Tag Archives: facilitation

Group dynamics & community meetings

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Steve Simms

Group dynamics is the process of people in a group interacting with one another. When one person controls a meeting it completely shuts down group dynamics. Let’s go beyond merely instructing spectators to facilitating good group dynamics. Group dynamics are … Continue reading →

Posted in AA meetings, church meetings, ekklesia, group interaction, leadership training, NA meetings, participation in meetings, spiritual training, training, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Equalizer–How Christians meet

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

When Christ-followers meet as active participants, they’re involved and empowered. The gathered body of Christ, like an orchestra, needs to let all who are present, play their part. Letting people experience Christ together is often more effective than a sermon. How Christ-followers … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to sermons, Berry Street, body of Christ, changes in worship, ekklesia, hierarchy, how the body of Christ functions, inner voice, one anothers, participatory sermons, planning a worship service, Salvation Army, sermon, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, unscripted, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faith-based facilitation–sharing karios moments in ekklesia.

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Steve Simms

Preaching proclaims. Faith-based facilitation demonstrates! Since March of 2008, my wife and I have been sharing karios moments in ekklesia with beautiful people at The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville, Tennessee. The experience has been so amazing that I wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Beyond Church, Bible, compassion, General John Gowans, General John Larsson, Greek word, Holy Spirit, listening, listening skills, listening to God, organic church, organic church in institutional church, Salvation Army Corps, The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, War Cry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Stubborn Speaker Meets A Faithful Facilitator (Steps to Berry Street)

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Steve Simms

An advertisement for C & T Seminars kept coming across my path. It was about a training company owned by a woman named Ernie Froedge. I was a burned out preacher who greatly missed preaching (but not church politics and … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, Berry Street, burn out, burned out pastors, facilitating, facilitator, motivational speakers, Nashville, networking, public speaking, recovery, spasmodic dysphonia, support group, Vanderbilt Voice Center, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spiritual Leadership Doesn’t “Lord It Over”

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Steve Simms

Jesus came to establish spiritual leadership in His church that is based on humble example, godly character, and personal power; not on human control, institutional authority, or positional power. Jesus wants his leaders to facilitate His meetings, not to dominate … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:4, Bible quotes, Christian leadership, demonstration of the Spirit's power, doers of the word, each one has a psalm, God-gatherings, James 1:22, Matthew 20:25, not hearers only, not with enticing words of men's wisdom, Paul of Tarsus, Quotes, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jesus-Facilitated Forums — A Forum 4 Him!

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Steve Simms

Perhaps church could be a Jesus-facilitated forum — a forum for Him! A forum is a meeting for open discussion. Does the living, resurrected Jesus deserve a forum where He can present His living Word by prompting ordinary men and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adlai Stevenson, Berry Street, church, church in China, Jerry Porter, Nashville, open discussion, Quotes, Salvation Army, Tory Burch | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Facilitating Group Surrender 2 The Risen Christ

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

Should church present programs about the religious Christ? Or surrender to the real presence of the risen Christ? What would happen if church leaders shifted from being public speakers under the spotlight, to being spiritual facilitators creating an environment where … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian support group, Holy Spirit teacher, I will build my church, improv, Mark Batterson, On this rock, Peter, support groups | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

ABCs 4 Retooling Church 2 Reach The 21st Century 4 Christ:

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

The ABCs 4 retooling church 2 reach the 21st Century for Christ: * Avoid autocratic agendas. * Base it on the Biblical command in 1 Corinthians 14:26. * Connect with Christ as our contemporary rather than confining Christ to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian meetings, church collaboration, church experiment, church furniture, church meetings, church programs, church revitalization, church roles, church rules, church seating, church structure, church without a program, effective meetings, holding meetings, how to, interactive church, meaningful meetings, open church, organic church, rethinking church, simple church, Spirit-led church | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Can Church Make Meetings Work Better?

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Steve Simms

Which meeting does not allow attendees to speak? A) a trial; B) a business meeting; C) a class; D) a church service. –A trial allows people to give testimonies. –A business meeting and a class both allow people to ask … Continue reading →

Posted in business meetings, church, David Straus, effective meetings, interaction, Michael Doyle, participation in meetings, participatory culture, Quotations, successful meetings, trial | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Are Pastors For Preaching? (Or For Facilitating?)

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Steve Simms

Is the role of a pastor to preach? Well tradition says it is. But what does the Bible teach about a pastor’s role? Check out Ephesians 4:11-12: “He (Christ) personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-fold ministry, apest, Ephesians 4, guide on the side, humility, lecture in church, ministry, purpose of a pastor, sage on a stage, spiritual formation, spiritual gifts | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments