Category Archives: audience

Would Jesus say: “Religion forgot Me for monotony.”

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christians often meet like robots–tightly programmed and controlled. Christians need to be allowed to freely express Christ, not just to contain Him locked down in their hearts. After all, it’s hard to be a passive lump on a church pew when … Continue reading →

Posted in audience, audience of One, Bible, church programming, church programs, ecclesia, ecclesiastical, ecclesiological, ecclesiology, ekklesia, fire in church, fire in the heart, inner Light, let your light shine, light, light of Christ, ministry, ministry of the Spirit, spiritual fire, Uncategorized, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Inauguration Day Thoughts: When you can’t see the light, it may be behind you.

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Steve Simms

Meanness & kindness are both boomerangs. Which will you throw? Persistent kindness melts away meanness. Try it and see. Returning kindness for hostility; is disarming. When you don’t see much kindness; break the tread & do something kind! Kindness & joy … Continue reading →

Posted in 2017, audience, compromise, courage, discouragement, encouragement, inner Light, Nashville, peace, Quotations, Quotes, Random acts of kindness, Salvation Army, see the light, smartphones, Uncategorized, unkindness, with malice toward none | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church = Audience? Or Team?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Is a church service with only one speaker like a band with only one instrument? (That’s an oxymoron, isn’t it?) Jesus said: “New wine must be poured into new wine skins.” If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, agreeing in prayer, audience, Beyond Church, binding and loosing, Christian community, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek word for, house church, Matthew 18:20, organic chruch, simple church, team, the lost of the Bible, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Steve Simms

Audience-style church keeps people passive and contained. –Testimony-style church (ekklesia) allows people to flow in the Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 14:26. (Check out this article about testimony church in Priority! magazine, the magazine of The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory: The Berry … Continue reading →

Posted in agendaless church, attending church, audience, back to church, church format, church order, organic chruch, simple church, testimonies in church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The audience of One — (Who should be on the church platform?)

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Steve Simms

The audience of One!  Most churches have a platform or stage that lifts one person (or a few people) above the rest of the people and creates the atmosphere of an audience watching a performance.   However, the New Testament … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, audience, church architecture, church format, church furniture, church leadership, church meetings, church programs, church seating, New Testament, order of worship, organic church, participation in church, participatory church, stage | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Church of the Nazarene Leader Proclaimed Participatory Church

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Steve Simms

Early leader of the Church of the Nazarene, P.F. Bresee, proclaimed participatory church: “‘Pump handle’ religion has to give place to the ever-ready springing up and sending forth of testimony and praise. How often the ‘pump handle’ has to be … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, audience, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church fathers, church format, church history, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church roles, church services, church structure, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, history, Holy Ghost, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, participatory church, performance, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, religion, religious innovation, renewal, revival, sermon, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, sermons, spirit, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual formation, spiritual innovation, spirituality, symphony, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments