What will visiting Calvary Blythe be like?  Will I be accepted?

The beautiful thing about the Gospel is that it's for everyone. regardless of age, background, experience, baggage, etc.  Coming to Christ, we are all "accepted in the Beloved (Jesus)," and are all on the journey of being molded into His image and reflection.


God accepts us as we are, but loves us too much to let us stay there.  Our desire is to accept you with the grace and love of God, and encourage you in your journey with Jesus.  


Several of our most common questions about what will the service be like, how the ministry functions, our vision, etc., are addressed on this page.


Feel free to email us if you have any other questions.  We look forward to meeting you in person!

Our main worship celebration is on Sunday morning at 9:45 AM - 11:10 AM.  We also have several small groups that meet throughout the week for study and fellowship.  See the Ministry Schedule page under "About Us" above.

Not really.  Some wear suits or ties, some wear shorts and t-shirts.  Come as you are, as dressed up or as casual as you prefer.  We just want you to come and join us.  As Pastor Mick says, "Clothes required.  Style optional."

We start at 9:45 AM with a greeting, scripture, and a prayer, then sing praises led by our worship team for about 15-20 minutes.  We don't "pass" offering baskets, but rather have an "offering box" in the Lobby.  After the praise music, we usually  have a few announcements, dismiss the kids to their groups, and then people are invited to greet each other for a minute while the platform is reset for the teaching.  Then our pastor will teach the Word for about 45 minutes.  


We finish with a prayer together, then you're invited to the "Manna Cabana" (our Fellowship Hall) to have some coffee and donut or cookie or something.  We also invite people desiring prayer to stick around and let one of our Prayer Team pray with them.  That's pretty much it.

Yes ... and no.  


Initially the kids come to the sanctuary with the parent to share in the praise music part of the service.  Then, just before the announcements, the person on stage will direct the kids to follow our Kid's Leader to the Kid's Ministry area for their classes.  


Parents, especially visitors, are welcomed to go with their kids to observe the Kid's Ministry and to help assure themselves (and their kids) that all is well.  Parents are always welcomed to stay with the kids in Kid's Ministry if they prefer.  Kids feeling welcomed and learning at their level is a priority to us and we expect all kids to go with their group to the Jud's Ministry.


We also have an unstaffed Nursery available to you where parents should take restless or noisy infants.  There is a tv showing the live service from the Sanctuary so parents can enjoy the service while their infant is free to make all the cute (but distracting) baby coos and noises that we love to hear them make, to nurse, and play before the become an official "walker" and graduate to the Toddler Room.


We have occasional staff to oversee the Toddlers (our staff is very stretched at present).  If unstaffed, parents will supervise their kids in the Toddler Room.

Most of our worship music would be the somewhat contemporary genre of praise music, but with some of the great old hymns sprinkled in sometimes as well.  We believe that the simplicity of most of our  music makes it easy to grasp the truth and go away singing the songs in our hearts.  Often the lyrics are actually Scripture put to music.

Lifting hands is a very natural Biblical expression of worship, and prayer.  It denotes surrender and praise to God.  As with other expressions, it should be a voluntary and spontaneous action, born from a heart of love and worship toward the Lord.  Some clap [sometimes even on beat! :) ], some may stand.  We try to focus on the posture of the heart more than the outward expressions.  As the Apostle Paul said, "... all things, decently and in order."

The dove is one of the bibical figures for the Holy Spirit.  Our use of this symbol provides a constant reminder of our need to remain flexible and submissive to the Spirit's leading as we worship Jesus and minister to one another.

We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, but only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to division in the Body of Christ.  Calvary Blythe is both an independent church fellowship, as well as a  part of the loose-knit Calvary Chapel Association (CCA) and the Calvary Global Network (CGN), of over 1,500 churches worldwide.  


As a non-denominational church, we function independently and autonomously regarding church business, assets, finances, etc., but also in voluntary accountability with the CCA.

Doctrinally, Calvary Blythe stands in the mainstream of historic Christianity.  We may be different in that we examine traditional church forms and programming and accept only that which relates to meeting personal needs, and which assists us in worshipping the Lord with a pure heart.


In our services, great emphasis is given to the systematic teaching of God's Word, and to worship and praise.  We are an informal fellowship that seeks to emulate the life and vision of the early church as described in the book of Acts.

We sure do.  And all of our ministries seek to practically support it.  Here it is:  Calvary Chapel Blythe exists to prepare God's people for ministry, through teaching, fellowship, breaking bread together, prayer, and praise. (Eph. 4:12, 13;  Acts 2:42, 47).


We look at everyone in our church family as a minister of God's grace, truth, and gospel - not just the leaders.  Mobilizing the church for ministry and service to both the Body of Christ and to the community is our vision.


See our vision and purpose statement under "About Us" on the menu for more info.

We have a "Church Council" made up of the Pastor and Elders and Deacons.  They meet regularily for prayer and to discuss matters of ministry, finance, church issues, etc.  

 

We believe that Jesus Christ is the "Chief-Shepherd" and that the Pastor is the "Under-Shepherd", called to lead, feed, and love God's flock in accordance with God's Word and the vision the Lord has given the Pastor.  Elders and Deacons are appointed to assist the Pastor in caring for the spiritual, administrative, and physical needs of the church family.

Calvary Blythe is funded  through the tithes and offerings of the people of the congregation.  Other than teaching the Biblical principals regarding giving, no pressure is exerted to raise funds or obtain pledges, or the like.  Unlike denominational churches, we are not tied financially to a central headquarters, nor are we able to borrow from a central denomination.


We believe that "where God guides, God provides."  We've seen Him meet our needs, even with a changing congregation, for well over 25 years and look to Him to keep stirring the hearts of His people to give.

"Membership" in a spiritual body occurs not by joining, but through the work of the Holy Spirit placing us into His body - the universal body of Christ.  Those who fellowship regularly and involve themselves with the ministry and the congregation are considered "members" of Calvary Blythe.