Calvary Chapel vs. Pentecostal Beliefs

Word or Spirit? A Loving Look at the Differences Between Calvary Chapel and Pentecostal Beliefs

In the great, sprawling family of the Christian faith, you will find countless expressions of love and worship for our Lord, Jesus Christ. Two of the most vibrant and passionate family members to emerge in the last century are the Pentecostal movement and the Calvary Chapel fellowship of churches. To an outsider, they might look very similar. Both are filled with people who love the Bible, who believe in a personal relationship with Jesus, and who desire to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in a real and tangible way.¹

But as with any family, if you look closer, you see the beautiful and unique features that make each member distinct. This is not a matter of rivalry or competition. It is an exploration of two different, God-honoring paths that believers walk. The goal of this article is not to declare a “winner,” but to build understanding, to foster appreciation, and to walk alongside you with the same brotherly love that both movements hold as the highest sign of a true Christian.¹

If you find yourself drawn to these movements, or perhaps are trying to understand the differences between them to find a church home, this is for you. We will gently explore their fiery origins, their core beliefs about God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s work, their different styles of worship and leadership, and how you can prayerfully consider where God might be calling you to plant your roots and grow.

Where Did These Movements Come From? A Tale of Two Revivals

To truly understand the heart of Calvary Chapel and Pentecostalism, we must go back to the very beginning. The story of how each movement was born tells us almost everything we need to know about their unique spiritual DNA. One was born in a supernatural fire from heaven; the other, in a pastoral response to a generation in crisis.

The Pentecostal Story: A Fire from Heaven on Azusa Street

Imagine the turn of the 20th century. Many churches had grown cold and formal, and a deep hunger was stirring in people’s hearts for something more.⁴ Out of this spiritual hunger, a powerful stream called the Holiness movement began to flow, teaching that after a person was saved, they could experience a “second work of grace” from God that would sanctify them, or make them holy.⁴

It was in this environment that a Holiness evangelist named Charles Fox Parham started a small Bible school in Topeka, Kansas. He began to teach a radical idea: that the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” described in the Bible was an experience for believers today, and that the proof of this experience was speaking in other tongues, just as the apostles did on the day of Pentecost.⁵ On January 1, 1901, a student named Agnes Ozman, after having hands laid on her in prayer, began to speak in what was believed to be Chinese. This moment is seen by many as the spark that lit the flame of modern Pentecostalism.⁵

That flame became an inferno in 1906. An African American preacher and student of Parham, William J. Seymour, was invited to speak in Los Angeles.⁵ He preached Parham’s message about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the response was so overwhelming that the small prayer meetings in a private home quickly overflowed. They needed a bigger space. What they found was a humble, run-down, two-story building at 312 Azusa Street, which had recently been used as a livery stable.⁸

What happened next was one of the most major spiritual outpourings in modern history: the Azusa Street Revival. For over three years, from 1906 to 1909, services ran three times a day, seven days a week.¹⁰ The meetings were loud, emotional, and filled with the power of God. People described falling to the floor under the Spirit’s power, experiencing miraculous healings, shouting for joy, and, most famously, speaking in tongues.⁸

But perhaps the greatest miracle of Azusa Street was the unity it created. In an era of bitter racial segregation, this little mission was a glimpse of heaven on earth. Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian believers, men and women, rich and poor, educated and uneducated—all worshipped together as one family, under the leadership of a Black pastor.¹⁰ The revival’s foundation was a supernatural event that sought to restore the raw power and unity of the early church as described in the Book of Acts. This established an “experience-first” identity that continues to define Pentecostalism today.

The Calvary Chapel Story: A Revolution for the Love Generation

Fast-forward sixty years to Southern California in the late 1960s. The world was in turmoil. It was the era of the Vietnam War, psychedelic drugs, and the hippie counter-culture. A whole generation of young people, disillusioned with society, were searching for truth, love, and a place to belong.¹³

Into this cultural moment stepped a pastor named Chuck Smith. He had a background in the Foursquare a classical Pentecostal denomination, but in 1965 he was leading a small, struggling, non-denominational church of just 25 people in Costa Mesa.¹³ Most churches at the time wanted nothing to do with the long-haired, barefoot hippies who wandered the streets. But Chuck and his wife, Kay, felt a deep love and burden for this lost generation.¹⁴

The story of Calvary Chapel is the story of what happened when the church opened its doors to the outcasts. Chuck’s daughter introduced him to a young Christian convert named Lonnie Frisbee, a charismatic “hippie evangelist” who looked, talked, and lived like the very people the church was trying to reach.¹⁸ Lonnie became the bridge. He would go out to the beaches and communes, share the love of Jesus, and bring new converts back to Calvary Chapel.

