Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa—indeed the movement as a whole—is in a state of disarray.
The late Chuck Smith, former pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, has an 85 year old brother named Paul who recently posted a video on YouTube titled “My brother’s succession plan for Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.” (Based on his ramblings in the video about computer hacking and viruses, my guess would be that someone else actually posted it for him.) Paul claims to have spent the last few months of his brother Chuck’s life living with him and discussing the future of Calvary Chapel and has decided that now is the time to reveal the content of their conversations.
A quick bit of backstory… For the last decade or so of Chuck’s life, there was no shortage of jockeying for the elderly man’s empire. Many would-be pulpiteers left their own churches to take up residence at CCCM in anticipation of Chuck’s departure: Jon Courson, Skip Heitzig, Don McClure, et al. Among them, leaving his church in London, was Chuck’s son-in-law, Brian Brodersen. (He is married to Chuck’s youngest daughter, Cheryl.) According to [my own and Jason’s] conversations with Brian at the time (around the year 2000), Chuck had been continually asking Brian to come to CCCM and to eventually take over the church, something Brian seemed reluctant to do and resisted, but eventually relented once he saw the “vultures” beginning to gather.
Fast forward to October 3, 2013. Chuck passes away. (Ironically, he died of complications from lung cancer and not from being raptured.) Brian, by this time, has surrounded himself mostly with people who are loyal to him and a quick vote is taken for him to step in and fill Chuck’s position. As with any transition of this nature, there are grumblings and hurt feelings, but nothing particularly newsworthy until September 26th, 2014, when Chuck’s older daughter Jan and younger son Jeff (Chuck had 4 kids: Jan, Chuck Jr, Jeff, and Cheryl) make waves by filing a lawsuit against Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Brian Brodersen, and others. To summarize the lawsuit, they are suing for Chuck’s “intellectual property” (i.e. books, sermon tapes, etc. – a fantastic source of income) while also making some wild accusations against Brian Brodersen and some of the other “elders” at CCCM, even going so far as to seemingly accuse Brian of using a nurse of his choosing to spy on Chuck in his last days and to somehow hasten, or at the very least, not do everything possible to prevent his death. (We discuss the lawsuit more in-depth in Drunk Ex-Pastors episode 9.)
Chuck Smith Jr. jumped in quickly to make it clear that he didn’t support the lawsuit, calling it “groundless, deplorable, and dishonoring to [their] father.” The only motivation he could see for the lawsuit was “malice and greed.” The mention of greed is par for the course, but the mention of malice is very interesting, coming from Chuck Jr., someone who is relatively “in the know.” Why so much malice towards Brian and the rest of the leadership at their father’s church?
Enter Paul Smith on October 17th, 2014 with his YouTube video. In it he lays out a story in which Chuck had been confiding in him during the last few months of his life that he did not want Brian Brodersen taking over at CCCM. He simply wanted Brian and Cheryl to go away and do their own thing. Supposedly, Chuck even drew up a dismissal letter for Brian, but if I understood Paul correctly in the video, it mysteriously disappeared. According to Paul, Brian and Cheryl simply “hate too many people to pastor Calvary Chapel.” I have heard other people say things like this as well, so apparently, there is malice all around.
It seems like the question everyone wants answered at this point is: what did Chuck Smith want? Is Brian telling the truth? Did Chuck ask him to take over and assure him along the way that this was the right course of action, as Brian claims? Or did Chuck want Brian to leave and for someone else to take over, as Paul claims? Paul doesn’t seem like a liar, and has no aspirations to take over Calvary Chapel himself, so it seems likely that he’s telling the truth. However, it’s hard to believe that Brian and the elders of CCCM would so clearly go against Chuck’s wishes either.
The answer is most likely the simplest one: neither Paul nor Brian is lying. Chuck told Paul one thing and told Brian another. Perhaps Chuck wasn’t even lying to them. Perhaps he felt one way when speaking with Paul and felt another when speaking with Brian. After all, he was only human. Perhaps the problem lies with people who believe that Chuck always knew what to do and never wavered. Maybe he was just a man and he wavered as much as anyone. I’ve seen him do it, at least privately, and I would guess that so have most who have seen into the inner workings of Calvary Chapel.
It is sad that at least part of Chuck’s legacy is imploding in on itself. But could it be that, due to all of the power, trust, and expectations placed upon one man, such self-implosion actually is part of Chuck’s Smith’s legacy?
Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You?
The Late Great Hal Lindsey
The Politics of “Hate Thy Neighbor”
Thank God for Hell!
It is amazing to me that this was the most obvious problem ever, one that literally everybody saw coming from a million miles away, and yet they couldn’t find a way to avoid it. Suttin ain’t right. . . .
Are you saying you’re not a fan of the “Moses” leadership model? 🙂
Is it possible even that Chuck, like my grandmother, could say one thing in the morning and a contradictory thing in the afternoon?
The interesting thing is that Brian went to Vista and avoided the whole CCCM thing earlier, did well with it and, then was in London and doing well with it when Chuck asked (at least publicly Chuck said he asked Brian to give up London and return).
Who knows, since Chuck decided not to have his wishes legally recorded (that’s how easy it would have been).
I do know one thing for sure, seeing part of his family sue another, would not be what he wanted.
Not what he wanted, but not surprising either, at least in part because of how Chuck led.
Church disputes are always vicious and nasty because everyone thinks and believes they have God on their side and that makes, by default, anyone opposing them a tool of the devil.
No one wants to compromise because then they’d be compromising with evil.
So it’s a knockdown, drag out brawl in a modern, less violent trial by combat where the victor will ultimately be vindicated as the ‘right’ side.
It reinforces my belief that there isn’t much difference between modern churches and businesses. Full of dozens of little middle managers all competing for prestige and the top job and bringing out the knives and backstabbing and power plays to make each other look bad.
Agreed.
Who is Chuck Smith? What is a Calvary Chapel? Why does this matter? 😉
For whatever is worth, I was around when Pastor chuck commented to others about that. Back in 1995 I had heard rumors of who would take over or would be the best to take over. At one point it was Greg Laurie, but later on in meetings that they had at pastors conferences, Brian’s name came up, and that is what some of the rumors. This was back in 2004. But perhaps things changed since! But it only seems fair that a family member would be a successor.
I would imagine it was probably a bunch of different people at a bunch of different times. I mean, it was being talked about for almost two decades. I don’t really agree that it should have been a family member, but I don’t think Brian was a bad choice. There is nobody that would have made everyone happy.
Anyone know somebody personally (family member on the CCCM board) Ask them what Chuck wanted. Won’t they be honest with you?
Problem is, Chuck seems to have told different people different things according to what they wanted to hear.
thats generalizing… What is going on with TWFT, Kay Smith (annuity, life insurance), anyone know a CCCM board member (family) that will be straight with them. I mean they are all being sued. Whats the details about the congregation lost rights?
Yeah, but everyone generalizes, all the time.
Ha ha ha.
You’re going to get a different story depending on who you talk to.
Double minded men are unstable….
Maybe we should start addressing how to get out of this mindset? Fear is at the root, and perfect love casts it out.
Good point, Stacey. I think a lot of men are torn between what they really think and the leadership role they play (together with its respect and paycheck).
Sad, but not surprising. Many leaders in powerful positions in and out of church say contradictory things to different people. Not only is it difficult to maintain order but being too honest can be a liability, sowing the seeds of intrigue. Pastor Chuck knew the outcome would only matter to a very close inner circle he surrounded himself with and that was all that mattered. Whatever story he told to people not on the board would be just that, a story that could not have any effect legally in the end. What a shocking display of power plays that sadly is the norm in high stakes religion that has great influence over a huge number of people.
Paul Smith is not what he pretends to be….His current issues stem from not inheriting the control, fund$ and influence/backing of the church from Chuck Smith after his death. He is in a lawsuit against Calvary for lost profits from Calvaries book sales of New Evangelicalism: ‘A New World Order’ (Orange County, CA Superior Court)that was pulled of the shelves around the time of Chuck’s passing. His wife Ruth Smith is an evil witch that only cares about using people, and profiting. They are sick people with a history of mental disease. They do not follow the law, neither do there children. The whole family is addicted to drugs (Crystal Methamphetamine) and alcoholics with verifiable criminal histories. They feel they are above the law, and have become accustomed to hiding behind the guise/cloak of Calvary as both Paul & Ruth regularly claim to strangers of their CON that they are ‘Pastors’. It is no wonder why Paul Smith was excommunicated from Calvary Chapel -fired from the board! He is a liar in it’s truest form—-TRUTH—-
Greed culture, Who ever you are, you are totally insane, saying all those lies you are saying about Pastor Paul and his wife Ruth( and yes he is a Pastor, and was for many years, had his own Church, which he retired from, was not fired.) He is an honorable man of God, and Ruth is a godly woman.shame on you whoever you are. You will be held responsible one day by our Lord for barring false witness against His children.
Well, given the fact that Brodersen was allegedly told one thing fourteen years before Paul was told something else, the “two stories” idea is plausible. Chuck apparently wanted Brodersen to lead CCCM in 2000, but after some 14 years of watching Brodersen’s leadership, he decided it wasn’t working and wanted Brodersen out. Seems plausible, especially given Brodersen’s cozy-up to Rick Warren.
Paul Smith’s story is the truth.
I attended CCCM for many years. I was so blessed by Pastor Chuck’s teaching and his personal counsel to me. To me, it seemed that Chuck was looking for the answer to who would follow him, and many names did come up as has been stated in these comments. Brian was one of that last ones, but I believe Chuck changed his mind towards the end. I remember a conversation a few years before Pastor Chuck went home, where the successor to the church was being discussed and Chuck said God would provide one. Brian stated firmly it was going to be him. Chuck then repeated that God would provide someone. My impression was he wasn’t saying Brian is that person. I think in the end, Pastor Chuck did what he has always done, that which built the entire Calvary Chapel movement. He didn’t know who should follow him but tried to leave room for God’s Spirit to work. Personally, I miss Chuck. I don’t think Brian is God’s successor but he has the title for now. I’m thinking of Saul before David.
The Lord chose Lonnie Frisbee to build Calvary Chapel and the Jesus movement was a direct action by God to counteract what the devil was doing in the 60’s. There never would have been a CC without Lonnie Frisbee , Greg Laurie was saved under Lonnie at High School. Lonnie was written out of CC history and rarely spoken of anymore. I knew him and was a part of a small church he helped build up north. I was there many a night as he ministered and the Shekinah glory would fall. It was a non denominational church .
What we have now are denominations leaders growing weary of the mission of preaching the Gospel and so they are following the path to the emergent movement, Since God hasnt moved in power and glory again like under Lonnie and the Jesus movement ,men are trying to find another way. That should come as no surprise at all. Its further complicated because people like Roger Oakland ( who I like ) are right on a lot of stuff yet wrong on Lonnie. I truly think we are in the last days and the enemy is in the religious denomination camp. My old pastor 40 years ago warned us all what would come in the last days was theatrical Christianity and thats exactly what we have now.
The move of God came in the Jesus movement and seeds were planted but then people begin to think the structure was they same thing as the life— big mistake. They fell away from their first love.When you think about it Chuck got the exact same thing Lonnie got..betrayed by his own. I wish men could always be trusted but they cant. I wish people would realize its about Jesus and not themselves but they dont.. God has begun to shake not only the earth but the heavens….and this shaking of mega church ecumenical emergent system within denominational structures is a sign we are so close to his return.
The Shaking has come dear ones
” See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:25-29
John gave us the key in 1 John 2:24-29
“As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.”
I love the part where it says you dont need anyone to teach you for the anointing you have in Him will. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would lead you into all truth, We are supposed to be following Him anyways right and not men. Ever wonder when you meet another Christian the very first thing they ask is where do you go to Church? You cant to a place you are!!!! God is faithful but these times we are in will grow worse and its time the people who are born again wake up.
Lord bless
all the squabble about who it should have been is a moot issue now as pertains to the sheep that attended calvary.brian broderson and others (you know who you are) who support the false prophet Rick warren are not really calvary people anymore they have joined a different church behind the scenes ( a big cult) they just tired of being in the little cult of the Plymouth brethren, this was purley a financial decision . all these big wig pastors are deceivers of sheep . they should apologize to calvary sheeples and quit lying to them. get that goofball rick warren off of kwave!
It’s just what happens.
So maybe, idk, don’t start a denomination (aka “Calvary Chapel”) if you’re against demominations.
LMAO the logic just doesn’t hold up. Idk it’s just funny at this point. Ohhhhhh brother…
They literally are businesses.
I’m curious what ecclesiology cc claims? Not catholic (small ‘c’) since bishops do not get to appoint their own successors. But not congregational, or else the matter was already settled with the congregational vote. Obviously, not presbyterian. But on any known theory from history, the dead man’s opinion is irrelevant.
Calvary Chapel Global Network is the name of Broderson’s seperation movement. While Calvary Chapel Association stays true to Pastor Chuck’s teachings. Broderson is to blame for the troubles. He got greedy and joined in with the deceiver Rick Warren.