Tag Archives: Christian community

Body-life: seeing the body of Christ in action (on a sheep farm)

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Steve Simms

Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a gathered people requires a group openness to the Holy Spirit. We need to surrender our plans, programs, agendas, and control and instead trust the living Jesus to actively lead us and direct us like … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, body life, ekklesia, Holy Spirit, house church | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Band of heart-connected Christ-followers

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Steve Simms

Ekklesia God’s supernatural assemblyConsists of a multitude ofWorldwide membersInvisibly banded together,Not by agreementOr by organization,Not superficially,But by deepHeart-connectionWith the risenAnd living JesusAnd with allWho truly love Him.When they meetWith open hearts,Even as strangersThey discover JesusWorking in each otherAnd behold His … Continue reading →

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God’s free elevator ride

Posted on April 24, 2022 by Steve Simms

I believe that God’s salvation is like an elevator ride from the basement to the top floor of a huge skyscraper. Jesus is my elevator. I got in Christ years ago. I’m abiding in Christ now and if I don’t … Continue reading →

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Christians are called to be revelators, not just spectators

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Steve Simms

Christians in the Bible met as a community, not as an audience — as revelators not as spectators. They met not to rejoice in things of this world, but to joyously celebrate the presence and reality of the risen Jesus. … Continue reading →

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Jesus didn’t say to follow a preacher, a program, or a curriculum. He said: “Follow Me.”

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Steve Simms

Doing my daily Bible reading, I saw Paul describe a Christ-led support group in Romans 1:11-12. He wrote: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible one anothers, Bible teaching, church format, church program, church programming, curriculum, curriculum-free, encouragement, faith, mutual ministry, one anothers, preacher, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Optimize Your Faith With Participatory Church

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Steve Simms

Faith can be enhanced or it can be diminished.  It is the responsibility of each individual to cultivate, nourish, and grow her/his faith or to allow it to wither away and possibly die.  Jesus illustrated this principle in the Parable … Continue reading →

Posted in AA, Alcoholics Anonymous, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Christ, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian organizations, Christian values, church, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, corps, encouragement, faith, faith-based, followers of Christ, freedom, honesty, Houston, improv, improvisation, insight, kingdom of God, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, mysticism, Nashville, New Testament, organic church, participatory church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, spiritual athletes, spiritual awakening, spiritual disciplines, spiritual growth, spiritual interaction, spiritual training, spiritual warfare, testimonies, testimony | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Christian Rap — We’ve Gotta Live In The Spirit

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Steve Simms

(An original Christian rap.) Words are okay, but the Gospel’s a new way, of livin’. It’s not enough just to hear it, we’ve gotta live in the Spirit. We need to follow & obey the One who is the Way, … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christian, Christian community, Christian rap, Christianity, church, church structure, discipling, East Nashville, gifts of the Spirit, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, lifestyles, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, normal Christianity, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, quench the Spirit, recovery, religion, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, What is church?, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What The Church Can Learn From Romney’s “Not Concerned About The Very Poor” Goof

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Steve Simms

Is there a lesson that the church can learn from Mitt Romney’s statement:  “I’m not concerned about the very poor,”?  Perhaps. *  The outrage that has been demonstrated by Romney’s words shows that there is a belief that the living … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christianity, church, church structure, concerned about the very poor, Creator, East Nashville, God, house church, kingdom of God, Mitt Romney, Music City, Nashville, organic church, religion, simple church, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments