Communal Meetings for Encouragement and Accountability

Steve Simms, through his blog “Free Gas for Your Think Tank,” advocates for a specific model of communal gathering that prioritizes spiritual leading, mutual encouragement, and organic accountability. He refers to these as “Unprogrammed Church” or “God-Gatherings,” emphasizing a departure from traditional, human-led church services.

Key Characteristics of Simms’ Suggested Communal Meetings

Simms’ vision for communal meetings is rooted in the belief that when human agendas are set aside, the Holy Spirit can lead, fostering genuine spiritual growth and connection . His suggestions can be summarized by the following principles:

1. Spirit-Led and Unprogrammed Structure

•Absence of Human Control: Simms strongly argues against meetings that are “directed and run by a human being,” which he believes overrides God’s direction and makes the meeting feel like a “human performance” . Instead, he advocates for an “unprogrammed” approach where the Holy Spirit takes over .

•Spontaneous Participation: In these gatherings, individuals are encouraged to “listen to the Spirit and do whatever He tells us to do” . This allows for spontaneous participation, where people might share a song, a testimony, a spiritual gift, a scripture, a short teaching, or a prayer .

•Expectation of Divine Intervention: “God-gatherings” are characterized by an expectation and reliance on the “direct intervention and leading of God as a present reality” . Simms believes that when human programs are set aside, God truly shows up and takes control .

2. Encouragement and Mutual Edification

•Mutual Stirring and Sensing God’s Presence: When the Spirit moves in these unprogrammed settings, people are “stirred up,” and everyone begins to “sense His presence” . This shared experience of God’s presence is inherently encouraging.

•Sharing and Testimonies: The format allows for individuals to share what God puts on their heart, which includes testimonies of how they met Jesus . This sharing of personal experiences and insights serves to encourage others in their faith journey.

•Spurring One Another to Love and Good Works: Simms explicitly references the biblical injunction to “spur one another on to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25) as a purpose for these gatherings . The participatory nature of the meetings, where individuals contribute as led by the Spirit, naturally facilitates this mutual encouragement.

3. Organic Accountability

•Openness and Honesty: While not explicitly detailing a formal accountability structure, Simms’ broader emphasis on “realing” (truth-telling) and radical honesty suggests that these gatherings foster an environment where individuals can be “totally open and honest” with each other . This inherent transparency forms the basis of organic accountability.

•Community Support for Truthful Living: By regularly meeting with a group of people who can encourage honesty, individuals are supported in their commitment to truth . The shared pursuit of a “totally truthful” and “real” lifestyle within the community naturally leads to members holding each other to that standard .

•Confronting Dishonesty (Implicit): While not directly stated in the context of these meetings, Simms’ strong condemnation of lying and its “dirty downers” implies that a community committed to truth would naturally challenge dishonesty among its members, albeit in a spirit of love and restoration.

In essence, Simms envisions communal meetings as dynamic, Spirit-led environments where individuals are empowered to participate, share, and grow together in honesty and faith. The accountability within these groups arises organically from a shared commitment to truth and mutual spiritual support, rather than through rigid, human-imposed structures.