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!

Sermon-free church will irrigate your dry soul, flooding your heart with the power and presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ as everyday people, led by the Spirit, show and tell what God has done.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

The Methodists used to practice sermon-free church. Sermon-Free church broke out across American in the late 1850s. The Quakers practiced sermon-free church. A prayer for sermon-free church from the late 1800s is being answered in Nashville.

Posted in church, church format, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, churching, Methodism, Methodists, Nashville, Nashville church, preaching, Quakers, sermon, sermon series, sermons, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sermon-Free Church Rocked The Early Methodists

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Steve Simms

The early Methodists practiced a type of sermon-free church known as class meetings.  These were weekly, participatory meetings where every person present was given the opportunity to talk about their life with God.  The first Methodist class meeting was started … Continue reading →

Posted in bear one another's burdens, Christian experience, Christianity, church, Frederick William Briggs, John Bate, John Berry McFerrin, John Wesley, Kevin Watson, Methodism, Methodist revivalists, Methodists, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Quotations, quote, renewal, revival, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-led, spiritual awakening, spiritual growth, spiritual life, spiritual movement, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Humans Must Compete To Be Complete

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Steve Simms

We incomplete humans must compete to be complete. We have to compete with the gang of 4 — complacency, mediocrity, passivity, and apathy.    These 4 want us to give up before we even get started on our way to … Continue reading →

Posted in advocate, apathy, attitude, competition, complacency, conformity, gang of, genes, mediocrity, passivity, spiritual darkness | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Problems Of Unrestrained Pleasure-Seeking

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Steve Simms

Watch the TV news and observe a fact: Without self-restraint human nature produces all sorts of evil: meanness, disrespect, bullying, abuse, violence, rage, arrogance, injustice, deceit, self-destruction, vulgarity, hatred, cruelty, fraud. Unrestrained human nature destabilizes society and eventually leads to … Continue reading →

Posted in abuse, America, American, church, cruelty, deceit, fraud, hate, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, oppression, pleasure-seeking, salvation, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, self-control, self-destruction, self-discipline, self-inflicted, self-produced, self-respect, self-restraint, TV, TV network, TV news, violence, violence in society, violent streak | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A believer needs to be a leaver — leaving sin and self-focus behind.

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in characteristics of a Christian, faith in God, faith-based, I'm a believer, life, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, repent, repentance, sinner, sins | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Are We Good People Or Bad People?

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Steve Simms

Most people think that there are bad people in the world, but almost nobody thinks that they are a bad person.  However, people who are genuinely close to God, are the exceptions.  They seem to readily admit that they are … Continue reading →

Posted in a wretch like me, Amazing Grace, author, bad person, Baghdad, chief of sinners, Christian, Christianity, ethics, evil, forgiveness, good person, Isaiah, John Newton, Katrina, law enforcement, laws, looting, moral, moral failure, moral failures, moral foundations, moral laws, moral leaders, moral principles, moral reformer, moral restraints, morality, New Orleans, Old Testament, quote, Quotes, relevation, religion, Russian literature, salvation, sin, unclean lips, wretched man that I am | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Release or Re-Leash?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Steve Simms

Release of the Spirit — or — Re-leash of the Spirit? Have you ever noticed that whenever there is a release of the Holy Spirit, the human tendency is to re-leash Him and get church back under human control and … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church leader, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, God on a leash, hymn, hymns, I Corinthians 14:26, instruction, interpretation, interpretation of tongues, leash, participants, participators, participatory church, release of the Spirit, relevation, religion, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, speaking in tongues, spectators, spirit, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual church, spiritual interaction, spiritual life, spiritual movement, The Salvation Army, theology, tongues | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Coming Out For Jesus!

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

Spiritual fire carriers Should come out And tell the world About their red-hot faith And passionate love For the living, resurrected Jesus Christ! I am consumed with love for Jesus! How about you?

Posted in faith, red hot, religion | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Most Everybody Draws A Line Between Thier Desires & Moral Principles

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Steve Simms

Almost everybody draws a line somewhere between their desires, cravings, and feelings; and moral principles.  Almost everybody has at times a desire they want to fulfill, but they intentionally restrain themselves because they believe that fulfilling that desire is morally … Continue reading →

Posted in abortion, juddgment, Judeo-Christian, judge, judges, judging, judgment, judgments, justice, marriage, marriage debate, marriage equality, married sex, moral failures, moral foundations, moral laws, moral leaders, moral reformer, moral restraints, morality, morals, sex, sex in marriage, sex objects, sexual addiction, sexual fulfillment, sexual purity, sexually confused, sin, sinner, sins | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Jesus Living On The Inside

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

How can anyone describe Jesus living inside you? It’s like having a shower head Inside your heart, Continually spraying Soothing, comforting, Energizing, thrilling, and refreshing Streams of joy, love, peace, faith, and hope All through your emotions, your mind, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian poetry, cravings, religion, religious poetry, seduction, Spirit's flow, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, spiritual life, spiritual walk, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments