Category Archives: mutual ministry

“Pastorized” Christianity

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Steve Simms

The pastorization of Christianity has trained many Christians to trust a pastor more than they trust the Holy Spirit. Too many Christians talk more about their pastor than they do about Jesus. Instead of leaving “the elementary teachings about Christ” … Continue reading →

Posted in call to ministry, CEO pastor, Christian ministry, ministry, mutual ministry, one man ministry, pastoring, pulpit ministry, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lone Ranger vs. Lone Lecturer (Hi-yo, sermon!)

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

On Sunday mornings, in almost all churches, the “Lone Lecturer” rides again. “Hi-yo, sermon! (And if you disagree, you may be asked to leave, pronto!) It’s easy to think, “We do church the right way,” but is God limited to only … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible one anothers, house church, mutual ministry, one anothering, organic church, preaching, sermons, simple church, Uncategorized | 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

Teamwork With Jesus

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Steve Simms

“On this rock (of supernatural revelation), I will build My team.” –Jesus “Go and make disciples (build Jesus Teams) of all nations.” –Jesus There are no bench warmers on the Jesus Team. Team Jesus meets in a new, old fashioned … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, church collaboration, church teams, collaborative learning, community, facilitating, facilitation, facilitator, mutual ministry, one another, Team Jesus, The Jesus Team, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Who are the best ministers?

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE THE BEST MINISTERS? I turned on the TV today and there was Johnny Cash Staring in an old episode of “Little House on the Prairie,” Playing an ordinary man pretending to be a preacher. His down to … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-fold ministry, alternative to preaching, Bible one anothers, call to ministry, everyday minister, focus of ministry, holy priesthood, lay preaching, laymen preaching, mutual ministry, one another, one anothering, pastoring, pastors, preaching the Word, preaching without words, priesthood, priesthood of all believers, royal priesthood, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Tennessee, TN, Uncategorized, universal priesthood, women in ministry, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus didn’t say to follow a preacher, a program, or a curriculum. He said: “Follow Me.”

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Steve Simms

Doing my daily Bible reading, I saw Paul describe a Christ-led support group in Romans 1:11-12. He wrote: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible one anothers, Bible teaching, church format, church program, church programming, curriculum, curriculum-free, encouragement, faith, mutual ministry, one anothers, preacher, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why should the Holy Spirit be restricted to speaking through only one man in a church service? (Is there any Scripture to support that limitation on the Spirit?)

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Steve Simms
Posted in mutual ministry, open church, organic church, restricting the Spirit, simple church | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Does The Bible Teach That Everyone Should Be Free To Teach In Church Meetings?

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.” –Hebrews 5:12 Perhaps church members should teach one another, rather than having one professional parson do … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to preaching, Berry Street, church, church teachers, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 5:12, mutual ministry, one anothers, Paul of Tarsus, Romans 15:14, Salvation Army, Spirit-led, who should teach in church | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Letting God Have The Liberty To Use All His Letters! (Free The Keys!)

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Steve Simms

Participatory church is effective because it allows God to use all the keys on the keyboard, not just one kkkkkkkkkkkey! Church members are like the letters of the alphabet — when they all participate together (as led by a wise, … Continue reading →

Posted in analogy for church, interactive church, keys, mutual ministry, organic church, participation in church, priesthood of the believer | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment