Category Archives: Salvation Army

2 Models Of Church (The Organizational Model Or The Organic Model)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Steve Simms

Historically there have been two primary models of church — the organizational model and the organic model. The organizational model has been the dominate of the two and has resisted (and often persecuted) the organic model. The organizational model sees … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, corporate church, institutional church, Jerusalem church, Nashville, organic church, participatory church, Paul, priesthood of the believer, quote, Salvation Army, simple church, Tennessee | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Conformed to the culture or transformed by Christ?

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Steve Simms

In our falsifying world there are many popular ideas that are deceptive, destructive, or depressive. Be careful what you take in! “Someone once said that if you don’t control your perception, you’ll live the rest of your life at the … Continue reading →

Posted in be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Let the redeemed of the Lord, Matthew 18:20, organic church, perception, Phil Cooke, popular culture, Psalm 107:2, Quotations, Romans 12, Salvation Army, shout it from the housetops, support group, the stones will cry out, two or three in My name | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeing The Invisible In Organic Church

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Steve Simms

God’s not dead — He’s the world’s best at running church services. When human leadership steps aside and allows God to lead, church services enter into a dynamic new dimension as ordinary people, prompted by the Spirit, show and tell … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Annie Downs, Bill Samuel, church, church in China, interactive church, Jesus in China, Kevin D. Hendricks, mysticism, Quotations, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Nashville, seeing the invisible | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Puzzle Pieces, Potluck, & Permitting Every Person (Not Just The Parson) 2 Participate

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Steve Simms

“Daddy, look at my puzzle,” said a little boy carrying a single puzzle piece. “That’s not a puzzle, son,” the father replied. “That’s just one piece.” When we focus a church meeting on the performance of one, single piece, week … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christianity, organic church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

And The Sunday Morning Church Spotlight Shines On . . . ?

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Steve Simms

And the Sunday spotlight shines on . . . ?  In participatory church many people share Scriptures, short teachings, testimonies, prayer requests, gifts of the spirit, words of encouragement, prayers, etc., so no one steals the show and the spotlight … Continue reading →

Posted in bright and morning star, Catherine Booth, Christ in church, church, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, Colossians, Jesus Christ Superstar, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, shinning, spotlight, under the spotlight, who runs a church | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Problem In Participatory/Organic Church — Someone Repeatedly Talking Too Much

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Steve Simms

One potential problem in participatory church is one person taking too much time by repeatedly talking too much and drawing attention to herself/himself.  This can be a major distraction in a meeting and can hinder what God wants to do. … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends meeting, Friends' worship, guidelines, open church, open mic, order of worship, participatory culture, Quaker meetings, Quaker worship, Quakerism, Quakers, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, simple church, steps to, testifying, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Live Like Hell? Or March Into Hell For A Heavenly Cause?

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Steve Simms

Why live like Hell when you can have a life of peace, joy, love and contentment? When the inner me runs wild, I become my enemy.  When I let Christ control me, I experience His glory.  Activism can sometimes change … Continue reading →

Posted in business speakers, Don Quixote, impossible dream lyrics, injustice, justice, management consultants, Nashville, open church, open mic, open mic church, participation, participatory church, right conduct, right living, righteousness, Salvation Army, self-destruction, self-hate, self-surrender, simple church, the impossible dream, we have seen the enemy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ-Connections Create Community

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Steve Simms

Thank God for Christ-connections with other people! As a child and teenager, I felt very distant and isolated from others. I really didn’t know how to connect with or relate to other people very well. I had one friend in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ bearer, Christ followers, Christ in people, Christ in you, Christ's presence, Christ-centered, how to connect with people, lover of your soul, Music City, Nashville, networking, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Nashville, spiritual connections, spiritual relationships, spirituality, witness of the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reality Church

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Steve Simms

Reality church!  Forget about reality TV: Experience reality church, where everyday people show and tell what God has done. “Why watch reality TV when I can just open my blinds and look out my window to all the reality I … Continue reading →

Posted in Jarod Kintz, Looking unto Jesus, Naveen Andrews, open church, open mic church, organic church, quotation, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Berry Street, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Nashville, screenwriters, simple church, television | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Can God Speak Through Coke Cans?

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Steve Simms

I was with my mother most of the day today. She is on the verge of going to be with Jesus. (In The Salvation Army it is called being “promoted to glory.”) She couldn’t speak today, but would open her … Continue reading →

Posted in dad, death, death and dying, dying, experiencing God, faith, faith in God, grief, Mom, promoted to glory, Salvation Army, sign from God, the Comforter | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments