Category Archives: American church

Changing the churches is more powerful than changing the government

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Steve Simms

In 1519, Martin Luther proclaimed, “Change the church!” In 2023 it still needs changing! Many Christians want to change the government, but our responsibility is to change the churches so that they are led by God’s Spirit. Let’s wake up … Continue reading →

Posted in American church, boredom in church, change in church, Christian church, church hurt, ekklesia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Lazyanity”–the passive & comfortable Christianity

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Steve Simms

“Lazyanity” falsely believes that Christians stay afloat in life’s raging waves of temptation and corruption without treading water. Jesus is everywhere but instead of seeking and embracing demonstrations of His presence “lazyanity” settles into ceremony and routine. True grace makes … Continue reading →

Posted in aggressive Christianity, American church, bored in church, Christianity, church attendance, comfort, comfort zone, comfortable, popular Christianity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Religious bubble wrap can shrink wrap your relationship with God.

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Steve Simms

Don’t let religion shrink wrap your relationship with God. Show people religion and they get bored (at least after an hour). Show people the risen Jesus and they are captivated and transformed. Religion likes to interpret life. The risen Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative to church, American church, bored in church, boredom in church, casual church, change in church, church burn out, church decline, church hurt, church leadership, church order, church programming, formal religion, organized religion, practical religion, religious innovation, religious meetings, religious questions, religious tradition, religious words, rocking religion, routine religion, true religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We desperately need heavenly politics

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Forget Trump and Hillary–America desperately needs the living, resurrected Jesus. Here’s my paraphrase of Jesus’ words in Matthew 3:2: “Line up your attitude, thoughts, words, and actions with God and His will (rather than with your feelings, desires, compulsions, and … Continue reading →

Posted in American church, casting your vote, church, city council meeting, ekklesia, Heaven, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, kingdom values, organic church, politics and religion, presidential candidates 2016, Presidential politics, repent, repentance, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, violence, violence in society, will be done on earth as it is in Heaven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church is Like Breathing (& Other Free Flowing Ideas)

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Steve Simms

A church meeting is like breathing: 1) Someone can program and control it; or 2) People can let go and let it flow. What would happen if a group of believers would begin to gather, not merely to sing and … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative lifestyle, American church, American values, church programs, experiencing God, experiential worship, experimental church, faith, faith in God, faith-based, flow, flow of the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, freedom, God, God's presence, improv, improvisation, innovation, inspiration, led by the Spirit, non-church, non-traditional church, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, simple church | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

America — is it working?

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Steve Simms

America, how’s it working? Our American culture trains us to flow unrestrained with our feelings, our sensuality, and our desires. This training, however, releases hateful and evil behavior. For example, last night NBC News reported that 20% of American college … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American church, American values, Bible, Christ in you, Christ in you the hope of glory, culture, culture wars, joy, joy unspeakable, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, recreational drugs, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Attention America! Media Alert!

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Steve Simms

Attention America: Images are influential. What you watch will: * Alter your attitude; * Brainwash your beliefs; * Create cravings: * Dictate desires; * Edge out your ethics; * Form your feelings; * Grab your gullibility; * Hold your heart; … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American, American church, American media, Americans, belief, belief system, compromise, compromised, compulsion, cravings, deceipt, deceit, deception, ethics, gullibility, moral foundations, moral laws, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morals, truth, TV, TV news, United States, values, video games, viewer discretion advised, viewpoint, vulgarity, warning | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Are You A Sold-Out Copycat?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Steve Simms

Copycating contemporary culture — shouldn’t we take a higher view than monkey see, monkey do?  Rather than taking rides on society’s hot and trendy tides, shouldn’t Christ’s followers be on His side and go against the tide? According to Jesus, … Continue reading →

Posted in against the tide, American, American church, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, compromised, conscience, contemporary, contemporary society, controversial, controversy, countercultural, courage, cultural taboos, culture, current condition, current events, darkness, dishonesty, disrespect, Do not be conformed to this world, Do not conform, feelings, followers, followers of Christ, godly sorrow, hypocrisy, monkey see monkey do, personal pleasure, persuasion of media, philosophy, politics and religion, post-Christianity, pride, profanity, promiscuity, Quotations, quote, real world, renewing your mind, right and wrong, right living, righteousness, self-destruction, self-focus, selfish desires, society, sold out, spiritual transformation, television, temptation, values | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Will It Take For A Bible Type Revival To Happen In America?

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Steve Simms

At The Salvation Army Berry Street last Sunday we passed out paper and pens and had everybody who was willing to write out a question for God and then to listen to God for His answer to their question. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, American, American church, American history, Americans, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible type revival, Christ followers, Christian, Christian community, Christian organizations, Christian values, church, church meetings, church programs, conviction of sin, devotion, die to self, disaster, disasters, disciple making, disciples, discipline, guidance, guide, hearing God, hearing Jesus, heart care, inspiration, institution, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, meaning, meaninglessness, message, movement, mystery, mysticism, Nashville, normal Christianity, participatory church, praise and worship, relevation, religion, repent, repentance, revolution, rivers of living water, salvation, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, society, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual combat, spiritual formation, spiritual warfare, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Do We Need A More Effective Way Of Having Church?

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Steve Simms

In the West the church is not changing contemporary culture. Instead, church members are being swayed and swept along by society’s hedonism and the church appears to be powerless to prevent it.  We are a post Christian society. Perhaps we … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, American church, Bible, biblical, Biblical concept, Christian, church, church meetings, church roles, church structure, contemporary society, controversy, corrupt culture, denominations, house church | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments