Tag Archives: religion

3 Categories of “Church” in the 21st Century

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Steve Simms

3 Categories of “Church” Services in the 21st Century1) “Church” services that deny God’s existance (“atheist church”);2) Church services that present programs & talks about God;3) Church services that depend on and actively demonstrate God’s real presence and power.#s 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in atheistic church, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, deny God, types of church | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Purpose of Church — Running Religious Programs or Connecting People With Christ?

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Steve Simms

The purpose of church is not to run religious programs.  The purpose of church is to help people connect with, follow, and daily obey the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. When people begin to listen to Jesus and do what He … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church structure, organic church, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, purpose of church, simple church, Spirit-led interaction | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Curriculum-Free Sunday School

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Steve Simms

Curriculum-free Sunday school?  Yes!  Why has church bound the Bible to Sunday school curriculum booklets, when it can speak directly to & through ordinary people? For years I have led curriculum-free adult Sunday school classes.  When this concept is first … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible study, book, booklet, curriculum-free, Ephesians, Holy Spirit, interactive Bible class, participatory Bible study, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Sunday school classes, Sunday school ideas | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God is not a seasoning to occasionally sprinkle on your life. God is the source of and the reason for your life — a 24/7/365 necessity.

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in 24/7/365, Christ's presence, Christianity, faith | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mother Teresa Called Abortion “War Against The Child”

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Steve Simms

Mother Teresa once spoke at a Presidential Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.  As Vice President Al Gore was seated on one side of her and President Bill Clinton and Hillary on the other, she said this: “I feel that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Al Gore, Bill Clinton, DC, hate, hatred, Hillary Clinton, Joseph M. Stowell, Meister Eckhart, President, pro choice, pro life, prochoice, prolife, quotation, quote, Quotes, right to life, rights, Washington | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pope Francis & Participatory Church

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Steve Simms

Pope Francis has made several statements that indicate that he wants church meetings to be more than passively listening to sermons. We need to allow the living, resurrected Jesus to come out in church meetings and use ordinary people. Pope … Continue reading →

Posted in Bergoglio, Bergogolio, Chris Lowney, clergy, clericalism, dialogue, God's surprises, Jesuit Pope, Jesuits, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Nashville, organic church, Quotations, quote, Quotes, Roman Catholic, Rome, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sermons, simple church, Tennessean, witness, witnesses | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Non-Charismatic Seminary Professor Speaks Out For Participatory Church

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Steve Simms

Charles H. Kraft, professor of anthropology and intercultural communication at Fuller Theological Seminary, in Pasadena, California speaks out for participatory church.  In in his book, Christianity With Power:  Your Worldview and Your Experience of the Supernatural, although he says that … Continue reading →

Posted in anthropology, California, Calvin, charismatic, Charles H. Kraft, Christianity with Power, Holy Spirit, intercultural communication, interpretation, Luther, Nashville, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, non-charismatic, Pasadena, quotation, Quotations, quote, reformer, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sermon, speaking in tongues, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Tennessee, the Reformers, worldview | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can A Church Meeting Be Full Of Awe?

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Steve Simms

In the Bible, early church meetings are described with these words: “everyone was filled with awe.” Awe is an overwhelming feeling of amazement, wonder, and respect. When was the last time you felt awe in a church service?  So how … Continue reading →

Posted in awe, awe inspiring, awesome, Christ's presence, flow, flow of the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 18:20, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, open church, open forum, open mic, open sharing, order of worship, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Tennessee, there am I in the midst of them, where two or three in My name | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Has The Gospel Lost It’s Power In The 21st Century?

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Steve Simms

Has the Gospel lost its pull on people’s hearts? No, the church has lost the passion to powerfully present the Gospel. “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5 When ordinary … Continue reading →

Posted in 70 AD, Bible, Bible quotes, Biblical concept, church format, church meetings, church programs, church services, dating the Bible, denying the power thereof, destruction of Jerusalem, Gospel of Matthew, having a form of godliness, history, organic church, Roman history, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How (I Was Taught) To Act In Church

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Steve Simms

How I was taught to act in church:  Be quiet, sit still, behave, just listen, be passive, don’t talk, watch the preacher, be like everyone one else, don’t ask questions, only do what the program says, don’t laugh, don’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Bible quotes, biblical, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, community, Music City, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, participatory church, religious ceremonies, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments