Tag Archives: alternative church

Church criticism without church hurt

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Steve Simms

Some people assume that when I criticize church, I speak from church hurt but that’s not true. My views on church came from daily experiencing the reality, presence, and glory of the living Jesus, years before I ever experienced “church … Continue reading →

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A bold belief about church

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Steve Simms

Here’s a bold belief: I believe that every Christian gathering needs to have an open mic (or an open platform). (How else can we obey I Corinthians 14:26 and 30?) Awakened Christ-followers need an outlet. When they are continually kept … Continue reading →

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Does church miss the point?

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Steve Simms

Knowing the heart-felt reality of Jesus is like having an inner fire that you want to continually keep burning inside of you. The reality of the living Jesus can be perceived by the heart but is never fully understood by … Continue reading →

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Reality Christianity — more than a “form of godliness”

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Steve Simms

Reality Christianity presents Jesus as real, present, active, and powerful in the now (not just in the past). Reality Christianity isn’t a program or presentation. It’s to obey Jesus’ words: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” The … Continue reading →

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What if there’s a more effective way of doing church and we’re not seeing it?

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christians could become stronger if we turned church services into ministry practice for all who attend. Have you ever been to a listen to Jesus meeting–where believers come together, listen to Jesus, and do what He says? Christianity is supernatural interaction … Continue reading →

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Is there too much agreement in church?

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

Passive agreement is overrated and often bland. Connecting with people heart-to-heart is much more powerful and fulfilling. Social media trains people to be interactive while church continues to insist on keeping people passive and silent. However, when most of the … Continue reading →

Posted in conscience, happiness, heart, heart care, heart religion, heart-felt love, hearts on fire, inner joy, joy, joy unspeakable, paralysis, paralyzed, Uncategorized, unhappiness | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A one-man talk or dynamic interaction?

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

Billions of Christians advocate for sermons. So why shouldn’t a few of us advocate for open sharing instead?  What God is doing inside of you is important. You need to be allowed to share it! If we don’t think the … Continue reading →

Posted in church programming, church programs, control, control in church, controlling pastors, open sharing, pastors, sharing in church, spiritual gifts, thinking too small, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Berry Street acrostic

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Berry Street acrostic: B — Beyond E — Entertainment, R — Religion or R — Ritual, Y — You can S — Share T — Testimonies, R — Revelations & E — Experiences, as E — Empowered by T … Continue reading →

Posted in comments, entertainment, Holy Spirit, interactive church, led by the Spirit, participatory sermons, promptings, questions, religion, revelations, sermon, sharing, spiritual, Tennessee, testimonies, The Salvation Army | 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

Quotes & Notes on Spirit-Prompted Church Meetings

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Steve Simms

Hear God where you are.  Follow Him to where He is.  D.L. Moody said:  “The preaching that this world needs most is the sermons in shoes that are walking with Jesus Christ.” Within every person is a spiritual cell phone … Continue reading →

Posted in Azusa Street, Bob Kuhn, C.H. Mackintosh, church services, church structure, clergy, clergy/laity, clericalism, D.L. Moody, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, G. Campbell Morgan, Nashville, Nashville church, ordaination, ordained, order of worship, organic church, out of the box, outpouring of the Spirit, participation in church, participatory church, preaching, priesthood of the believer, religion, ringtone, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, sermon-hearing, sermons, Tennessee, The Apostolic Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments