Calvary Chapel network (high-control variants)
Loose network of Calvary Chapel-affiliated churches founded by Chuck Smith. The 'Moses Model' of strong senior-pastor authority has produced documented abuse cases in some congregations (notably Bob Coy / Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale).
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
+1 for documented 'Moses Model' authoritarian governance pattern in some affiliated congregations.
In context
Calvary Chapels are associationally loose but theologically and structurally consistent: senior-pastor 'Moses Model' authority, verse-by-verse expository preaching, premillennial dispensationalism. Many are healthy congregations; the CLCI applies to high-profile failures (Bob Coy resignation 2014, Jeff Gannon allegations, ongoing disputes within the affiliation since Chuck Smith's 2013 death).
Key control doctrines
- Moses Model senior-pastor authority
- Verse-by-verse expository preaching
- Premillennial pre-tribulation eschatology
Legal cases & controversies
- Bob Coy resignation (2014)
- Multiple individual Calvary Chapel pastoral misconduct cases
Timeline
- 1965Chuck Smith takes over Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
- 1971+Jesus People movement explosion through Calvary Chapel
- 2013Chuck Smith dies; affiliation fractures
- 2014Bob Coy / Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale resignation
Sources
- Chuck Smith biographies and ministry publications
- The Roys Report Calvary Chapel coverage
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. Search the source title plus the group name to find the original.