Category Archives: church services

An interview with Paul of Tarsus

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

(An interview with Paul of Tarsus based on 1 Corinthians chapter 14.) Me: “So, Paul, who can prophesy?” Paul: “You can all prophesy.” Me: “What happens if everybody prophesies?” Paul: “If an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 21st Century, church meetings, church programs, church services, church structure, convicted of sin, God, God demonstrations, God experiment, God is really among you, God with us, hymn, judging, judgment, one anothering, one anothers, organic church, participation, participatory church, participatory sermons, Paul of Tarsus, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, prophesying, prophet, prophets, public speaking, public worship, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, relevation, religion, revelation, secrets, secrets of your heart, sin, What is church?, When you come together, worship, worship center, worship gathering, you can all prophesy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Church is not for sponges; it’s for sparks!

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Steve Simms

You are not simply a sponge, supposed to sit in a “service” and silently soak up a preacher’s ideas. You are someone who has spiritual insight to share.  Church is not for sponges, it’s for sparks! Our desire at The … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church fire, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, church structure, Little Rock, Music City, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, order of worship, organic church, simple church, sparks, sponges, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“The Christmas Candle” Confirms The Concept Of Sermon-Free Church

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Steve Simms

The new movie The Christmas Candle is an amazing confirmation of The Salvation Army Berry Street’s participatory worship where everyday people show and tell what God has done.  I’ve been writing and posting, on my blog and on Facebook, for … Continue reading →

Posted in angels, angels watching over you, burning heart, Christmas candles, church, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church services, cynicism, demonstrations of the Spirit, glory, glory of God, interrupting a sermon, interrupting in church, miracles, miraculous, Music City, Nashville, Nashville charity, organic church, participatory church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationism, Salvationists, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, testifying, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What does it mean to “gather in Jesus’ name”?

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Steve Simms

Do we “gather in Jesus’ name”? (“Where two or three have gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” –Jesus) * To so something in someone’s name means to act under that person’s authority and … Continue reading →

Posted in church meetings, church programs, church services, DWhere two or three have gathered together in My name, Jesus Christ, Jesus' name, Jim L. Wilson, quotation, Quotations, quote, religion, religious words, there am I in the midst of them, What does it mean? | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Sunday soliloquy may satisfy some, but I love to hear God’s Heavenly harmony as ordinary people, led by the Spirit, let their voices blend as they testify and God’s glory fills a church meeting.

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in church format, church leadership, church meetings, church services, church structure, glory, glory of God, God's glory, heavenly harmony, order of worship, organic church, Sunday soliloquy, testifying, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Would God Tell A Preacher To Stop Preaching?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Steve Simms

I love to preach, however a few years ago God told me to stop preaching and instead,  to let ordinary believers show and tell what God has done! So I stopped, yet still I greatly miss it.  By the time … Continue reading →

Posted in by the word of their testimony, church format, church leader, church leadership, church program, church services, dream, homiletics, ministers, ministry, motivational speaker, oratory, pastor, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, prompting of the Spirit, public speaking, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army officer, teaching, testimonies in church, testimony | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Thoughts & Frustrations About Church Bulletins

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Steve Simms

I’ve never been overly fond of church bulletins.  In fact, they have always frustrated me.  I don’t like to know the details of a church service before it happens.  To me that’s like reading the plot of a movie or … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, church structure, program, programmed, programmed from the front, programming, public worship, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, seminary, Sunday bulletins | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Making Peace — Words To Wake Up The 21st Century Church

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

I was given a book, Making Peace, (published by Moody Publishers) by my leaders in The Salvation Army.  Once I started reading the book, I couldn’t put it down and read through it at one time. The book is bold, … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, clergy/laity, Jim Van Yperen, Mood Press, Moody Press, Moody Publishers, order of worship, organic church, priesthood of the believer, quotation, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Different Worship Leader Every Sunday

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

At The Salvation Army Berry Street we have a different worship leader every week.  Over the past 5 1/2 years we have had about 50 different people/groups lead worship for us.  Why? 1) It keeps one person from being exalted … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, body of Christ, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, church structure, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, praise, praise and worship, praising God, religion, religious ceremonies, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Uncategorized, worship, worship center, worship gathering, worship leader, worship styles | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Perhaps church needs to demonstrate the real presence of the Higher Power (Jesus Christ) by letting ordinary people show and tell what God has done; rather than being confined to a 1-man human presentation and a handy program.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Steve Simms

Since Jesus said; “Shout from the housetops,” perhaps we could start by allowing people the freedom to share and testify in church.

Posted in 12 step meeting, 12 steps, AA, church in decline, church programs, church services, freedom, Jesus, Jesus Christ, NA, participation in AA meetings, participatory church, participatory sermons, Quotations, Quotes, sermon, sermons, shout it from the housetops, testifying, testimonies, testimony | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments