Category Archives: how the body of Christ functions

A “handy” example of how Christ’s body should function

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Steve Simms

“If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body.” (1 Corinthians 12:15.) The resurrected body of Jesus ascended into … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, body of Christ, church services, how the body of Christ functions, reformation, worship, worship service | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond human control to Spirit control

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Steve Simms

Jesus gave up positional authority and became a servant, yet He has more followers than anyone in history. He is at the top of the authority pyramid in the body of Christ. All the rest of us are servants on … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, church, discipleship, ekklesia, how the body of Christ functions, Spirit prompting, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s heart-to-heart “house” of “living stones”

Posted on September 24, 2022 by Steve Simms

I saw the house of the Lord being built today at a Christian conference where the Holy Spirit was allowed to take over the meeting so powerfully that the closing keynote speaker didn’t want to speak so that the Holy … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, cleansing the temple, how the body of Christ functions, Jewish temple, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond sermon-hearing to Spirit-hearing

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christ experienced is much more powerful than Christ explained. The “let the preacher do it” mentality has crippled contemporary Christianity. However, Jesus never said: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the preacher says.” (He said, “Let them hear what the … Continue reading →

Posted in art of listening, Bible reading, body of Christ, church programs, cost of discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, disciple making, discipleship, Great Commission, homiletics, homily, how the body of Christ functions, how to be a disciple, listening, listening to God, preaching, spiritual growth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Humpty Dumpty Christianity?

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Steve Simms

Like Humpty Dumpty, the body of Christ has broken into many pieces. Nowadays, there are tens of thousands of Christian denominations and ministries around the world. But is this how God wants it to be? Jesus prayed, in John 17, … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, Christ-centered community, Christian church, Christian Denominations, Christian unity, conflict, denominations, ecumenical, healing, healing life's hurts, how the body of Christ functions, interdenominational, one in the Spirit, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bible heroes were ordinary people (Moses stuttered)

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Steve Simms

You’ve probably seen some of these statements about how God uses regular people (like you and me). They are often shared on social media: Moses stuttered. Miriam was a gossip. Jonah ran from God. Leah was unattractive. Paul saw himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible one anothers, body of Christ, fellowship, how the body of Christ functions, ministries, ministry, ministry team, mutual ministry, one another, one anothering, one anothers, priesthood of all believers, royal priesthood, Uncategorized, universal priesthood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Religion — a track for God to run on?

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Steve Simms

Church sometimes seems like going to a restaurant to hear a talk about food and then thinking we’ve been fed. Too many Christians have been taught that their primary role in the body of Christ is to sit and listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, frozen, how the body of Christ functions, religious ceremonies, spectators, Uncategorized, unprogrammed, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus Christ MC (emcee)

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Steve Simms

Let’s come together & let Christ, the Invisible Choreographer, take direct control. When Christians meet to all follow the Invisible Choreographer, miracles happen. The risen Jesus is the uncurriculum. He’s the Way–follow Him. A program, agenda, or curriculum should never … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, Call to Worship, church programming, church programs, clergy, clergy laity, clergy/laity, how the body of Christ functions, I am the way, organic chruch, priesthood of the believer, the way the truth the life, Uncategorized, unchurching, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sports referees, overseers, elders & ekklesia

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Steve Simms

Ekklesia has overseerers (like sports referees); not an overlord. (“Guides by the side; not one sage on a big stage.”) Overseers are those who the body recognizes as mature Christ-followers. The Dones are beginning to clamor for a Jesus-led church. They … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, authority, Beyond Church, body of Christ, by the word of their testimony, church government, ecclesia, ecclesiology, glamour, how the body of Christ functions, Jesus untangled, New Testament, New Testament Christianity, New Testament church, platform, spiritual authority, testimonies, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Equalizer–How Christians meet

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

When Christ-followers meet as active participants, they’re involved and empowered. The gathered body of Christ, like an orchestra, needs to let all who are present, play their part. Letting people experience Christ together is often more effective than a sermon. How Christ-followers … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to sermons, Berry Street, body of Christ, changes in worship, ekklesia, hierarchy, how the body of Christ functions, inner voice, one anothers, participatory sermons, planning a worship service, Salvation Army, sermon, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, unscripted, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment