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!

To “Me” Or Not To “Me” — (Self-Focus Or Self-Denial)

To “me” or not to “me” — that is the question! Now I lay “me” down, For when the focus On “me” I keep, My soul stays Spiritually asleep “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take … Continue reading →

Posted in how to be a disciple, I will lay me down, Luke 9:23, Now I lay me down to sleep, self-promotion, spiritual sleep, the cross, To be or not to be | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Did Jesus Teach Open Participation (& Hospitality) In Church Meetings?

“If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church . . .” –Jesus (Matthew 18:17) –Jesus expected His church to allow verbal input from those in the congregation. In the passage above Jesus is telling how He wants … Continue reading →

Posted in a heaping helping, Andy Miller, Christian hospitality, Christpitality, how to handle conflict, interactive church, Matthew 18, Nashville, Salvation Army, Spirit-led church, tell it to the church | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

I want to be a Gecho — God’s echo — reflecting the sound of His voice to everyone I meet.

Posted in advertising, God's voice, radiating God, reflecting God, witnessing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Church’s Rock Anthem!

The Church’s Rock Anthem — The Rock Of Personal Revelation! –The Bible says: “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, God's voice, how to hear God speak, Matthew 16, organic church, revelation, rock and roll, simple church, the gates of hell | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Let The Holy Spirit Make A Big Bang In Church!

The Bible says: “Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” –Yet, very few churches allow time for people to hear the Spirit and share what they hear with the rest of the congregation. With my head I control and … Continue reading →

Posted in awe of God, big bang, body of Christ, Book of Revelation, He that has ears to hear, Head of the church, hearing the Spirit, Jesus CEO, revelation, Spirit-led church | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Can Church Make Meetings Work Better?

Which meeting does not allow attendees to speak? A) a trial; B) a business meeting; C) a class; D) a church service. –A trial allows people to give testimonies. –A business meeting and a class both allow people to ask … Continue reading →

Posted in business meetings, church, David Straus, effective meetings, interaction, Michael Doyle, participation in meetings, participatory culture, Quotations, successful meetings, trial | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Me, Celebrities N Church, & Judgment . . .

God can speak through any person present in a church meeting, but we usually limit Him to the parson on the program. There are no celebrities in church. The only name that should be exalted in church meetings is the … Continue reading →

Posted in cool Christians, meaning of parson, popular Christianity, prosperity, religious celebrities, self-focus | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Nashville Salvation Army newsletter features a story about Berry Street

There is something going on at Berry Street . . . by Laura Tingo The Nashville Salvation Army’s Berry Street Corps is a place where people gather to share, sing, hug and worship. Sometimes one happens without the other. Its … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, church services, corps, nontraditional, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Flag, support group, Trevecca | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Church in spiritual overdrive . . .

Spirit-driven church?  Do we need spiritual overdrive in church? In a culture that is fast fleeing from faith and filled with Dones and Nones, perhaps it is time for church to change gears, override personality-focused human agendas, and shift into … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Jesus Take The Wheel, organic church, Romans 8:14 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Essence of Life is a Presence!

Aristotle said:  “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” Marcus Tullius Cicero said: “I see the essence of a happy life in a strong spirit.” Reinhold Neibuhr said:  “Change is the essence of life.” William Arthur Ward … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristotle, Cicero, Dennis Waitley, Gordon B. Hinckley, Henry Mavromichalis, Jesus Christ, Quotations, quote, Reinhold Neibuhr, William Arthur Ward | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment