Category Archives: order of worship

How to hold a “house church” meeting in your home

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Steve Simms

I first wrote this blog for the ONE Body Life Blog at this link. If you have ever wanted to attend a house fellowship, but couldn’t find one, why not start one yourself? It’s easy. Any believer can do it … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, cell groups, changes in worship, contemporary worship, ekklesia, Friends' worship, heart of worship, Henry Hon, home church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, order of worship, Quaker, Quaker worship, spiritual worship, Uncategorized, unconventional worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What usually happens when Christians meet?

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

Here are three ways of doing church: 1) Lecture: Let me tell you what I know. 2) Facilitation: Let me fish out what a few other people know. And 3) Ekklesia: Let’s go beyond what we know & let the risen … Continue reading →

Posted in a new reformation, church order, church program, church programming, liturgy, oratory, order of worship, passivity, priesthood of the believer, pulpit, pulpit ministry, reformation, spectators, Uncategorized, universal priesthood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Link to Gloria Gaither’s review of Beyond Church

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Check out Gloria Gaither’s review of my book Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible–Ekklesia in Homecoming Magazine at this link. To get a copy in Kindle or paperback go to Amazon.  

Posted in Beyond Church, changes in worship, contemporary worship, enrich your worship, experiential worship, Gospel music, heart of worship, house church, leading worship, music, new ways to worship, order of worship, organic chruch, praise and worship, programming worship, public worship, simple church, spiritual worship, types of worship, Uncategorized, unconventional worship, worship, worship gathering, worship innovation, worship service, worship wars | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In ekklesia, Christ’s love flows like dominoes toppling

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

When a group of Christ-followers allows the Spirit to speak through them, prompting them one after another like dominoes toppling (according to 1 Corinthians 14:26), the love of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ is revealed in their meeting. His presence … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, contemporary worship, domino game, domino patterns, experiential worship, heart-felt worship, making church more organic, new ways to worship, order of worship, organic chruch, planning a worship service, public worship, Rube Goldberg, simple church, spiritual worship, types of worship, Uncategorized, unconventional worship, worship innovation, worship styles | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Problem In Participatory/Organic Church — Someone Repeatedly Talking Too Much

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Steve Simms

One potential problem in participatory church is one person taking too much time by repeatedly talking too much and drawing attention to herself/himself.  This can be a major distraction in a meeting and can hinder what God wants to do. … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends meeting, Friends' worship, guidelines, open church, open mic, order of worship, participatory culture, Quaker meetings, Quaker worship, Quakerism, Quakers, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, simple church, steps to, testifying, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

One Good Quote Deserves Another (Moving From Human Control To The Spirit’s Control)

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Steve Simms

Seeing this quote on Facebook & Twitter: UnlikeUnlike · · Share · @jimknaggs on Twitter Jim Knaggs ‏@jimknaggs 18h18 hours ago “When leaders put control into the hands of their people, at all levels, they unlock incalculable potential.” – Dennis … Continue reading →

Posted in book, Christianity, church leadership, contemporary church, control, leaders, led by the Spirit, open church, open mic, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, potential, quotation, Quotations, quote, simple church, unprogrammed church, unscripted church | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Programmed by God’s Prompting Presence

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Steve Simms

Perhaps instead of presenting a pre-planned program, we could let a church meeting be programmed by God’s presence prompting people to participate.  That would help us learn to let Jesus live on our lips and in our lives. All the … Continue reading →

Posted in Draw near to God, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit flow, order of worship, organic church, spirit, Spirit's flow, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, spiritual worship, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

America has lots of talk radio — perhaps we need talk church!

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Steve Simms

If people are not allowed to talk about Jesus in church meetings how will they get the courage and confidence to talk about Jesus in secular settings? I don’t need to hear another talk about God in church.  I’ve heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, BNA, East Nashville, multi-racial, multi-racial church, multi-voiced church, Music City, Nashville charity, Nashville church, non-church, open church, open mic, open mike, open sharing, order of worship, organic church, simple church, Spirit directed, Spirit prompting, Trevecca, Trevecca Nazarene University | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Soccer church? Or American football church?

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Steve Simms

  American football style church = the quarterback (pastor) is responsible for getting the ball (the Gospel) to others. Soccer style church = any player can move the ball and/or pass it to others.

Posted in church community, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, interactive church, interactive learning, interactive sermons, interactivity, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, participatory sermons, pastor, quarterback, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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