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!

Frustrated With Preaching? Try Sermon-Free Church

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Steve Simms

I (the sermon-free church guy) love to preach. I miss preaching. I preached regularly on Sunday mornings for about 10 years. However, I got frustrated with preaching because I was growing spiritually, but I didn’t see much spiritual growth in … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church services, faith, faith-based, God's power, non-traditional church, organic church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, spiritual formation, spirituality, the power of God, witness | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

The Real Royal Baby . . .

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Steve Simms

The Royal Baby was born just over 2,000 years ago and grew up to become the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Savior of the world. I was excited to invite people to surrender to The Real Royal Baby, the … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, British history, Christian, Christianity, Great Britain, Great Commission, Jesus, Jesus Christ, king, King of Kings, kingdom, new heir, news, rap, rapper, rapping, religion, religious beliefs, royal family, UK, United Kingdom, Viktory | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tennessee Titans & St. Thomas (From Doubt To Destiny)

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Steve Simms

The Tennessee Titans practice facility in Nashville, Tennessee (Baptist Sports Park) has been renamed “Saint Thomas Sports Park.”  St. Thomas has been known through the past two millennia as “Doubting Thomas” because he questioned the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in angst, anxiety, Apostle Thomas, destiny, devotion, doubt, doubting, doubts, fear, India, Iraq, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, Muslim, My Lord and my God, mysticism, Nashville church, practice facility, professional football, resurrection, Resurrection Day, resurrection of Jesus, Saddam Hussein, Saint Thomas, St. Thomas, torture, tortured | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The “I’ll Fight” Black Hoodie

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Steve Simms

As a white guy passing out flyers in a black neighborhood (Nashville’s McFerrin Park Neighborhood that has been known for drugs and violence) after the verdict of the George Zimmerman trial, I thought about Trayvon Martin.  As I put flyers … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood and Fire, Christian rap, drugs, hungry children, I'll fight!, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville events, Nashville streets, prison, prisons, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, racial reconciliation, racism, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Crest, spiritual warfare, streets, trial, Viktory, violence, violence in society, violent streak, While women weep, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Think Outside The Sermon — Sermon-Free Church Quotations

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Steve Simms

“One filled with joy preaches without preaching.”  –Mother Teresa “Had Saul (who became Apostle Paul) met only a preacher and heard only a sermon, he might never have been heard of again. But Saul met Christ and heard His Voice.”  … Continue reading →

Posted in Adam Weishaupt, Apostle Paul, Ben Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, Christianity, Daphne D.C. Pochin Mould, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Duane Dewel, Edgar A. Guest, encounter with God, George F. Pentecost, God, Harvey Cox, joy, lecture, Leonard Ravenhill, ministers, ministry, Mother Teresa, obedience, order of worship, organic church, Paul of Tarsus, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, public speaking, pulpit, quotation, quote, Quotes, Saul of Tarsus, see a sermon, sermon, sermon series, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, Sinclair Lewis, truth | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Soaked And Stoked (for Jesus)

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Steve Simms

What are the two most amazing, exciting, and fulfilling activities (that are mostly ignored by most people)?  A) Interacting with the Holy Spirit and B) Reading the Bible with an open heart! They are incredible! I love those two activities! … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible study, biblical Christianity, Biblical concept, celebration, church meetings, church services, joy, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Spiritual Sprinkler Systems

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

According to the New Testament, God wants church services to be spiritual sprinkler systems where the Holy Spirit freely flows from everyone present. (See 1 Corinthians 14:26.)  This is God’s powerful “prophetic activation” (a phrase made popular by Sandy Powell … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians:14, Christlike, church history, clergy, clergy/laity, God, Jesus Christ, laity, layman, laymen, laywomen, Martin Luther, Music City, organic church, prophesy, prophesying, quotation, Quotations, quote, reformation, reformer, round robin, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sprinkler system, Tennessee, The Salvation Army, TN, unbeliever, worship, worship gathering, worship leader | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Every Christ-follower is clergy & is called to be God’s minister/witness, regardless of his/her job.

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christian, Christian community, church, church leadership, clergy/laity, participatory church, pastor, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, simple church | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Perhaps A Pastor Should Oversee, Not Direct Church Services

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Steve Simms

–“Overseer” — that’s how the word for Christian leader is translated in some versions of the New Testament.  That translation fits Jesus’ command that leaders be “servants.” –A great example of an overseer is a basketball or football official.  He/she … Continue reading →

Posted in agenda, agendaless, agendaless church, basketball officials, Bible, boundaries, Christianity, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church overseers, church roles, church structure, clergy, clergy/laity, football officials, God's authority, God's government, hearing the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, impact of church, Jesus, kingdom of God, leaders, leadership, led by the Spirit, Music City, order of worship, organic church, oversight, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual church | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Popular Rap Artist, Viktory, to do Nashville Outdoor Concert

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Steve Simms

Popular rapper, Viktory, will do an outdoor concert in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 20, 2013, from 5:00 pm. to 7:00 pm.  And it’s free! To be held on the grounds of The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, entertainment, music, Music City, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville entertainment, Nashville events, Nashville news, Nashville projects, Nashville streets, Nashville tourist attractions, needy neighborhood, news, outdoor, party, partying, rap, rapper, rapping, real men, Tennessee, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment