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!

Flags Are Everywhere — But Where Are The Christian Flags?

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Steve Simms

Flags, flags, everywhere. But where are the Christian flags? There are so many flags being displayed today: posted on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other social media, pictured in blogs, shown on television, texted, carried on the streets, hung from overpasses … Continue reading →

Posted in Battle Flags, blood of Jesus, Catherine Booth, flying the flag, history of the flag, meaning of the flag, national flags, out of the closet, prayer walking, social media, YouTube | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

How’s your Christ-connection?

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Steve Simms

How’s your Christ-connection? 1) Is Christ freely flowing from your heart like “rivers of living water”? 2) Is Christ continually showing in your lifestyle — in the things you say and do? 3) Are you growing closer and more obedient … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 John 1:7, connecting with Christ, George Fox, God's fire, I will build my church, Matthew 16:18, New Testament, Quakers, Quotations, Send the fire, spiritual growth, spiritual healing, walk in the light | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Dare To Read These Amazing Words From Catherine Booth?

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Steve Simms

Here’s a long passage from Catherine Booth about how church meetings should be done. Dare you read it? “While the gospel message is laid down with unerring exactness, we are left at perfect freedom to adapt our measures and modes … Continue reading →

Posted in church history, church order, church services, early Salvationists, history, organic chuch, Salvation Army, testimony | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is It Time For Another Protestant Reformation?

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Steve Simms

500 years ago people protested against and then changed the common way of doing church. Shall we change it again? –The Protestant Reformation took place 500 years ago. The very name of this movement proclaims that people rose up and … Continue reading →

Posted in a new reformation, Francis Schaeffer, George Bernard Shaw, John Milton, John Nelson Darby, Mark Twain, Mary Harris Jones, organic church, Protestant Reformers, Quotes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Rick Warren, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, simple church | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Whose Control Should Church Be Under?

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Steve Simms

To congregate under Christ’s direct control (to come together and allow the living Jesus, Himself, to lovingly lead us without the aid of a human program or agenda) releases the power and presence of God, like nothing else on earth. … Continue reading →

Posted in controlling pastors, Eddie Hyatt, ekklesia, Nashville, organic church, Rick Joyner, taking control | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Church (Corps) Innovations: Passionate Preaching By Ordinary People / Expanded Mercy Seat / Curriculum-Free Sunday School

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Steve Simms

Here are 3 church innovations for the 21st Century: 1) Passionate preaching by ordinary people: I heard a Salvation Army Divisional Commander preach with passion last night. You could feel fire, excitement, and inspiration flowing from his heart-felt words. –Our … Continue reading →

Posted in altar call, Christian innovations, church altar, church programs, cranium, curriculum, fresh expressions, mercy seat, messy church, Music City, Nashville, organic church, simple church, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Shall We Suppress (Sbennumi)?

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Steve Simms

Shall we surrender to every single whim, desire, craving, and compulsion? Or should we sbennumi (a Greek word that looks like this in the original language: ζβέννυμι and means suppress or stifle) some of them? If we need to sbennumi, what shall we … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, don't put out the Spirit's fire, Ephesians 6:16, fiery darts of the wicked one, hearing God, Quench not the Spirit, sbennumi, self-control | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it prudent for the passions, propensities, and perspectives of the present to push aside the pervasive moral principles and probity of the past?

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Steve Simms

Has our culture walked away from the collective wisdom of mankind? Is it prudent for the passions, propensities, and perspectives of the present to push aside the pervasive moral principles and probity of the past? What makes us think that our … Continue reading →

Posted in abortion, biblical morality, faithfulness, holiness, immorality, moral principles, pro-choice, purity, right and wrong, Ten Commandments, universal moral principles, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Veggie Cans, Church, & Christ In You

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Steve Simms

These cans of veggies illustrate two ways to do church: 2 ways 2 do church: 1) Line everybody up in nice rows like shelved stacks of canned vegetables and let one person give a talk from the platform.  This traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 1:27, Christ in you, getting fed in church, groceries, how to do church, Nashville, pot luck, quote, Ryan LeStrange, simple church, The Salvation Army, veggies | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

I want God to ignite my words with a match made in Heaven so that they burn in the heart of everyone who reads them or hears them, making them a furnace that spreads God’s warmth and light around the world.

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Steve Simms

“And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” –Luke 24:32

Posted in Let the words of my mouth, Luke 24:32, power of words, revival, set your words on fire, spiritual awakening, spiritual fire | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment