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!

Intel inside or sin’s hell inside?

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Steve Simms

So many computers have “intel inside” (powerful microprocessors). So many humans have “sin’s hell inside” (tormenting microthoughts). Have you “been well inside”? Christ is here.  Hear Him!  His voice will calm your inner storms and give you peace.

Posted in Christ, Christ in you, core, health, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Hell, information processors, inner flow, inner hearing, inner peace, inner prompting, inner teacher, IT, peace, peace of mind, spiritual hearing, spiritual voices, tormenting thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is a 1-Man Sermon Like A Centipede With Only One Functioning Leg?

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Steve Simms

A church where 1 man does all the talking is like a centipede where only one leg does all the walking.  (See 1 Corinthians 14:26)

Posted in alternative church, alternative to preaching, alternatives to sermons, church meetings, clergy, clergy/laity, clericalism, message, message in church, multi-voiced church, open church, open forum, open mic, organic church, participatory church, participatory sermons, preaching styles, pulpit, pulpit ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Spirit Promptings — Charles Stanley & Bill Hybels Quotes

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Steve Simms

Have you ever met with a group of Christ-followers simply to hear and obey the promptings of God? It is an amazing thing to experience. Various people are inwardly prompted to say and/or do different things, yet it all blends harmoniously … Continue reading →

Posted in Bill Hybels, book, Charles Stanley, God's voice, hearing, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, how to flow in the spirit, how to listen to God, led by the Spirit, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual formation, spiritual hearing, spiritual life, spiritual listening, The Power of a Whisper | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Man Up! (Participatory/Organic Church Reaches Men!)

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Steve Simms

“The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all age categories.” –Churchformen.com.  Why does church in the U.S. not reach more men? “Men are hard-wired for risk taking—particularly young … Continue reading →

Posted in attracting men, BNA, churchformen, David Murrow, fresh expressions, marketing to men, men in chuch, men in church, messy church, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, organic church, participation, participatory church, quotation, Quotations, quote, reaching men, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Preaching In My Dreams–Boy, I Miss It! (A Nashville Story)

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Steve Simms

I miss preaching . . . I woke up this morning dreaming that I was preaching. Although I haven’t preached a “traditional” sermon in several years, I really miss it. When I preach, I feel the Holy Spirit surging through … Continue reading →

Posted in BNA, Christian conferences, fresh expressions, Fresh Expressions movement, messy church, Music City, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, open forum, open mic, open sharing, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, religion, renewal, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Spirit-Led Church–Where Ordinary People Are The Playmakers

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Steve Simms

Go with the best flows! –Life’s a flow show — currents streaming in us and around us — rivers flow, sap flows, blood flows, thoughts flow, emotions flow, time flows, information flows. But not all flows are equal — love … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, fans, organic church, participatory church, playmaker, questions, rivers of living water, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, Salvation Army officer, simple church, spectators, Spirit directed, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, spiritual flow, sports fans | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Domestic Violence Is Home Grown Terrorism!

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Steve Simms

The video of NFL star, Ray Rice’s knockout punch to his girl friend (and now new wife) has brought the brutality of domestic violence to public attention.  In America we justly protest against the brutality of ISIS.  However, we often … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American, child abuse, college rape, evil, evil in our society, patriotism, stop domestic violence, terrorists, United States, USA, violence, violence epidemic, violence in society | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Make The Choice To Hear God’s Voice

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Steve Simms

If you’re inner life is filled with peace and happiness, then your outer life’s not such a big deal.  No matter what your outer life looks like, if your inner life is a mess, your a mess! If you don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Inneract with God!

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christ in you, Comforter, coming of the Holy Spirit, devotion, dialogue, evidence for God, fellowship | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

30/11 (About 30 minutes in a secular used bookstore = 11 books about participatory church)

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Steve Simms

In September 2014, my wife and I stopped by The Book Cellar  in Crossville, Tennessee on our way to Gatlinburg.  Were were there about 30 minutes and I left with a stack of books. To my surprise, 11 of the … Continue reading →

Posted in bookstore, cell groups, Crossville, Darrell W. Robinson, Eddie Gibbs, Garrison Keillor, Gatlnburg, George Barna, Harold R. Eberle, house church, Jim Smoke, Joel Balin, Jr., Laney L. Johnson, living stones, Martin Luther King, Michael Gleason, new wineskins, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, quotation, Quotations, quote, Richard Halverson, Robert & Julia Banks, simple church, Tennessee, worship, worship leader, worship styles | 6 Comments