Leaving Calvary Chapel

After almost 25 years of ministry

Introductory Note for Pastors and Missionaries

Chris Lawson

July 30, 2025

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Introduction

Dear Readers, my personal ministry update letter that is located half-way down this website page was originally included in one of my Spiritual Research Network newsletters. On August 8, 2023, I added the above video to further help people understand why I have kept my my missions update letter on our website. You may also view our website page titled, Calvary Chapel Alert for Pastors and Leaders.‍ Here is how an older version (Internet Archive) of our Calvary Chapel Alert website page looked, before our website was sabotaged in 2018.

Also, in August of 2020 I slightly revised my letter (Leaving Calvary Chapel, July, 2011) to correct some spelling and punctuation errors. I also had to remove some personal details from my letter to better ensure the safety of my family.

For Calvary Chapel pastors and missionaries who are reading this, please note that my video (posted above) and this introduction and letter posted below are not a diatribe against Calvary Chapel ministries. My video and writing here is simply a reminder that churches that have imbalanced leadership models will inevitably hurt the very ones they are trying to help. I do recognize that not all Calvary Chapel ministries have imbalanced leadership models, but many do. I believe there are still many pastors out there who are godly, humble men, who take heed to what the Apostle Peter stated so clearly:

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:1-5, KJV) [boldening mine]

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On a different note, I had observed disconcerting leadership patterns within the Calvary Chapel movement for approximately 23 years. This is a lengthy time of ministry service to observe growing problematic patterns and trends. Eventually, after seeing and experiencing much spiritual abuse against myself and other pastors and missionaries, I left the Calvary Chapel movement. What I had observed amongst a number of leaders at the highest level, within Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, can be summed up with the bold text in these verses from the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of 1 John:

"The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31, KJV)  [boldening mine]

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Similar to this is the sordid condition of how Diotrophes treated the Apostle John and his friends. This too is what we and others witnessed when seeking to contact and call to account fellow pastors and ministry leaders:

"I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." (3 John 3:9, KJV) [boldening mine]

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Reaching Out to Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa

Before leaving Calvary Chapel, Roger Oakland of Understand The Times, International, and my wife and I, reached out to Pastor Chuck Smith regarding various problems we were witnessing. Sadly, the churches Board of directors at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, at that time, squashed our every effort. We were all completely stonewalled. Several other Christian apologetics/discernment ministry directors also tried to reach out and bring needed correction, with more than ample documentation and personal testimony, regarding leadership problems, ecumenism, and Emerging Church doctrines infiltrating Calvary Chapel Churches. These other ministry workers, who were also attending Calvary Chapel fellowships, were also completely stonewalled.

As a result of what myself and others were experiencing first-hand from the Board of directors at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and from a number of our missions-work-supporting Calvary Chapel church pastors, Roger Oakland and I both left the Calvary Chapel movement. The other ministry directors who tried address issues also left their own respective Calvary Chapel fellowships. Their pastors too, simply would not listen. Since that time (and no doubt before) many others have left the Calvary Chapel movement. Observing consistent and problematic leadership patterns over time, we all chose to move on instead of suffering further rejection and abuse. Words cannot express the heartache, sadness, and social and financial repercussions we experienced for years. Many others have gone through similar things.

One final note here as a simple reminder. Men and women who biblically and graciously stand up for sound biblical doctrine and who faithfully expose false teachings in the Church—need to be listened to, not cast aside as the offscouring of the earth. Casting the "Watchmen on the wall" (and discerning women too) aside and black-listing them/us, is a mistake. We warned for years about deception coming into the Calvary Chapel movement, and also about imbalanced leadership problems. Sadly, many pastors would not listen and they just turned a blind eye. Now, well, perhaps you can see what has transpired within the Calvary Chapel movement. Failing to listen to repeated warnings, those at the helm of the world-renowned British sailing vessel, the RMS Titanic, hit an iceberg and sank their own ship. Sadly, a similar fate is slowly being played out within Calvary Chapel.

Humility, Balance, and Unity

Biblical unity and balance in God's Church is wonderful when it is implemented properly. When it is based on sound doctrine and the implementation of it, a healthy church grows and thrives, and the people are blessed by the Lord. It is my hope that all who read my letter will take heed to what can happen, even to well-meaning pastors and missionaries like Roger Oakland, myself, and others, who found ourselves under the leadership of one man at the top.

The general overarching "Moses style" of leadership found within numerous Calvary Chapel fellowships (and other movements) is the Achilles Heal of the entire movement; it is the weak spot whereby, when consistently implemented, many men have ruined themselves. Somehow many pastors have forgotten that Moses and his leadership role was effective while he served God's people—Israel, under the Old Covenant. Today, in the Church age, Jesus is the Great Shepherd and the Overseer of our souls. All men are equal and by God's grace should serve in their varying and respective roles, in humility, spiritual giftedness, and according to Scripture. To not do so is to cast aside the Lord and His Word, and the gracious and effective way He seeks to build His Church.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7, KJV)

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Chris Lawson

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From My July, 2011 Personal SRN Missions Newsletter

‍Leaving Calvary Chapel

‍July, 2011

Greetings!

Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in my correspondence.

A number of things have transpired since I last wrote, many good things, of course, and some very difficult things too. The difficult things have very much slowed me down personally, as they have affected my wife and me deeply on an emotional level.

The following may shock some of you, but as I write, my purpose is to be as clear and transparent as possible, and to speak out about the truth of some matters that I can no longer simply put aside for the sake of "keeping the peace." Too many people are being hurt, and I must speak out on the following and give some pointed details.

For the time being, my family and I will be staying in... [Central, California—previous city name removed], and continuing on with our Spiritual Research Network ministry. I am currently on the road this week, and I will not be responding to emails until after August 10.

We did finally make the decision to move back to Scotland in February, yet immediately after this, we ended up leaving our would-be sending church. The reason? The Calvary Chapel we were attending has, unfortunately, thoroughly implemented the Moses/Aaron style of leadership—as an unbiblical principle for the New Testament church. Meaning = Calvary Chapel's one-pastor-above-the-rest version. This is not just a plague in Calvary Chapel churches, but in countless thousands of churches that neglect and or reject the biblical model of a plurality of godly elders or "overseers" who can lead God's people. That is what God put in Scripture—a balanced leadership for New Testament churches. However, many men are trying to circumvent what God has already established as the standard, and the practical results are utterly grievous!

Unfortunately, my wife and I have been under the impression for the last three years that our church had biblical elders. However, the church has no elders. When we met with the so-called leaders, it became very clear to us that we cannot be sent into the mission field by a church that is clearly building a very imbalanced leadership structure. We understand now why this Calvary Chapel has not utilized our Spiritual Research Network ministry—as Spiritual Research Network (SRN) exposes unbalanced and abusive leadership styles, along with cults, spiritual deception, ecumenism, etc.

The Spiritual Research Network board helped me in making this very difficult decision for my family and the reputation of Spiritual Research Network. We had no other choice than to leave Calvary Chapel.

I experience no joy in belaboring my point here. I feel it is important for you to know that the last time my family and I went into the mission field, being sent out by a church with an imbalanced leadership, we personally paid dearly for it in every way—ultimately having to return to the USA.

I do not want to travel this road again, personally, or as a missionary. It has already taken us over four years to get back on our feet financially as a family. The last thing we need, at this point, is to have another church turn on us at the whim of one man's decision (like the first time around) because we are exposing lies and deception in the Body of Christ.

Very sadly, my wife and children and I have had to face yet another major heartache and disadvantage in the progress of our desire to get back to Scotland and continue on with our missions activity there—all because of two Calvary Chapel pastors who won't implement New Testament leadership and keep the balance.

As missionaries, we'd rather be supported by a plurality of godly elders/church leaders who are building a balanced sending church, rather than a church with a pyramid-structure leadership whereby one man makes most of the decisions. If God wants us back in Scotland, He will lead us back in His way and in His time.

As a result of us leaving our home church here, we have completely left the Calvary Chapel movement altogether.  Unless things change in Calvary Chapel's imbalanced leadership structures and their current growing trend of becoming neo-Evangelical, many more people will leave Calvary's in the present and future. To sit idly by and not warn of these dangers is sinful and wicked. It must be stated that not all Calvary Chapel's follow the—Calvary Chapel version—of the "Moses-Aaron" leadership style; however, according to Chuck Smith's book, Calvary Chapel Distinctives: The Foundations Principles of the Calvary Chapel Movement (chapter two) - it is the Calvary Chapel model for leadership.

It has been very difficult to leave behind nearly 25 years of affiliation with Calvary Chapel. Fourteen of these years as a Calvary Chapel Pastor/missionary.

Due to the growing enormity of leadership struggles and leadership meltdowns within many Calvary Chapel's, I will be addressing numerous issues in the coming weeks. I will do this from a biblical perspective, and from a pastoral, researcher/writer's perspective regarding the dangers of spiritual abuse, cultic-systems, abusive leadership styles, etc. Why would I do this? To help those who are also suffering from this authoritative and unbiblical model of church leadership, which does not glorify the Lord.

It is our prayer and ultimate motive to bring glory to the Lord with our lives and to shine for Him. We do not desire to bring division in the Body of Christ. We write these things, praying for a change in these pastor's hearts and methods all for the glory of the LORD! Also, for the equipping of His sheep in these last days. We have not experienced these things in vain, for we know that God works all things together for good!

On a different note, at present:

• We have started a Bible study...on Wednesday evenings, and we meet periodically on Sunday mornings ministering to those who are not in "church" fellowship.
• We are beginning a Bible study ...on Wednesday mornings, beginning on Wednesday, August 10.
• We are seeking to purchase a CD/DVD duplicator in order to mail out our audio messages.
• Please note again that I am currently on the road this week, and I will be responding to emails after August 10.

Please do pray for my family and I and the board of Spiritual Research Network as we continue to seek the Lord's will for the ministry of SRN.

In the tenderness of our gracious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Chris Lawson, Director
Spiritual Research Network

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Comment from Roger Oakland of Understand The Times

The note below, with a link to the above letter, has been posted on Roger Oakland's Understand The Times website for years.

Leaving Calvary Chapel
Commentary by Spiritual Research Network

Comment from the UTT
More and more we are seeing that true servants of the Lord are standing up, speaking out and risking their lives to tell the truth. Chris Lawson has been a friend and colleague of UTT for years. He and his family have been missionaries to Scotland and also messengers of the truth in the USA.

Like myself, they have suffered slanderous attacks from the so-called "brethren" in an attempt to discredit them because they have refused to bow to the "Moses" model of church leadership and suffer further abuse.

They have been personally damaged and they will have scars for life because of their long term relationship with Calvary Chapel. While not all Calvary Chapels operate this way, the pattern is all too common. It is time for others to stand up and make their stand.

Chris and his wife Jenn are not alone. There are many others who have faced the same persecution. Christians should not have to face character abuse and slander from so-called brothers who call themselves pastors. Pastors are supposed to be shepherds who serve the flock, not wolves in sheep's clothing.

Please pray for Chris, Jenn and family.

Leaving Calvary Chapel

Email This to a friend.

Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20230609053714/http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c100_lcc.shtml

Original Source: http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c100_lcc.shtml

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Calvary Chapel Alert

A Calvary Chapel Alert page is on the Spiritual Research Network website.

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