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!

Thoughts & Frustrations About Church Bulletins

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Steve Simms

I’ve never been overly fond of church bulletins.  In fact, they have always frustrated me.  I don’t like to know the details of a church service before it happens.  To me that’s like reading the plot of a movie or … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, church structure, program, programmed, programmed from the front, programming, public worship, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, seminary, Sunday bulletins | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Making Peace — Words To Wake Up The 21st Century Church

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

I was given a book, Making Peace, (published by Moody Publishers) by my leaders in The Salvation Army.  Once I started reading the book, I couldn’t put it down and read through it at one time. The book is bold, … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, clergy/laity, Jim Van Yperen, Mood Press, Moody Press, Moody Publishers, order of worship, organic church, priesthood of the believer, quotation, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Different Worship Leader Every Sunday

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

At The Salvation Army Berry Street we have a different worship leader every week.  Over the past 5 1/2 years we have had about 50 different people/groups lead worship for us.  Why? 1) It keeps one person from being exalted … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, body of Christ, church format, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, church structure, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, praise, praise and worship, praising God, religion, religious ceremonies, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Uncategorized, worship, worship center, worship gathering, worship leader, worship styles | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Perhaps church needs to demonstrate the real presence of the Higher Power (Jesus Christ) by letting ordinary people show and tell what God has done; rather than being confined to a 1-man human presentation and a handy program.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Steve Simms

Since Jesus said; “Shout from the housetops,” perhaps we could start by allowing people the freedom to share and testify in church.

Posted in 12 step meeting, 12 steps, AA, church in decline, church programs, church services, freedom, Jesus, Jesus Christ, NA, participation in AA meetings, participatory church, participatory sermons, Quotations, Quotes, sermon, sermons, shout it from the housetops, testifying, testimonies, testimony | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

E pluribus unum church . . .

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

E pluribus unum is much more than just a Latin motto of the USA meaning “from many one.“ E pluribus unum is what happens when Christ-followers gather according to 1 Corinthians 14:26 and many ordinary people share testimonies, Scriptures, needs, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, America, American, Christ followers, church, church meetings, church services, from many one, gifts of the Spirit, gives grace to the humble, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, Nashville, Nashville charity, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, The Voice, unity, USA, voice of God | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

C.H.U.R.C.H — A Poetic Acrostic

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Steve Simms

A poetic acrostic defining church: C — Christ-followers H — Hanging out together U — Under the influence of the Spirit, R — Responding directly to His promptings, C — Celebrating the glory of H — His holy Presence! Check … Continue reading →

Posted in acrostic, C H U R C H, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church services, church structure, definition, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, organic church, simple church, Spirit's flow, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

What I Want On My Tombstone (Graveyard; Not Pizza)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Steve Simms

Tombstone Pizza asks:  “What do you want on your Tombstone?”  I’ve never really thought much about what I want on my tombstone. However, I recently lost my father-in-law and my parents and my mother-in-law are all very elderly, so I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 50th wedding anniversary, cemetery, death, frozen pizza, funeral, grave, pizza, wedding, weddings and funerals, What do you want on your tombstone? | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Conversermons — Spirit-Led Conversations About God

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Steve Simms

The concept of conversermons is based on the idea that you can hear talk after talk about God; but you will never really know Him until you experience Him for yourself.  Transformation is more important than theology. Rather than a … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church meetings, church services, conversermons, internet, Louis L'Amour, participatory church, participatory sermons, preach without words, preacher, preaching the Word, quotation, quote, Quotes, radio, sermon, sermon-hearing, sermons, spiritual formation, TV, Yaholo Hoyt | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

12 Years A Slave — 12 Blogs On Slavery

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Steve Simms

The movie 12 Years a Slave (directed by Steve McQueen) is an adaptation of the 1853 autobiography Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.  Solomon was a free black man who was  in sold into slavery in 1841 and forced to … Continue reading →

Posted in abolitionism, abolitionist movement, abolitionist newspapers, abolitionists, blog, Civil War, Frederick Douglas, free blacks, freedmen, freedom fighters, movie, movie review, movies, runaway slaves, slave owners, slaves, Sojourner Truth, Steve McQueen, The Abolitionists, The Emancipator, Uncle Tom's Cabin, William Lloyd Garrison | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The Dangerous 21st Century Needs Spiritual Trailblazers

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Steve Simms

The way ahead in the 21st Century is no yellow brick road. It is a dangerous wilderness and we Christ-followers need to cast aside our comfort zone, come out of our church customs, and cut a new trail — following … Continue reading →

Posted in Adam S. McHugh, church, Gideon, John the Baptist, open church, order of worship, organic church, overseer, overseers, oversight, politics, politics and religion, quotation, quote, Quotes, Solomon, unpredictable, unprogrammed church | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments