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!

Christ Follower’s Almanack (Poor Richard style equips)

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Steve Simms

Ben Franklin published quotes from “Poor Richard” in an “almanack” he published annually from 1732 to 1758. It contained many quotes and quips by “Poor Richard” (Franklin’s pseudonym).  In the tradition of Franklin’s Poor Richard, here are some quips & … Continue reading →

Posted in church, faith, God, grace, joy, preaching, quips, Quotations, religion, Uncategorized, worry, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Equalizer–How Christians meet

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Steve Simms

When Christ-followers meet as active participants, they’re involved and empowered. The gathered body of Christ, like an orchestra, needs to let all who are present, play their part. Letting people experience Christ together is often more effective than a sermon. How Christ-followers … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to sermons, Berry Street, body of Christ, changes in worship, ekklesia, hierarchy, how the body of Christ functions, inner voice, one anothers, participatory sermons, planning a worship service, Salvation Army, sermon, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, unscripted, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faith-based facilitation–sharing karios moments in ekklesia.

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Steve Simms

Preaching proclaims. Faith-based facilitation demonstrates! Since March of 2008, my wife and I have been sharing karios moments in ekklesia with beautiful people at The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville, Tennessee. The experience has been so amazing that I wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Beyond Church, Bible, compassion, General John Gowans, General John Larsson, Greek word, Holy Spirit, listening, listening skills, listening to God, organic church, organic church in institutional church, Salvation Army Corps, The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, War Cry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Before you bite the bait of deception check the Bible.

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Steve Simms

False teaching is everywhere. Before you bite the bait, check the Bible.  Here’s an important warning from Jesus: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Counterfeit Christianity appears real until you check the details with the Bible. Jesus warned of “wolves … Continue reading →

Posted in as many as are led by the Spirit, Bible, Bible believing, Bible quotes, counterfeit, false assurance, false security, I Am Resolved, Kingdom of the Cults, led by the Spirit, Palmer Hartsough, speaking the truth in love, televangelists, truth, TV evangelists, TV ministers, Uncategorized, what is truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mental apps have terms & conditions

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Steve Simms

Be careful what apps you allow to be installed in your psyche! Don’t accept everything that pops up in your mental app store. When a tormenting app pops up in your mind, don’t agree with its terms & conditions. If … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-malware, finding yourself, information technology, malicious programming, self-control, self-discipline, self-discovery, self-esteem, self-fulfillment, self-image, self-improvement, self-mastery, self-respect, self-talk, self-worth, software, subconscious, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Humble, heart to heart connections

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Steve Simms

When you connect heart to heart with people; love looks beyond your differences. Perhaps church could meet to let people connect heart to heart and to apply what they they already know about God and His love. The Call To Worship could be: … Continue reading →

Posted in extremist for love, heart-felt love, love means, Love one another, love wins, radical love, true love, Uncategorized, way of love | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How church can grow into the mature body of Christ.

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Steve Simms

We live in a time when millions of Christ-followers are leaving church because they long to see the risen Jesus directing His body and because they are weary of complying with religious systems. Some are meeting in small groups. Others … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, house church, non-church, organic church, simple church, small groups, Uncategorized, unchurched, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are the Beatitudes shock words?

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Steve Simms

1) It takes both deeply-felt humility and great courage to let God rule & run your life. (“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”) God is like a window but because of our pridefulness, we … Continue reading →

Posted in church, have mercy on me, inner peace, merciful, mercy, peace, peace of God, peacemaking, persecution, poor in spirit, pure in heart, religious persecution, righteousness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

21st century proverbs: “So many words, so little love language.”

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Steve Simms

So many words; so little love language. Hope = Having Ongoing Positive Expectations. Emotional pain’s an alarm letting you know that you’re ignoring faith, hope, & love. Greatness & meanness are opposites. Combativeness creates defensiveness & disunity. As an alternative … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, conflict, emotional bondage, emotions, fake news, greatness, hope, how to handle conflict, humility, kindness, overcoming temptation, pain, procrastination, quilt, temptation, Uncategorized, unkindness, wrong side of history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Inauguration Day Thoughts: When you can’t see the light, it may be behind you.

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Steve Simms

Meanness & kindness are both boomerangs. Which will you throw? Persistent kindness melts away meanness. Try it and see. Returning kindness for hostility; is disarming. When you don’t see much kindness; break the tread & do something kind! Kindness & joy … Continue reading →

Posted in 2017, audience, compromise, courage, discouragement, encouragement, inner Light, Nashville, peace, Quotations, Quotes, Random acts of kindness, Salvation Army, see the light, smartphones, Uncategorized, unkindness, with malice toward none | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment