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!

When people share heart-felt words as moved by the Spirit, the atmosphere of the room is charged with the presence of God . . . Now that’s church!.

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Steve Simms
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Reader’s Digest Acknowledges Participatory Style Of First Century Christian Worship

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

Contemporary society is moving toward more participation in management and meetings.  This can be seen in business management styles, the Oprah Show, and even Facebook.  However, the contemporary church seems stuck on sermons — non-participatory, one-person, lectures. However, early Christian … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, After Jesus, aristocrats, church, church history, church meetings, church program, church roles, Corinth, edification, first century, First Century Church, freedmen, hymn, hymns, Music City, Nashville, participatory church, Paul of Tarsus, Quotations, quote, Quotes, Roman, Roman Empire, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, slaves, speaking in tongues, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual awakening, spiritual innovation, spiritual interaction, surrender to God, testimonies, testimony, The Salvation Army, tongues, triumph of Christianity | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Church shouldn’t bore those who come near it; church should soar in the Spirit!

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

Church should soar in the Spirit; not bore those who come near it! Church shouldn’t be the same thing over and over (like the movie Groundhog Day). Church should be alive, vibrant, and thrilling! (Paul of Tarsus said: “Having a form … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Christian organizations, Christianity, church, church meetings, church program, church structure, denying the power thereof, Groundhog Day, Holy Spirit, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Another Reason To Wear Red

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Steve Simms

It’s National Wear Red Day in the USA.  National Wear Read Day was begun by the American Heart Association for a great cause — to help focus people’s attention on the problem of heart disease in women. However, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in forgiveness, hearing Jesus, heart, heart care, heart-felt, heart-felt love, hearts unfold like flowers, holiday, holidays, salvation, sin, spirituality, The Salvation Army, The Salvation Flag, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The apps of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in gentleness, goodness, joy, kindness, love, patience, peace, self-control | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Worst Religious Advice I Was Ever Given

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

The worst religious advice I was ever given came when I was a student at Memphis Theological Seminary.  A professor in a preaching class said:  “You need to spend one hour of study for every minute you preach.” Since then … Continue reading →

Posted in academics, Bible study, burning heart, change, change agent, Christ followers, Christian, epidemic, expect change commercial, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, glory days, God, how you catch the flu, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, kingdom of God, kingdom values, Memphis Theological Seminary, moral failure, moral foundations, morality, Music City, religious academics, religious innovation, religious tradition, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, study one hour for every minute you preach | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Where Did Information Come From?

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Steve Simms

We are surrounded by information.  (Some people say that we are in an information explosion, but even uneducated tribal people are living in a world awash in information.) Every inanimate thing (although it might look as simple as a rock) … Continue reading →

Posted in atoms, cells, Christian values, Christianity, code, computer science, consciousness, contemplation, creationism, DNA, downloads, hardware, inanimate objects, living organisms, management, molecules, operating system, programming, Quantum physics, science, search for significance, software, subatomic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is The Church Trying To Teach People To Swim Without Letting Them Get Wet?

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Steve Simms

I heard a very good sermon today.  But while passively sitting and listening to the sermon, I began to think my own thoughts instead. I pondered to myself:  Which is more effective in changing lives —  studied and prepared sermons … Continue reading →

Posted in attention holding, challenging, God, gripping, Holy Spirit, informative, inspirational, instructive, learning to swim, life transforming, living words, Quotations, quote, Quotes, relevation, religion, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Unrehearsed Words — Let Them Be Spoken Live In Church!

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Steve Simms

Unrehearsed words from God are eloquent. Jesus speaks about unrehearsed words when He tells His disciples; “. . . what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.” (Matthew 10:19 Unplanned, unpracticed words are a normal … Continue reading →

Posted in Beverly Kaye, church meetings, church program, church programs, contemporary, contemporary church, contemporary society, Julie Winkle Giulioni, live and unrehearsed, Matthew 10:19, ministry, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, order of worship, organic church, quote, Quotes, simple church, The Salvation Army, the way of the pilgrim, unrehearsed, what you are to say will be given you | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments