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!

Does God Go To Church?

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Steve Simms

Does God attend church?  If so, is He a passive spectator or an active participant? You can plainly see what people do in church — sing, take an offering, preach a sermon; but what does God do in church? God’s … Continue reading →

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Political Correctness vs. Participatory Church (2 PCs)

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Steve Simms

Political correctness tries to intimidate and to coerce people to accept its views on social issues.  Participatory church encourages people to follow their conscience and to obey the voice of God. Political correctness tries to make people say things that … Continue reading →

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A Joyful Heart Is A Beautiful Mix Of Several Things

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Steve Simms

A joyful heart is a beautiful mix of:1) Freedom from tormenting emotions like: fear, guilt, worry, revenge, anxiety, shame, hatred, depression, lust, envy, pride, etc.;2) Having a strong sense of inner peace, contentment, and satisfaction;3) Having a passionate desire to … Continue reading →

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Will We Let God Drive His Car? (Oops, I Mean Church?)

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Steve Simms

If someone had the only keys to your car and they always drove your car and sometimes let you ride along with them, but they wouldn’t let you drive, direct, control, or steer your very own car; would you like … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, organic church, religion, simple church, spiritual | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What IF God Is Speaking To You, But You Don’t Notice It?

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Steve Simms

What if God is speaking to you but you are unaware of His voice because: 1) You’ve been taught that God doesn’t talk to people nowadays; 2) You think His voice is nothing but your conscience; 3) You’re afraid of … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, experiencing God, God calling, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, how to hear God's voice, listening prayer, listening skills, listening to God, spiritual formation, spiritual hearing, spiritual listening | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Should Happen In Church?

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Steve Simms

What happens when Christ-followers meet together? Christ-followers are supposed to regularly meet together (see Hebrews 10:14), but what are they supposed to do when they meet? Many centuries of tradition say that they are suppose to passively sit back and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, forsake not the assembly, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, house church, Matthew 18:20, Romans 8:14, simple church, Uncategorized, where two or three in My name | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The New Testament teaches that “our God is a consuming fire.”  (Hebrews 12:29).  If there is no fire in your heart, is God there?

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Steve Simms | Leave a comment

No man ever steps into the same organic church meeting twice!

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Steve Simms

No man ever steps into the same organic church meeting twice, for it’s not the same meeting and he’s not the same man. The Holy Spirit’s leading is always fresh, alive, creative, life-changing, and renewing! Many churches use the same … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church structure, Give a man a fish and you feed him, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, house church, how to grow spiritually, led by the Spirit, listening, listening prayer, listening skills, listening to God, Nashville charity, Nashville church, No man ever steps into the same river twice, organic church, participation in church, participatory church, participatory culture, participatory sermons, Quench not the Spirit, Quotations, Quotes, religious ceremonies, religious tradition, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sayings, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, What is church?, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A sizzling quote from Francis Bacon

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Steve Simms

These words from Francis Bacon sizzle! “If we are to achieve results never before accomplished, we must expect to employ methods never before attempted.” At The Salvation Army Berry Street Worship Center in Nashville, TN, we love this quote and … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, faith in God, faith-based, house church, if you keep doing what you've always done, organic church, proverbs, quotation, Quotations, Quotes, results never before accomplished, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sayings, the best proof is experience, the only really interesting thing, you'll keep getting | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Genuine Seeker-Friendly Church Is Simple (Organic)

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Steve Simms

What is seeker-friendly church?  Here are some ideas: Spiritual seekers are desperate for God. Therefore the seeker-sensitive church surrenders to and demonstrates the actual presence of the living God (rather than providing religious entertainment and a motivational speech). Spiritual seekers … Continue reading →

Posted in attractional, church format, church history, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, churching, freedom, freedom from sin, house church, how to do church, one another, open church, order of worship, organic church, participation in church, participatory church, participatory culture, seeker model, seeker-church, seeker-driven, seeker-oriented, simple church, simplicity, sin, spirituality, unchurched | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments