Tag Archives: 1 Corinthians 14:26

Letting church cruise on Christ-contol

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

Across the USA church is in decline. Perhaps it is time to set church on Christ-control and let Jesus freely cruise trough the meeting. There’s nothing like a Christ-led gathering when we put aside human agendas and control and simply let … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative to church, Christ control, church meetings, church services, churching, contemporary church, ekklesia, Greek city-states, house church, House of Prayer, how to do church, open church, open forum, praise and worship, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, town meeting, Uncategorized, When you come together, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Steve Simms

Audience-style church keeps people passive and contained. –Testimony-style church (ekklesia) allows people to flow in the Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 14:26. (Check out this article about testimony church in Priority! magazine, the magazine of The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory: The Berry … Continue reading →

Posted in agendaless church, attending church, audience, back to church, church format, church order, organic chruch, simple church, testimonies in church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ’s lights should have every bulb burning (not just one)

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

Too often church services are like a string of Christmas tree lights with only one bulb burning, which our 21st Century interactive, participatory culture often finds boring. (That may be why so many people are “Dones” — done with church.) … Continue reading →

Posted in back to the Bible, Bible, Christmas lights, church services, ekklesia, Holiday lights, Matthew 16:18, Nashville, organic church, When you come together, worship, Yule tide | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

When Church is a Symphony — Glory Falls!

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Steve Simms

When church is a symphony–glory falls! The Gospel of Jesus is a symphony! One man can’t play a symphony, No matter how smart or anointed he may be. Fully communicating God’s Gospel symphony Requires members of the body of Christ … Continue reading →

Posted in how the body of Christ functions, organic church, prayer, testimonies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Hang & Praise Church

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Steve Simms

What is hang and praise church?  Hang-and-praise church is hanging out with a group of Christ-followers and sharing His praises with one another through song, stories, and Scriptures! It is based on this description of how Jesus’ earliest disciples met: … Continue reading →

Posted in casual church, East Nashville, organic church, participatory church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, simple church, unprogrammed church, unscripted church | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

New Page Church = Purch/Participatory Church

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Steve Simms

Perhaps it is time for the 21st Century Western church to turn the page and flip through the Bible, stopping at the one place in the New Testament where we are told how to do church:  “When you come together, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Chinua Achebe, cleansing the temple, David James Duncan, Hillary Clinton, It takes a village, kingdom of God, narrow is the way, Nashville, Nashville church, New Testament, participatory church, participatory culture, simple church, The Salvation Army, the way we do church, the Western church, Things Fall Apart | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Church, Jesus, and the Father’s business

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Steve Simms

“I must be about my Father’s business.” –Jesus We’ve all been told to “Mind your own business,” but whose business should a church (or ministry) mind?  If a church (or ministry) is really dedicated to God, shouldn’t it operate according … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Bible quotes, Biblical concept, control, I must be about my Father's business", Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus quotes, Jesus' hands, Mind your own business, Nashville, Nashville church, Nashville news, organic church, pastor, preacher, priest, quotation, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Could Church Services Be Like A Handbell Choir?

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Steve Simms

Have you ever seen a group of people play a tune with handbells? Each person holds two bells and all the bells play different notes. As a director leads them, each person plays one of his bells at the proper … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christianity, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, encountering God, experiencing God, participants, participators, participatory church, religious innovation, spiritual transformation | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Two Questions About Human Leadership Vs. The Spirit’s Leadership In Church

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

Here are two questions about church leadership for pastors and so-called laymen: Question #1: Who is the most capable church leader in the world? Answer: The living, resurrected Jesus Christ present in our midst when we gather in His name. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ followers, Christian, Christian community, Christian organizations, church, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, comfort, comfort zone, congregational, deciision making, decision-making, earn his keep, East Nashville, God's government, guidance, homes, house church, human leadership, improv, improvisation, laymen, Laymen's prayer revival, Music City, Nashville, non-church, non-church movement, non-traditional church, order of worship, participatory church, pastor, religious ceremonies, religious innovation, religious tradition, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual leaders, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments