Category Archives: participatory church

A bold belief about church

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Steve Simms

Here’s a bold belief: I believe that every Christian gathering needs to have an open mic (or an open platform). (How else can we obey I Corinthians 14:26 and 30?) Awakened Christ-followers need an outlet. When they are continually kept … Continue reading →

Posted in church, house church, organic chruch, participatory church, simple church | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emil Brunner Quotes about ekklesia

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Steve Simms

Ever since I encountered the risen Jesus in a Spirit-led meeting on a college campus, I’ve wanted to go beyond the formal way of doing church and meet the way Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 14:26. In 2008, The Salvation … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, books, church government, church leadership, church services, Dones, house church, organic chruch, participation in church, participatory church, simple church, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Humility & equality in church services . . .

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

 

Posted in body life, church organization, church structure, hierarchy, house church, multi-voiced church, one anothers, open church, organic church, participatory church, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Y’all-worship (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Steve Simms

  An Observation About 1 Corinthians 14:26: Beyond the status quo We could all listen to Jesus And then go with His flow! Church consists of people passively listening to one man on a platform. 1 Corinthians 14:26 is people … Continue reading →

Posted in group interaction, house church, open church, open sharing, organic church, participatory church, personal testimonies, priesthood of the believer, simple church, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, Spirit-led interaction, spiritual interaction, testimonies, testimonies in church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mr. Potato Head all ears? Or the Body of Christ?

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Steve Simms

Are you familiar with Mr. Potato Head — a Playskool/Hasbro toy that originally came out in the 1950s? Mr. Potato Head was so popular that he was included as a character in the Toy Story movies. He has also been … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 12, alternative church, church programming, church programs, house church, Nashville, organic church, participatory church, Salvation Army, simple church, thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

There’s no room for bullying in democracy (or church)

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Want to go beyond the bullying and 1-man control that can be common in church? There’s no room for bullying in democracy or in church! –Modern democracy depends on decisions developed by deliberation, diplomacy, and consensus; not on the dictatorship … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, American values, ancient Greeks, back to church, Berry Street, church, community, control, control in church, controlling pastors, dictatorship, ekklesia, English, government, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek New Testament, house church, I will build my church, love, making church more participatory, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, recovery groups, Salvation Army, simple church, support group, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gloria Gaither reviewed “Beyond Church”

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

In the current issue of Homecoming Magazine, Gloria Gaither reviewed Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible — Ekklesia. Here are some excerpts from Gloria’s Library column: “The way we worship and get our souls fed is changing. Oh, I … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Acts, Because He Lives, body of Christ, book of Acts, church, church meetings, family of God, Gospel, Gospel music, Greek New Testament, Greek word, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God, kingdom of God, music, organic church, participatory church, persecution, simple church, Southern Gospel, Sweet Sweet Spirit, Uncategorized, Western Christianity, Western culture, Western society, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

416 unprogrammed worship meetings @ Berry Street

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

I am amazed and deeply moved to be a part of celebrating 416 unprogrammed worship gatherings at The Salvation Army Berry Street this Sunday! What a joy it has been to go beyond church with so many dear brothers and sisters … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, East Nashville, ekklesia, house church, open church, participatory church, simple church, Tennessee, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meetings, worship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Salvation Army’s “Southern Spirit” reviewed “Beyond Church”

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Steve Simms

The Salvation Army’s Southern Spirit reviewed Beyond Church. Here’s their review: New book explores true meaning of what ‘church’ is In his new book, Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible, Sergeant Steve Simms writes about the original … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, books, Christian books, house church, organic church, participatory church, rechurch, rethink church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, Salvation army officers, simple church, Steve Simms, Uncategorized, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blessed are the “pour” in spirit . . .

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Steve Simms

Blessed are the “pour” in spirit, Who share from their heart For they will be healed. You can listen to lectures Full of points and principles Yet your pain will persist. But when you’re allowed To openly pour out your … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 12 step group, AA, AA meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous, bear one another's burdens, bearing with one another in love, Bible quotes, celebrate recovery, Christ-centered recovery, Christian recovery, confess your sins, healing, healing life's hurts, house church, I will pour out my Spirit, Love one another, making church more participatory, Maya Angelou, Narcotics Anonymous, one another, one anothers, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, quote, recovery groups, self-help group, sharing, sharing in church, simple church, spiritual healing, Uncategorized, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment