Category Archives: participatory sermons

The Equalizer–How Christians meet

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

When Christ-followers meet as active participants, they’re involved and empowered. The gathered body of Christ, like an orchestra, needs to let all who are present, play their part. Letting people experience Christ together is often more effective than a sermon. How Christ-followers … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to sermons, Berry Street, body of Christ, changes in worship, ekklesia, hierarchy, how the body of Christ functions, inner voice, one anothers, participatory sermons, planning a worship service, Salvation Army, sermon, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, unscripted, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2 pods about church without sermons

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Here are two podcasts about how God will break out of the traditional church mold (if we let Him). He stopped the sermon. Hear how a church in Nashville, Tennessee has been meeting for 8 1/2 years without a sermon. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, alternative church, alternative to preaching, alternatives to sermons, book, bored in church, church decline, church experiment, church order, church organization, church programming, church revitalization, church sermons, church services, church without a program, churching, conversermons, house church, how to conduct a church service, how to do church, I will build my church, immunity to sermons, interactive sermons, interrupting a sermon, participatory sermons, Richard Jacobson, sermon-free church, sermon-hearing, shared sermon, Thom Schultz, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why do churches ignore this Scripture?

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Steve Simms

Our intention at The Salvation Army Berry Street is to implement the Bible’s mostly ignored instructions, introduced in 1 Corinthians 14:26, that inform Christ-followers what to do “When you come together.” We believe that this inspired idea of participatory interaction … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, 1 Corinthians 14:26, bored in church, church format, making church more participatory, participatory church, participatory sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Berry Street acrostic

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Berry Street acrostic: B — Beyond E — Entertainment, R — Religion or R — Ritual, Y — You can S — Share T — Testimonies, R — Revelations & E — Experiences, as E — Empowered by T … Continue reading →

Posted in comments, entertainment, Holy Spirit, interactive church, led by the Spirit, participatory sermons, promptings, questions, religion, revelations, sermon, sharing, spiritual, Tennessee, testimonies, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Maybe many mini-sermonettes would be a more effective way of doing church than only one 1-man sermon.

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in alternative church, alternative to sermon, mini-sermons, non-traditional church, participatory church, participatory sermons, simple church | Tagged , , , , | Leave a 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

Is a 1-Man Sermon Like A Centipede With Only One Functioning Leg?

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Steve Simms

A church where 1 man does all the talking is like a centipede where only one leg does all the walking.  (See 1 Corinthians 14:26)

Posted in alternative church, alternative to preaching, alternatives to sermons, church meetings, clergy, clergy/laity, clericalism, message, message in church, multi-voiced church, open church, open forum, open mic, organic church, participatory church, participatory sermons, preaching styles, pulpit, pulpit ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A highly planned program without personal interaction would make for a boring family gathering or party. What about church?

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Steve Simms

What about church?  A highly planned program without personal interaction would make for a boring family gathering or party!

Posted in creativity, innovation, multi-voiced church, participation, participation in church, participators, participatory church, participatory culture, participatory sermons | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Leaf Blower Church

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Steve Simms

Leaf Blower Church Here’s my view of a church meeting: We are all leaves who want to line up in nice, neat rows, And appoint a Pastor Leaf to preach to us. However, God wants to blow on each of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, participants, participation, participation in church, participatory church, participatory culture, participatory sermons, preacher, preaching, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, sharing, sharing Christ, simple church, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, Spirit-led interaction, Spirit-prompted, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Did modern innovations in churches create worship wars?

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Steve Simms

Church innovation has become widespread & refreshing! Guess what is my favorite church innovation. Over the past generation or two, the way of having church in our society has changed a lot as we have seen new ideas creatively introduced … Continue reading →

Posted in Bob Rognlien, changes in worship, church meetings, church program, church seating, church services, church speakers, competition, conflict, contemporary Christian music, contemporary church, contemporary society, controversy, debate, definition, experiential worship, house church, how to do church, hymn, hymns, innovation, lip syncing, open church, open sharing, organic church, participatory church, participatory culture, participatory sermons, pew, Power Point, powerpoint, quotation, Quotations, quote, raising hands, simple church, worship, worship dancing, worship drama, worship gathering, worship innovation, worship leader, YouTube | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment