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!

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

U Can C Christ Born & Living In Human Beings As People Share His Story In Their Story!

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Steve Simms

Christmas 2014 has become history, but His story is continual!  See Christ living in regular human beings as ordinary people share His story through their story. Encounter the eternal Word becoming flesh as everyday people enthusiastically express their experiences with … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ in you, full of grace and truth, incarnational living, John 1:14, participatory church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Nashville, the hope of glory | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Unwrapping the Gift of God’s Presence

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Steve Simms

Unwrapping Presence! (Participatory church unwraps Christ’s presence.) Merry Christ*mas!

Posted in God with us, lo I am with you always, organic church, simple church, there am I in the midst of you, when two or more gather in my name | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments