Our Roots: Calvary Chapel and Vineyard

We are still a very new group, but I thought it would be good for me to write down a little about what we consider to be our heritage, or our roots, so to speak.  Part of the impetus to begin Charis Home Fellowship comes from shared experiences in two major church planting movements in the late 20th century: Calvary Chapel and Vineyard.


As for myself, I first encountered Calvary Chapel in 2001 shortly after I got saved.  I was completely blown away by verse-by-verse expository preaching.  I had never even heard of it before, but it completely captivated me.  I spent about three years under their teaching and even considered going to Calvary Chapel Bible College and trying to be a pastor within that movement.  My good friend and co-laborer Matt Casserilla is a graduate of CCBC.


My time with Calvary Chapel came to and end in 2004 when I changed my view of the rapture from pre-trib to post-trib and embraced Calvinism, but I have never forgotten the positive impact that Calvary Chapel had on me personally and in my vision for ministry.  I still consider the late Chuck Smith to be an influence on me as a teacher in the Body of Christ.


Simply put, we at Charis seek to replicate the kind of expository ministry that some of us experienced at Calvary Chapel.  We agree with their emphasis on the Word of God being taught verse-by-verse and letting it change us into the image of Jesus Christ. 


The Vineyard movement also has influenced us greatly.  In fact, I met Matt while attending a Vineyard here in central Florida.  I have been a worship leader in two different Vineyard churches and I honestly believe that Vineyard worship music is easily among the most anointed worship ever.  It was in a Vineyard context that I experienced spiritual gifts in a safe and biblically informed environment.  My wife was also positively impacted by the Holy Spirit at the Vineyard.


At Charis, we agree with the Vineyard's emphasis on the present-day moving of the Holy Spirit in healing, prophecy, and other spiritual gifts.  We also agree with their emphasis on the Kingdom of God and the now/not yet paradigm that John Wimber taught.  We desire to see people filled, healed, and empowered by the Spirit.  We also use a lot of Vineyard worship songs in our gatherings.


Sadly, we have to disagree with the vast amount of Vineyard churches concerning the issue of the ordination of women to pastoral positions in the Church.  Charis is committed to biblical complimentarianism.


There are other things influences that we have, but I mainly want to highlight those elements in both movements that have shaped our understanding of theology and ministry.  I owe a debt of gratitude I can never repay to the pastors and leaders of both Calvary Chapel and Vineyard for the contribution they both made to my life.


-Christian