The result was a spiritual explosion. The small church grew so quickly they had to erect a giant circus tent to hold the thousands of young people who were flocking to hear about Jesus.¹⁹ This became a major center of the “Jesus Movement.” The services were filled with mass baptisms in the Pacific Ocean and a brand-new style of music. The young converts began writing their own songs of worship, creating a folk-rock sound that came to be known as “Jesus Music.” This music, nurtured at Calvary Chapel and published by its own record label, Maranatha! Music, would eventually grow into the global phenomenon of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).¹³

The origin of Calvary Chapel is profoundly different from that of Pentecostalism. It was not born from a singular supernatural event, but from a pastoral response to a cultural moment. The problem Chuck Smith was trying to solve was not a lack of spiritual power in the but a generation of young people who were lost and un-churched. While the power of the Holy Spirit was undeniably present, the anchor that kept this wild, emotional movement from spinning out of control was Pastor Chuck’s commitment to simply teaching the Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter.¹³ This foundational story explains nearly all the differences that would follow.

What Is the Core Difference in How They Approach the Bible and Church Life?

The different origin stories of Calvary Chapel and Pentecostalism created two different approaches to the Christian life. While both love Jesus and the Bible, they place their emphasis in slightly different places. This can be understood as a gentle tension between the centrality of the Word and the primacy of the Spirit’s experience.

Calvary Chapel: The Supremacy of the Word

The absolute bedrock of Calvary Chapel is its unwavering commitment to the Word of God. This is most clearly seen in its signature practice of teaching the Bible expositorily—that is, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, from Genesis to Revelation.¹ This isn’t just a preaching style; it is a core philosophy. The goal is to declare the “full counsel of God,” ensuring that every part of the Bible gets to speak, rather than allowing a pastor to focus only on his favorite topics or “pet” doctrines.¹ In this way, they believe that God Himself, through His Word, sets the agenda for the church.²⁰

This approach grew out of a desire to find a healthy balance. Calvary Chapel often describes itself as the “middle ground between fundamentalism and Pentecostalism”.²⁰ They love the deep respect for the inerrant Bible that you find in fundamentalist churches, but they reject the legalism and the belief that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased. At the same time, they welcome the Holy Spirit’s work, but they are cautious of what they see as Pentecostalism’s tendency to emphasize emotional experiences over the solid teaching of God’s Word.²⁰

This intense focus on the Word has shaped the entire culture of Calvary Chapel. Because the teaching is the main event, other things are de-emphasized. The atmosphere in their churches is known for being casual, relaxed, and welcoming.²⁰ There is often no formal church membership process; if you attend regularly and get involved, you are considered part of the family.²⁴ The attitude is “come as you are,” because the focus is on Jesus and His Word, not on human traditions, impressive buildings, or how you are dressed.¹

Pentecostalism: The Primacy of the Spirit’s Experience

Pentecostals also believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God.⁷ But their approach to it is deeply experiential. For a Pentecostal, the Bible is not merely a book of history or theology to be studied; it is a living, active book that is brought to life by the power of the Holy Spirit. They see the Holy Spirit as the “Executive of the Godhead,” the one who takes the truth of the Word and applies it directly to the believer’s heart.²⁶

The central theme of Pentecostalism is the importance of a direct, personal encounter with God’s power.⁷ Worship is more than just singing songs; it is about creating an atmosphere of freedom where the Holy Spirit can move in powerful ways. This leads to services that are often emotional, spontaneous, and filled with a sense of expectation for the supernatural.⁸

The very life of a Pentecostal church is driven by this focus on the Spirit. Theologians call this a “pneumatological ecclesiology,” which is a fancy way of saying that the church’s life (ecclesiology) is shaped by its understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit (pneumatology).²⁹ The church is viewed as a community of believers brought together, empowered, and sent out on mission by the Holy Spirit. The emphasis is on spiritual vitality and experiencing God’s power, not just on learning theoretical doctrines.²⁹

These two approaches create different paths for spiritual growth. In a Pentecostal a believer is encouraged to seek spiritual encounters, to be filled with the Spirit, and to step out in faith to minister to others through gifts like healing and prophecy.³⁰ In a Calvary Chapel, a believer is encouraged to faithfully attend the Bible studies, to learn the Scriptures deeply, and to build a solid foundation of knowledge that will produce the fruit of the Spirit in their character.¹ Although these paths are not opposed to each other, the difference in emphasis is what makes each movement so unique.

How Do They View Salvation and a Christian’s Walk with God?

When it comes to the most important question—how a person is saved—Calvary Chapel and Pentecostalism stand together on the core truths of the gospel. Both are firmly evangelical movements that believe salvation is a free gift from God that cannot be earned. It is received only by repenting of our sins and placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.⁷ Both believe that a person must be “born again” to enter the kingdom of God.⁷

But when you look a little deeper into the doctrines surrounding God’s role and our role in salvation, some subtle but important differences emerge, shaped by their different histories.

Calvary Chapel’s “Middle Way” on God’s Sovereignty and Free Will

One of the oldest and most passionate debates in the history of the church is between Calvinism (which emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty in salvation) and Arminianism (which emphasizes human free will). Calvary Chapel has made it a core part of its identity to stand in the “middle ground” between these two positions.²⁰

They do this by specifically rejecting two of the famous “Five Points of Calvinism”.³ In simple, pastoral terms, here is what that means:

1. They reject “Limited Atonement.” This is the Calvinist belief that Jesus’s death on the cross was intended to save only a specific, pre-chosen group of people (the “elect”). Calvary Chapel teaches that Jesus died for the sins of the entire world, and His sacrifice was sufficient to save every single person. Salvation is available to anyone and everyone who will believe.²⁰
2. They reject “Irresistible Grace.” This is the Calvinist belief that if God chooses to save someone, that person cannot resist His call. Calvary Chapel teaches that God gives every person free will, and they can choose to either accept God’s loving invitation to salvation or resist it.²⁰

This “middle way” is not just a casual preference; it is a deliberate theological stance. It was designed to avoid the arguments and divisions that the Calvinism-vs-Arminianism debate can often cause in the body of Christ.²⁰ But this very attempt to create a “big tent” has sometimes had an unintended consequence. As forum discussions among current and former members show, a common story unfolds: a person starts attending Calvary Chapel, falls in love with the verse-by-verse Bible teaching, and through their own diligent study of Scripture, becomes convinced that the Calvinist view of salvation is the most biblical one.³⁴ They then find themselves in a difficult position, feeling theologically at odds with the church that taught them to love the Bible in the first place. They can feel labeled as “divisive” or feel they must hide their beliefs, often leading them to eventually leave the fellowship.³⁴

Pentecostalism’s Wesleyan and Holiness Roots

Classical Pentecostalism was born out of the Wesleyan-Holiness movement, which has always been strongly Arminian in its theology.⁴ Therefore, Pentecostal churches have historically placed a strong emphasis on a person’s free will to choose salvation and their responsibility to live a holy life.

A key feature in many traditional Pentecostal denominations, especially those known as “Holiness Pentecostals” like the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), is the belief in a distinct work of grace called “entire sanctification”.³⁶ This is taught as a definite experience that happens

after a person is saved. In this experience, the believer is cleansed by the Holy Spirit from the very root and nature of sin, giving them the power to live a life of holiness and victory over temptation.³⁶

For these Pentecostals, this creates a spiritual journey that can have three distinct stages:

1. Salvation: Being born again and forgiven of your sins.
2. Sanctification: Being cleansed from the sinful nature.
3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Being empowered for service.⁷

Not all Pentecostals see it this way. Other large denominations, like the Assemblies of God, teach that sanctification is not a single crisis experience but a lifelong process of being set apart for God and growing in holiness.²⁵

What Is the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” and Do They See It Differently?

We now arrive at one of the most important and defining topics in our discussion. The belief in a “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” is something that both Calvary Chapel and Pentecostalism share, and it is what separates them from many other evangelical churches. But their understanding of the evidence of this experience is a major point of difference.

The Shared Belief: A Second Experience for Power

Both movements teach that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience for believers that is separate from and happens after salvation.⁴ It is crucial to understand that neither group believes this experience is necessary for a person to be saved and go to heaven. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone.

So, what is this baptism for? It is for power. Both traditions teach that this is an empowering work of the Spirit to make a believer a more effective and bold witness for Jesus Christ. It gives them power to live a victorious Christian life, to serve God with supernatural gifts, and to carry out the Great Commission.¹

Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith beautifully explained this with three Greek prepositions to describe the Holy Spirit’s work:

• Para: The Spirit is with the unbeliever, convicting them of sin.
• En: The Spirit comes to live in the believer at the moment of salvation.
• Epi: The Spirit comes upon the believer for power in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.¹

Pentecostals make a very similar distinction between the Spirit’s work of regenerating our hearts for salvation and His work of empowering us for service.⁷

The Point of Division: The Evidence of the Experience

While they agree on the purpose of the Spirit’s baptism, they differ significantly on how a person knows they have received it.

• The Classical Pentecostal View: For the major, historic Pentecostal denominations, this is a foundational, non-negotiable doctrine. They teach that the initial physical evidence of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues (glossolalia).⁴ Their belief is rooted in their reading of the Book of Acts, where they see a consistent pattern of people being filled with the Spirit and immediately beginning to speak in tongues (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6). For them, this is the biblical sign that the experience has taken place.
• The Calvary Chapel View: Calvary Chapel, while believing in the gift of tongues, explicitly rejects the teaching that it is the only or necessary sign of the Spirit’s baptism.²⁰ They do not elevate one gift above others. For them, the evidence of being filled with the Spirit can be many things: a new boldness to share your faith, a deeper love for God, power over sin, or the operation of any of the spiritual gifts listed in the Bible. They teach that the supreme evidence of a Spirit-filled life is not a gift, but the 

  fruit of the Spirit growing in a believer’s character, especially love.¹

This doctrinal difference has a huge impact on a person’s spiritual life. In a Pentecostal a believer seeking the baptism of the Spirit will be encouraged to pray for and expect to speak in tongues. In a Calvary Chapel, a believer will be encouraged to simply yield to the Spirit and ask for His power, with the focus being on the result of that power in their life, not on a specific sign.

Interestingly, there is evidence that in its earliest days during the Jesus Movement, Calvary Chapel had a much more Pentecostal-like emphasis. One early member recalls that in 1973, the church taught that every believer needed the Baptism of the Holy Spirit after salvation.⁴³ But a major split occurred in the early 1980s when a pastor named John Wimber, who heavily emphasized signs and wonders, left to form the Vineyard movement.⁴³ This event seems to have caused Chuck Smith to more clearly define Calvary Chapel’s “middle ground” position, creating more distance from the overt Pentecostalism that had marked its beginnings.

How Are Spiritual Gifts like Tongues and Prophecy Practiced in Their Services?

This theological difference over the evidence of the Spirit’s baptism leads to very different experiences in their weekly worship services. If you were to visit a Pentecostal church one Sunday and a Calvary Chapel the next, you would immediately feel the difference in atmosphere and practice.

Pentecostal Worship: Freedom and Spontaneity

A typical Pentecostal service is an experience of vibrant, expressive freedom.⁴ The worship is often loud and joyous, and the congregation is actively involved. You will see people clapping their hands, dancing in praise, raising their hands in surrender to God, and praying out loud spontaneously.²⁸ The goal is to create an environment where the Holy Spirit is welcome to move as He wishes.

Because of this, the spiritual gifts are expected to be a normal part of the main worship service.⁶ It would not be unusual for the music to pause because someone feels led by the Spirit to give a message in tongues. This would then be followed by another person giving the interpretation of that message so that the whole church can be encouraged. Likewise, someone might stand and deliver a prophecy, a word of encouragement, or a word of knowledge from the Lord. There is a strong, living expectation that God will speak to His people and work miracles of healing right there in the service.⁴

Calvary Chapel Worship: Decency and Order

The guiding principle for a Calvary Chapel service is the biblical instruction to do all things “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).²² While they believe that all the spiritual gifts are for today, they are very careful to ensure that the exercise of those gifts does not create chaos or distract from the central focus of the service: the teaching of God’s Word.³

This leads to some specific rules for how gifts are used in the main service. For example, speaking in tongues without an interpretation is not permitted because it does not build up the whole church.²⁰ They also teach that prophecy should not interrupt the pastor’s message, because they believe the Holy Spirit would not interrupt Himself.³ Anything that is seen as drawing attention to a person rather than to Jesus, such as expressive dancing, waving flags, or painting during worship, is generally not allowed.¹

So, where do the gifts operate? Many Calvary Chapels have found a solution by holding “afterglow” services.²² After the pastor has finished teaching and the formal service is over, those who want to stay can gather for a more informal time of prayer and worship. It is in these smaller, more intimate settings that mature believers will lead a time where people can freely exercise the gifts of the Spirit in a way that is still orderly but allows for more spontaneity.

At a Glance: Key Differences in Belief and Practice

For those who appreciate a quick summary, this table highlights the core distinctions between the two movements. It is designed to give you a clear, side-by-side comparison of their most important beliefs and practices.

How Are Their Churches Led and Organized?

The way a church is structured and led says a lot about what it values. Here again, we find a major difference between Calvary Chapel’s uniform approach and the diversity found within Pentecostalism. This topic, which theologians call ecclesiology, might seem dry, but it has a very real impact on the life of the church and its members.

Calvary Chapel’s “Moses Model”

Most Calvary Chapels around the world follow a specific leadership structure that they call the “Moses Model”.¹ This model is based on their understanding of how God led the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. In that system, God was the ultimate leader, and He spoke directly to Moses, who then led the people.

In a Calvary Chapel, the senior pastor holds a role similar to Moses. He is seen as being directly responsible to God for the spiritual health and direction of the church. He is expected to hear from God and faithfully feed and love God’s people.²² There is a board of elders, but their role is primarily to support and give wise counsel to the pastor; they do not have the authority to overrule, hire, or fire him.¹ This model intentionally rejects other forms of church government, like a congregational vote or a board-run system, out of a concern that such systems can make the pastor a “hireling” who is trying to please people rather than God.²⁰

It is also important to remember that Calvary Chapel is not a formal denomination. It is a loose “fellowship” of independent churches that share a common philosophy of ministry.¹ This de-emphasis on a complex, bureaucratic organization is a key part of their identity.²²

While this model is intended to protect the pastor’s ability to follow God’s leading without human interference, it has also been a source of concern. Critics and former members have pointed out that the “Moses Model” can create a dangerous lack of accountability.³³ With so much authority placed in one person, there is a risk of that power being misused. Online forums contain personal stories from people who have experienced Calvary Chapels where the pastor had “unlimited power” or where a “cult of personality” developed around a charismatic leader.³³ This reveals a crucial point for any seeking believer to consider: a governance model designed for spiritual purity can, if not handled with immense humility and integrity, create an environment that is vulnerable to abuse.

Pentecostalism’s Diverse Structures

Unlike Calvary Chapel’s uniform approach, Pentecostalism is a vast and diverse movement with no single form of church government. It is made up of large, well-established denominations as well as thousands of independent churches.

Within this movement, you can find every major type of church structure:

• Episcopal: Led by bishops, with a clear hierarchy of authority (common in some Holiness Pentecostal bodies like COGIC).
• Presbyterian: Led by a board of elders who have authority over the church and its pastor (common in the Assemblies of God).
• Congregational: Led by the members of the who vote on major decisions.

This means that if you visit ten different Pentecostal churches, you might find ten different ways of doing things. This diversity is a result of the movement’s explosive, organic growth all over the world.

What Does the Catholic Church Believe About the Holy Spirit and These Gifts?

To add a helpful perspective, it is valuable to see how the world’s largest Christian body, the Catholic understands the work of the Holy Spirit. Many people might be surprised to learn that there is a large and vibrant charismatic movement within Catholicism, and it offers a different framework for these powerful spiritual experiences.

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal: A “Current of Grace”

Beginning in 1967, a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit began to sweep through the Catholic Church.⁴⁶ It is known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It is not considered a separate denomination or a new but rather a “current of grace” or a “renewing breath of the Spirit” that is meant to bring new life to the entire Church.⁴⁶

The Catholic Church officially teaches that the charisms, or spiritual gifts, are real and are given by the Holy Spirit to build up the church and for the good of the world.⁴⁶ This includes both simple, humble gifts of service and extraordinary gifts like prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues.⁴⁷

A Different Understanding of “Baptism in the Spirit”

This is where the Catholic view differs significantly from the Protestant view. For a Catholic, the experience they call “baptism in the Holy Spirit” is not a new sacrament or an event that happens separately from their salvation.

Instead, it is understood as a personal awakening or release of the graces and power that were already given to them in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.⁴⁶ When a person is baptized as an infant, they receive the Holy Spirit, but the power of that gift can lie dormant. The “baptism in the Spirit” is the moment when a person, through a conscious act of faith and surrender, opens their heart to that power, allowing the Spirit who already lives within them to become fully active in their life.⁴⁶

Discernment and Authority

Another key difference is the framework of authority. In the Catholic all spiritual gifts and supernatural experiences must be carefully discerned. They are tested by prayer, by Scripture, and, crucially, by the teaching authority of the Church (what is called the Magisterium).⁴⁶ The emphasis is always that these gifts are given for service to others and for the building up of the not for personal glory or sensationalism.⁴⁶

The existence of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which has been encouraged by popes, is a powerful reminder that a deep, experiential faith in the Holy Spirit can thrive within a highly traditional, liturgical, and structured church.⁴⁷ It challenges the idea that these powerful encounters with God can only happen in independent or non-liturgical settings. It shows that the Holy Spirit moves across the entire spectrum of Christian expression, from the most spontaneous Pentecostal revival to the most ancient and structured Catholic Mass.

Which Path Is Right for Me? A Heart-Check for the Seeking Believer

We have traveled through the history, theology, and practices of these two incredible movements. We have seen their shared love for Jesus and their unique approaches to living out the Christian faith. We come to the most personal question of all: where might God be calling you? There is no simple formula to answer this question. It is a matter of the heart, to be settled between you and the Lord. But perhaps it would be helpful to summarize the “personalities” of each movement and offer some questions for your prayerful consideration.

Summarizing the “Personalities”

• Calvary Chapel is like a gentle but firm Bible teacher. Its heart is to ground you deeply and systematically in the Word of God, from beginning to end. It offers stability, balance, and a deep appreciation for the whole counsel of Scripture. It can be a safe and welcoming harbor for those who are wary of emotional excess but still believe in and desire the quiet power of the Holy Spirit.
• Pentecostalism is like a passionate revivalist. Its heart is to usher you into a powerful, life-changing, and direct encounter with the living God. It offers spiritual dynamism, freedom and joy in worship, and a bold, mountain-moving faith in the miraculous. It can be a launching pad for those who are hungry for a more expressive, tangible, and supernatural experience of God’s presence.

Questions for Prayerful Consideration

As you think about these two paths, take these questions to the Lord in prayer. Be honest with yourself and listen for the gentle leading of His Spirit.

• How do I best connect with God? Do I feel closest to Him in times of structured learning and quiet reflection on His Word? Or do I feel closest to Him in moments of expressive, spontaneous worship and heartfelt prayer?
• What is my greatest spiritual need right now? Do I feel like my faith is built on sand and I need a firmer, deeper foundation in the Bible? Or do I feel spiritually dry and passionless, in need of a fresh touch from the Holy Spirit to set my heart on fire again?
• In which environment am I most likely to grow in love for Jesus and for others? Where will I be challenged not just to learn, but to serve? Where will I be equipped to step out in faith and use the gifts God has given me for the good of His kingdom?

Remember that both Calvary Chapel and Pentecostalism are filled with sincere, wonderful, God-loving brothers and sisters in Christ. There is no single “right” answer that fits everyone. The most important thing is to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, who promises to guide each of His children into the community where they can best flourish and bear fruit for His glory.

May the Lord grant you wisdom, discernment, and a deep sense of His peace as you seek His will for your church home. He loves you, and He will be faithful to lead you.