This is a very controversial topic in the Church today and I know many wonderful Christians on both sides of this argument. Calvary Chapel would not be considered a Pentecostal or Charismatic church. We would be considered by most a Bible Evangelical Church. In our services you will not hear people speaking in tongues (or dancing in the aisles. lol) You may see people singing and raising their hands during worship but that is about as Pentecostal as we get.
Having said that, we do believe in the gifts of the Spirit and we do believe that the gift of tongues is a legitimate gift that the Spirit of God gives to some believers. See 1 Corinthians chapter 12. The reason we believe that the gift is for today is that the New Testament says that it is. Acts chapter 2 Peter says that the gifts especially tongues and prophecy will be around until the return of Christ. Acts 2:14-21. He also said that the gift of the Holy Spirit was for us and for our children and all those who are far off, as many as the Lord God will call. Acts 2:39.
Paul also says that, again, tongues and prophecy will be around until Jesus returns. 1 Corinthians 13 8-11 says:
"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
"That which is perfect" must represent Christ and His rule over the earth. At that time there will be no more question, no more need for the gifts of the Spirit, for Jesus will dwell with us. How do I know this?
Continuing on in 1Cor 13:12 Paul goes on to say:
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."
The fact that Christians argue about the validity of the gifts is, according to this verse, a proof that they are still needed due to our unclear vision, our partial knowledge. Unfortunately, we still see through a glass darkly, we still only know in part. When Jesus comes there will be no more confusion and division on these issues, praise Him! To state the obvious, that which is perfect has not yet come.
So what place do tongues have at Calvary Chapel? As Paul said in 1 Cor 14:40 we believe that all things should be done decently and in order. We don't believe that tongues on a Sunday Morning service would be decent or orderly. If someone were to randomly speak in tongues on a Sunday morning. (this hasn't ever happened by the way) We would stop the service for them and wait for an interpretation, and if there wasn't one, we would politely ask the person to remain silent and ask that there be no more tongue-speaking for the rest of the service. If there was an interpretation we would thank the interpreter and continue the service. Either way, we spend a few moments to explain what just happened. The "tongue speaker" would then be talked to after service to see what their motives were, and then instructed accordingly.
We do however encourage that the gifts of the Holy Spirit be used; tongues can be used in a prayer meeting (again waiting for an interpretation.) or can be prayed silently, encouragement can be given, a word of prophecy can be spoken into someone's life, a word of knowledge can be spoken to someone, the gift of helps, or exhortation can be exercised, and should be within a healthy church family. And with all this going on, nothing should seem wacky or out of order. This is how things are at Calvary Chapel, not strange, but alive with the Spirit of God. Nobody has ever left our Church thinking, "crazy Pentecostals!" but they have left saying "Jesus is real."