Tag Archives: AA

Temptations are life’s train wreckers

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Steve Simms

Temptations are life’s train wreckers. They attempt to steal your identity and to make you a prisoner of desires and feelings. People who always cooperate with temptation never realize what a strong force has control of their life. If you don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, courage, heroes, inner Light, light, overcoming temptation, self-control, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-fulfillment, self-help, self-help group, self-improvement, self-mastery, self-respect, self-restraint, self-worth, slogans, Uncategorized, walk in the light | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nashville church that meets like AA, Al-Anon, & NA

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Steve Simms

Millions of people have found comfort, help, & serenity from various types of support groups, such as, AA, Al-Anon, and NA. Al-Anon’s web site states: “Everyone at the meeting shares as an equal.” It also says: “We help each other … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, celebrate recovery, Christian recovery, recovery, recovery quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Berry Street, Salvation Army Nashville, self-help, self-help group, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

12 steps for one another groups

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Steve Simms

The founders of Alcoholics Anonymous established 12 steps to help people overcome an addiction to alcohol. As the program gained success, various support groups for other addictions began to apply the steps for their own needs. In 50-something places the … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrate recovery, cell groups, encounter group, encouragement, house church, Love one another, NA, NA meetings, Narcotics Anonymous, one another, one anothering, open sharing, organic chruch, overcoming depression, Overeaters Anonymous, recovery quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Beyond “services” to meetings . . .

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Steve Simms

It’s time to let God go & let Him take control both of your life & of His gathered people. Churches have services; but ekklesia & AA & NA & Al-Anon have meetings. Practicing the presence of God by yourself … Continue reading →

Posted in AA meetings, Al-Anon, alcohol rehab, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, Berry Street, body of Christ, celebrate recovery, Christ-centered recovery, Christian meetings, Christian recovery, Christian support group, church meetings, class meetings, effective meetings, NA meetings, organic chruch, recovery groups, recovery quotes, religious meetings, support groups, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pain — Drain, Strain, or Gain?

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

Pain can be a drain — emptying you of good things. Pain can be a strain — loading you with unbearable burdens. Or pain can be a gain — warning you to turn away from your destructive choices and behaviors; … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrate recovery, Christ-centered recovery, Christian recovery, Christian support group, ground of being, healing, inner healing, Leonard Sweet, mental health, no pain no gain, overcoming addiction, quote, recovery groups, Rock of ages, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does AA Have Something That Churches Need?

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Does AA have something that churches need? Perhaps. Why should AA have all the good participatory meetings? –Alcoholics Anonymous has proven that meetings based on open sharing and participation are powerful tools that set people free! They just celebrated their … Continue reading →

Posted in church meetings, free, gladiators, happy, Joyous, organic church, participatory church, revival | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Gg Meetings Make Men (And Women) Mighty!

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Steve Simms

I walked into a God-gathering (Gg) while in college and was instantly transformed as I heard ordinary people tell about their experiences with Jesus. I have never been the same. To this day I still get tears in my eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in AA meeting, AA meetings, Berry Street, Gg, Global Foundation, Gregory Palamas, interactive, Janet Munn, Jesus Christ, Matthew 23:10, Meeting for Worship, Moravian prayer, organic church, participatory church, Quotations, Quotes, Salvation Army, teaching, the Cookery, TN, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Show And Tell — A Powerful Tool For Improving Your Life

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Steve Simms

Show and tell —  it’s not just for kindergarten and early elementary school.  It is a powerful tool for improving your life that works wonders for people of all ages. For instance, when people are stressed out, caught up in … Continue reading →

Posted in AA, addiction, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, change, China, Chinese, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, church structure, disciple making, early church, East Nashville, elementary school, freedom, guidance, harmful habit, hearing God, hearing Jesus, history, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, kindergarten, lifestyles, Methodist class meeting, Music City, Narcotics Anonymous, New Testament, organic church, Overeaters Anonymous, praise and worship, Quakers, religion, Scriptures, sermons, show and tell, simple church, spiritual formation, Supreme Court, the way we do church, Uncategorized, values, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Are Sermons Effective?

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Steve Simms

Have you ever tested the effectiveness of sermons? I did. I was a brand new pastor in my first church — Mayfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Mayfield, Kentucky. After finishing three years of seminary, I had been preaching for about … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christ, Christianity, church, Cumberland Presybterian Church, East Nashville, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, kingdom of God, lifestyles, movement, mystery, mysticism, Nashville, organic church, praise and worship, religion, sermons, simple church, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, supernatural, The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, values, What is church?, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Powerful, Lost Church-Format

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Steve Simms

Regardless of denomination, doctrine, or socio-economic group, church meetings follow pretty much the same format. This is true no matter where you go. You probably know the format. It begins with a Call To Worship and then includes some singing. … Continue reading →

Posted in God, house church, lifestyles, Nashville, organic church, popular culture, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments