About Us

ECFA MemberWhat We BelieveOrganizationPastor TerryBaptism

Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City (CCSLC) is firmly committed to good stewardship of the funds entrusted to us. To ensure our financial accountability we are an accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). We fully support the purpose and goals of the ECFA and display its seal proudly to reflect compliance with its membership standards.

“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.” – 2 Cor. 1:12 (NIV)

What is the ECFA?

Founded in 1979, the ECFA is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit accreditation agencies comprised of nearly 1,300 evangelical Christian organizations.

The ECFA’s steadfast purpose is to articulate, maintain, manifest and enforce a code of financial accountability, ethics and reporting which is consistent with enlightened and responsible Christian faith and practice.

The ECFA seal is tangible evidence to donors that a ministry is complying with the highest standards of Christian ethics in its governance, fund-raising, financial accounting and reporting.

Links:

About ECFA
http://www.ecfa.org/Content.aspx?PageName=WhatIsECFA

ECFA Standards and Best Practices
http://www.ecfa.org/Content.aspx?PageName=ECFABestPractices

CCSLC Member Profile
http://www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=22391

We believe that there is one true and living God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, with equal power and glory. That this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.

We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son concieved by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teaching. His substitutional atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to earth.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Jesus Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the excercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.

We believe that all men are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation. We believe through the Holy Spirit, God regenerates those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

We believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and empowers that believer for service.

We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members.

We believe that there are two ordinances committed to the church by Jesus Christ:
1. Water Baptism
2. The Lord's Supper (Communion)

We believe in Baptism by immersion and communion open to all believers.

We believe also, in the laying on of hands for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for the ordination of Pastors, Elders, and Deacons, for recieving the gifts of th Spirit, or for healing.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and the Chief Shepherd. "And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the Church" - Eph. 4:15 (Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:18, Jn 10:11, Ps. 23:1, Isa. 40:11, Heb. 13:20, I Pet. 2:25 5:4)

The Pastor is the Under shepherd of Christ and the Overseer of the Church, "The elder who directs the affairs of the church well is worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching" - I Tim. 5:17. (Jer. 13:15, Jn. 21:17, Acts 20:28, I Tim 3:1-7)

The Elders assist the Pastor in Shepherding God's Flock. "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be" - I Pet. 5:2 (Acts 20:17, Tit. 1:6-9)

The Board of Directors administer the corporate and financial affairs of the church. (Romans 12:8, I Cor. 12:28) Stewards are those Servants whose ministry involves responsibility and direct oversight over others who are serving in the body. (Matt. 25:14-20)

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

We want to echo our Lord's words, "Let the Children come to Me", therefore we are committed to the goal of providing a quality Children's Ministry program with an emphasis on Biblical content and creative application of spiritual principals.

We realize, however, that the Lord has given the responsibility for the spiritual training of children to parents. "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them in the door frames of your houses and on your gates" (Deut. 6:6-9). Because of this, we encourage you to get involved in the Children's ministry so that you can better learn how to instruct your children in the way they should go. This may begin by simply reinforcing your child's lessons throughout the week. Then, as you become involved as a committed part of the Children's Ministry, you will also gain valuable insight, experience, and training that will help you in your personal ministry as a parent.

As with all young, growing churches, there are great varieties of opportunities for service in our Children's Ministry. There are opportunities for Teachers, Aides, Substitutes, etc. We are committed to the importance of ongoing training and seek to provide the best materials and resources possible. If you would like more information contact the Church Office at 264-9999.

"He tends His flock like a shepherd He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His Heart He gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM

We realize the responsibility of Christian education belongs to the family (Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Proverbs 22:6, and Ephesians 6:4), but we, as a church, need to be a strong encouragement and support to our families at Calvary Chapel. Our Sunday School Program is committed to providing Jesus Christ's example of love and acceptance to the children we minister to.

Additionally, we are committed to Biblical teaching to help our children grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Finally, we are also committed to evangelizing children to give them the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and to encourage them to share their Savior with their family, friends, and neighbors. Our children's program includes Sunday morning classes designed for specific age groups - Bible lessons, singing, crafts, puppet shows, memory services, work sheets, take home papers to do with Mom and Dad and prayer time.

YOUTH GROUP

The youth group at Calvary Chapel is an exciting ministry that focuses on the teenagers and young adults. There are various Bible studies and activities throughout the week to keep the kids in the Word and in fellowship with other believers. We have a strong emphasis on teaching the kids God's Word and helping them apply it to their daily lives along with just fun crazy times.

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

BAPTISM IS AN IMPORTANT STEP OF OBEDIENCE,

Why should I be baptized? The Bible teaches that baptism is an important step of obedience following a believer's new birth. Jesus commanded it and His disciples practiced it. Since believers call Jesus 'Lord', it's only reasonable that they should want to obey His commands.

BAPTISM IS A PUBLIC CONFESSION OF FAITH

Through baptism the believer is not only obeying Christ's command, but also making a public confession of their faith in Jesus. The Bible tells us that our faith in Jesus is solidified by our words and our public acknowledgement of Him. In baptism, we confess before all who are gathered, that we have committed our lives to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

BAPTISM IS A PICTURE OF NEW LIFE IN JESUS

Baptism is a symbolic picture of our new life in Jesus Christ: The waters of baptism are a picture of the cleansing we have experienced as our sins have been washed away through the blood of Jesus. "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

When the believer is put under the water in baptism it represents the death and burial of their old life. Coming up out of the water is a beautiful symbol of resurrection and walking in newness of life. "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:3-4)

MUST I BE BAPTIZED IN ORDER TO BE SAVED?

There are some who teach that a person cannot be saved unless they are baptized. There are also those who believe in 'baptismal regeneration' - that the new birth is experienced only upon baptism.

However, there is no basis for either of these teachings in the Bible. The Apostle Paul, who was sent by God to preach the Good News of Salvation said; "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel ..." (1Cor. 1:17). If baptism were a requirement for salvation he would never have made such a statement.

Also, in the 10th chapter of Acts we see the first gentile believers receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit before being baptized. This would be impossible if they could only be regenerated through baptism.

So we see that baptism is not regeneration or an absolute requirement for salvation. It is, however, an important step of obedience, identification, and commitment which follows the new birth.

HOW SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

It is clear from Scripture that the early church practiced baptism by immersion. Therefore, we also practice baptism by immersion for those who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ.

At Calvary Chapel we have baptisms the last Sunday of each month. They are always times of joy as we celebrate the love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you'd like to be baptised, please call the church for the time and date of our next baptism. Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City - (801) 264-9999.