. Some of the pastors come from backgrounds of lost family members, crime, drugs, loneliness, the occult, murder and demon possession. But their stories end with lives reflecting God's mercy through the love of Jesus Christ. List of pastors: Greg Laurie, Raul Ries, Mike MacIntosh, Jon Courson, Jeff Johnson, Skip Heitzig, Steve Mays, Bil Gallatin, and Joe Focht.

This book presents the view points of church management of one of the most successful churches in the states today. It touches some controversial aspects like Calvinism vs. Aminianism, Pentecost view vs. Baptist view of the Holy Spirit, etc., and shows the balanced ground that Calvary Chapel is taking on these issues. It also illustrates by examples the point that, throughout the church history, many movements were born of the spirit but attempted to be perfected in flesh and ended up dying. It contains a lot of godly counsel and scriptural quotes, yet without an attempt to convince people for argument's sake. Finally, this book is another exmaple of pastor Chuck Smith's casual and personal communication style.