Category Archives: church

Care for soul-wounds

Posted on September 14, 2018 by Steve Simms

It’s almost impossible to convey the love of Christ to people when you feel hostile toward them. Be kind. Life’s ups and downs shouldn’t be a Ferris Wheel, endlessly repeating, but a mountain railroad taking you to a lovely destination. … Continue reading →

Posted in choice of lifestyle, church, community, lifestyles, mental health, thoughts, Uncategorized, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Priests behaving badly in Pensylvania

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Steve Simms

A grand jury report issued on August 14 revealed that Roman Catholic bishops in Pennsylvania covered up child sexual abuse by more than 300 priests that took place over a period of 70 years. (A week before that numerous allegations … Continue reading →

Posted in abuse, Bill Hybels, bishops, Catholic priest, child abuse, church, church leadership, hierarchy, Lord it over, preachers, priesthood, religion, sexual harassment, sin, sinner, sinners, sins, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bill Hybels & Willow Creek show flaws of “Big Man On Campus” church

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Steve Simms

Perhaps Bill Hybels shows that the “Big Man On Campus” way of doing church is flawed. Here’s are some insights inspired by Bill’s alleged backstage harassment incidents at Willow Creek. Religious leaders who have power over a congregation and little … Continue reading →

Posted in big man on campus, casual church, celebrities, church, form of godliness, having a form of godliness, human sexuality, religion, religious celebrities, seeker model, seeker sensitive church, seeker-church, seeker-driven, seeker-oriented, sermon, sexual addiction, Uncategorized, user friendly | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

For the best defense, don’t take offense

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Steve Simms

Life offers many opportunities to be offended. Try not to take them. Taking offense is a huge expense that can bankrupt relationships and separate friends. The “take offense — get angry — hold resentment” sequence doesn’t make sense. Perhaps we should … Continue reading →

Posted in anger, being offended, broken relationship, church, civility, culture, culture wars, how to not take offense, inner peace, kindness, mental health, peace, resentment, thermostat, Uncategorized, wrong doing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fabulous faith will unravel your guilt quilt

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Steve Simms

If your faith isn’t fabulous, perhaps you’re stuck in a religious rut. Too often Christians in church look tranquilized rather than mobilized. Sometimes the mission of the church seems to be to satisfy and entertain Christians rather than to share Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, church, clear conscience, how to overcome guilt, human conscience, Matthew 18:20, mental health, overcome guilt, sinner, sinning, sins, Uncategorized, violating conscience, voice of conscience, what is conscience | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bystanders vs. spiritual revolutionaries

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Steve Simms

Too many Christians have been trained to be bystanders and onlookers rather than spiritual revolutionaries. If you look at church as a training center, what is it training Christians to do? Sit and listen. Perhaps pastors need to be coaches … Continue reading →

Posted in as many as are led by the Spirit, church, God's power, power, preaching, sermons, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual power, spiritual training, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Go off the map — Jesus is the way!

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Steve Simms

Go off the map. Break out of your programming. Be led by the risen Jesus. He is the way. Follow Him! Church sits in idle. But ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to start your engines! True Christianity isn’t a cold … Continue reading →

Posted in choice of lifestyle, church, church programming, getting fed in church, Give a man a fish and you feed him, lecture, lifestyle evangelism, lifestyles, not being fed in church, preaching, priesthood of all believers, priesthood of the believer, royal priesthood, see a sermon, sermon, sermon material, true Christianity, Uncategorized, universal priesthood | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Paul Apostle Of Christ” shows prechurch Christianity in action

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Steve Simms

Before there was church hierarchy and official offices, Christianity was more family than institution! Before there was established liturgy and religious programming, faith in Christ flowed spontaneously from the heart. That was prechurch Christianity! The movie, “Paul Apostle Of Christ,” … Continue reading →

Posted in apest, back to the Bible, biblical Christianity, Biblical principles, Christian history, church, handbook, Henry Hon, house church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, organic church, Quotes, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unconventional thoughts about Palm Sunday, Holy Week, & Easter

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Steve Simms

Jesus didn’t sit in an office and study all week so He could preach a good sermon. He got out among people and served them. Bob Goff, author of the books, Love Does and Everybody Always, puts it this way: … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 step group, 12 step meeting, Bible, church, commentaries, Easter blogs, ekklesia, holiness, institutional church, Jesus rose, March Madness, preaching, resurrection, Resurrection Day, resurrection of Jesus, resurrection power, sermons, Spirit-led, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dormant Christians don’t do much for God.

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Steve Simms

Pastor-dependency makes Christians drift into dormancy as they decide to “let the pastor do it.” It’s dangerous to delegate your spirituality to a pastor, because Jesus wants a direct relationship with you. Let Christ take the lead in your relationship with … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, Christianity, church, church leadership, delegation, false assurance, following Christ, hierarchy, lifestyle Christianity, membership, normal Christianity, pastor dependency, repentance, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment