Category Archives: fresh expressions

Catchy sayings for church bulletins

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Steve Simms

Here are some of my original thoughts that you may (or may not) want to put in a church bulletin: Don’t keep doing what isn’t working to give you peace. Make a U-turn to God. Hostile words hold us hostage … Continue reading →

Posted in challenging, church bulletin, church program, church programs, fresh expressions, humor, ideas, inspiration, inspirational, messy church, proverbs, quotation, Quotations, quote, recovery quotes, religion, religious quotes, Uncategorized, words, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coloring beyond the church-in-a-program box

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Color outside the “church program” lines. Think beyond the “church as usual” box. Let’s break out of the church-in-a-program box! “A need for precision and perfection has always been an enemy of art, which is about coloring outside the lines. … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Einstein, art, Beyond Church, breaking the rules, ekklesia, fresh expressions, How to be creative, how to be more creative, ideas, Jesus, Jesus Christ, messy church, novel ideas, organic chruch, Ray Schneider, Steve Stockman, T.D. Jakes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Hooray for Christ-chasing church hoppers

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Steve Simms

Church hoppers get a bad rap. When I google “church hoppers” most of the articles about them are critical. Why do I cheer for Christ-chasing church hoppers? Christ-chasing church hoppers are spiritually hungry. They have a vision and a desire … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 2 Timothy 3:5, Beyond Church, body of Christ, bored in church, Christ in you the hope of glory, church refugees, ekklesia, forsake not the assembly, fresh expressions, God chasers, having a form of godliness but denying the power, hope, house church, risen, simple church, spiritual awakening, spiritual gifts, spiritual hunger, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Cereal, cars, & church alternatives . . .

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

If for many centuries, almost everyone in the world who ate breakfast always had some brand of cereal, we would think it strange if a few people started talking and writing about having pancakes for breakfast. Breakfast cereal eaters might … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Beyond Church, change in church, change management, changes in worship, ekklesia, fresh expressions, house church, lay testimonies, messy church, nontraditional church, personal testimonies, Quakers, salvation testimonies, simple church, Spirit-led, Uncategorized, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tag Team Blog # 2 — Your questions about participatory church . . .

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Steve Simms

I would appreciate you helping me write this Tag Team Blog. Please post any questions and/concerns you have about participatory church in the comments. I will do my best to answer them. Thanks for your help!

Posted in alternative church, fresh expressions, messy church, organic church, pagan Christianity, participatory church, questions, tag team | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

3 Church (Corps) Innovations: Passionate Preaching By Ordinary People / Expanded Mercy Seat / Curriculum-Free Sunday School

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Steve Simms

Here are 3 church innovations for the 21st Century: 1) Passionate preaching by ordinary people: I heard a Salvation Army Divisional Commander preach with passion last night. You could feel fire, excitement, and inspiration flowing from his heart-felt words. –Our … Continue reading →

Posted in altar call, Christian innovations, church altar, church programs, cranium, curriculum, fresh expressions, mercy seat, messy church, Music City, Nashville, organic church, simple church, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What The Church Can Learn From Restaurant Concepts

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Steve Simms

When someone wants to open a new restaurant, she/he must first think of a concept. Restaurant concepts are various ways and means of operating restaurants. The term restaurant concept means the service style, operational strategy, theme, cuisine, and culture of a restaurant. The goal … Continue reading →

Posted in bistro, buffet, cafe, casual dining, Danny Carberry, ethnic food, family style dining, fast casual, fast food, fine dining, food trucks, fresh expressions, owning a restaurant, quote | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Man Up! (Participatory/Organic Church Reaches Men!)

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Steve Simms

“The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all age categories.” –Churchformen.com.  Why does church in the U.S. not reach more men? “Men are hard-wired for risk taking—particularly young … Continue reading →

Posted in attracting men, BNA, churchformen, David Murrow, fresh expressions, marketing to men, men in chuch, men in church, messy church, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, organic church, participation, participatory church, quotation, Quotations, quote, reaching men, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Preaching In My Dreams–Boy, I Miss It! (A Nashville Story)

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Steve Simms

I miss preaching . . . I woke up this morning dreaming that I was preaching. Although I haven’t preached a “traditional” sermon in several years, I really miss it. When I preach, I feel the Holy Spirit surging through … Continue reading →

Posted in BNA, Christian conferences, fresh expressions, Fresh Expressions movement, messy church, Music City, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, open forum, open mic, open sharing, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, religion, renewal, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Democracy, Ekklesia, & Church (It’s Greek to most of us.)

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Steve Simms

An ekklesia was the governing body of an ancient Greek city-state and the world’s first expression of democracy.   It was made up of all of the adult, male citizens in a particular city-state and met 40 times per year to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, ancient Greece, ancient Greek wisdom, assembly, church history, church meetings, early Christians, early church, first church, fresh expressions, Greek, Greek city state, Greek New Testament, Greek philosophy, Greek word, house church, I will build my church, Matthew, Matthew 16, messy church, movement, Nashville, Nashville church, New Testament, New Testament quote, one anothers, organic church, Roman Empire, Rome, Salvation Army, simple church | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments