Category Archives: Salvation Army church

Quarterback Preacher & Handoff Church

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Steve Simms

Is it time for a handoff or a pass to Jesus?  Football season is upon us and the quarterback’s job is to get the football to a playmaker, either by a handoff or a pass. I believe that a pastor’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Final Four, handoff, Jesus Christ, Nashville, open mic, open mike, playmaker, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sports, Super Bowl, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Frustrated With Preaching? Try Sermon-Free Church

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Steve Simms

I (the sermon-free church guy) love to preach. I miss preaching. I preached regularly on Sunday mornings for about 10 years. However, I got frustrated with preaching because I was growing spiritually, but I didn’t see much spiritual growth in … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church services, faith, faith-based, God's power, non-traditional church, organic church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, spiritual formation, spirituality, the power of God, witness | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

The “I’ll Fight” Black Hoodie

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Steve Simms

As a white guy passing out flyers in a black neighborhood (Nashville’s McFerrin Park Neighborhood that has been known for drugs and violence) after the verdict of the George Zimmerman trial, I thought about Trayvon Martin.  As I put flyers … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood and Fire, Christian rap, drugs, hungry children, I'll fight!, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville events, Nashville streets, prison, prisons, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, racial reconciliation, racism, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Crest, spiritual warfare, streets, trial, Viktory, violence, violence in society, violent streak, While women weep, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

God’s Spiritual Sprinkler Systems

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

According to the New Testament, God wants church services to be spiritual sprinkler systems where the Holy Spirit freely flows from everyone present. (See 1 Corinthians 14:26.)  This is God’s powerful “prophetic activation” (a phrase made popular by Sandy Powell … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians:14, Christlike, church history, clergy, clergy/laity, God, Jesus Christ, laity, layman, laymen, laywomen, Martin Luther, Music City, organic church, prophesy, prophesying, quotation, Quotations, quote, reformation, reformer, round robin, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sprinkler system, Tennessee, The Salvation Army, TN, unbeliever, worship, worship gathering, worship leader | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Perhaps A Pastor Should Oversee, Not Direct Church Services

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Steve Simms

–“Overseer” — that’s how the word for Christian leader is translated in some versions of the New Testament.  That translation fits Jesus’ command that leaders be “servants.” –A great example of an overseer is a basketball or football official.  He/she … Continue reading →

Posted in agenda, agendaless, agendaless church, basketball officials, Bible, boundaries, Christianity, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church overseers, church roles, church structure, clergy, clergy/laity, football officials, God's authority, God's government, hearing the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, impact of church, Jesus, kingdom of God, leaders, leadership, led by the Spirit, Music City, order of worship, organic church, oversight, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual church | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

A Jigsaw Puzzle Has No Featured Piece!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

If the same piece of a jigsaw puzzle is held up week after week, no one will get the picture. However, if all the pieces work together, as directed by a wise hand, an awesome picture comes into view!  “If … Continue reading →

Posted in #1, 1 Corinthians:14, Christ followers, Christian, Christianity, church format, Commissioner, gifts of the Spirit, jigsaw puzzle, Music City, Nashville, Nashville church, organic church, Phil Needham, priest, priesthood of the believer, quotation, quote, Quotes, religion, retired Salvation Army officer, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Commissioner, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, spiritual gifts, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Sunday Holy Spirit Science Lab?

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

Perhaps a church service could be like a high school science lab where ordinary people experiment with hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit.  What would happen if people showed up for Sunday church ready to share with and minister to … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, experiencing God, experiment, experimental church, Holy Spirit, organic church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, science, scientific model, sermon, sermon-hearing, sermons, service, simple church, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual formation, spiritual gifts, The Salvation Army, unprogrammed church | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Church Seating — Beyond The Pew And Theater Seating

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Steve Simms

[U] From the pew to the U — church seating makes a difference. I grew up sitting in church pews (long, uncomfortable, wooden benches) and seeing the backs of people’s heads in front of me — not much interaction in … Continue reading →

Posted in backs of people's heads, church benches, church furniture, glory, glory on each face, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nashville, Nashville church, Nashville projects, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, The Salvation Army, theater seating | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Church — A Showcase Of The Holy Spirit

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Steve Simms

All the people in a church service can speak (according to the Bible): “You can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.” (1 Corinthians 14:31).  So where did the idea of only one person speaking … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, gifts of the Spirit, idle knowledge, non-church, one-man sermon, open church, open mike, order of worship, organic church, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, sermon, sermon series, sermon-hearing, service, showcase, Tennessee, testimonies, testimony, W.E.B. DuBois, you can all prophesy | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

God’s voice is heard in humble, human hearts.

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

God’s voice is not heard through hype, hoopla, or hierarchy; it is heard in humble, human hearts.  In the Bible, church is not a preplanned program, but God’s powerful presence being poured out on people! (See Acts 2).  When believers … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church leader, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, God, God calling, God's voice, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, Salvation Army church, sermon, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, Tennessee, The Salvation Army, The Voice, tradition, voice of God | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments