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!

If God was a dog . . .

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

If God was a dog in church . . . –Traditional church would put the dog in a cage, cover the cage with a blanket, and then have someone give a talk about the dog. –Participatory church would let the … Continue reading →

Posted in dog in church, dog spelled backwards, God spelled backwards, If God was a dog, nontraditional church | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Think, Question, & Boldly Post (Outside The Box) Like Luther Did!

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

In 1517 Martin Luther boldly posted words on a church door in Germany and started a world-wide spiritual revolution. Perhaps we can do the same by boldly posting on blogs, web sites, & social media.  (Check out my 95 Theses … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, 95 theses, blog, facebook, John 7:38, Nashville, New Testament church, questioning church, Quotations, rivers of living water, Wittenberg Door | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Christian Spirituality — God Wants To Take Us Beyond Academics To The Heart!

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Steve Simms

I ordered a book, Christian Spirituality–Post Reformation and Modern, from Amazon, thinking it would be a spiritual look at faith.  However, as I began to read it, I found it to be a philosophical and academic analysis of Christian spirituality … Continue reading →

Posted in amazon, heart religion, Jesuits, Louis Lallemant, Quotes, spiritual reading | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The Gift Of A Really Old Book & A Brand New Year (Happy 2015)

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Steve Simms

Someone, who doesn’t believe in God, sent me a 122 year-old Bible last night (New Year’s Eve 2014).  His gracious gift both blessed & bewildered me.  It made me ponder; what does it mean? The Bible is tattered.  The cover … Continue reading →

Posted in a little child shall lead them, antique Bibles, Bible reading, how to have a happy new year, kingdom of heaven, Quotes | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Letting God Have The Liberty To Use All His Letters! (Free The Keys!)

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Steve Simms

Participatory church is effective because it allows God to use all the keys on the keyboard, not just one kkkkkkkkkkkey! Church members are like the letters of the alphabet — when they all participate together (as led by a wise, … Continue reading →

Posted in analogy for church, interactive church, keys, mutual ministry, organic church, participation in church, priesthood of the believer | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

2014 in review — Free Gas For Your Think Tank!

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Steve Simms

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 55,000 times in 2014. If it were a … Continue reading →

Posted in apologetics, Christianity, church, creativity, organic church | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Challenge For Pastors In 2015 #2 (Let the living Jesus lead a church meeting.)

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Steve Simms

Pastor Challenge 2015 #2 — Step aside and let the living Jesus lead at least 1 Sunday morning church meeting all by Himself. (Click here to see Pastor Challenge 2015 #1.) Here’s how:  1) Begin by reading 1 Corinthians 14:26 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Acts 2, Count von Zinzendorf, Ice Bucket Challenge, led by the Spirit, organic church, Pentecost, Quotations, revival, revival history, Second chapter of Acts, Spirit-led, spiritual awakening, WWJD?, Zinzendorf | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Traditional church explains the Gospel. Participatory church enacts the Gospel.

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in be doers of the word not hearers only, doing the stuff, doing the Word, faith in action, faith without works, living it out, non-traditional church, participatory church, putting the Gospel in action | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mutual Ministry — Church On Fire

Posted on December 28, 2014 by Steve Simms

2 ways 2 do church . . . 1) Professional parson / 2) Mutual ministry: 1) A professional parson preaches to passive persons. 2) A group of people listens to, serves, and ministers to one another. When a church freely … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to preaching, clergy laity, Hebrews 10, how to do church, one anothering, one anothers, provoke one another, types of church, ways of having church | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

When church comes together like a jigsaw puzzle . . .

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Steve Simms

Participatory church is like a jigsaw puzzle — everybody brings a piece and the Holy Spirit beautifully puts it all together! Come and experience participatory church on Sundays @ 10:45 am. @ The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, TN … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Holy Spirit, Nashville, Salvation Army, Team Church, teamwork | Tagged , , | 2 Comments