Calvary Chapel pastors are publicly challenging Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa's affirmation of women's ordination, exposing continuing disagreements over biblical interpretation and the direction of one of the movement's best-known churches.
The responses follow a November 1 statement from Pastor Char Brodersen, a grandson of Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith. Brodersen said Costa Mesa recognises both men and women as called and gifted for pastoral ministry.
According to The Christian Post's November 8 report, Brodersen explained that the congregation has followed this practice for almost a decade. "We aren't changing anything in our current practice, but simply want to clarify our biblical position and our conviction," he said.
Pastor Josh Blevins and the Calvary Chapel Association's Heartland Regional Team issued a November 6 response rejecting that position. Their statement argues that reserving the offices of pastor and elder for qualified men reflects Scripture and the association's established convictions.
The team cited 1 Timothy 2:11-14 and 3:1-7, while affirming women's dignity, spiritual gifts and essential contribution to church life. It described Costa Mesa's position as a departure from the teaching that historically shaped the movement.
Costa Mesa presents the disagreement differently. Brodersen described women's ordination as a secondary issue on which Christians committed to biblical authority can disagree. He urged believers to avoid treating those with another interpretation as less faithful to Scripture.
Pastor Lloyd Pulley of Calvary Old Bridge also criticised Costa Mesa's direction in a November 7 statement published by Calvary Chapel Magazine. He raised concerns about the congregation's continued use of the Calvary Chapel name and warned against treating longstanding doctrinal convictions as obstacles to overcome.
The Heartland team acknowledged that the disagreement does not determine a person's salvation, but maintained that it carries consequences for church leadership and biblical interpretation. It encouraged affiliated congregations to retain the Calvary Chapel name, continue serving their communities and decide individually whether a public response would help their members.
Blevins also urged pastors to pray for Costa Mesa's leadership and congregation, and to express their convictions accurately, humbly and graciously.
