Category Archives: control

Priests & other church leaders

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

Being hurt by religion is sometimes the first step toward learning to listen to and follow the risen Jesus. It helps us look beyond religious leaders to Christ. The body of Christ should be an environment of radical humility, honesty, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, biblical Christianity, Christianity, control, dishonesty, early Christianity, God's presence, healing, honesty, humility, sexual harassment, simple church, Uncategorized, walk in the light | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A one-man talk or dynamic interaction?

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

Billions of Christians advocate for sermons. So why shouldn’t a few of us advocate for open sharing instead?  What God is doing inside of you is important. You need to be allowed to share it! If we don’t think the … Continue reading →

Posted in church programming, church programs, control, control in church, controlling pastors, open sharing, pastors, sharing in church, spiritual gifts, thinking too small, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to deal with controlling, self-promoting Christian leaders

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Steve Simms

There have always been controlling and self-promoting Christian leaders, who want to be top dog, even in the first century. But how are Christ followers supposed to deal with them? John (the disciple Jesus loved) gives us an example in … Continue reading →

Posted in CEO, CEO pastor, control, control in church, controlling pastors, Head of the church, Jesus CEO, Jesus is the Head, pastor, the disciple Jesus loved, Uncategorized, World English Bible | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

There’s no room for bullying in democracy (or church)

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Want to go beyond the bullying and 1-man control that can be common in church? There’s no room for bullying in democracy or in church! –Modern democracy depends on decisions developed by deliberation, diplomacy, and consensus; not on the dictatorship … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, American values, ancient Greeks, back to church, Berry Street, church, community, control, control in church, controlling pastors, dictatorship, ekklesia, English, government, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek New Testament, house church, I will build my church, love, making church more participatory, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, recovery groups, Salvation Army, simple church, support group, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ Release Centers release the living Jesus through testimonies

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Steve Simms

A Christ Release Center (CRC) lets the living Jesus flow through many people, not just one person! It brings Christ out of concealment and into God’s community by allowing ordinary people to testify — to show and tell what God has … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ in you, Christian community, church community, community building, control, control in church, Creating Community, Donald Bloesch, Easter, ekklesia, He is risen, Nashville, power, power of God, Release the power of Jesus, risen, Salvation Army, Uncategorized, We serve a risen Savior | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Good Quote Deserves Another (Moving From Human Control To The Spirit’s Control)

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Steve Simms

Seeing this quote on Facebook & Twitter: UnlikeUnlike · · Share · @jimknaggs on Twitter Jim Knaggs ‏@jimknaggs 18h18 hours ago “When leaders put control into the hands of their people, at all levels, they unlock incalculable potential.” – Dennis … Continue reading →

Posted in book, Christianity, church leadership, contemporary church, control, leaders, led by the Spirit, open church, open mic, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, potential, quotation, Quotations, quote, simple church, unprogrammed church, unscripted church | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church, Jesus, and the Father’s business

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Steve Simms

“I must be about my Father’s business.” –Jesus We’ve all been told to “Mind your own business,” but whose business should a church (or ministry) mind?  If a church (or ministry) is really dedicated to God, shouldn’t it operate according … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Bible quotes, Biblical concept, control, I must be about my Father's business", Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus quotes, Jesus' hands, Mind your own business, Nashville, Nashville church, Nashville news, organic church, pastor, preacher, priest, quotation, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

One-man sermons & the John the Baptist leadership principle

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

One-word sentences/One-man sermons. Limiting conversation to one-word sentences quenches communication. Example: Person A) Hello.  Person B) Hi.  A) Going?  B) Yes. A)  When?  B) Now.  A) Where?  B) There.   A) How?  B) Walking.  A) Good.  B) Thanks.  A) Bye.  … Continue reading →

Posted in automatic, Bible, communication, control, conversation, He must increase, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, I must decrease, John the Baptist, leaders, leadership, led by the Spirit, one word, one-word dialogue, pride, principle, Quench not the Spirit, quench the Spirit, Quotations, Quotes, sermon, sermons, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments