Category Archives: Nashville

Church: Do minds wander or are people filled with awestruck wonder?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Steve Simms

When a church meeting is allowed to freely flow in the unforced rhythm of the Spirit — amazing things happen! When we call the shots — not so much. –Perhaps instead of making people’s minds wander, church should fill them … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st Century church, Alvin L. Reid, amazement, book of Acts, early church, everyone was filled with awe, formal religion, Malcolm McDow, Nashville, Quotes, rhythm of the Spirit, TN, wander-lust, who calls the shots | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Power of Spirit-Led Potluck!

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Steve Simms

The Power Of Potluck! I love a spiritual potluck Where everybody’s free to share something — A prayer, a Scripture, an insight, A short teaching, a prayer request — (Without any one person having to do it all) And it … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Christianity, church potluck, Nashville, organic church, potluck, Salvation Army, simple church, spiritual formation, spiritual potluck, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Petition 4 Holy-Spirit-Led Intuition! (Let’s Re-Intuitionize Church Meetings!)

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Steve Simms

Should We Re-Intuitionize Church Meetings? –Jesus established the church on Spirit-intuition. When Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah), Jesus said: “This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” And Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in as many as are led by the Spirit, Bible quotations, Dean Koontz, early church, hearers only, Matthew 16:18, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic church, seeker sensitive church, simple church, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Better than a sermon?

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Steve Simms

What’s more effective than a sermon? Should a pastor be a sage on a stage or a guide along side? (See 1 Corinthians 14:26.) 100 sermons? We believe that instead of having people sit through 100 sermons, it’s much more … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 sermons, a sage on a stage, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, eloquence, guide by the side, Harvy Cox, immunity to sermons, Jen Halmaker, Nashville, one act of obedience, organic church, public discourse, Salvation Army, Seneca, sermon-hearing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s all preach a sermon together! (When church is organized by the Spirit!)

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

Ever feel like you need more than a sermon? Experience God’s spiritual lightening bolts and “aha moments” in an enlightening church meeting based on open sharing and testimonies at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville 37207 on … Continue reading →

Posted in a near-hit bolt of lightening, D.L. Moody, Duane Dewel, Edgar A. Guest, interactive sermons, long-winded sermon, Nashville, preach with your life, Quotes, Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Church services–a steel rod or modeling clay?

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

Traditional church is often programmed like a steel rod (unbendable). However, participatory church meetings, like modeling clay, can be changed on the spot, by the living God, into one-of-a-kind works of art. Behold God’s animation — His claymation!  Watch an … Continue reading →

Posted in Nashville, organic church, Quaker worship, Salvation Army, simple church, steel rod, Tennessee, unprogrammed church | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church — Educational or Mystical?

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Steve Simms

Historically church has been seen as educational –communicating concepts about God (especially since the Protestant Reformation). –Biblically church is seen as a mystical portal — presenting the actual presence of the living Christ. (“Where two or three gather in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christian education, Christian mysticism, Christian spirituality, Matthew 18:20, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, Tom Robbins, Where two are three are gathered | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Does Church Train People To Be?

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Two ways a church service can train people: 1) Church could train people to be passionate, prophetic, Spirit-prompted participators. 2) Instead church tends to train people to be silent, sedentary, subservient spectators. What is the church you attend training you to … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostle Paul, Beneath Two Flags, books, Charles Finney, evangelism, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Maud Booth, Nashville, organic chruch | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Spirit-Synchronized Swimming

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

Spirit-synchronized sharing is when a group of believers meets together to listen to the Holy Spirit and then say and do what the Spirit tells them.  As they begin to speak, one after another, as prompted by the Spirit, everything … Continue reading →

Posted in church, church leadership, led by the Spirit, Nashville, Salvation Army, Spirit-led, spirituality, worship services | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Church Leadership — Easy as ABC!

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

Church Leadership . . .   A) What’s the purpose of church leaders (for example, a pastor?) Ephesians 4:12 says that it is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (NEB) … Continue reading →

Posted in church, Ephesians 4:12, Nashville, one anothering, perfecting the saints, Salvation Army, simple church, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments