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!

Set a fire down in the church that we can’t contain, that we can’t control . . .”

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Steve Simms

Should a church meeting look like this? Or like this? The more wood you put on a fire, the brighter it burns. –The more people who are allowed to share burning words from their heart in a church meeting, the … Continue reading →

Posted in I have come to bring fire on the earth, institutional church, Is not my word like fire?, Jeremiah, Jesus, John White, led by the Spirit, Luke, lyrics, New Testament, Romans 8:14, sermons | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

More than church

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Steve Simms

More Than Church Is there more? There is more! Let’s open up the door. Let’s all open our mouths And let the Spirit soar! Testify, glorify. Don’t deny the Lord! Edify, magnify, It’s Him who we adore. Out of Judea Came … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, called, calling, Come let us adore Him, deny the Lord, edification, glorify God, God's idea, Judea, magnify the Lord, open doors, Open your mouth and I will fill it, testimony | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Fresh Definition Of Ekklesia

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Steve Simms

“Ekklesia (the Greek New Testament word that was replaced by the English word ‘church’) is a gathering of people called out of human effort, agendas, and control, so that they can freely open up to their spiritual gifts and use … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 12, church, control in church, God's fire, Greek words, New Testament, Send the fire, sermons, Tyler Edwards | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

X marks the spot in Nashville for encouragement, healing, and hope.

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Steve Simms

Nashville’s spot for encouragement, hope, and healing! Encouragement: Allowing the heart-felt sharing of spiritual insights, releases the power and presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ into a group of people. Healing: –Holy Spirit– Spirit stirings In your soul, Heal … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, BNA, creativity, innovation, ministries, Music City, recovery, support group, Worship City, X marks the spot | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Stubborn Speaker Meets A Faithful Facilitator (Steps to Berry Street)

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Steve Simms

An advertisement for C & T Seminars kept coming across my path. It was about a training company owned by a woman named Ernie Froedge. I was a burned out preacher who greatly missed preaching (but not church politics and … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, Berry Street, burn out, burned out pastors, facilitating, facilitator, motivational speakers, Nashville, networking, public speaking, recovery, spasmodic dysphonia, support group, Vanderbilt Voice Center, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Body Building / Body Life / Body Ministry

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Steve Simms

When I was in college I read Body Life, by Ray Stedman, a book about how the Bible teaches that the church should function as a body, with each member having the freedom to listening to and obey the Head — … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Peter, biblical pattern, body of Christ, Christian unity, ecclesiology, Ephesians, holy priesthood, Jesus is the Head, Koinonia, members of the body, New Testament church, pastor-teachers, priesthood of the believer, Romans 12, speaking the truth in love, spiritual gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Stuck in a pit? Or fighting from a foxhole? “I’ll fight!”

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Steve Simms

Why be stuck in a pit when you can be fighting in a foxhole? A slight change of your perspective can make a world of difference in your life! Life’s not easy. There are always problems. I’m sure you are … Continue reading →

Posted in a cause beyond yourself, as they do now, choice, fight the good fight of faith, I have a dream, Nashville, overcoming obstacles, Paul of Tarsus, purpose driven life, Tennessee, where there is no vision the people, While women weep, Your mission should you choose to accept it | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Christ-Controlled Church (How to move beyond human control of church meetings.)

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Sunday morning church service is a controlled environment. Often everything that happens there is planned out ahead of time and inked onto a handy program which is given to people as they enter.  People are expected to passively sit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chris Turner, church government, confession, Conquering the Game of Control, Craig Green, ecclesiology, gifts of the Spirit, Head of the church, how to, playing church, Southern Baptists, Steven J. Cole, surrender, who runs the church, William Booth, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Ugh * Aha * I see * O me * Sorry * U-turn * . . .

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Steve Simms

I woke up this morning with this process parading pensively through my ponderings. * Ugh! . . . Disgusted with self & circumstances & hungry for help. * Aha! . . . A shinning moment when light comes in. * … Continue reading →

Posted in ABCs, Bill Bright, Bill Hybles, Billy Graham, Campus Crusade, Cru, D. James Kennedy, Ellen G. White, Evangelism Explosion, Four Spiritual Laws, how to become a Christian, religion, repentence, Roman Road, Sinner's Prayer, Steps to Christ, tracts, transformation, Walk Across The Room | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alive inside? Experiencing the joy of internal life!

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

Are you alive inside? Are you experiencing the joys of internal life? Devoid of internal life, chaos resides inside and inner chaos creates chaos everywhere you go. However, when you connect with and cultivate inner life, there is an ongoing release … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Schweitzer, awe, Carrie Barton, chaos, contemplation, E. Journey, Evelyn Underhill, gratitude, Henri Frederic Amiel, intnroversion, Jesus Christ, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Clark, Lailah Gifty Akita, Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Martha Nussbaum, meaning, Paul of Tarsus, reflection, Sarah Breathnach, self-discipline, Susan Cain, Thomas Merton, W.H. Auden, William Shirer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments