Serving in the ministry is not a job or a career path. Serving in the ministry is a calling from God. To serve effectively, you should be fully convinced that God has called you to it. You can know you're called when serving in ministry is not just a preference but an obligation. In 1 Corinthians 9:16 (ASV) Paul says, "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel."
In Jeremiah 20:9 (ASV) Jeremiah says, "And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain." At Calvary Chapel we understand this to mean that within the heart of the minister of God, is the urgency to share His message.

We believe scripture gives us a clear model for the church outlined in the book of Acts. We witness the church in Acts to be a church filled with, led by, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, making monumental advancements in spreading the gospel clearly and effectively because of their reliance on the Holy spirit as the Holy Spirit directed the ministry.
Acts 13:2-3 (ASV) "And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
Acts 15:28 (ASV) "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:"
Acts 16:7 (ASV) "and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not;"
In Chapter 4 we witness the apostles after encountering persecution, praying and asking for help and direction from the Lord. Then being strengthened anew with the Holy Spirit, they went forward in speaking the Word with boldness.
In Acts chapter 2:42 we see four primary practices of the early Church.  "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers." (ASV)
The book of Acts models a church that is directed by the Holy Spirit. That teaches God's Word, and grows closer together in camaraderie and unity. It is a church that partakes of communion together and prays together. All while allowing God to do the work as He added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Scripture gives us three methods of church government. Episkopos is a government led by Bishops or overseers. Presbyteros is a government led by Elders. A Theocracy is a government led and directed by God. Today in many churches there is also a "Congregational" form of government. The congregational form of government is one that is not scripturally promoted, and in fact any scriptural example where the people attempted this form of government has proven to be detrimental to the spiritual well being of the governed body, (Exodus 16:2, Exodus 32:1-7, Numbers 14:1-2).
We believe it is God's example is that He is the governing authority over the senior pastor, while the board of elders help and support the senior pastor in his calling and assist in discovering the mind and will of Christ for His church, while ministering to the spiritual needs of the congregation daily.

We believe there is a clear difference in being indwelt with the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. We see the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the Apostles in the book of Acts as a repetitive experience not an uninterrupted one. We recognize a three part relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Para- Beside you
En- In you
Epi- Over you 

We have a casual and laid back style. While this can apply to "dress code," more accurately this depicts our style of ministry. We do not try to motivate people to come to church or to Christ by appealing to their worldly desires and cravings. We do not participate in spiritual hype or church growth programs. We believe in simply teaching the Word and trusting God do His job in adding to the Church.
As Chuck would say, "Where God guides, God provides."

Without the grace of God, we are hopeless. Justice seeks vengeance, and grace seeks favor. While both law and grace are good, the law pointing out the injustice and grace helping to mend the broken. At Calvary Chapel, we believe in the love and grace that pursues to rescue the lost and broken.

Our goal is to disciple others with the whole counsel of God. By reading, studying, and applying God's Word, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, with the intentional purpose of not skipping over the hard or controversial issues in our culture. With a purpose to think Biblically about all things and all situations to better understand how to walk out our calling as a child of God. We believe it is important to comprehend the scriptures within their historical context, paying careful attention to the accurate interpretations of the words used as they are defined in their original language.

Another distinctive of Calvary Chapel is the centrality of Jesus in worship. We believe that all focus and attention should be on Christ, so if we are worshiping in a way that is distracting others from focusing on Jesus and instead focusing on us, then we've got it backwards. God is a God of order and not a God of chaos. While we make every effort to allow room for the Spirit to move, the Word is clear about the parameters of order and the movement of the Spirit will never contradict the Word. Spirit led gifts will glorify Christ, not ourselves.

We believe in the pre-tribulation view of the Biblical event of the rapture, when Jesus take up His Church. Followed by a seven year period the Bible calls "The Great Tribulation," then the second coming of Christ to earth and the millennial reign.
"The word "rapture" comes from the Greek word harpazo, which translates in Latin to raptuse. Then from Latin to English it is translated rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 the Word says, "then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (ASV.) The word used for "caught up" is the Greek word harpazo. 

The Calvary Chapel movement is one that began in the Spirit and we aim to continue in the Spirit. We understand that there is nothing we can do in our own strength that makes any real lasting impact for the Kingdom of God. Therefore, we strive to follow the leading of the Spirit as he goes before us and to remain steadfast in His strength. There is no formula that can sustain the test of time outside of God's will, timing, and strength. Where we are weak He is strong. Where we are not qualified in our own ability, the Holy Spirit qualifies us through His ability.

Paul outlines in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that we can have all of the spiritual gifts but if we do not love then it is all meaningless.
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing."
So, Calvary Chapel believes in the supremacy of love over all spiritual gifts.
Love is how we are known, John 13:35.
Love is the fruit of the Spirit, John 15:16-17.
We are to remain in His love, John 15:8-9.

One thing that is important to remember is that as long as we are in Christ we are one. It would be foolish to divide God's people over non-essential issues. When the Bible speaks clearly we should always stand on God's Word, but on other issues that are not so clear, we should be willing to recognize the scriptural legitimacy of both/all views and not make hard lines in the sand and cast out those we do not agree with. It is a valuable reality to recognize that on secondary issues, we can agree to disagree and still remain in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (ASV) "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all."

We believe we should make ourselves available for whatever it is God is wanting to do. Venturing out in faith is stepping out in faith to see what the Lord might do through it. We believe we must also be careful not to become immovable on our idea of what the Lord wants us to do, where we are continuing on in our own strength and forcing doors to stay open in an place God was never actually in. There is no shame in retreating from a venture that God was never in. Where danger waits is when we boastfully continue to force success without God. When those times of retreat come, and they will come, then we should retreat. However, we don't then make ourselves unavailable for the next venture to see what God might do. 

*The content above is a summary of each of the chapters outlined in Chuck Smith's book, "Calvary Chapel Distinctives."
Pastor Chad Williams, at Calvary Chapel of the Palouse, is affiliated with the Calvary Chapel Association.

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