Category Archives: church

Sermon-free church will irrigate your dry soul, flooding your heart with the power and presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ as everyday people, led by the Spirit, show and tell what God has done.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

The Methodists used to practice sermon-free church. Sermon-Free church broke out across American in the late 1850s. The Quakers practiced sermon-free church. A prayer for sermon-free church from the late 1800s is being answered in Nashville.

Posted in church, church format, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, churching, Methodism, Methodists, Nashville, Nashville church, preaching, Quakers, sermon, sermon series, sermons, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sermon-Free Church Rocked The Early Methodists

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Steve Simms

The early Methodists practiced a type of sermon-free church known as class meetings.  These were weekly, participatory meetings where every person present was given the opportunity to talk about their life with God.  The first Methodist class meeting was started … Continue reading →

Posted in bear one another's burdens, Christian experience, Christianity, church, Frederick William Briggs, John Bate, John Berry McFerrin, John Wesley, Kevin Watson, Methodism, Methodist revivalists, Methodists, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Quotations, quote, renewal, revival, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-led, spiritual awakening, spiritual growth, spiritual life, spiritual movement, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Problems Of Unrestrained Pleasure-Seeking

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Steve Simms

Watch the TV news and observe a fact: Without self-restraint human nature produces all sorts of evil: meanness, disrespect, bullying, abuse, violence, rage, arrogance, injustice, deceit, self-destruction, vulgarity, hatred, cruelty, fraud. Unrestrained human nature destabilizes society and eventually leads to … Continue reading →

Posted in abuse, America, American, church, cruelty, deceit, fraud, hate, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, oppression, pleasure-seeking, salvation, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, self-control, self-destruction, self-discipline, self-inflicted, self-produced, self-respect, self-restraint, TV, TV network, TV news, violence, violence in society, violent streak | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 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

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

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

Freedom of Speech — In Church Services

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Steve Simms

A Creative Church Concept — Apply the First Amendment of the US Constitution (the Freedom of Speech) to church services. At The Salvation Army Berry Street everyday people are free to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, church, church meetings, church services, mysticism, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Do we have poor circulation of God’s living water?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Steve Simms

I was reading the ancient prophet, Jeremiah tonight and he pointed out 4 things about my heart: * It is deceitful — it will trick me. * It is stubborn. * It is evil. * It is engraved with sin. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, biblical, church, church meetings, church services, deceipt, engraved with sin, Holy Spirit, living water, Scriptures, spiritual health, stubbornness, whitewater | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

If I Could Pick The Pope, I’d Pick . . .

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Steve Simms

If I could pick the Pope, I ‘d pick someone who is a passionate and obedient follower of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ — who puts intimacy with and obedience to the Holy Spirit, above every other consideration. If I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bishop of Rome, Catholic, Catholic Church, Catholic mystics, Catholicism, Chinese, Christ, Christian leadership, church, church leader, church meetings, church roles, church services, denominations, God, Holy Father, Holy see, Holy Spirit, Hong Kong, innovation, invisible church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leaders, leadership, new pope, Peter, Roman Catholic, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Son of God, spirit, Spirit-led, spiritual, Steve Jobs, the Vatican, Vatican City | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Step Out Of The Box — Step Into The Thrill — In Nashville

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Steve Simms

Step out of the box — step into the thrill — in Nashville! Step out and God will step in!  Step out of routine; step out of the same 0le same ole — with participatory church where ordinary people show and … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christianity, church, church meetings, religion, Tennessee, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments