Author Archives: Steve Simms

Unknown's avatar

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!

Meeting at Jesus’ feet

William Booth said: “Will you go to His feet and place yourself entirely at His disposal?” –Will we do that or will we settle for mere religious programs? Shall we surrender church meetings to Christ’s control or sit silently through … Continue reading

Posted in Berry Street, ekklesia, Jacques Ellul, organic church, prophets, unprogrammed, unscripted | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Christovision App Amplifies Christ!

When a Christian meeting exalts, features, and/or promotes anybody but the living, resurrected Jesus Christ, we put the spotlight on the wrong person! Perhaps we should use the Christovision App! –The Christovision App– You can see the living Jesus Animating … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, apps store, church, Creating Community, David Prior, gifts of the Spirit, Great Shepherd of the sheep, Head of the church, Jesus Christ, listening, listening to God, Navpress, Quotations, religious apps, sharing in church, testimonies, the buck stops here | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Meet Ekklesia (and never be the same)

Church is a group of people meeting to  passively watch a religious program. Ekklesia is a Spirit-directed family gathering of Christ-followers.  = a God-gathering. Church tries to function as a 1-man team (which is an oxymoron). However, ekklesia makes every … Continue reading

Posted in Acts 2, alternative to church, awe, Bert M. Farias, Catherine Booth, church meetings, organic church, religion, Smith Wigglesworth, spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Love wins? Or love sacrifices for others to win?

Does love win? Or does love sacrifice so others can win? Love forgives. Do I? Love’s honest. Am I? Love serves. Do I? Love’s pure. Am I? Love denies self for others. Do I? Love’s kind. Am I? “Love is patient, … Continue reading

Posted in blood of Jesus, definition, fire of the Holy Spirit, love flag, love is patient, love means, love wins flag, Quotes, radical love, Salvation Army Flag, self-denial, true love | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do church meetings matter? (Spirit-led lives matter.)

Do church meetings matter? The Dones say they don’t. So do the faithful bored. What about you? While talking a walk in Glascow, Kentucky (a town I don’t know) on 9/4/2015, I came across a Salvation Army Thrift Store and … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, effective meetings, Kentucky, organic church, Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Thrift Store, what matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

For a holy high–walk in the light!

To walk in the light is to be honest, real, and vulnerable. It is to take off our masks; to come out of hiding, and to let people see what’s really going on in our hearts. It is to open … Continue reading

Posted in 1 John 1:7, alienation, confess your sins, getting high on Jesus, grace, guilt, James 5:16, mercy, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, small groups | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ-follower = minister = priest (priesthood of the believer quotes)

“Let everyone, therefore, who knows himself to be a Christian be assured of this, that we are all equally priests.” –Martin Luther “We must reveal God’s name to each other and proclaim the name of God to our brothers–not in … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Hay, Andreas Karlstadt, Austin Sparks, Carl Ketcherside, Charles Spurgeon, Chip Brogden, clergy laity, Dave Coleman, Elton Trueblood, Greg Austin, laymen, laywitness, Martin Luther, who can preach, women in ministry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Painting, proclaiming, spiritual gifts, testimonies, and revival!

When the members of the body of Christ are allowed to openly use their gifts, they inspire me. Here’s an example: –Fred Major lets us hang his original painting at The Salvation Army Berry Street. I look at it frequently and … Continue reading

Posted in Berry Street, church, Eddie Hyatt, Gospel Union Tabernacle, Matthew 10, Matthew 18, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Nashville skyline pictures, paintings, revival center, Salvation Army, shout it from the housetops, simple church, tell it to the church, Worship City | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

War Room quote: “Everyone’s always trying to leave Jesus out, which is one reason we’re in the mess we’re in.”

  The  movie, War Room, makes a bold, powerful statement: “Everyone’s always trying to leave Jesus out, which is one reason we’re in the mess we’re in.” Do we leave Jesus out of our worship meetings? When we script, plan, and … Continue reading

Posted in church, Everyone's always trying to leave Jesus out, I call this my war room, I'll fight, Kendrick Brothers, organic church, raise 'em up, Salvation Army, simple church, the mess we're in, this is where I do my fighting, war room quotes, Where is War Room showing in Nashville, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lecture or loving interaction? (Sermon or heart-felt sharing?)

What works? Lecture or loving interaction? –1-man lecture doesn’t work as the foundation for support groups. Neither can effective family gatherings be built on the same man always doing all the talking. –So why do we tie church meetings so … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, church, Daniel Gruber, Don Finto, Dones, ekklesia, I saw the Lord, Isaiah, J.D. Greear, Nashville, Salvation Army, sharing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment