Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia — Local services in Philadelphia

This past Sunday, 8/20/23, my husband and I were visiting our college-age daughter who has just moved to Philly. As we are helping her find a church home, we decided to visit Calvary Chapel. Upon arriving to the 10am service, the singing had already started, but as we were going through the door being held by an usher, we were extremely confused. It seemed that a father and his young son (maybe 7 years old) were being escorted out. The conversation ("I'd need to get a ruling. I'll talk to my supervisor.") was baffling, as the child was just standing in the doorway looking embarrassed, and the dad was questioning the usher as to why his son was not allowed to be in the service. We were confused, but passed through the door and found seats. I spent the first song looking around to see if any children were in the sanctuary. During the second song, which I was familiar with, I started singing, and realized someone was sliding into the pew next to me. I turned to smile and let them know there was plenty of room, but it was an usher. He instructed me that I was not allowed to have coffee in the sanctuary and needed to place it in the lobby. I took my daughter's coffee and mine and started to follow him, but he pointed out that my husband's cup was still with him. Since I can't carry three cups of coffee without spilling it, my husband had to leave the service too. Upon standing in the foyer with my coffee trying to decide how I felt about coffee being so important that one would have a visitor to the service immediately need to exit to get that coffee out of there, I realized there was a sign on every door that had been obscured by the usher removing the child when we entered. Sure enough, no children under age 11, backpacks, food, or drink are allowed in the sanctuary. I'm really fine with the coffee issue. We never would have brought it in if we'd seen the sign. But children? No children? What is going on here? Folks who love this church, I guess you are fine with this, but I've got to tell you: this is really weird. According to the website, which we looked at later to figure out this bizarre policy, the church has an adults-only (well, middle school and up only, if we're being precise) policy for all services because they don't want distractions from worship. No. Children can be a distraction, but so can bad singers. No sleeping infants allowed? No perfectly behaved 7-year-olds? I don't mean to be too dramatic, but I feel like we needed a Jesus moment to the ushers to tell them to let the little children come to Him! What will this child who was removed from the sanctuary remember about church? That he needed to learn about Jesus separated from his dad? Or that they could worship together if they would just go to the overflow room because he's "a distraction" just by existing? How do you know that father and son actually know Jesus and didn't just leave? What if we contraband-coffee-bringers didn't know Jesus? What would be our response to the Gospel? Your church policy is literally to go in and catch any food, drink, and children who might slip in unawares. (Full disclosure: we did leave. The children thing was just too odd.) I'm begging you, rethink this plan. Your carpet might be perfect and your service might be quiet, but...

This church really baffles me. I have been going to Sunday and Wednesday services for several years now and all in all I have been very blessed here. The teaching is usually very good. In spite of the occasional politics from the pulpit and the over use of humor at times, pastor Joe is a godly man and teacher. They do a lot of good work both locally and overseas. There doesn't seem to be any real sense or respect of time here though. The worship team starts when it wants, sometimes 6 minutes before, sometimes a few minutes later than the listed start times. And there are dozens of people who wander in late, sometimes in the middle of the sermon. The no kids in the sanctuary policy doesn't affect me but I understand why it bothers some parents and why they don't like the room they are rudely ushered to. I have not gotten myself connected with any groups so maybe this next comment is unfair but I don't find this place welcoming and friendly at all. Aside from the ushers who say hello and the handshakes after the singing there is no sense of warmth here at all. No one greets me ever and people seem content to roll in when they want and fly out as fast as possible, sometimes while Joe is praying at the end of the message. That leads me to my next point. The parking lot is absolute madness. That's understandable because of the number of people who attend the services but people don't know how to behave there. It's like as soon as they get out of the building they forget where they are and how they are supposed to behave. It's every man and woman for himself and forget about everyone else. Just let me out. That's the mentality. I realize that not everything or place is for everyone. I do like the service although some feeling could be added to them. I'll probably continue to go there as there are pros and cons to everything. I just wish some thought could be put into a few more things that really do mat Update January 2021. I couldn't be more disappointed in Pastor Joe now. His irresponsible comments about covid and the lack of concern he displays for it is astounding. Pastor Jerry should leave after losing his dear wife to covid and hearing Joe talk like he does. He has enormous influence on people and it is disappointing to listen to how careless he is. Time to find...

Calvary is a wonderful church that started as a small home Bible study that grew and grew. When I was 6yo my parents moved and we went from a Baptist Church to Calvary (non denominational IMO). Pastor Joe goes verse by verse cover to cover. Wednesdays it's chapter by chapter. If you attend regularly you'll have read the entire Bible! My parents had that station wagon and would drive up the block scooping kids, neighbors and anyone else who wanted to go. Lots my neighbors would ride with us, It was so fun. It is very big so getting involved isn't always the easiest. What's nice is people tend to sit in the same place and can really start to get to know those around you. They go out of their way to mingle with new faces. This is not story hour, it's every jot and tittle of God's Word. Often they have alter calls and even will counsel with you after service. They feed the hungry, pray with the broken and bless those who are thriving. Want to know if God is real? Walk into Calvary and you'll be smacked in the face with the presence of our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Again, getting involved is tricky but they have so many different small groups. I highly recommend the addiction group, should that be a need. Even provide divorce care if interested. You don't need to know everyone but please listen and meet Jesus. I'm now 40yo and Calvary gave me a cornerstone. As we all sin and fall short I know I can run to Calvary and refresh my soul. Having Jesus in your heart is an amazing experience and the fellowship really inspires me to be a better Christian. I highly recommend checking it out in person. If you're not crying, signing or bouncing out with a heart full of joy you went to the wrong Church. No suites and bonnets required. Come just as you are!!!. Peace...