What should I expect at a Sunday morning service?
Our services incorporate times of joyous praise songs and reverent worship songs. We have a Scripture reading, currently from the Psalms. We offer the people an opportunity to give (very low-key), and we go over with everyone the upcoming events and the many opportunities for fellowship and ministry.
Our teachings are based upon a verse-by-verse study through God’s Word. We follow the maxim simply teach the Bible simply – presenting the message in a way that is clear and applicable to our day-to-day lives.
Our services typically last 90 minutes. Immediately following the service, our pastors and other church leaders are available for prayer needs or questions.
Do you take Communion?
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of the month.
Do you acknowledge visitors?
Guests are welcomed, but never called upon or pointed out in a way that might embarrass them.
How does your congregation dress?
The dress for all services is typically casual, although some people choose to dress more formally. At Calvary Chapel Honolulu, the clothes you wear to church are not an issue.
Do you have Child Care during the services?
We offer Nursery care from ages 0-3 years in our Preschool classrooms, located below the Café/Bookstore.
Children’s Ministry is offered from age 4 through 6th grade at various locations. For more information, click here.
Are children allowed in the adult services?
We believe the best way we can serve the whole family is to provide a good quality Children’s Ministry, one which teaches kids on a level they can more easily understand. At the same time, this allows for a setting the sanctuary in which the parents and other adults can worship the Lord and have a time to learn without distraction. Among other things, we believe this will help them become better equipped to raise their children.
At the back of the Sanctuary, we have provided a special Mother’s Room, for moms to use during the months in which they are caring for newborns and infants, should they choose not to place them into the Nursery. It is equipped with comfortable seating, a changing table, and a television monitor (although there also are tinted picture windows), allowing for privacy while still maintaining a connection with the service.
What if I am visiting and don’t want to put my child into the Children’s Ministry?
If you are new and unfamiliar with the church we have a couple options for you:
First, you are welcome to attend your child’s class with them. This will allow you to meet the teacher and see the class in action.
Second, we have a large-screen television set up in a covered section of the courtyard, which will allow you to watch the service with your children.
Do you have anything for teenagers?
We have a Junior High School fellowship that meets on Sunday mornings during both services.
Our Youth Group (ages 15-18) meets on Sunday evenings during the 6:00pm service, and again on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm.
All these groups meet in our Gymnasium’s Multi-Purpose Room. Our current Youth Leaders are Pastor Joel & Stephanie Wheelersburg. Helping the Wheelersburgs are Wil Conley, Mac Loa, Rich & Shirl Laroche, and Frank & Jessie DeCoite.
What about College-age men and women?
Our College & Beyond Fellowship meets on Thursday nights at 7:00pm in our Gymnasium’s Multi-Purpose Room. Pastor Jake O’Neill and his wife Dorida head up this group.
What kind of church is Calvary Chapel?
Looking at the book of Acts, we see the church as God intended it to be. The model that we find in the book of Acts is a church filled with the Holy Spirit, led by the Holy Spirit, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was a church where the Holy Spirit was the one directing its operation and ministry.
We believe that God's model for church government is that the pastor is ruled by the Lord and aided by the Elders to discover the mind and will of Jesus Christ for His church. This in turn is implemented by the Assistant Pastors.
Calvary Chapel Honolulu is a non-denominational, independent ministry – although we have an affiliation with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California.
We are an evangelical church, meaning that we believe in the sole authority and inerrancy of the Bible, in salvation only through regeneration, and in a spiritually transformed personal life. We also believe in telling others about the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Do you believe in the “gifts of the Holy Spirit”?
We do believe in the validity of the gifts of the Spirit, and that these gifts can be expressed today. But we don't believe in excesses that so often accompany a freedom in the use of the gifts of the Spirit.
If people want to speak in tongues, we encourage them to do so in a private devotional setting to assist in communicating their love, their praises, and their prayers to God. We look to I Corinthians 14 as our Biblical example. We don't insist that a person speak in tongues as the primary evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe that there are other evidences that are more credible than speaking in tongues. As Paul said, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (I Corinthians 13:1). We don't emphasize tongues as the primary manifestation of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but we look for love as the fruit of the Spirit.
Do you have Church Membership?
Calvary Chapel Honolulu does not have a formal church membership roll. If you attend services regularly, you will be considered part of the CCH family. There is no membership form or application to fill out.
Tithe/Offering records are kept for all those who give by check or credit card, or who identify themselves when giving cash. At the end of the year, a tax donation statement is made available to all who have given in this manner.
We do have a mailing list of those who have requested either to be on the church mailing list or to receive our church newsletter – The Magnet. Click here to get on that list.
How can I plug in?
One of the best ways to get to know people in a church our size is to attend some type of small group fellowship. We have Home Fellowships all over the island – choose one that meets near you. We also have a variety of small group meetings. Contact us for a list. We even have a motorcycle fellowship - “Run for the Son.”
How can I get involved?
We welcome the involvement of all Christians who regularly attend our services. Contact us for a list of opportunities available right now.