Author Archives: Steve Simms

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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences in non-traditional church, called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia." If you need encouragement, search for: Elephants Encouraging The Room and/or check out my Amazon author page. Thank you!

We shouldn’t let unfathomable evil desensitize us

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Steve Simms

(This article was first posted on the ONE Body Life webpage at onebody.life.) How can we deal with the ever increasing number of evil acts of mass murder and terrorism in America? When horror becomes widespread, our natural tendency is to begin to ignore it, … Continue reading →

Posted in comfort, comfort for grief, evil spirits, good and evil, gun violence, How Evil Works, overcoming evil, problem of evil, source of evil, stop the violence, Uncategorized, violence epidemic, violence in society, where does evil come from, why mass shootings | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sermons are not enough! We need more!

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Steve Simms

No sermon can ever compare to having your heart ablaze with the living Jesus! “Church shall have a sermon,” is not the 11th Commandment. In fact, it isn’t a commandment at all! Christianity isn’t about a man teaching a weekly religious … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, church services, go into all the world and preach, Holy Spirit, how to conduct a church service, Jesus' name, organic church, priesthood of the believer, Spirit-led, teaching, two or three in My name, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How do you handle cussin’ Christians?

Posted on November 4, 2017 by Steve Simms

I’ve noticed a new trend lately, something I’ve never really noticed much in the past — cussing Christians. I don’t get it. Why would people who are called to be “pure in spirit” want to pollute themselves and others with … Continue reading →

Posted in abuse, adult language, anti-bullying, bad words, Bless those who curse you, Blessed are the pure in spirit, bullying, colorful language, disrespect, intimidation, is cussing judging?, mature language, Philippians 4:8, power of words, stop bullying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

What usually happens when Christians meet?

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

Here are three ways of doing church: 1) Lecture: Let me tell you what I know. 2) Facilitation: Let me fish out what a few other people know. And 3) Ekklesia: Let’s go beyond what we know & let the risen … Continue reading →

Posted in a new reformation, church order, church program, church programming, liturgy, oratory, order of worship, passivity, priesthood of the believer, pulpit, pulpit ministry, reformation, spectators, Uncategorized, universal priesthood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why it’s important for Christians to come together in heart-felt community.

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Steve Simms

In John 17, Jesus seems to tie the unity of Christians to the world believing that He is truly sent from God. Jesus prayed: “My prayer is not for them alone (His first disciples). I pray also for those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christian Denominations, church community, community, denominations, interdenominational, Love one another, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Self-forgetting is invigorating

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Steve Simms

A mind set on self is often upset. Self-focus is a ball & chain. To be selfless is to run free. A pampered “self” is never fully satisfied. Self-forgetting is the key to happiness. Self-interest is such a tiny & … Continue reading →

Posted in a cause beyond yourself, accept yourself, can't get no satisfaction, contentment, die to self, discontentment, finding yourself, forgiveness, inner peace, repent, repentance, self-fulfillment, self-worth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Power words from ONE book

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Steve Simms

“Consider the fruit of the Spirit; that is what the Christian life should be.” “All believers need to become teachers, shepherds, ministers, and good-news-bearers.” “Try going out of your comfort zone and doing something for someone else.” These quotes are … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Living water is a dynamo flow, not a bottling plant

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Steve Simms

Bottled water is nice; but it is very limited and controlled. It’s good to give bottled water to thirsty people, but if done continually, people become dependent on the bottling plant, rather than on the true, living Source of the water. The … Continue reading →

Posted in flow of the Spirit, flowing in the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, go with the flow, God's flow, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, inner flow, rivers of living water, Spirit's flow, spiritual flow, spiritual formation, spiritual gifts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An audience hearing doctrine or army setting captives free?

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Steve Simms

It’s okay to sit in an audience and hear a talk about God. It’s better to have a direct audience with God. Sure, God can use a one-man sermon, but He would have more options if everybody present could share as … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to sermons, Christ in you, Christ in you the hope of glory, doctrines, God's army, Onward Christian Soldiers, preaching, sermon material, sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What happened to The Salvation Army Berry Street?

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Steve Simms

Numerous people have asked Ernie (my wife) and me what happened to Berry Street and why we are no longer there. If you have read some of my blog posts, then you already know a lot about The Salvation Army Berry … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult Rehabilitation Center, alternative church, ARC, church, ekklesia, nontraditional church, organic chruch, Salvation Army, Salvation Army ARC, Salvation Army Berry Street, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Flag, Salvation Army Nashville, Salvation army officers, Salvation Army soldiers, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments