Category Archives: unprogrammed church

Spontaneous vs. Spiritaneous

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

To be spontaneous is be unconstrained by fear or tradition and to be willing to act on an inner impulse or inclination, without planning or external stimulus. To be Spiritaneous is to be unconstrained by fear or tradition and to be willing … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Beyond Church, church decline, Dones, ekklesia, Friends' worship, nones, nontraditional church, people leaving church, Quaker worship, Romans 8:14, sermon, spontaneous church, Uncategorized, unconventional worship, unprogrammed, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does American religion deny the freedom of speech?

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

Does religion restrict the freedom of speech? –The First Amendment to the American Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. –So given such freedom, why do American churches almost universally follow a form or religion that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, church, form of godliness, freedom of conscience, having a form of godliness but denying the power, house church, organic chruch, simple church, testimonies, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

416 unprogrammed worship meetings @ Berry Street

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

I am amazed and deeply moved to be a part of celebrating 416 unprogrammed worship gatherings at The Salvation Army Berry Street this Sunday! What a joy it has been to go beyond church with so many dear brothers and sisters … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, East Nashville, ekklesia, house church, open church, participatory church, simple church, Tennessee, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meetings, worship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

SMS; smart man speaking? Or PGP; personal God prompting?

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Steve Simms

Since the Protestant Reformation, church has been built on a lecture format — one smart man speaking (SMS) to silently siting spectators. However, Jesus taught that His ekklesia (the word was mistranslated into English as church) would be built on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, book review, church program, church programming, Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, Holy Spirit promptings, humility, kingdom of God, Matthew 16, promptings of the Spirit, Protestant Reformation, revelation, Spirit-promptings, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Presenting God’s Presence–Putting the living Christ on the podium!

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Steve Simms

A simple script for an amazing church service: –“Please welcome our speaker, the living, resurrected Jesus Christ!” (Applause, then one person after another stands up and talks freely from the heart as they are internally prompted by Jesus.) Have we … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 2:4, church program, church programming, church services, church structure, church without a program, Crazy Love, demonstration of the Spirit's power, enticing words of man's wisdom, John 2:5, John Wilber, Keith Saylor, programmed, purpose of church, Quaker meetings, Quaker worship, Quakerism, Quakers, speaking from the heart, speaking in church, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, Spirit-prompted, unprogrammed, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, Whatever He says to you do it | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Church services–a steel rod or modeling clay?

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

Traditional church is often programmed like a steel rod (unbendable). However, participatory church meetings, like modeling clay, can be changed on the spot, by the living God, into one-of-a-kind works of art. Behold God’s animation — His claymation!  Watch an … Continue reading →

Posted in Nashville, organic church, Quaker worship, Salvation Army, simple church, steel rod, Tennessee, unprogrammed 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

One Good Quote Deserves Another (Moving From Human Control To The Spirit’s Control)

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Steve Simms

Seeing this quote on Facebook & Twitter: UnlikeUnlike · · Share · @jimknaggs on Twitter Jim Knaggs ‏@jimknaggs 18h18 hours ago “When leaders put control into the hands of their people, at all levels, they unlock incalculable potential.” – Dennis … Continue reading →

Posted in book, Christianity, church leadership, contemporary church, control, leaders, led by the Spirit, open church, open mic, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, potential, quotation, Quotations, quote, simple church, unprogrammed church, unscripted church | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

got God’s glory? (Let the Spirit steer it!)

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Steve Simms

got God’s glory? (Let the Spirit steer it!) With despair everywhere, we desperately need a perspective that peers past the pain that persistently pounds us and beholds the glory of God! But flesh and blood cannot reveal God’s glory to … Continue reading →

Posted in 2 Corinthians 3:8, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, glory, glory of God, glory on Moses' face, God's presence, got God?, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, leading of the Spirit, ministry of the Spirit, miracles, Music City, organic church, Spirit-led, unplanned church, unprogrammed church | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Spirit-radar — making the invisible, visible!

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Steve Simms

The work of Christ in one solitary, human heart is invisible. However, when Christ-followers gather together and begin to share from their heart; their words fit together in such a way so as to reveal the living reality of Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in 2 Corinthians 4:18, He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet, hearing, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, hearing voices, listening, listening prayer, listening skills, listening to God, listening to the Spirit, open church, organic church, random thoughts, sharing, Spirit radar, spiritual listening, unprogrammed church, unscripted church, unseen things, we look not at the things which are seen | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments