Tag Archives: church

When is a church not a campus?

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Steve Simms

A “satellite campus” sounds more like an earth-orbiting university than a church. Now that some churches are calling themselves a campus, does that mean you have to register and enroll to attend? When church is called a campus does tithing … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to church, attending church, back to church, church buildings, church community, church experiment, seeker model, seeker sensitive church, seeker-church, seeker-oriented, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Would Jesus say: “Religion forgot Me for monotony.”

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christians often meet like robots–tightly programmed and controlled. Christians need to be allowed to freely express Christ, not just to contain Him locked down in their hearts. After all, it’s hard to be a passive lump on a church pew when … Continue reading →

Posted in audience, audience of One, Bible, church programming, church programs, ecclesia, ecclesiastical, ecclesiological, ecclesiology, ekklesia, fire in church, fire in the heart, inner Light, let your light shine, light, light of Christ, ministry, ministry of the Spirit, spiritual fire, Uncategorized, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus said “Follow Me,” not “Follow a 501c3!”

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christian disciples turn the world upside down; but religious adherents are often swept along with the world’s viewpoints. Jesus said: “Follow Me!” Not: “Follow a 501c3.” The risen Jesus lives inside of all His followers, so He doesn’t need a hierarchy … Continue reading →

Posted in apest, body of Christ, Christian organizations, church history, church movements, church organization, institutional church, Jesus Movement, Let the redeemed of the Lord, organizational chart, persecution, reform movements, religious persecution, spiritual life, spiritual movement, transformation movements, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When Christ-followers meet as Christ’s council

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

It’s good to learn more about Jesus. It’s better to listen to and obey Him as members of His council. Jesus-followers are invited to meet as His city council and to participate in conducting city business for His kingdom as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 7 churches, ancient Greeks, Book of Revelation, Greek city-states, Hebrews, inner Light, Jerusalem, one man ministry, revelation, the seven lampstands, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus can still speak. Will 21st century Christians listen?

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

Hearing Jesus speak to you isn’t about how-to. It’s about want-to. Do you want to hear Him? Many people would prefer to hear a preacher speak than to hear God speak. Why? What you hear from a preacher can easily be … Continue reading →

Posted in apostles, Christ the Head of the church, evangelists, gifts of the Spirit, Head of the church, hearing God, hearing Jesus, inner hearing, pastors, prophets, shepherds, still small voice, teachers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s run Christ’s plays as a team!

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christ’s body consists of all who have Jesus living within them, not just the members of the many organizations called church. Anybody can organize and run a church; but Jesus wants to build His body on the rock of supernatural revelation … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian Denominations, denominations, ekklesia, homiletics, I am of Paul., institutional church, interdenominational, It's Supernatural, obedience, obedience to God, revelation, sermon, sermon material, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What church can learn from card playing.

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Steve Simms

Church sometimes seems like staring an hour at one card, while leaving the rest of the deck in the box. However, when a preacher holds all the cards on Sunday morning, it tends to shut down the rest of the … Continue reading →

Posted in card playing, card shark, cards, clergy, clergy/laity, ekklesia, house church, layman, Quotations, simple church, stacked deck, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

A one-man talk or dynamic interaction?

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

Billions of Christians advocate for sermons. So why shouldn’t a few of us advocate for open sharing instead?  What God is doing inside of you is important. You need to be allowed to share it! If we don’t think the … Continue reading →

Posted in church programming, church programs, control, control in church, controlling pastors, open sharing, pastors, sharing in church, spiritual gifts, thinking too small, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 ways to recover from hurt in church

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Steve Simms

Ouch! Even the title of this post is a bit painful. However, if you’ve ever been hurt by church (and/or by people in church) here are 5 things that can help you heal your hurting heart. 1) Forgive. It’s hard … Continue reading →

Posted in bitterness, blame, Bless those who curse you, church mediation, ekklesia, forgiveness, house church, organic church, peace, peacemaking, prayer, reconciliation, resentment, root of bitterness, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment