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!

Stormy Weather

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Steve Simms

It’s not easy to weather stormy weather.  Dark clouds, wind, hail, floods. There is a story about a man who built his house on sand.  When the rains came and the winds blew his house collapsed into ruble. However, another … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Bible, built his house on a rock, change, change management, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, dark clouds, faith, faith-based, floods, God, hail, hearing God, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, life, lifestyles, normal Christianity, Oh my God, peace, rains, repentance, salvation, self-help, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, stable, stormy weather, thundeer, training camp, values, voice of God, wages of sin, wind | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What Rube Goldberg Machines Can Teach Us About Church

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Steve Simms

Rube Goldberg machines are complex contraptions that produce a sequence of what appears to be random actions that lead to a final result.  They are fun to watch.  You can find many videos of Rube Goldberg machines on YouTube. Perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, American church, Berry Street, Bible, Biblical concept, bored in church, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian community, Christian history, Christian values, church history, church programs, church roles, church structure, East Nashville, ekklesia, good sermon, having a form of godliness, Holy Spirit, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, Kevin Brockmeier, Music City, non-traditional church, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, priesthood of the believer, relational church, religious ceremonies, Rube Goldberg, simple church, soul, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual formation, The Salvation Army, the way we do church, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Brief (Alternative) History Of Western Christianity

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

An alternative history of Western Christianity . . . The early Christians were passionate and obedient followers of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ.  The government didn’t like them and put many of them to death. However, the love, lifestyle, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 95 theses, alternative lifestyle, Castle Church, church, Constantine, downline, early church, ekklesia, empire, Germany, heretic, house church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, life, lifestyles, love, Martin Luther, mullti-level, Muslims, mystery, mysticism, non-church, non-traditional church, open church, organic church, Orthodox, political issue, politics, Protestant Reformation, reformation, religious ceremonies, religious wars, Roman Catholic, simple church, true Christian life, turned the world upsidedown, values, Western religion, Western world, What is church?, Wittenburg Door | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Religion’s Not Enough — Ya Gotta Be Hunnngggggry.

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

These words came to me:  Nashville has been known as a religious city, but religion’s not enough.  You have to be continually desperate for the living God. Like motivational speaker, Les Brown, says:  “Ya gotta be hunnngggggry.”  And Jesus said:  … Continue reading →

Posted in administration, CCU, Christianity, dietary, emergency room, enchilada, health care, health system, heart care, hospital, house keeping, intensive care, Jesus, Just give me Jesus, Les Brown, maintenance, motivational speaker, Music City, nursing, outpatient, parts of a hospital, pharmacy, psych ward, Quotations, radiology, recovery room, rehab, security, surgery | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Perhaps Church Is Much Simpler Than We Think It Is . . .

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Steve Simms

Maybe church is much simpler than we think it is? Perhaps church is just two or there or more believers gathered under the actual leadership and direction of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ in our midst? (In Matthew 18:20, Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, bored in church, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, Christian values, Christianity, church, church programs, church roles, church structure, disciple making, disciples, discipling, East Nashville, ekklesia, faith, gifts of the Spirit, God's government, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, house church, improv, improvisation, Jesus, Jesus Movement, kingdom of God, Matthew 18:20, move of God, participatory church, presence of Christ, presence of God, relational church, religion, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual formation, the way we do church | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sermon-Free Church Spread Across America In 1857-1858

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Steve Simms

Spirit-led, sermon-free church meetings spread across America in 1857-1858.  Jeremiah Lanphier started a prayer meeting on September 23, 1857 in New York City.  Six men showed up.  In the next few months 10,000 people began meeting daily for prayer in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, American, American church, American history, Americans, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, business men, Charles Finney, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, Christian values, church, church history, church structure, conversion, East Nashville, ekklesia, England, good sermon, Great Britain, history, humility, interdenominational, Jeremial Lanphier, lifestyles, missional, move of God, movement, Music City, mysticism, new birth, non-traditional church, normal Christianity, participatory church, prayer, preaching, quote, Quotes, repentance, revelation, revival, salvation, sets the captives free, simple church, spiritual, spiritual awakening, supernatural, The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, United States | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Explaining Sin In A Post-Christian Culture

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Steve Simms

Post-Christian can be defined as:  the culture that emerges as the Christian faith loses influence in a society that has been somewhat shaped by Christian values.  The Western world is fast becoming post-Christian and popular culture has little understanding of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, Christian history, Christian values, Christianity, conviction of sin, current condition, current events, faith-based, God, God-shaped vacuum, Gospels, injustice, inward change, moral principles, morality, morals, New Testament, Oh Sinner Man, popular culture, post-Christianity, recovery, repent, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, salvation, Scriptures, search for significance, self-denial, spiritual awakening, spiritual disciplines, tolerance, Uncategorized, values, wages of sin, Western religion, Western world | Tagged , , , , , , | 46 Comments

A Preference And A Conviction Make Me Part Of Two Minority Groups

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Steve Simms

I’m part of two small minority groups, however, I seldom tell anyone.  I guess I am in the closet. I’ve been a vegetarian for about 4 years.  Its my preference.  I stopped eating meat to support my daughter who is … Continue reading →

Posted in anger, closet, conviction, disapproval, disdain, history, jail, pacifism, pacifists, parents, preference, tortured, vegan, vegetarianism, violence | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Good people don’t need Jesus. Sinful people desperately need Him.

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Steve Simms

To fall short of the glory of God is to sin. (“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” –Paul of Tarsus) Here’s another quote from Paul of Tarsus:  “The wages of sin is death . . … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Apostle Paul, Christianity, corrupt culture, gift of God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Pharisee, prayer, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, repentance, resurrection, Romans 3:23, salvation, sin, sinner, soul, spiritual awakening, The Jesus Prayer, wages of sin | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I am what I AM says I am. (And so are you.)

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Steve Simms

I am not what others say I am. I am not what I feel like I am. I am not what I believe I am. I am not what I accomplish or fail to accomplish. I am not what I … Continue reading →

Posted in awe, belief, Bible, Biblical concept, Christian, Christianity, conversion, conviction of sin, Egypt, fear, gift of God, glory, God, God's government, godly sorrow, hearing God, holy, Holy Holy Holy, Judaism, kingdom of God, listening, majesty, meaning, morality, mystery, mysticism, new birth, Oh my God, Oh Sinner Man, Old Testament, presence of God, purpose, quote, religion, self-denial, sinner, spiritual, spiritual awakening, support group, surrender to God, The Voice, voice activated, voice of God, voices, wake-up call, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment