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!

Where’s Jesus?

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Steve Simms

People sometimes ask:  “Where’s Waldo?” and search for him in the popular book series.   But we often neglect to ask:  “Where’s Jesus?” and to search for Him will all our body, soul, mind and strength. Tomb empty, Body gone . . . … Continue reading →

Posted in church, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, opportunity | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Freedom of Speech — In Church Services

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Steve Simms

A Creative Church Concept — Apply the First Amendment of the US Constitution (the Freedom of Speech) to church services. At The Salvation Army Berry Street everyday people are free to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, church, church meetings, church services, mysticism, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

A Powerful Way To Light Your Fire!

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Steve Simms

1) Unrehearsed, heart-felt, Spirit-prompted words connect hearts and ignite spiritual fires.* 2) Rehearsed, studied, formalized words leave hearts unconnected and minds muted; and promptly depart the human memory. * Light your fire!  Experience #1 with us @ The Salvation Army … Continue reading →

Posted in non-church, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, sermons, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual fire, spiritual flow, spiritual growth, spiritual innovation, spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

One Anothering

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

God’s love we discover When we minister to one another. Church is not sitting in a pew, It’s doing what we do . . . One anothering; we’re one anothering. Singing songs to one another; Confessing to each other; Encouraging … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, church meetings, church program, church services, compassion, Love one another, organic church, pray for one another | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

What Is “Effective Preaching?”

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Steve Simms

Information:  A message prepared and delivered by a mind, reaches a mind. Inspiration:  The testimony of a burning heart reaches a heart. God is looking for a burning heart; not for doctrinal charts. “I would rather teach one man to … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Spurgeon, Come Join Our Army, Crest Books, doctrinal charts, early Salvation Army, exhortations, how to pray, how to preach, information, inspiration, inspirational, learning to pray, mind, prayer, preaching the Word, R.G. Moyles, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, sermon series, testimonies, testimony, USA, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Passive Church or Participatory Church? (Rest or Revival?)

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Steve Simms

Passive or participatory church?  Rest or revival? Is church passive or is it participatory? Is it structured or is it Spirit-led? Is it forced or is it flowing? Is it lifeless or is it lively? Is it dull or is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Christianity, church structure, Music City, religion, Spirit's flow, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, TN | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is church . . . An agenda or an awakening? A program or His Presence? A tradition or a transformation? A teaching or a testimony? A sermon or signs & wonders? A duty or a delight? Religion or revolution?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Steve Simms

Church without the real presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ is like an unplugged blender. It looks nice, but it’s not going to produce any smoothies.

Posted in agenda, Christianity, religion, signs and wonders, tradition, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Setting The Clock Back To Pentecost

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Steve Simms

We set our clocks back one hour last night. However, let’s don’t just turn the clock back one hour . . . Let’s go all out (whole hog) And turn it back about 1,975 years To another Pentecost — A … Continue reading →

Posted in changing society, Christian, Christian values, Christianity, clocks, daylight savings time, great awakening, move of God, religion, religious innovation, revival, song, soul music, sound of, sound of God, spiritual fire, standard time | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Do we have poor circulation of God’s living water?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Steve Simms

I was reading the ancient prophet, Jeremiah tonight and he pointed out 4 things about my heart: * It is deceitful — it will trick me. * It is stubborn. * It is evil. * It is engraved with sin. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, biblical, church, church meetings, church services, deceipt, engraved with sin, Holy Spirit, living water, Scriptures, spiritual health, stubbornness, whitewater | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

If I Could Pick The Pope, I’d Pick . . .

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Steve Simms

If I could pick the Pope, I ‘d pick someone who is a passionate and obedient follower of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ — who puts intimacy with and obedience to the Holy Spirit, above every other consideration. If I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bishop of Rome, Catholic, Catholic Church, Catholic mystics, Catholicism, Chinese, Christ, Christian leadership, church, church leader, church meetings, church roles, church services, denominations, God, Holy Father, Holy see, Holy Spirit, Hong Kong, innovation, invisible church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leaders, leadership, new pope, Peter, Roman Catholic, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Son of God, spirit, Spirit-led, spiritual, Steve Jobs, the Vatican, Vatican City | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment