Tag Archives: Christianity

14 bold suggestions for the National Religious Broadcasters #proclaim16

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Steve Simms

Here’s an open letter to the National Religious Broadcasters who are holding their convention, Proclaim 16, in Nashville beginning Tuesday, February 23. Dear NRB Delegates: A warm welcome to Nashville! Thank you for what you do to present Jesus Christ in and to … Continue reading →

Posted in blog, blogging, books, bookstore, Christian, Christian media, Christian meetings, film, media, movies, radio, social media, speakers, televangelists, television, Tennessee, testimonials, testimonies, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

6 shake up your religion quotes (from a retired Nazarene minister’s library)

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

Here are 6 explosive quotes I stumbled upon while browsing through a retired Nazarene minister’s library: “The church today is lamentably weak and therefore Christian homes are lamentably weak.” –Alan Redpath, Blessings Out Of Buffetings, 1965 (A weak church desperately needs … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Alan Redpath, Blessings out of Buffetings, Founded With Power, Holy Spirit, house church, Interpreters Bible, Jerry Mercer, John Wesley, listening, organic chruch, Robert Wade, sermon, sermon material, simple church, Uncategorized, witness of the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Going (gone) with the wind of the Spirit . . .

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Steve Simms

A church cannot program the Holy Spirit. So why do we try? Why do we try to direct the Holy Spirit when we gather for worship, rather than humbly allowing the Spirit to direct us? The Spirit is free like … Continue reading →

Posted in A.W. Tozer, Acts 2, as many as are led by the Spirit, Be filled with the Spirit, C.T. Studd, coming of the Holy Spirit, demonstration of the Spirit, discerning of spirits, don't put out the Spirit's fire, filled with the Spirit, fire of the Holy Spirit, flow of the Spirit, flowing in the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, Gone With The Wind, hearing the Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, Holy Spirit teaches, How to be led by the Spirit, how to flow in the spirit, how to grow spiritually, I will pour out my Spirit, in step with the Spirit, in the Spirit, led by the Spirit, Madame Guyon, mighty rushing wind, Samuel Chadwick, Second chapter of Acts, the wind blows where it will, Uncategorized, Watchman Nee, wind of the Spirit | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Steve Simms

Are you a “good person”? According to Jesus the phrase, “I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron. Jesus said; “No one is good–except God alone.” (Mark 10:18) In fact, Jesus calls 3 groups of people “evil” or “wicked:” 1) His … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, all have sinned, Beyond Church, Bible, ekklesia, evil, good person, greed, Jesus, Jesus Christ, judge, judge not, judgment, Luke, Mark, New Testament, oxymoron, Pharisees, problem of evil, Savior, sin, sinfulness, source of evil, there is none righteous, Uncategorized, wickedness, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cereal, cars, & church alternatives . . .

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

If for many centuries, almost everyone in the world who ate breakfast always had some brand of cereal, we would think it strange if a few people started talking and writing about having pancakes for breakfast. Breakfast cereal eaters might … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Beyond Church, change in church, change management, changes in worship, ekklesia, fresh expressions, house church, lay testimonies, messy church, nontraditional church, personal testimonies, Quakers, salvation testimonies, simple church, Spirit-led, Uncategorized, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Forgivers, enemy-lovers, and Divine visitation

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers are called to be forgivers and enemy-lovers. We cannot afford to be offended when our comfort zone is breached. So how are we doing? “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Are you: 1) … Continue reading →

Posted in André Cox, being religious, Beyond Church, General Andre Cox, Holy Spirit, How to forgive., Meeting for Worship, presence of God, religious ceremonies, secularism, simple church, spiritual disciplines, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God dropped two burning books in my lap.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Steve Simms

A retired Nazarene preacher called me and wanted to donate his personal library of 9 big boxes of books. How could I say no? So this week I picked up two of those hundreds of books. Bang! They shook my … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible type revival, Christian books, ekklesia, house church, Is the church failing?, Let The Church Be The Church, Martin Lloyd-Jones, organic church, Raymond C. Ortlund, revival, revival fires, simple church, spiritual awakening, Steve Simms, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Church = Audience? Or Team?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Is a church service with only one speaker like a band with only one instrument? (That’s an oxymoron, isn’t it?) Jesus said: “New wine must be poured into new wine skins.” If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, agreeing in prayer, audience, Beyond Church, binding and loosing, Christian community, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek word for, house church, Matthew 18:20, organic chruch, simple church, team, the lost of the Bible, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hope for those burned out on politics

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

Administrations come with fanfare. Administrations go with disappointment. It’s an ongoing cycle that can leave us discouraged. Here’s hope for those burned out on politics . . . Jesus prayed and taught us to pray for An environment ruled by The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan Redpath, Beyond Church, body of Christ, casting your vote, ekklesia, house church, how to know God's will, Jesus Christ, kingdom come, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, kingdom values, organic chruch, poem, political environment, quote, simple church, Steve Simms, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, where two or three are gathered | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your heart’s condition is more important than how you worship . . .

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Steve Simms

The most important thing in worship . . . –Writing about Christ-followers meeting according to 1 Corinthians 14:26 where ordinary people are free to share as they feel prompted by the Spirit, I can get overly enthusiastic and perhaps come … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church organization, church program, church programming, contemporary church, control in church, going to church, how to do church, how to get involved in church, kinds of church, making church interesting, messy church, religiious texting, rethinking church, seeker-church, texting, texting in church, the perfect church, types of church, Uncategorized, What is church?, worship planning, worship service, worship wars | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment