Category Archives: platform

I want the presence and power of Jesus, not a pulpit and a platform

Posted on September 9, 2023 by Steve Simms

A pulpit controlled and dominated by one man silences the rest of the body of Christ. When ordinary Christ-followers are prompted by God’s Spirit to speak, the preacher in the pulpit too often says, “Zip it!” Words from the pulpit … Continue reading →

Posted in church organization, church reform, platform, pulpit ministry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let Jesus have the church platform!

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Steve Simms

When Jesus isn’t allowed to have the platform someone else takes control of the meeting. Until Christians begin to let Jesus have the platform and become His daily audience, we’ll stay stuck, passively watching a pastor perform on Sunday. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus Christ, platform, pulpit, pulpit ministry, stage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sports referees, overseers, elders & ekklesia

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Steve Simms

Ekklesia has overseerers (like sports referees); not an overlord. (“Guides by the side; not one sage on a big stage.”) Overseers are those who the body recognizes as mature Christ-followers. The Dones are beginning to clamor for a Jesus-led church. They … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, authority, Beyond Church, body of Christ, by the word of their testimony, church government, ecclesia, ecclesiology, glamour, how the body of Christ functions, Jesus untangled, New Testament, New Testament Christianity, New Testament church, platform, spiritual authority, testimonies, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Rock On A Stage or Living Stones Built Into God’s House?

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Steve Simms

You can’t build something by simply setting one stone on a platform in front of a group of other stones. To build anything the stones must be assembled interactively. The same is true of living stones. “You also, like living … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Bible, Bible quotes, holy priesthood, Music City, Nashville church, New Testament, New Testament quote, organic church, participatory church, platform, priest, priesthood, rock church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, spiritual, spiritual church, spiritual sacrifices, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Church — A Man-Led Pulpet Show Or A Supernatural Puppet Show?

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

Church is a like puppet show. God attempts to animate His people by releasing His Spirit through them. If they resist and/or ignore the promptings of God, not much happens — the puppets remain lifeless and blank-faced in their places. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians:14, animated, animation, anointed, anointing, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, First Century Church, God is truly among you, laying on hands, led by the Spirit, move of God, movement, Music City, platform, prayer, praying, praying community, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, prophesy, prophesying, pulpit, puppet show, puppeteer, puppets, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, secret, sermon-free, sermons, simple church, spectators, speech making, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spirituality, The Salvation Army, unbeliever, uneducated | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments