Monthly Archives: January 2015

What Does Church Train People To Be?

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Two ways a church service can train people: 1) Church could train people to be passionate, prophetic, Spirit-prompted participators. 2) Instead church tends to train people to be silent, sedentary, subservient spectators. What is the church you attend training you to … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostle Paul, Beneath Two Flags, books, Charles Finney, evangelism, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Maud Booth, Nashville, organic chruch | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Beaching It (In My Mind)

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

Inspired by Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book, Gift From The Sea, I try my hand at writing about the sea: The ocean is such a reminder of the grandeur of God. Its wonder stirs our spirit and allows us to breathe in the … Continue reading →

Posted in beaching it, books, ocean thoughts, patience, Quotes, resting on the beach, thoughts from the beach | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spirit-Synchronized Swimming

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

Spirit-synchronized sharing is when a group of believers meets together to listen to the Holy Spirit and then say and do what the Spirit tells them.  As they begin to speak, one after another, as prompted by the Spirit, everything … Continue reading →

Posted in church, church leadership, led by the Spirit, Nashville, Salvation Army, Spirit-led, spirituality, worship services | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Inner Empire Strikes Back

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

When dark raiders and demonic invaders oppress the human mind, the inner empire of God strikes back with love, joy, and peace to defend the great wealth of spiritual and mental health. Which side are you fighting on? “We must … Continue reading →

Posted in French mystics, Louis Lallelmant, Paul of Tarsus, Serbian monks, Thaddeus of Victovnica | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Why we might not want revival and spiritual awakening . . .

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

Why we might not want a spiritual awakening (a revival, a move of God)? Because in a time of revival: 1) Ordinary believers get excited about the living God and begin to obey the Spirit in church meetings, rather than … Continue reading →

Posted in conviction of sin, great awakening, objections to revival, overturning church order, Revive us again?, Send the fire, William Booth | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Church Leadership — Easy as ABC!

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

Church Leadership . . .   A) What’s the purpose of church leaders (for example, a pastor?) Ephesians 4:12 says that it is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (NEB) … Continue reading →

Posted in church, Ephesians 4:12, Nashville, one anothering, perfecting the saints, Salvation Army, simple church, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Alive! 55+ and Kickin’ (The Power of Personal Testimony)

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

I just saw a section of CBS’s 60 Minutes that vividly shows the power of personal testimony.  It had me weeping as ordinary men and women shared life’s battle scars, humbly from their heart, and then sang victoriously about them. … Continue reading →

Posted in alive and kicking, Lesley Stahl, Mama Foundation, testimonies, Vy Higginsen | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

A Validation Of Open Participation In Church Meetings

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Validation Of Open Participation In Church Meetings: Here’s an observation: Without an oration, the decentralization of church into Spirit-led participation, releases a saturation of fascination with the living, resurrected Jesus Christ that produces an amazing manifestation of revelation, cooperation, … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational participation, organic church, participation, revelation, Spirit-led, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

If God was a dog . . .

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

If God was a dog in church . . . –Traditional church would put the dog in a cage, cover the cage with a blanket, and then have someone give a talk about the dog. –Participatory church would let the … Continue reading →

Posted in dog in church, dog spelled backwards, God spelled backwards, If God was a dog, nontraditional church | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Think, Question, & Boldly Post (Outside The Box) Like Luther Did!

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

In 1517 Martin Luther boldly posted words on a church door in Germany and started a world-wide spiritual revolution. Perhaps we can do the same by boldly posting on blogs, web sites, & social media.  (Check out my 95 Theses … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, 95 theses, blog, facebook, John 7:38, Nashville, New Testament church, questioning church, Quotations, rivers of living water, Wittenberg Door | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments