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!

Church — A Flow Or A Show?

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Steve Simms

Is church more of a show or more of a flow?  Wind and rivers are symbols of the Holy Spirit. The wind blows, a river flows; but the church tends to show what it knows through programs and presentations rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church format, church leadership, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, flo, flow, flow of the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, lecture, lecture series, led by the Spirit, life, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, Romans 8:14, simple church, Spirit-led, spiritual flow, spiritual life, spiritual worship, TN, tree of life, tree of the knowledge of good and evil | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Can A Church Meeting Be Full Of Awe?

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Steve Simms

In the Bible, early church meetings are described with these words: “everyone was filled with awe.” Awe is an overwhelming feeling of amazement, wonder, and respect. When was the last time you felt awe in a church service?  So how … Continue reading →

Posted in awe, awe inspiring, awesome, Christ's presence, flow, flow of the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 18:20, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, open church, open forum, open mic, open sharing, order of worship, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Tennessee, there am I in the midst of them, where two or three in My name | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

A Simple Syllogism About Sunday Church Services

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Steve Simms

A simple syllogism: * Jesus is alive and present when believers meet together. * Jesus is smarter than any man. * Therefore, we should let Jesus lead Sunday morning church services instead of a man leading them. When the Holy … Continue reading →

Posted in C.S. Lewis, church meetings, church services, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, fellowship, life together, listening, listening prayer, listening skills, listening to God, Pope, Pope Francis, quotation, quote, Quotes, real presence, syllogism | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Has The Gospel Lost It’s Power In The 21st Century?

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Steve Simms

Has the Gospel lost its pull on people’s hearts? No, the church has lost the passion to powerfully present the Gospel. “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5 When ordinary … Continue reading →

Posted in 70 AD, Bible, Bible quotes, Biblical concept, church format, church meetings, church programs, church services, dating the Bible, denying the power thereof, destruction of Jerusalem, Gospel of Matthew, having a form of godliness, history, organic church, Roman history, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

When church meetings are built on, focused on, and actively led by the invisible Presence of God, power is released and lives are visibly transformed and the invisible Presence of God is made visible through His people.

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in transformation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New Ideas, Worn Out Ideas, & Re-engineering Church

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Steve Simms

A live electric wire on the ground is not boring. It is attention grabbing, powerful, full of sparks, exciting, indescribable, and unpredictable.  A live church service of people flowing together in God’s current is the same. About God? Or by … Continue reading →

Posted in change, change agent, change management, church meetings, church services, electric wire on the ground, finish well, interactive learning, Joe Calloway, learning environment, Lennie Scott-Webber, live church, live electric wire, Model-T, organic church, quotation, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Tom Griner, worn out ideas | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

America — is it working?

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Steve Simms

America, how’s it working? Our American culture trains us to flow unrestrained with our feelings, our sensuality, and our desires. This training, however, releases hateful and evil behavior. For example, last night NBC News reported that 20% of American college … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American church, American values, Bible, Christ in you, Christ in you the hope of glory, culture, culture wars, joy, joy unspeakable, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, recreational drugs, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How (I Was Taught) To Act In Church

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Steve Simms

How I was taught to act in church:  Be quiet, sit still, behave, just listen, be passive, don’t talk, watch the preacher, be like everyone one else, don’t ask questions, only do what the program says, don’t laugh, don’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Bible quotes, biblical, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, community, Music City, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, participatory church, religious ceremonies, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Martin Luther King, Jr. On Liberalism (& Other Forgotten MLK Quotes)

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Steve Simms

“I began to question the liberal doctrine of man. The more I observed the tragedies of history and man’s shameful inclination to choose the low road, the more I came to see the depths and strength of sin. . . … Continue reading →

Posted in A.D., African American experience, African Americans, American history, B.C., black history, blacks, Caesar, faith, faith in God, faith-based, God, God's authority, God's presence, God's protection, God's voice, idealism, optimism, philosophical, philosophy, political views, politics, politics and religion, racism, reason, religion, religious beliefs, religious talks, sentimentalism, sin, thinking | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bold Christian Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. (For MLK Day)

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Steve Simms

“We need to pledge ourselves anew to the cause of Christ. We must capture the spirit of the early church. Wherever the early Christians went, they made a triumphant witness for Christ. Whether on the village streets or in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Almighty God, Christ, disease of fear, early Christians, early church, evil, fear, God, God is able, gods, Gospel, holiday, holidays, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jr., Martin Luther King Day, MLK Day, MLK quotes, moral foundations, moral laws, moral leaders, moral principles, moral reformer, moral restraints, morality, morals, Nashville, nonconformists, quotation, Quotations, quote, rare form of Christianity, relativism, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Savior, self-worth, sermon, servants, sin, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual movement, spiritual transformation, The Movement | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments