Category Archives: formal religion

Jesus is Way Beyond Religion

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Steve Simms

I disagree with almost all public figures on the topic of faith and religion. I’ve been molded from within by spiritual experience, by a ravenous appetite to live out what the Bible says, and by an overwhelming love for and … Continue reading →

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The Typical Church Format Bores Me

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Steve Simms

When church is cannedAnd over plannedTill it presentsGod’s promised landAs dull and blandIt makes me bored.I want to standAnd to shout out,“Jesus is here,Let’s all listenTo His inner voiceAnd make the choiceTo do what He says!” Every ChristianIs an instrumentGod … Continue reading →

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Un-Inventing Compartmentalization

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Steve Simms

I don’t like the compartmentalization of life into the secular and the sacred. That’s what I would un-invent. If God is real then every moment of our life belongs to Him, not just an hour on Sunday morning. I don’t … Continue reading →

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Jesus doesn’t like lukewarm religion!

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Steve Simms

Since Jesus doesn’t like lukewarm religion, should we? See Revelation 3:16. I’m desperate for more of Jesus. I long to see the body of Christ wake up, shake off lukewarmness, and get on fire for God. It’s sadWhen religionThat’s lukewarmIs … Continue reading →

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Hand-me-down religion’s no fun!

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Steve Simms

Secondhand Christianity creates religious spectators. Firsthand faith produces Spirit-led Christ-followers. God’s more concerned with what you do the remaining 167 hours per week than with what you do for one hour on Sunday morning. Hand-me-down Christianity is never as powerful … Continue reading →

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Religious privacy goes against biblical Christianity

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Steve Simms

Little Jack HornerWent to churchAnd sat in the cornerHe stayed on his bumTill he felt numbAnd said,“What a good boy am I.” Church is too often a form of gathered individualism. People assemble in one place but there’s little openness … Continue reading →

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Religious bubble wrap can shrink wrap your relationship with God.

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Steve Simms

Don’t let religion shrink wrap your relationship with God. Show people religion and they get bored (at least after an hour). Show people the risen Jesus and they are captivated and transformed. Religion likes to interpret life. The risen Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative to church, American church, bored in church, boredom in church, casual church, change in church, church burn out, church decline, church hurt, church leadership, church order, church programming, formal religion, organized religion, practical religion, religious innovation, religious meetings, religious questions, religious tradition, religious words, rocking religion, routine religion, true religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dones are like birds that fly away from church? (But why do they do that?)

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Steve Simms

Sometimes Christians get to the point where they say, “I’m done with church,” and then drop out of church altogether. This is happening so much nowadays that it has become a social trend. Sometimes the people who do that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, church refugees, formal religion, more than church, religion, rocking religion, routine religion, state of religion, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t be stuck in Cold Case Christianity

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Steve Simms

Is Jesus Christ a cold case in your heart? Have you filed away His claims on your life and left them to languish until some undiscovered evidence happens to fall in your lap? Many people have done just that. Sure, … Continue reading →

Posted in be hot or cold, case for Christ, Ezekiel, fire, fire in the heart, fire of God, fire of the Holy Spirit, formal religion, God's army, God's fire, God's word like fire, heart religion, lukewarm, music, not religion but relationship, revival fires, Salvation Army, Send the fire, spiritual fire, the Holy Spirit and fire, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

You can’t drink milk from a sealed carton . . .

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Steve Simms

There’s nothing like the moment when Jesus becomes real in your heart! Heaven is invading human hearts! Has your heart been conquered by Christ? Jesus will put the sing in your soul! The most effective way to alleviate stress & angst is … Continue reading →

Posted in church program, church programming, desires, ekklesia, Follow Me, formal religion, Heaven, Jesus, Jesus Christ, jigsaw puzzle, organic chruch, selfish desires, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment