Category Archives: religion

What “services” do church services offer?

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Steve Simms

I have never figured out what services church services offer. Although for centuries attending church services has been presented as obligatory for Christians. I can’t find the idea of “church services” in the Bible. Christ-followers are told to assemble themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in church services, religion, Sunday morning | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hand-me-down religion’s no fun!

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Steve Simms

Secondhand Christianity creates religious spectators. Firsthand faith produces Spirit-led Christ-followers. God’s more concerned with what you do the remaining 167 hours per week than with what you do for one hour on Sunday morning. Hand-me-down Christianity is never as powerful … Continue reading →

Posted in civil religion, formal religion, organized religion, religion, routine religion, Western religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suddenly Phineas was right in front of me

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Steve Simms

I wanted to watch a movie last night, so I stopped at a Redbox and looked at dozens of movies, but nothing appealed to me. By a process of elimination, I settled for The Greatest Showman (which I had seen before … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, faith, movie, movie review, movies, prophecy, prophet, psalm, religion, revival, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Looking beyond the Catholic priesthood

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Steve Simms

With all the reports of sexual abuse by priests, perhaps we should ask:  “Who are the real priests?”

Posted in bishops, child abuse, clergy laity, laity, layman, ministers, ordaination, ordained, pastors, preachers, priesthood of all believers, priesthood of the beliver, religion, sexual harassment, Uncategorized, universal priesthood, video, YouTube | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Priests behaving badly in Pensylvania

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Steve Simms

A grand jury report issued on August 14 revealed that Roman Catholic bishops in Pennsylvania covered up child sexual abuse by more than 300 priests that took place over a period of 70 years. (A week before that numerous allegations … Continue reading →

Posted in abuse, Bill Hybels, bishops, Catholic priest, child abuse, church, church leadership, hierarchy, Lord it over, preachers, priesthood, religion, sexual harassment, sin, sinner, sinners, sins, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bill Hybels & Willow Creek show flaws of “Big Man On Campus” church

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Steve Simms

Perhaps Bill Hybels shows that the “Big Man On Campus” way of doing church is flawed. Here’s are some insights inspired by Bill’s alleged backstage harassment incidents at Willow Creek. Religious leaders who have power over a congregation and little … Continue reading →

Posted in big man on campus, casual church, celebrities, church, form of godliness, having a form of godliness, human sexuality, religion, religious celebrities, seeker model, seeker sensitive church, seeker-church, seeker-driven, seeker-oriented, sermon, sexual addiction, Uncategorized, user friendly | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anybody like repeating words after a preacher?

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Steve Simms

Some preachers’ idea of participation in church is this: “Everybody say: ‘This message is gonna be good.” If preachers want people to say a one-liner to their “neighbor,” why don’t they say: “Turn to your neighbor and quote a Bible … Continue reading →

Posted in clergy, clergy laity, clergy/laity, clergy/laity split, hype, priesthood, priesthood of all believers, priesthood of the believer, religion, religious ceremonies, religious nuts, religious quotes, religious tradition, routine religion, Uncategorized, universal priesthood | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One drink away

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Steve Simms

You’re one drink away from an incredible high–an inner spring gushing with phenomenal inebriation. Take the Jesus drink–John 4:14. That drink is served in the kingdom of God. Jesus stood up at a feast and shouted: “If anyone is thirsty, let … Continue reading →

Posted in arrogance, build a wall, Caesar, free will, heavy drinking, Holy Spirit, humility, Jesus is Lord, kingdom, kingdom of heaven, kingdom values, leading of the Spirit, led by the Spirit, living water, new wine, new wineskins, no one pours new wine, O taste and see that the Lord is good, religion, rivers of living water, self-will, Son-shine, Spirit directed, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Thy will be done, Uncategorized, water | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dones are like birds that fly away from church? (But why do they do that?)

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Steve Simms

Sometimes Christians get to the point where they say, “I’m done with church,” and then drop out of church altogether. This is happening so much nowadays that it has become a social trend. Sometimes the people who do that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, church refugees, formal religion, more than church, religion, rocking religion, routine religion, state of religion, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Move when the Spirit says move

Posted on February 24, 2018 by Steve Simms

To follow Jesus we need to move when the Spirit says move. God calls the body of Christ to be windmills responsive to His Spirit, not religious gatekeepers who try to control His wind.  A church that never allows God … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, church services, flow of the Spirit, God sightings, Let the redeemed of the Lord, organized religion, persecution, religion, religious apps, religious persecution, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment