Two Worship Services FAQ
Why not have this “second service” on a Saturday or Sunday evening?
We would not have the full complement of children and student ministry opportunities at that time. This would inhibit many younger families from participating. Also, if a family attended on Saturday evening, then there is a greater chance they would not return Sunday morning to either serve or be involved in the full life of the church family. It would create a more divided congregation. Keeping it all on Sunday morning at least allows everyone on our campus at one time to create more opportunity of involvement of healthy relationships.
Are we just becoming another “seeker service” where the Word is watered down?
No. One of the great distinctives common to both services is the hunger for the deep spiritual teaching of the Word. A shallow “self help sermon” is not what any in our leadership desires for our church and it is not attractive to the participants of either of our worship services. In our first sermon series starting January 8, we will preach through the book of Malachi. This is a challenging and confronting book designed for people who want a richer and deeper relationship with our Lord. This teaching is very different from a “seeker” type service.
Is this part of the “emerging church” or “post modern movement?”
No. We are not aligning ourselves with any other “movement.” Some will use those terms to mean different things, including, a weak view on absolute truth. At Calvary, we embrace the absolute truth of the full Word of God. And, each message preached will be a full biblical exposition from God’s word with relevant application in each service. Calvary has been known for teaching the truth of the entire Bible for 75 years and that will not change in this new service.
Why can’t we all just worship together and put aside any differences?
We have tried having the same worship style for many years, but are now recognizing that having just one worship style is limiting our ability to reach more people. After any given service, we get contrasting comments that the music was too much like "rock n roll" or it was too "boring, it was too loud or it was too soft.” These comments come out of the fact that people have different "heart languages" in which they can most effectively connect in worship.
Just as our Hispanic congregation worships in their Spanish language, and the Chinese congregation on our campus worships in Mandarin, we each have our own “language” of worship which allows us to passionately honor our Lord and fully connect with Him in worship. With two choices for worship we are able to fully participate in our worship style and still be on our campus together with the rest of the body. We look at this as having “unity without uniformity.” We are all unified in Christ and have different expressions of His Body to worship Him.
What if my ABF meets at the worship service time that I prefer to attend?
The leadership of Calvary will assist every ABF to find that right time and location for their class to meet. For example, if your ABF prefers to worship in the first service, and you are now meeting during that time, we will assist you in moving your ABF class to the second hour. Each class is free to choose the time best for worshiping the Lord and meeting as an ABF.
How will this impact our Student Ministries on Sunday morning?
Junior High will continue to meet in Fellowship Hall during the 8:45am service. They will continue to have acoustic worship, small groups, and a brief teaching time every Sunday.
High School will keep meeting in the Gym during the first service. They will now have a more acoustic time of music led by an excellent team of musicians and worship leaders. They will still have small groups and will be moving their class groups from Wednesday to one Sunday each month. Biblical teaching, interaction, worship, and quality programming will continue to be a priority for our High School ministry.
College will be moving to the 8:45am service and will be a more interactive program dealing with tough topics and difficult passages. Many college students will be serving within other ministries and some will choose to attend this service. We anticipate the Elevation service being the primary venue of worship for College students on Sunday mornings.
In between services we will be providing food (donuts, bagels, juice) to the Junior High, High School, and College students near the Worship Center to provide fellowship and encourage them to make their way to the Elevation service. We are looking for someone to coordinate this ministry.
What will be the appropriate dress for those on stage in the Elevation service?
We want to honor and respect God with our hearts, attitudes, and actions. The leadership desires to dress in a way that is wholesome, modest, and not a distraction. We seek to be authentic and respectful with our outward appearance, but realize that the Lord cares more about our hearts than our clothing. The primary leadership will address any distractions or issues on these matters.
Is this just another version of a “youth service,” where we are moving the high school from the gym to the worship center?
No. While many of those who attend this service may be from the junior high to college age, many others who are planning to attend and serve come from all ages at Calvary. There are no age limits on either worship service. It is important that no matter what your age, each person worship in a style that fully allows them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. This service is another style or form that many of all ages are drawn to because they can worship in a more meaningful way in it.
Since the time between services has been expanded by 15 minutes, how will the children be cared for between the first and second hour?
Yes, the service time for the second hour is moved back by 15 minutes so it will start at 10:45. The first service still starts at 8:45. We want our children to learn and grow whenever they are on our campus. Therefore, a new exciting ministry called “Bounce” will take place between the services. We thank our Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers for this. “Bounce” is a change of scenery for two-service kids. It will be a fun place for them to learn and play with friends as they wait for their parents to pick them up after first service or as they wait for the second service to begin. We encourage all parents to stay for both services so you can worship in one and serve in the other. Or, worship in one service and attend one of our equipping classes to grow in your faith. Your children will be having fun and be learning while you are here.
When will this new worship plan begin?
We are planning to begin on January 8, 2006. This will allow us enough time to make the necessary changes, engage necessary support for both services and provide enough time to communicate the new plan.
Who will be the teachers in the new Elevation worship service?
In January and February, we will use a team teaching approach for the Elevation service. They will include the following:
Our Senior Pastor David Mitchell.
Eric Wakeling – Eric is the Pastor of Student Ministries at Calvary Church. He has been married to his wife, Bea, for 8 years and has a two-year-old daughter named Grace. He has been in full-time pastoral ministry for 12 years. Eric has a B.A. in Christian Education with a minor in Biblical Studies from Biola University and a M.A. in Christian Education from Talbot School of Theology. He will be finished with a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Cal State Fullerton in May of 2006.
Jeff Biddle – Jeff is the Pastor of Marriage and Family Ministries at Calvary Church. He has been married to his wife, Michele, for 15 years and has three children, Brooke, Joshua, and Scotty. He has been in full-time pastoral ministry for 15 years. Jeff has a B.A. in Psychology, a Masters of Divinity in Practical Theology from Talbot School of Theology, and is in process for a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) degree from Pepperdine University.
Matt Davis – Matt is the Pastor of 5th/6th Grade. Matt has been married to his wife, Marilee, for 4 years and has a new baby named Noah. He has been in full-time pastoral ministry for 7 years. Matt has a B.A. in Christian Education and Elementary Education. He will be finishing his M.A. in Christian Education at Talbot in 2006.
Josh Matlock – Josh is the College Pastor of Calvary Church. He has also served as the Pastor of Young Adults during his 6 year tenure at Calvary. He has been married to his wife, Kristy, for 5 years and has two boys named Luke and Tad. Josh has a B.A. in Social Science from Biola and an M.A. in Theology from Talbot.
