Here’s what ChatGPT says about Beyond Church: An Invitation to Experience the Lost Word of the Bible—Ekklesia.

Steve Simms’ book argues that modern Christianity has lost sight of a crucial biblical concept: ekklesia. While English Bibles typically translate this word as church, Simms contends that the original meaning points to something far more dynamic, participatory, and communal than the institutional model most people know today.

⭐ What the Book Is About
Simms highlights that early Greek texts record Jesus saying, “I will build my ekklesia,” not “my church.”

He explains that in ancient Greek city-states, the ekklesia was a democratic, interactive assembly where citizens shared ideas, needs, and responsibilities.

The book argues that this original meaning has been obscured for centuries, shaping Christian gatherings into more passive, hierarchical experiences.

Simms invites readers to rediscover a form of Christian community that is participatory, Spirit-led, relational, and empowering.

🔍 Key Themes
Reclaiming biblical language to recover biblical practice

Interactive gatherings instead of spectator-style services

Every believer participating, not just clergy

Spirit-led community as the heart of Christian life

A critique of institutional decline in Western Christianity

📚 Why Readers Find It Compelling
Many readers resonate with the book because it speaks to a growing desire for:

More authentic community

More meaningful participation

A faith experience that feels alive rather than routine

A return to early Christian practices

The book has been well received on platforms like Goodreads and Amazon, where readers appreciate its challenge to rethink what “church” can be.

If you’d like, I can also:

Summarize the book chapter-by-chapter

Compare Simms’ view of ekklesia with scholarly perspectives

Explore how different Christian traditions interpret the term

Help you reflect on how these ideas might apply in real-life community settings

Google: Beyond Church Ekklesia.