AA Church

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Steve Simms

An Innovative Idea For Sunday Morning Church — Function Like An AA Meeting!

Here’s a description of a typical AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting from the AA of Australia web site:
“AA meetings are very informal. Just take a seat and listen to the stories members will tell about their drinking and their recovery. The meeting will consist of members telling their stories but if anyone isn’t in the mood to talk, it’s fine to decline.”

The AA format works great for church!
At The Salvation Army Berry Street, ordinary people show and tell what God has done in their lives. Their sincerity, their excitement, and their openness will deeply touch your heart! Come and see for yourself on Sundays at 10:45 am.  — 225 Berry Street, Nashville, 37207.

Posted in 12 step meeting, 12 steps, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christianity, church format, church meetings, church program, church roles, church services, order of worship, organic church, participation in AA meetings, participatory church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, telling their stories, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Original Pro-Life Slogans

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

Here are some original pro-life slogans:

Make pre-natal care universal!

If human life is worthless in the womb, why is it valuable when viable?

Avoid the fastest way through life — the womb to tomb express!

Abortion ruins birthdays.

How can the richest country in the world, deny pre-natal care to millions each year?

The conception deception (that a newly conceived human being is mere “tissue”) leads to the abortion distortion (that if he/she is not viable his/her life is deniable).

Should the beginning of life be made the ending of life?

When pre-natal is made fatal, does it not rob the cradle?

To deny the humanity of the human fetus is to endanger the humanity of us all!

How can animals have rights and protections, while it is open season on unborn humans?  Are pre-natal humans of less value than animals?

When the miracle of human conception is made disposable, the mystical mystery of life is mocked!

A pre-natal life is worth infinitely more that the cost of her/his disposal.

Is abortion a form of human trafficking?

The most dangerous place in America that a baby can be?  Her mother’s womb!

Posted in America, animal rights, babies, baby, beginning of life, conception, deception, end of life, equal rights, equality, ethics, fetus, human body, human conception, human life, human rights, humanity, humility, justice, life, moral failure, moral failures, moral principles, morality, morals, most dangerous place, pre-natal, prenatal, pro choice, pro life, prochoice, richest country in the world, right and wrong, right conduct, right from wrong, right to choose, right to life, rights, rob the cradle, unborn, viable, victims, womb | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Holy Week or Wholly Weak?

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Steve Simms

When you feel wholly weak;
That puts Holy Week in a different light!
— Christ died and rose for me, as weak and as fallen as I am, to live in the midst of my broken heart, with His glorious presence and life-transforming power.

Like a limp, broken down puppet, Christ wants to put His presence in us and begin to animate us and direct us by His hand.  So why celebrate Easter (Resurrection Day) as a religious anniversary, when the living, resurrected Jesus Christ wants to live in and through you!  Will you let Him?

He rose!
And now He daily fills me up,
With His resurrection power;
And lifts me up
To soar with His Spirit,
Like a helium balloon.

Posted in Christ, Christ in you, Christ in you the hope of glory, Christian, Christian values, Christianity, glory, God, God calling, God with us, helium, helium balloon, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, Jesus rose, religion, religious ceremonies, religious information, Resurrection Day, resurrection of Jesus, spirit, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, spiritual | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

In our American democracy, why do some people designate dissent (and disagreement) as “hate”? Why can’t disagreement just be a difference of viewpoint?

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in belief, cultural taboos, culture, customs, democratic, disapproval, hate speech, name calling, opinion, point of view, political correctness, political dysfunction, political issue, political positions, political views, politics, societal, society, taboo, viewpoint, views | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

What Happens Where There Is Spirit-Led Participation In A Church Service?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Steve Simms

When ordinary people participate in a church service and show and tell (as led by the Spirit) what God has done in their lives, things happen:

1) The atmosphere is charged with excitement and anticipation;

2) There is a sense of awe and amazement in the room;

3) Human hearts are deeply touched by the presence of God;

4) People are energized by a spiritual contagion;

5) The actual presence of the Holy Spirit permeates the meeting;

6) Lives are transformed;

7) Supernatural love abounds and God is glorified!

Check it out for yourself at:

The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207, on Sunday mornings @ 10:45 — where everyday people show and tell what God has done.

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, churching, flow of the Spirit, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

The empty tomb proclaims fullness, hope, and healing, to hearts full of emptiness.

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Steve Simms

The empty tomb proclaims fullness, hope, and healing, to hearts full of emptiness.

Posted in emptiness, fullness, healing, hope, human heart, Jesus, Jesus Christ | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Oil Gusher/Heart Gusher — Running Over With The Spirit

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Steve Simms

Are you a gusher?
(Oil wells are gushers when oil freely sprays out of them in large quantities, without needing to be pumped.)
Humans were created to be God-gushers, running over with the oil of the Spirit (supernaturally pumped)!

Christ-followers should have gushing hearts, spraying forth the fragrance, the fruit, and the faithfulness (lifestyle & gifts) of the Holy Spirit everywhere they go.

Posted in Christ, Christ followers, Christ in you, Christ-centered, Christian, oil gusher, pumped, spirit, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, spiritual flow, spiritual formation, spiritual transformation, spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Faucet Faith? vs. Free-Flowing Faith

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Steve Simms

Faucet faith is turned on and off as needed, but is mostly shut down and ignored.

Free-flowing faith flows freely from the heart 24/7/365.

Church based on 1 Corinthians 14:26 (open sharing and Spirit-led testimonies) releases a spiritual contagion factory and helps turn faucet faith into free-flowing faith.

 

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 24/7/365, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, faucet, order of worship, organic church | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Where’s Jesus?

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Steve Simms

People sometimes ask:  “Where’s Waldo?” and search for him in the popular book series.   But we often neglect to ask:  “Where’s Jesus?” and to search for Him will all our body, soul, mind and strength.

Tomb empty,
Body gone . . .
Where’s Jesus?
“For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.”
Since the living, resurrected Jesus Christ is actually present when believers gather; why don’t we allow Jesus, Himself, to personally lead and direct church meetings, rather than relying on mere human leadership to program and run them?

Spiritual Opportunity Knocks . . .
Experience a church service that is not directed by a human leader, but by the Holy Spirit prompting everyday people to share Scriptures, encouraging words, testimonies, needs, songs, gifts of the Spirit, prayers, etc.  You will be amazed at how beautifully it all flows together (led by an unseen Director — the Holy Spirit).
—  10:45 am., Berry Street Worship Center, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207.

Posted in church, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, opportunity | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments