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!

“I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Steve Simms

Are you a “good person”? According to Jesus the phrase, “I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron. Jesus said; “No one is good–except God alone.” (Mark 10:18) In fact, Jesus calls 3 groups of people “evil” or “wicked:” 1) His … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, all have sinned, Beyond Church, Bible, ekklesia, evil, good person, greed, Jesus, Jesus Christ, judge, judge not, judgment, Luke, Mark, New Testament, oxymoron, Pharisees, problem of evil, Savior, sin, sinfulness, source of evil, there is none righteous, Uncategorized, wickedness, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cereal, cars, & church alternatives . . .

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

If for many centuries, almost everyone in the world who ate breakfast always had some brand of cereal, we would think it strange if a few people started talking and writing about having pancakes for breakfast. Breakfast cereal eaters might … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Beyond Church, change in church, change management, changes in worship, ekklesia, fresh expressions, house church, lay testimonies, messy church, nontraditional church, personal testimonies, Quakers, salvation testimonies, simple church, Spirit-led, Uncategorized, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Forgivers, enemy-lovers, and Divine visitation

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers are called to be forgivers and enemy-lovers. We cannot afford to be offended when our comfort zone is breached. So how are we doing? “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Are you: 1) … Continue reading →

Posted in André Cox, being religious, Beyond Church, General Andre Cox, Holy Spirit, How to forgive., Meeting for Worship, presence of God, religious ceremonies, secularism, simple church, spiritual disciplines, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God dropped two burning books in my lap.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Steve Simms

A retired Nazarene preacher called me and wanted to donate his personal library of 9 big boxes of books. How could I say no? So this week I picked up two of those hundreds of books. Bang! They shook my … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible type revival, Christian books, ekklesia, house church, Is the church failing?, Let The Church Be The Church, Martin Lloyd-Jones, organic church, Raymond C. Ortlund, revival, revival fires, simple church, spiritual awakening, Steve Simms, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Church = Audience? Or Team?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Is a church service with only one speaker like a band with only one instrument? (That’s an oxymoron, isn’t it?) Jesus said: “New wine must be poured into new wine skins.” If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, agreeing in prayer, audience, Beyond Church, binding and loosing, Christian community, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek word for, house church, Matthew 18:20, organic chruch, simple church, team, the lost of the Bible, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hope for those burned out on politics

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

Administrations come with fanfare. Administrations go with disappointment. It’s an ongoing cycle that can leave us discouraged. Here’s hope for those burned out on politics . . . Jesus prayed and taught us to pray for An environment ruled by The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan Redpath, Beyond Church, body of Christ, casting your vote, ekklesia, house church, how to know God's will, Jesus Christ, kingdom come, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, kingdom values, organic chruch, poem, political environment, quote, simple church, Steve Simms, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, where two or three are gathered | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can church be a caucus for Christ?

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

Does Jesus call us to caucus? Iowa debt to Christ That I can never repay So I will vote with my life To obey Him everyday! Jesus calls us to caucus, Which means in essence, We gather in His name, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, faith in politics, organic chruch, politics, politics and religion, presidential campaign, presidential candidates 2016, presidential election, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sermons have been greatly used by God

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Steve Simms

The Protestant Reformation (which began in 1517, back in the day when the priest was the smartest person in town) made some very effective changes in the way church was done. Those changes helped to create a spiritual revolution and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1517, 500th anniversary, 95 theses, Catholic Church, Catholic mass, Catholicism, changes in worship, Christian education, church altar, denominations, Eucharist, hermeneutics, homily, illiteracy, liturgical churches, liturgy, non-liturgical, printing press, Protestant, Protestant Reformers, pulpit, pulpit ministry, Roman Catholic, sermons, the Western church, theology, types of worship, Uncategorized, Western Christianity, Western Europe, worship, worship service, worship styles, worship wars | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Jesus Christ Superstar Revival” pic shows powerful vision for church

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Steve Simms

This picture from the Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar by Tony-winning director Des McAnuff (which opened at the Neil Simon Theatre 0n March 22, 2012 and ran for 116 performances) vividly portrays the vision I have for church.  Jesus is … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway plays, Des McAnuff, ekklesia, house church, Neil Simon, organic church, simple church, theatre, Tony winning director, Uncategorized, vision, where there is no vision the people, young men will see visions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blessed are the “pour” in spirit . . .

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Steve Simms

Blessed are the “pour” in spirit, Who share from their heart For they will be healed. You can listen to lectures Full of points and principles Yet your pain will persist. But when you’re allowed To openly pour out your … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 12 step group, AA, AA meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous, bear one another's burdens, bearing with one another in love, Bible quotes, celebrate recovery, Christ-centered recovery, Christian recovery, confess your sins, healing, healing life's hurts, house church, I will pour out my Spirit, Love one another, making church more participatory, Maya Angelou, Narcotics Anonymous, one another, one anothers, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, quote, recovery groups, self-help group, sharing, sharing in church, simple church, spiritual healing, Uncategorized, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment