A Tale of Two Calvary Chapels: Split Over Movement’s Future and Leadership Direction

Three years after the death of Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith, the movement continues to grapple with differing visions for its future. His son-in-law and successor at the flagship Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Brian Brodersen, left the Calvary Chapel Association (CCA) in the fall of 2016, seeking to expand Smith’s legacy through a broader, more flexible network called the Calvary Chapel Global Network (CCGN).

Brodersen described his departure as necessary for God’s work, drawing a parallel to the biblical story of Paul and Barnabas parting ways over differing mission strategies. However, some CCA council members viewed the split differently, comparing it to Mark’s departure from Paul’s authority. The CCA council expressed concern that Brodersen’s network might dilute the movement’s distinctives and cause confusion.

Brodersen’s congregation continues to maintain CalvaryChapel.com, which still includes the CCA’s 1,700 churches in the new CCGN unless they opt out. The CCA council has not endorsed the CCGN and advised churches to distance themselves from it. They stated that Brodersen’s network threatens the legacy left by Chuck Smith.

The CCA’s concerns include Brodersen’s changes to the structure of services, which they believe deviate from traditional biblical exposition, and his reduced emphasis on the movement’s focus on eschatology. Of the 13 pastors on the CCA council, three did not sign the letter expressing these concerns, including Skip Heitzig, a prominent leader who did not respond to requests for comment.

Chuck Smith, known for his verse-by-verse preaching, spirit-filled worship, and warnings about the end times, played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary US evangelicalism through the Jesus People movement. His influence extended beyond the West Coast, spreading the movement across the country and internationally. The ongoing split within Calvary Chapel reflects the challenges of preserving a legacy while navigating the movement’s future.

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