Tag Archives: church

Better than a sermon?

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Steve Simms

What’s more effective than a sermon? Should a pastor be a sage on a stage or a guide along side? (See 1 Corinthians 14:26.) 100 sermons? We believe that instead of having people sit through 100 sermons, it’s much more … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 sermons, a sage on a stage, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, eloquence, guide by the side, Harvy Cox, immunity to sermons, Jen Halmaker, Nashville, one act of obedience, organic church, public discourse, Salvation Army, Seneca, sermon-hearing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church services–a steel rod or modeling clay?

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

Traditional church is often programmed like a steel rod (unbendable). However, participatory church meetings, like modeling clay, can be changed on the spot, by the living God, into one-of-a-kind works of art. Behold God’s animation — His claymation!  Watch an … Continue reading →

Posted in Nashville, organic church, Quaker worship, Salvation Army, simple church, steel rod, Tennessee, unprogrammed church | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“God is continually calling us outside of our boxes.” –Nashville’s Most Unusual Church

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Steve Simms

Answer the call — experience community — at The Salvation Army Berry Street! –“God is continually calling us out of our boxes . . . To meet another person outside of our boxes is to experience genuine community.” —James C. … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Christian community, community organizer, gifts of the Spirit, organic church, revival, Salvation Army church, worship | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

From “Attending Church” to “Doing Church” to “Being the Church . . .”

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Steve Simms

Some people say that we don’t need to go to church.  We need “to be the church.” To “be the church” implies action rather than passive watching. But before we can get up the courage to “be the church” in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, attending church, church attendance, going to church, New Testament church, obeying the Spirit, Spirit-led, When you come together | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Magnificence of Mutual Ministry

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Mutual ministry is the shared, non-hierarchical, back and forth (one to another) ministry between the people in a church.  It’s a beautiful thing to behold, but it is very rare, almost unknown. However, mutual ministry is biblical.  The New Testament … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, clergy, Episcopal church, heresies, James C. Fenhagen, laity, Lutheran church, organic church, participatory church, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Dones, Nones, or Son-Runs? (Names For Leaving Church)

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

–Experience the refreshing of Son-run church. “Nones” are people who have no church affiliation. “Dones” are believers who are done with church. “Son-runs” are believers who are done with man-run church but have discovered the spiritual fun of church run … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, decline of the church, organic church, shrinking church, simple church, Spirit-led church | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

What Does Church Train People To Be?

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Two ways a church service can train people: 1) Church could train people to be passionate, prophetic, Spirit-prompted participators. 2) Instead church tends to train people to be silent, sedentary, subservient spectators. What is the church you attend training you to … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostle Paul, Beneath Two Flags, books, Charles Finney, evangelism, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Maud Booth, Nashville, organic chruch | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

A Validation Of Open Participation In Church Meetings

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Validation Of Open Participation In Church Meetings: Here’s an observation: Without an oration, the decentralization of church into Spirit-led participation, releases a saturation of fascination with the living, resurrected Jesus Christ that produces an amazing manifestation of revelation, cooperation, … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational participation, organic church, participation, revelation, Spirit-led, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

If God was a dog . . .

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

If God was a dog in church . . . –Traditional church would put the dog in a cage, cover the cage with a blanket, and then have someone give a talk about the dog. –Participatory church would let the … Continue reading →

Posted in dog in church, dog spelled backwards, God spelled backwards, If God was a dog, nontraditional church | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Letting God Have The Liberty To Use All His Letters! (Free The Keys!)

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Steve Simms

Participatory church is effective because it allows God to use all the keys on the keyboard, not just one kkkkkkkkkkkey! Church members are like the letters of the alphabet — when they all participate together (as led by a wise, … Continue reading →

Posted in analogy for church, interactive church, keys, mutual ministry, organic church, participation in church, priesthood of the believer | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment