Category Archives: lay testimonies

Talkin’ from your heart ’bout Jesus is more powerful than sermon-hearing

Posted on March 3, 2018 by Steve Simms

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” What a great honor to be invited to speak for God! I believe that the Bible teaches that Christians are to gather together and learn how to minister in the Spirit, to … Continue reading →

Posted in give a witness, lay testimonies, laywitness, personal testimonies, pulpit ministry, salvation testimonies, testifying in church, testimonials, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony, testimony of Jesus, Uncategorized, witnessing, word of their testimony, you shall be my witnesses | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Theology without testimony is like learning about ice cream without eating it

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Steve Simms

Many people have never discovered that when people open up and begin to testify to one another about their love for Jesus, they experience an amazing sense of kinship. Christianity isn’t just about dispensing information about God. It’s about making … Continue reading →

Posted in by the word of their testimony, house church, lay testimonies, Lay Witness Missions, lay witness movement, Martin Luther King, organic chruch, personal testimonies, salvation testimonies, simple church, testimonials, testimonies in church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Preaching’s not enough says a $1.00 book . . .

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Steve Simms

We must go beyond preaching! Wow! Such power, conformation, and fireworks from a book I found for $1.00 at at Book Warehouse in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It doesn’t look too impressive, but I’m so glad I bought Discovering Who We Are … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to preaching, body of Christ, Christian community, Christian leadership, church community, church leadership, communication, community building, Holy Spirit, how the body of Christ functions, how to create community, lay testimonies, leadership training, media, personal testimony, preaching, Salvation Army, salvation testimonies, servant leadership, simple church, spiritual gifts, testimonies, testimony, Uncategorized, word of their testimony | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does church have a gag rule on God?

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

God has no gag rule on Christ-followers! “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” Religion “commanded” the early Christ-followers “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” They replied: “We cannot help speaking about what … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts 4:13, Bible quotes, Bible verses, by the word of their testimony, chutzpah, evangelism, lay testimonies, Let the redeemed of the Lord, personal testimonies, Peter and John, salvation testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony, Uncategorized, We cannot help but speak | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Religion/Grace/Church Without Laymen

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Steve Simms

Religion asks: “What’s the least I can do and still go to Heaven?” —Recipients of grace ask: “What’s the most I can do to love, honor, serve, and obey the One who died on the Cross to save me from … Continue reading →

Posted in clergy, clergy/laity, clericalism, cross, equality, going to Heaven, grace, grace card, grace definition, grace of God, inequality, lay speakers, lay testimonies, layman, laymen, laywomen, open church, open forum, open mic, organic church, royal priesthood, simple church, sin, Spirit prompting | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Question/Answer About Participatory/Organic Church (from a Salvation Army officer)

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Steve Simms

Question:  I recently received this question from Bronwyn Barkmever, a Salvation Army officer in Australia on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleBerryStreet): “We are embarking upon an adventure of ‘out of the box’ worship and want to take this opportunity to explore different … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Canada, heart, heart-felt, lay testimonies, laying on hands, participation, participation in church, participatory church, pastor, Q&A, questions, questions and answers, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, salvation, simple church, Speak Lord, speak the truth in love, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony, Toronto, Whatever He says to you | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Karaoke Spoken From The Heart (Lay Witness Missions)

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Steve Simms

Before people in the USA sang karaoke, they spoke it spontaneously, from the heart as they told how the living, resurrected Jesus Christ had changed their life.  It was called Lay Witness Missions.  This spoken karaoke began in United Methodist … Continue reading →

Posted in a shout out, Ben Johnson, can I get a witness, Christian history, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, evangelism, evangelistic meetings, Frank Billman, Jesus, Jesus Christ, lay evangelist, lay speakers, lay testimonies, lay witness coordinator, lay witness movement, lay witness team, layman, laymen, laywomen, Methodism, Methodist class meeting, Methodist revivalists, Methodists, Music City, Nashville, Nashville church, non-traditional church, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, religious karaoke, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, sharing, sharing Christ, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, spiritual experiences, spiritual karaoke, spoken karaoke, team, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony, witness, witnesses, witnessing, worship, worship service | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments