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!

Salvation Army Flag Prayer Walk Report — Nashville’s McFerrin Park Neighborhood

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Steve Simms

* A Morning Flag-Prayer-Walk In East Nashville’s Mcferrin Park Neighborhood Today! * I left The Salvation Army Berry Street Worship Center walking on Meridian Street and a guy named, Crump (a 60-something man holding a jar 1/2 full of beer), … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Cleveland Street, fire station, firemen, McFerrin Park, Meridian Street, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, outreach, outreach ministry, prayer without ceasing, prayers, praying, praying in the Spirit, religion, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, spiritual warfare, The Salvation Flag, witness, witnesses | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Hot. Cool. Yours.” Sochi’s Silly Olympic Slogan — What Does It Mean?

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Steve Simms

“Hot. Cool. Yours.” (It’s not just a silly slogan for the Sochi Olympics.) * “Hot.” — Heat up God’s fire in your heart and spread it everywhere until you become an ever-burning, flaming torch for God. * “Cool.” — Cool … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, cool, courage, faith, fight the good fight of faith, holiness, Hot, Olympic events, Olympic slogans, Olympic spirit, self-help, self-improvement, spirit, spirit fire, spiritual formation, spiritual warfare, Train yourself unto godliness., training, Yours | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

I dare you to try The R5/NT/24 Miracle Challenge . . . (R5) Read at least 5 minutes every day in (NT) the New Testament for (24) 24 days. If you’ve got the courage to do this and not miss a single day, it will transform your life!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in Bible, Bible concepts, Bible reading plan, Bible study, biblical, biblical studies, Scriptures | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Church — An Alternative Lifestyle To Popular Culture . . . Not A Religious Talk

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Steve Simms

A church meeting is supposed to be the prototype of an alternative lifestyle to popular culture, an actual demonstration of the values of the Kingdom of God, equipping people to live life like lights in the darkness–a spiritual support-group for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians:14, communion, community, Jim Van Yperen, monologue, organic church, passivity, pastor, prototype, pulpit ministry, quotation, Quotations, Quotes, simple church, spiritual, support group | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Church — Getting Christ To Flow Out Of Ordinary Believers

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Steve Simms

If, as the New Testament says, Christ is living in believers, why don’t church services focus on how to get Christ to flow out of ordinary believers; rather than spending so much time and effort trying to get religious teachings … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, how to do church, new kind of church, New Testament, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, role of Christ in church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, ways of doing church | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

3 Categories of “Church” in the 21st Century

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Steve Simms

3 Categories of “Church” Services in the 21st Century1) “Church” services that deny God’s existance (“atheist church”);2) Church services that present programs & talks about God;3) Church services that depend on and actively demonstrate God’s real presence and power.#s 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in atheistic church, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, deny God, types of church | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Purpose of Church — Running Religious Programs or Connecting People With Christ?

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Steve Simms

The purpose of church is not to run religious programs.  The purpose of church is to help people connect with, follow, and daily obey the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. When people begin to listen to Jesus and do what He … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church structure, organic church, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, purpose of church, simple church, Spirit-led interaction | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Curriculum-Free Sunday School

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Steve Simms

Curriculum-free Sunday school?  Yes!  Why has church bound the Bible to Sunday school curriculum booklets, when it can speak directly to & through ordinary people? For years I have led curriculum-free adult Sunday school classes.  When this concept is first … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible study, book, booklet, curriculum-free, Ephesians, Holy Spirit, interactive Bible class, participatory Bible study, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Sunday school classes, Sunday school ideas | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tell it! Boldly Tell The Good News About Jesus Christ!

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Steve Simms

It is necessary to use words!  “Go tell it on the mountain and everywhere.”  “Speak the truth in love.”  “Shout it from the housetops.”  “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”  “The righteous are as … Continue reading →

Posted in as bold as a lion, eternal life, go into all the world and preach the gospel, go tell it on the mountain, good news, Gospel, Gospel of Matthew, Great Commission, If necessary use words, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, Matthew 28, mission field, missional, missionary, missions, outreach, outreach ministry, shout it from the housetops, speak the truth in love | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Christ calls us to love those who disagree with us, because true love is not based on agreement.

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in hate, tolerance | Tagged , , | 1 Comment