Tag Archives: church

Jesus ain’t a program; He is Lord!

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Steve Simms

Christians usually meet to be passively instructed. Perhaps we could also meet to exercise our faith & spiritual gifts, with one another. Where there is no caring interaction there is no sense of community. (A church in Smyrna experienced life-changing … Continue reading →

Posted in apostles, Christian leadership, church elders, church leadership, church order, church programming, church programs, church teachers, evangelists, leadership, movies, pastor-teachers, pastors, prophets, servant leadership, shepherds, teachers, Uncategorized, you ought to be teachers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wanted: Tender Hearts & God’s Superstar

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Steve Simms

Wanted: Tender hearts willing to be led by the Holy Spirit. Contact God to apply. When tender hearts meet & surrender control to God’s Superstar (Jesus) ekklesia begins to take place. Dare to ask God to make your heart tender to the … Continue reading →

Posted in conviction, conviction of sin, fruit of the Spirit, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit flow, ordaination, ordained, superstar, support group, Uncategorized, vulnerability | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good is good all the time; but we’re not!

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Steve Simms

God is good all the time; but we humans aren’t. Let’s love each other anyway. It would be nice if church offered on the job training in hearing & obeying Jesus. Much of Jesus’ teaching can only be learned by doing … Continue reading →

Posted in bear one another's burdens, forgiveness, God is good, How to forgive., leadership training, led by the Spirit, spiritual training, training, Uncategorized, workshops | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Have we systematized Christ’s symphony?

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Steve Simms

Jesus wants to conduct His symphony through an orchestra of ordinary people that the Bible calls, the body of Christ. Church gives the risen Jesus more opportunities to be the Conductor when everybody present is free to speak as prompted … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-fold ministry, body of Christ, call to ministry, Christian ministry, Christian support group, church reform, conductor, Ephesians 4, Jesus as a conductor, John Milton, ministry, ministry of the Spirit, New Testament, Ralph Waldo Emerson, support groups, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can a church service abound with preachers & teachers?

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Steve Simms

We can preach and teach or we can cultivate an atmosphere where preachers and teachers abound. Let’s make disciples and let church services overflow with preachers and teachers. Jesus said it’s foolish to hear His words but not do them. … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts 2, Acts 2:43, awe, awe of God, Christian leadership, church leadership, cost of discipleship, disciples, filled with awe, how to be a disciple, leaders, leadership, making disciples, Quench not the Spirit, servant leadership, spiritual leaders, Uncategorized, walking on water | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questioning Christ-followers — are we family?

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Steve Simms

When Christians meet & practice encouraging each other, their confidence grows and soon they’re encouraging folks everywhere they go. I love it when a group of people lets the Holy Spirit flow like music & carry them in His current. Let the … Continue reading →

Posted in band of brothers, Bible, dysfunctional family, family time, Higher Power, Holy Spirit, spiritual combat, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nashville church that meets like AA, Al-Anon, & NA

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Steve Simms

Millions of people have found comfort, help, & serenity from various types of support groups, such as, AA, Al-Anon, and NA. Al-Anon’s web site states: “Everyone at the meeting shares as an equal.” It also says: “We help each other … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, celebrate recovery, Christian recovery, recovery, recovery quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Berry Street, Salvation Army Nashville, self-help, self-help group, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Theology without testimony is like learning about ice cream without eating it

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Steve Simms

Many people have never discovered that when people open up and begin to testify to one another about their love for Jesus, they experience an amazing sense of kinship. Christianity isn’t just about dispensing information about God. It’s about making … Continue reading →

Posted in by the word of their testimony, house church, lay testimonies, Lay Witness Missions, lay witness movement, Martin Luther King, organic chruch, personal testimonies, salvation testimonies, simple church, testimonials, testimonies in church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The status quo is often a no-go to following Jesus

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Steve Simms

If we refuse to glorify anyone but Christ, the glory of God will fill a meeting. When no mere human is the “King” of a meeting, ekklesia can break through. A powerful way to minister to people is to let … Continue reading →

Posted in availability of God, body of Christ, Christian community, church programming, common life, communion of the saints, community, community building, ekklesia, heart of worship, life together, lukewarm, may the force be with you, Quotes, R.C. Sproul, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond “services” to meetings . . .

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Steve Simms

It’s time to let God go & let Him take control both of your life & of His gathered people. Churches have services; but ekklesia & AA & NA & Al-Anon have meetings. Practicing the presence of God by yourself … Continue reading →

Posted in AA meetings, Al-Anon, alcohol rehab, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, Berry Street, body of Christ, celebrate recovery, Christ-centered recovery, Christian meetings, Christian recovery, Christian support group, church meetings, class meetings, effective meetings, NA meetings, organic chruch, recovery groups, recovery quotes, religious meetings, support groups, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment