Category Archives: church programs

Founder Of The Salvation Army Believed In Participatory Church

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Steve Simms

William Booth, co-founder (along with his wife) of The Salvation Army, believed that church meetings should be participatory and not just involve one person running the meeting and doing all the ministry.  Here’s what he said: “Some murmurs have reached … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church history, church leader, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, organic church, preaching, sermons | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

A Catholic Priest Endorses Spirit-Led Participatory Church Meetings

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

I was recently reading a book by a Catholic priest, Father David Knight, and to my surprise he make a bold statement endorsing Spirit-led, participatory church like we do at The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville, Tennessee.  Here’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, church, church format, church history, church leader, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Church gets exciting when God takes the reins and redirects routine religion!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

Church becomes powerful when passive people become participatory and begin to passionately pursue and obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit! Church gets exciting when God takes the reins and redirects routine religion!

Posted in church buildings, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, God takes the reigns, religion, religious ceremonies, religious information, religious innovation, religious tradition, routine, routine religion, simple church | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What Happens Where There Is Spirit-Led Participation In A Church Service?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Steve Simms

When ordinary people participate in a church service and show and tell (as led by the Spirit) what God has done in their lives, things happen: 1) The atmosphere is charged with excitement and anticipation; 2) There is a sense of awe … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, churching, flow of the Spirit, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Faucet Faith? vs. Free-Flowing Faith

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Steve Simms

Faucet faith is turned on and off as needed, but is mostly shut down and ignored. Free-flowing faith flows freely from the heart 24/7/365. Church based on 1 Corinthians 14:26 (open sharing and Spirit-led testimonies) releases a spiritual contagion factory … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 24/7/365, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, faucet, order of worship, organic church | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Where’s Jesus?

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Steve Simms

People sometimes ask:  “Where’s Waldo?” and search for him in the popular book series.   But we often neglect to ask:  “Where’s Jesus?” and to search for Him will all our body, soul, mind and strength. Tomb empty, Body gone . . . … Continue reading →

Posted in church, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, opportunity | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

21st Century Christianity does not need more programs, more sermons, more teaching, more seekers, more religion, more meetings — it needs more people whose hearts are on fire with passionate and unquenchable love for the living, resurrected Jesus Christ!

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christian, Christianity, church, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, community | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Unrehearsed Words — Let Them Be Spoken Live In Church!

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Steve Simms

Unrehearsed words from God are eloquent. Jesus speaks about unrehearsed words when He tells His disciples; “. . . what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.” (Matthew 10:19 Unplanned, unpracticed words are a normal … Continue reading →

Posted in Beverly Kaye, church meetings, church program, church programs, contemporary, contemporary church, contemporary society, Julie Winkle Giulioni, live and unrehearsed, Matthew 10:19, ministry, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, order of worship, organic church, quote, Quotes, simple church, The Salvation Army, the way of the pilgrim, unrehearsed, what you are to say will be given you | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Two Questions About Human Leadership Vs. The Spirit’s Leadership In Church

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

Here are two questions about church leadership for pastors and so-called laymen: Question #1: Who is the most capable church leader in the world? Answer: The living, resurrected Jesus Christ present in our midst when we gather in His name. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ followers, Christian, Christian community, Christian organizations, church, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, comfort, comfort zone, congregational, deciision making, decision-making, earn his keep, East Nashville, God's government, guidance, homes, house church, human leadership, improv, improvisation, laymen, Laymen's prayer revival, Music City, Nashville, non-church, non-church movement, non-traditional church, order of worship, participatory church, pastor, religious ceremonies, religious innovation, religious tradition, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual leaders, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Radical Quotations About Church (Can You Handle Them?)

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Steve Simms

Can you handle these radical quotations about church? “A Christian gathering controlled by one person cannot be controlled by the Holy Spirit.”  –Eddie L. Hyatt “Our great duty is diligently to wait on the motions of His Spirit in our … Continue reading →

Posted in ambulance corps, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, evangelism, George Fox, non-church, pillar of fire, Quakers, quote, Quotes, religion, religious ceremonies, religious innovation, religious relic, religious tradition, William Booth | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment