Tag Archives: Christianity

The Historical Jesus Can Be The Present-Day Jesus

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Steve Simms

Study and religion tend to keep Jesus tucked away in the past, as a historical figure.  However, we desperately need Him to be living and working in the present, not stuck in the past. The world needs Jesus’ presence, His … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christ, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, contemporary, contemporary church, contemporary society, glory, glory of God, God calling, God with us, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, how to hear God's voice, Western society, Western world | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Real Measure Of A Church

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Steve Simms

What if the real measure of a church is: Not size, but surrender to God; Not coolness, but compassion; Not preaching, but participation; Not programs, but the power and Presence of God; Not bragging, but brokenness; Not the offering, but … Continue reading →

Posted in brokenness, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, cool church, heart, heart of worship, heart-felt, humility, kinds of church, Nashville, Nashville church, non-church, non-traditional church, organic church, participators, participatory church, user friendly | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Soaked And Stoked (for Jesus)

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Steve Simms

What are the two most amazing, exciting, and fulfilling activities (that are mostly ignored by most people)?  A) Interacting with the Holy Spirit and B) Reading the Bible with an open heart! They are incredible! I love those two activities! … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible study, biblical Christianity, Biblical concept, celebration, church meetings, church services, joy, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Every Christ-follower is clergy & is called to be God’s minister/witness, regardless of his/her job.

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christian, Christian community, church, church leadership, clergy/laity, participatory church, pastor, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, simple church | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sunday Holy Spirit Science Lab?

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

Perhaps a church service could be like a high school science lab where ordinary people experiment with hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit.  What would happen if people showed up for Sunday church ready to share with and minister to … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, experiencing God, experiment, experimental church, Holy Spirit, organic church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, science, scientific model, sermon, sermon-hearing, sermons, service, simple church, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual formation, spiritual gifts, The Salvation Army, unprogrammed church | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Church Seating — Beyond The Pew And Theater Seating

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Steve Simms

[U] From the pew to the U — church seating makes a difference. I grew up sitting in church pews (long, uncomfortable, wooden benches) and seeing the backs of people’s heads in front of me — not much interaction in … Continue reading →

Posted in backs of people's heads, church benches, church furniture, glory, glory on each face, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nashville, Nashville church, Nashville projects, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, The Salvation Army, theater seating | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

God’s voice is heard in humble, human hearts.

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

God’s voice is not heard through hype, hoopla, or hierarchy; it is heard in humble, human hearts.  In the Bible, church is not a preplanned program, but God’s powerful presence being poured out on people! (See Acts 2).  When believers … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church leader, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, God, God calling, God's voice, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, Salvation Army church, sermon, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, Tennessee, The Salvation Army, The Voice, tradition, voice of God | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Church Piano or Piano Church?

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Steve Simms

Church is like a piano.  Here is a piano lesson for the church. A piano has 88 keys, 52 white & 36 black. But what if 87 keys are stuck and only one key is free to make a sound? … Continue reading →

Posted in black keys, church format, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, Holy Spirit, How many keys on a piano?, keys, music, Music City, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, Nashville events, non-church, non-traditional church, piano keys, piano lessons, religion, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, The Salvation Army, tickle the ivories, white keys | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

We all need forgiveness and the freedom to “go and sin no more.”

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in gives grace to the humble, Go and sin no more, Gospel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Quotations, quote, Quotes, renewing your mind, repent, repentance, salvation, self-control, self-discipline, self-image, self-respect, self-will, selfish desires, selfishness, sin, spiritual formation, spiritual life, spiritual power, spiritual transformation, spiritual warfare, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is Christ Preempted In Church Services?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

Is Christ preempted in church services? What would you think if you went to a meeting to hear a special speaker and the person who was supposed to introduce the speaker stood up and spoke for 30 minutes and then … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, church format, church leader, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, preempted, role of Christ in church, sermon, sermon-hearing, sermons, special speaker, speech making, Team Church | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments