Tag Archives: preaching

Is a 1-Man Sermon Like A Centipede With Only One Functioning Leg?

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Steve Simms

A church where 1 man does all the talking is like a centipede where only one leg does all the walking.  (See 1 Corinthians 14:26)

Posted in alternative church, alternative to preaching, alternatives to sermons, church meetings, clergy, clergy/laity, clericalism, message, message in church, multi-voiced church, open church, open forum, open mic, organic church, participatory church, participatory sermons, preaching styles, pulpit, pulpit ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Preaching In My Dreams–Boy, I Miss It! (A Nashville Story)

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Steve Simms

I miss preaching . . . I woke up this morning dreaming that I was preaching. Although I haven’t preached a “traditional” sermon in several years, I really miss it. When I preach, I feel the Holy Spirit surging through … Continue reading →

Posted in BNA, Christian conferences, fresh expressions, Fresh Expressions movement, messy church, Music City, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, open forum, open mic, open sharing, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, religion, renewal, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Is it possible that there are much more effective ways for the church to preach and teach than one-man, weekly lecturing or sermonizing?

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in church sermons, interactive, interactive church, interactive learning, interactive sermons, lecture, lecture series, motivational sermons, nontraditional preaching, public speaking, pulpit ministry, Q&A, sermon, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, sermons, spectators, speech making, speeches | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Have We Silenced God’s Lambs (Keeping Them Silent With Preaching)?

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Steve Simms

Have we silenced God’s lambs with a gag rule for church?  Perhaps. I believe that many people have powerful messages from God burning in their heart, but they are too intimidated to share them because: 1) They are never given … Continue reading →

Posted in lay preaching, laymen preaching, multi-voiced church, Music City, Nashville, Nashville charity, participation, participation in church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Nashville, shared sermon, speaking up, Who can preach? | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who’s Smarter Than A Preacher?

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Steve Simms

Who’s smarter than a 5th grader?  Oops, I mean than a preacher?  Everybody together being led one by one, by the Holy Spirit, to share their wisdom with each other. Traditionally only one person is allowed to do all the … Continue reading →

Posted in multi-voiced church, Nashville charity, Nashville church, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, order of worship, participation in church, participatory church, participatory culture, simple church, spiritual adventure, support group, wisdom, worship gathering, worship service | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“God talks” or “God talks”? (“Talks” as a noun or as a verb?)

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Steve Simms

What if Jesus intended church to be a community of loving believers, instead of a series of weekly lectures?  What if instead of listening to a man’s sermonic God talks, church was originally designed by Jesus for you to listen … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, God talks, grammar, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, listening, listening prayer, listening skills, listening to God, organic church, praise and worship, religion, religious innovation, religious talks, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sermon, sermon-hearing, sermons, simple church, Tennessee, The Voice, understanding nouns, verbs, voice of God, worship, worship center, worship gathering, worship service, worship styles | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Church isn’t lessons to be learned by lecture; but life being lived together.

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in church format, church leadership, church program, church programs, church services, lecture, led by the Spirit, lessons, life, life together, life transforming, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, non-traditional church, one another, one anothering, one anothers, simple church, speech making, speeches | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Ever Get The Hear-Another-Sermon-Blues?

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

Do you ever get the hear-another-sermon-blues?  Well, don’t fret.  I can’t find the word “sermon” in the Bible.  Can you? When you regularly share with others about what God is saying to you and about what He is doing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, blues, Darryl M. Erke, Ernest F. Scott, Nashville, Nashville church, non-church, non-church movement, non-liturgical, non-traditional church, nonconforming, open church, participatory church, quotation, Quotations, quote, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sermon, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, sermons, simple church, spirituality, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

One-man sermons & the John the Baptist leadership principle

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

One-word sentences/One-man sermons. Limiting conversation to one-word sentences quenches communication. Example: Person A) Hello.  Person B) Hi.  A) Going?  B) Yes. A)  When?  B) Now.  A) Where?  B) There.   A) How?  B) Walking.  A) Good.  B) Thanks.  A) Bye.  … Continue reading →

Posted in automatic, Bible, communication, control, conversation, He must increase, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, I must decrease, John the Baptist, leaders, leadership, led by the Spirit, one word, one-word dialogue, pride, principle, Quench not the Spirit, quench the Spirit, Quotations, Quotes, sermon, sermons, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Sunday soliloquy may satisfy some, but I love to hear God’s Heavenly harmony as ordinary people, led by the Spirit, let their voices blend as they testify and God’s glory fills a church meeting.

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in church format, church leadership, church meetings, church services, church structure, glory, glory of God, God's glory, heavenly harmony, order of worship, organic church, Sunday soliloquy, testifying, testimonies, testimonies in church, testimony | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment