Category Archives: routine religion

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

Religious privacy goes against biblical Christianity

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Steve Simms

Little Jack HornerWent to churchAnd sat in the cornerHe stayed on his bumTill he felt numbAnd said,“What a good boy am I.” Church is too often a form of gathered individualism. People assemble in one place but there’s little openness … Continue reading →

Posted in church, discipleship, formal religion, institutional church, routine religion, state of religion, true religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Religious bubble wrap can shrink wrap your relationship with God.

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Steve Simms

Don’t let religion shrink wrap your relationship with God. Show people religion and they get bored (at least after an hour). Show people the risen Jesus and they are captivated and transformed. Religion likes to interpret life. The risen Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative to church, American church, bored in church, boredom in church, casual church, change in church, church burn out, church decline, church hurt, church leadership, church order, church programming, formal religion, organized religion, practical religion, religious innovation, religious meetings, religious questions, religious tradition, religious words, rocking religion, routine religion, true religion | 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

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

Perhaps Church Needs A New Focal Point

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

Maybe the focal point of church should be the living, resurrected Jesus Christ — not a human personality exalted above everybody else and controlling everything from the front. God is looking for a generation that will hear and obey the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christ followers, Christian community, Christianity, church history, definition, doctrine, everyday minister, history, how to do church, ministers, ministry, renewal, routine, routine religion, ways of doing church | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Church gets exciting when God takes the reins and redirects routine religion!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

Church becomes powerful when passive people become participatory and begin to passionately pursue and obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit! Church gets exciting when God takes the reins and redirects routine religion!

Posted in church buildings, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, God takes the reigns, religion, religious ceremonies, religious information, religious innovation, religious tradition, routine, routine religion, simple church | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment