My ministry career began with the denomination known as Calvary
Chapel. I know, I was a nut, but I was young and impressionable and
have grown much since then.

Lately, there has been much controversy surrounding these churches,
both in my general area and around the world. Accusations of
in-fighting, embezzlement, child abuse, womanizing, and general
manipulation have reached epidemic levels. That's only counting
circumstances that have come to light. Apparently, many more are
swept under the rug.

In fact, in our general area alone this has been the norm for decades.
Pastors have been kicked out to make room for those who are "better
connected" to the hierarchy. The guy who was looked upon as the
"authority" in NY State for the longest time was usurped by his son,
who had earlier expressed no desire to pursue the ministry whatsoever.
Several churches have left the organization in the past few months
due to one pastor being found in sexual impropriety, for which he
suffered no repercussions. This pastor (whom I had served with) has
turned his church into a family business, with his wife and children
on the pay roll, and others forced out to make way for them.

Business and church do not mix well, especially when the church is
manipulative and abusive like at Calvary Chapels. They use methods of
extortion to build up their treasury, and then cast people aside when
they are done using them. Fear of punishment and promise of heavenly
reward string people along and keep them obedient, while the
leadership engage in lavish and sensual lifestyles. It is the worst
form of hypocrisy, as it also causes others' lives to be destroyed.

Be skeptical of the church to which you belong. Calvary Chapel
doesn't have the market cornered on this sort of behavior. It is
everywhere. Does your church make financial requirements on you, tied
directly to your standing in the organization and claims of your
eternal condition? Flee.

Calvary Chapel used to be a small group of people meeting in a home
talking about things that were important to them. Granted, these
things were rather silly, but not so dangerous as those things which
seem important to them now, such as pride, greed, and lust. Find
people who share your interests and beliefs, and get together over
coffee and hang out. That's what the church used to be. That's what
we are trying to turn it back into.

By the way, if you're interested, Sunday mornings at 10 AM, Brueggers
Bagels, 1400 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY.

Pastor Jack