Tag Archives: church services

Religion — a track for God to run on?

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Steve Simms

Church sometimes seems like going to a restaurant to hear a talk about food and then thinking we’ve been fed. Too many Christians have been taught that their primary role in the body of Christ is to sit and listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, frozen, how the body of Christ functions, religious ceremonies, spectators, Uncategorized, unprogrammed, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why doesn’t church let people take turns on Sunday morning?

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

Answers: All we have known is the clergy/laity system. We don’t like the idea of any other way of doing church. So we ignore the biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Martin Luther set up the focus on one man … Continue reading →

Posted in a new reformation, alternative to preaching, Berry Street, body life, changes in worship, contemporary worship, group interaction, interaction, interactive, interactive church, interactive learning, interactive sermons, Luther, Martin Luther, multivoiced church, preaching, Protestant Reformation, simple church, Uncategorized, worship wars | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How many fingers (members) should you (your church) use?

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Steve Simms

If a person only uses one finger and all the rest are kept frozen in place; the things that person can do will be very limited. That person will not live up to his/her possibilities. If a church service only uses … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, ecclesia, ecclesiologist, ecclesiology, ekklesia, here's the church here's the steeple, house church, more than church, paralysis, simple church, Uncategorized, When you come together | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Do church meetings matter? (Spirit-led lives matter.)

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

Do church meetings matter? The Dones say they don’t. So do the faithful bored. What about you? While talking a walk in Glascow, Kentucky (a town I don’t know) on 9/4/2015, I came across a Salvation Army Thrift Store and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, effective meetings, Kentucky, organic church, Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Thrift Store, what matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Church interruptus — letting the Spirit interrupt us and disrupt our program during a church service.

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in church program, church without a program, sermon-free church, Spirit-led church | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Years of studying church history have shown me that during times of great spiritual awakening, church meetings are more about experiencing and obeying a Presence, than about sitting and listening to a program.

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christ, Christ in you, Christ's presence, church, church program, church programs, God's presence, great awakening, history, move of God, movement, non-church, non-liturgical, normal Christianity, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, participatory church, simple church, spiritual awakening, spiritual church, spiritual experience, spiritual gifts, spiritual movement, spiritual transformation, spiritual worship, spirituality, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Purpose of Church — Running Religious Programs or Connecting People With Christ?

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Steve Simms

The purpose of church is not to run religious programs.  The purpose of church is to help people connect with, follow, and daily obey the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. When people begin to listen to Jesus and do what He … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church structure, organic church, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, purpose of church, simple church, Spirit-led interaction | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Church gets exciting when God takes the reins and redirects routine religion!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

Church becomes powerful when passive people become participatory and begin to passionately pursue and obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit! Church gets exciting when God takes the reins and redirects routine religion!

Posted in church buildings, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, God takes the reigns, religion, religious ceremonies, religious information, religious innovation, religious tradition, routine, routine religion, simple church | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Two Questions About Human Leadership Vs. The Spirit’s Leadership In Church

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

Here are two questions about church leadership for pastors and so-called laymen: Question #1: Who is the most capable church leader in the world? Answer: The living, resurrected Jesus Christ present in our midst when we gather in His name. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ followers, Christian, Christian community, Christian organizations, church, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, comfort, comfort zone, congregational, deciision making, decision-making, earn his keep, East Nashville, God's government, guidance, homes, house church, human leadership, improv, improvisation, laymen, Laymen's prayer revival, Music City, Nashville, non-church, non-church movement, non-traditional church, order of worship, participatory church, pastor, religious ceremonies, religious innovation, religious tradition, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual leaders, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

What The Church Can Learn From The NFL

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Steve Simms

The NFL generates tremendous excitement and enthusiasm in America, while the church is mostly ignored.  The NFL fills stadiums, while a great many churches have almost empty buildings.  The NFL even gets people excited about their draft when they pick … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street Worship Center, Christianity, house church, kingdom of God, life, Nashville, National Football League, NFL, NFL Draft, Oh my God, organic church, popular culture, religion, simple church, sports, Super Bowl, The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments