Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Calvary Chapel?
Calvary Chapel is a non-denominational church that welcomes people from all backgrounds. We believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word and should be taken seriously. Calvary Chapel Florence is a part of the Calvary Chapel family of churches; you can visit www.calvarychapel.com for more information.
We have a Sunday Morning service at 10:30 am and a Wednesday Night Bible Study at 7 pm. Communion is offered once a month and we have various smaller group ministries going on throughout the week.
How many people call Calvary Chapel Florence Home?
We are a small fellowship and we continue to see the Lord add to His number yearly.
What is expository teaching and does Calvary Chapel really teach through the whole Bible?
Because God gave man all 66 books in the Bible, we believe it’s essential that we study every single book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, from Genesis to Revelation. We are not opposed to topical studies and use them at different times throughout the year. But we like the apostle Paul want to say one day soon, “I have not shunned to give you the whole counsel of God.” At Calvary Chapel, you can expect to receive a solid Bible study at every service.
Do you have a statement of beliefs?
Yes. We have a clear, well-defined statement of faith, which is available on our website at Statement of Faith.
How is the leadership structure set up at Calvary Chapel? We believe the Senior Pastor has the main oversight of the Church with the Asst. Pastors and Elders coming alongside to help run and oversee various ministries.
Why doesn’t Calvary Chapel Florence take a formal offering? We are not opposed to formal offerings and find that on certain occasions a formal offering may be taken. However, we firmly believe that where God guides, He is always faithful to provide. We also believe that those who call Calvary Chapel Florence their spiritual home should give generously and wholeheartedly to support the ministry. So, we provide an offering box in the sanctuary and online giving for you to give unto the Lord your tithes and offerings so that your giving becomes an act of worship between you and Him alone. Read Why we give to God
Are there programs for my children?
Yes. Nursery age through approx. age 12 have class during every service.
Do you baptize babies?
No, but we do publicly dedicate babies to the Lord. We do not believe that Scripture tells us to baptize children who are not old enough to make a willful profession of Jesus as Savior. Several times a year we have a dedication service for parents to dedicate their children to the Lord.
Why are children dedicated to the Lord?
The act of publicly dedicating children is an encouragement to the parents and the entire church as the family commits their home and children before the congregation. The congregation agrees to accept responsibility to help the parents raise the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
If I have already accepted Jesus Christ and have been baptized by immersion in another independent or denominational church, will I have to be baptized again?
No. Some people, however, who recommit their lives, choose to be baptized again if they feel their first baptism was for the wrong reason, such as an adult who was baptized as a child and may not have understood what they were doing.
Where is the greatest ministry need and how can I get involved?
Please see Pastor BJ or his wife Shannon for more info.
Can I get involved in serving right away?
Most ministries require that you attend Calvary Chapel for at least 6 months before making a service commitment. This time allows you to get comfortable with the ministry here while capturing the overall vision of what God is doing through Calvary Chapel. It also gives us time to get to know you better and help you in finding your fit in the church. We do provide opportunities to serve right away, specifically in the area of set-up and takedown. Overall we desire that you receive the Word of God and plug into one of the smaller group ministries. As you do, the time will fly right by you!
Does Calvary Chapel Florence have formal membership? Here at CCF, we do not have a formal membership process. There is however a new believers/foundations class that is offered several times a year, but no, we say if you come twice your a member.
What kind of “fellowship getaways” does the church have?
Each year Calvary has several retreats or camps that different ministries put together. Weekend retreats are also held for Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, and other ministries as the Lord leads. Every retreat is a spiritual blessing where we fellowship and focus on Jesus and His Word, leaving us encouraged and refreshed.
Does Calvary Chapel offer to counsel?
Our Pastor and other spiritual leaders are available to offer Biblical advice and spiritual encouragement. We ask that you make an appointment. We do not use man based psychology in our counseling.
Does the church have a prayer chain?
Yes. We have an email based prayer chain that sends prayer requests out daily. If you’re interested in joining or have a prayer request, there is a sign-up form in the foyer.
What if I have other questions that aren’t listed?
Feel free to contact us by email at info@ccflorencesc.com or on Sundays & Wednesdays you can ask the Pastor or Elder. One great resource for you is to read Calvary Chapel Distinctives. We also have a number of helpful other books to help you understand Calvary Chapel and our doctrinal positions.