In a dramatic showdown last week within the Calvary Chapel (CC) movement, the leadership of the California-based association of churches rebuked an event held at North Coast Calvary Chapel that featured a presentation by Palestinian activists.
Called "Hope for the Holy Land," the seminar program aims to present the Palestinian narrative to church audiences. Observers are saying that what made the North Coast event such a flashpoint was the fact that since its inception, Calvary Chapel has been staunchly pro Israel.
|
Lynne Hybels speaking about the Arab-Israeli conflict and Israel's "occupation" .
|
CC remains so, as evidenced by Chuck Smith's public rebuke, which aired last week, just ahead of the Friday event, which spotlighted discussions by Sami Awad, Lynne Hybels, and Mae Cannon.
Sponsored by World Vision, the relief organization, "Hope for the Holy Land" purports to offer a balanced, nuanced view of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Some who attended the North Coast event say the presentations were heavily tilted toward the Palestinian view, which claims the "occupation" is responsible for Palestinian suffering.
On May 9, one day before the North Coast event, Chuck Smith (who founded the Calvary Chapel movement 40 years ago) denounced the decision of North Coast to hold the event. On his "World News Briefing" via His Channel, Smith made it clear that North Coast's approach to this issue was an anomaly for Calvary Chapel:
"I'm really shocked...I understand that one of the Calvary Chapels down in the San Diego area is having these fellows who are really friendly to the Palestinian cause, and anti-Israel, and they're having them to speak there at a church that is affiliated with the Calvary Chapels. I just have such a difficult time with that, to try to understand why a pastor would have an anti-Israel speaker, in these days."
Israeli officials and American Jewish leadership have long known that Calvary Chapel is a staunch supporter of the Jewish state, especially since mainline American churches have traditionally supported the Palestinians. A growing number of evangelical churches and ministries seem to be willing to listen to the Palestinian Christian perspective (as espoused by Awad and his family), which differs little from grievances long aired by the Palestine Liberation Organization and its modern manifestation, the Palestinian Authority.
Despite requests to cancel the event, North Coast Calvary Chapel went ahead and on Friday, May 10th , Awad, Hybels, and Cannon presented their views.
Parting thoughts from Jan:
Followers of Olive Tree attended the event in San Diego and wrote me, stating, "My wife and I happened to be in southern California the evening Sami Awad, Lynn Hybels, and a rep from World Vison spoke. Yes, it was an event worthy of being labeled as a 'breach' of CC. Or more precisely, another incursion of apostasy introduced to the sheep. There were about 50 people in attendance.
"I was saddened that a number of the folks were sympathetic towards the mournful stories told of Israel's crimes against humanity. A few of us posited questions that the speakers stumbled in finding an answer for, such as: 'Why haven't you protested in front of Hamas headquarters, or have you done a sit-in at the offices of Hezbollah, or threatened a starvation diet in the buildings of the PLO.' "
This couple then wrote to the North Coast Calvary Chapel Church, "My wife and I were out-of-town visitors to NCCC last Friday evening. After your guest speakers completed their presentation, we were both convinced apostasy has rooted itself well within the leadership and philosophy of NCCC. I listened to: Modified scripture, revisionist history, lies by omission and likely lies by commission as the speakers are not ignorant of their material.
"Please stop. You don't know the degree of spiritual damage you are doing to uninformed listeners. It seems the leadership has been spiritually compromised. You should stop attempting to be culturally relevant and return to the fundamentals of reaching the lost, discipling new believers, and sending them to do the same."
Pray daily for Israel at lunchtime. Find all info here!