Monthly Archives: November 2015

Is it time for an octastich — a new beginning in how Christ-followers meet?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Steve Simms

An Octastich Based On 1 Corinthians 14:26   When the body of Christ comes together Each person has a special part to play, As we allow the presence of the living, Resurrected Jesus to lead the way. Some people have … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1st Century church, body of Christ, church, church poems, Dones, ekklesia, how the body of Christ functions, meaning of number 8, new beginning, octastich, organic church, poem, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Steve Simms

Audience-style church keeps people passive and contained. –Testimony-style church (ekklesia) allows people to flow in the Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 14:26. (Check out this article about testimony church in Priority! magazine, the magazine of The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory: The Berry … Continue reading →

Posted in agendaless church, attending church, audience, back to church, church format, church order, organic chruch, simple church, testimonies in church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond Audience-Style Religion

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

Go beyond audience-style religion And enter the inspiring reality of Ordinary people sharing from the heart As prompted by the Holy Spirit. It’s amazing how God continually confirms the open sharing and participation format at Berry Street! Last Sunday morning … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Christianity, heart religion, history, Quotes, religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Biblical Characteristics of the Body of Christ

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

The living, resurrected Jesus actually lives inside individual Christ-followers. When we surrender to and actively obey His inner promptings, He animates us from the inside out, like a human hand activates a puppet. Each Christ-follower contains the living Jesus, however, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 12, baptized by one Spirit, Bible, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 3:15, Ephesians 4:12, New Testament, Romans 12, the eye cannot say to the hand | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

When your heart sings . . .

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

When your heart sings It’s more than mere words. It’s nonverbal joy, Waves of delight And wonderful insight, Breaking beyond words. A singing heart is An inner flow of celebration, A spring of living water, Dancing up from deep within, Releasing … Continue reading →

Posted in Be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5, hymns, John 7:38, joy, melody, psalms, rivers of living water, singing in the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Successful TV show shows open sharing in simple church

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Steve Simms

Two days after finishing the final edit of a new book I have written, Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible, my wife and I were watching a TV series from the 90s. Suddenly there was … Continue reading →

Posted in ABC Family, CBS Drama, Eleven, gmc, Hallmark Channel, INSP, Ion Television, Jane Seymour, Max Lucado, religious TV, simple church, syndication, The Christmas Candle, TV series | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ekklesia eases the pain of being thrown under the church bus

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Steve Simms

A pretty red cup is no reason to throw Starbucks under the church bus! If you’ve ever Been thrown under The church bus, Ekklesia will Heal your hurts. Ekklesia puts People before programs, Love before liturgy, Relationships before religion, Christ … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Bible, bus station, busses, church, church committees, ekklesia, Frank Lampard, hurt by church, Jesus, John 7:38, liturgy, rivers of living water, Salvation Army, Scripture, sitting on the bench, threw him under the bus | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does God Want To Shoot Pool In Church?

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Steve Simms

When Christ-followers meet, does God want to cue you and others? Is shooting pool in slow-mo a metaphor for what God wants to do in church meetings? Perhaps so. We call this church: But what if this is more like … Continue reading →

Posted in 8 ball, 9 ball, all we are saying is give, angles, how to, How to break billiards, How to play pool, How to rack, instructions, organic church, stratedgy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Sculpture In East Nashville

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Steve Simms

East Nashville’s McFerrin Park Neighborhood has a new sculpture — a cross with a heart of fire. The sculpture was created by Fred Major of Fred Major Galleries. It was installed on the front lawn of The Salvation Army Berry … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, cross, fire of God, God's presence, McFerrin Park, power of God, revival fires, Send the fire, spiritual awakening, the Holy Spirit and fire | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment