Tag Archives: priesthood of the believer

Church programs or ekklesia fire?

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

Question: What would happen if church meetings were built on people stepping out in faith and sharing from their heart — instead of being built on people passively watching a highly programmed presentation? Answer: God’s fire would fall and His … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, body of Christ, church bulletin, church programs, ekklesia, holiness, lyrics, priest, purity, royal priesthood, Salvation Army, song, spiritual warfare, Uncategorized, universal priesthood, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ-follower = minister = priest (priesthood of the believer quotes)

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

“Let everyone, therefore, who knows himself to be a Christian be assured of this, that we are all equally priests.” –Martin Luther “We must reveal God’s name to each other and proclaim the name of God to our brothers–not in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Hay, Andreas Karlstadt, Austin Sparks, Carl Ketcherside, Charles Spurgeon, Chip Brogden, clergy laity, Dave Coleman, Elton Trueblood, Greg Austin, laymen, laywitness, Martin Luther, who can preach, women in ministry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Whose Control Should Church Be Under?

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Steve Simms

To congregate under Christ’s direct control (to come together and allow the living Jesus, Himself, to lovingly lead us without the aid of a human program or agenda) releases the power and presence of God, like nothing else on earth. … Continue reading →

Posted in controlling pastors, Eddie Hyatt, ekklesia, Nashville, organic church, Rick Joyner, taking control | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hermeneutical Christians Have The Bible Burning In Their Heart!

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

Since the Reformation, Protestant churches have looked to only one man to interpret Scripture during their Sunday morning worship service. This man has traditionally been called the pastor, the preacher, the parson, and/or the minister. The intellectual study of Bible … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible interpretation, God's word like fire, Spirit-led, the anointing, words taught by the Spirit, you do not need anyone to teach you | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The World’s Most Important And Urgent Buildup

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Steve Simms

How does Christ buildup His church? Jesus builds His church (on the rock of personal revelation) with living stones; by being actively present when people gather in His name. He personally assembles them into a loving, heart-felt community of living … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Peter 2:5, build up, holy priesthood, I am with you, I Thessalonians 5:11, I will build my church, living stones, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 18:20, spiritual sacrifices, universal priesthood, upon this rock, where two or three are gathered | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Training Ordinary Christians 2 Do Ministry! (A Pastor’s Job)

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

Perhaps a pastor/minister’s job is not to focus people’s attention on himself, on his plans, or on his performance; but instead to focus people’s attention on the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. –John the Baptist put it this way: “He (Jesus) … Continue reading →

Posted in apostles, Berry Street, body of Christ, discipleship, evangelists, He must increase, I must decrease, John 3:30, John the Baptist, pastoring, pastors, Paul of Tarsus, prophets, Salvation Army, shepherding, teachers, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mutual Ministry — Church On Fire

Posted on December 28, 2014 by Steve Simms

2 ways 2 do church . . . 1) Professional parson / 2) Mutual ministry: 1) A professional parson preaches to passive persons. 2) A group of people listens to, serves, and ministers to one another. When a church freely … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to preaching, clergy laity, Hebrews 10, how to do church, one anothering, one anothers, provoke one another, types of church, ways of having church | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Religion/Grace/Church Without Laymen

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Steve Simms

Religion asks: “What’s the least I can do and still go to Heaven?” —Recipients of grace ask: “What’s the most I can do to love, honor, serve, and obey the One who died on the Cross to save me from … Continue reading →

Posted in clergy, clergy/laity, clericalism, cross, equality, going to Heaven, grace, grace card, grace definition, grace of God, inequality, lay speakers, lay testimonies, layman, laymen, laywomen, open church, open forum, open mic, organic church, royal priesthood, simple church, sin, Spirit prompting | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

1 Man Can’t Reflect The Body Of Christ — It Takes A Village

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Steve Simms

1 man can’t reflect the body of Christ.  That takes a village. Christ-followers are puzzle pieces, each picturing a particular part of Christ. When a group gathers and each person present is allowed to openly participate and share his/her part, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Head of the church, participatory church, Protestant, Protestant Reformation, Team Church, telling their stories, testifying, the pope, the Western church, think outside the bun, types of church, unprogrammed church, unscripted church, ways of doing church, Western Christianity, Western religion, Western society, What is the true church?, why go to church, worship, worship service, you can all prophesy | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

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