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!

Basic Christianity (That We May Have Forgotten How To Do)

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Steve Simms

The Salvation Army’s “Nontraditional” Church (Part 11 — “The Misunderstanding of Christianity.”) Jesus told some religious people in the New Testament, “You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.” (Mark 7:14) When the Salvation … Continue reading →

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This Surprise Wasn’t Fiction

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Steve Simms

A Great Surprise (Part 10 of “The Misunderstanding of Christianity”) After 5 1/2 years of my working at The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) and 3 years of Ernie serving as the Director of their Nashville community center, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street Worship Center, The Salvation Army, The Salvation Army Nashville | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Find God’s Reasons for What You’re Going Through

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Steve Simms

Prayer Walking with The Salvation Army Flag (Part 9 of The Misunderstanding of Christianity) Ernie and I continued to learn, step-by-step, that the more we walk in the Spirit and let God lead us beyond the bonds of bound-up religion, … Continue reading →

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A Community of Brokenness

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Steve Simms

Stepping Into a Community of Brokenness (Part 8 — The Misunderstanding of Christianity) Like a whirlwind, I found myself in The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Nashville as the only counselor on staff. The only experience I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christian recovery, recovery groups, The Salvation Army, The Salvation Army Nashville | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If You Look Closer, It’s Easy to Trace the Tracks of My Tears

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Steve Simms

Growing in Brokenness (Part 7: The Misunderstanding of Christianity) Our volunteer ministry and start up church in the poorest area of Franklin (that we had given so much time and effort to) was being forced to close due to lack … Continue reading →

Posted in blessed are the feet, Christian spirituality, spiritual growth, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Book Never Ends — Finding True Unity

Posted on July 27, 2026 by Steve Simms

The Misunderstanding of Christianity (Part 6: Finding Unity Across Denominational and Racial Lines) Ernie, our early elementary-school-aged daughter, and I were sitting in a guest room, alone in an African American Pentecostal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on a Saturday night. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, Christian unity, Church of God in Christ, COGIC, racial reconciliation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oh That People Would Understand Heart-to-Heart Christianity

Posted on July 26, 2026 by Steve Simms

Finding New Wineskins Beyond a Sermon-Centered Church (Part 5 — The Misunderstanding of Christianity) Abounding Grace was a growing new church with an open mic where anyone could share as they felt prompted by God’s Spirit. It was a new … Continue reading →

Posted in heart care, heart connection, new wineskins, simple church, Spirit-led church | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pursuing the Promise of Experiencing God

Posted on July 25, 2026 by Steve Simms

Looking For New Wineskins (The Misunderstanding of Christianity Part 4) God’s fire that I encountered in the Jesus Revolution and by spending time with radically committed Indian Christians is always burning in my heart. However, I was growing weary of … Continue reading →

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A Real Experience That Reads Like Fiction (The Misunderstanding of Christianity — Part 3: Inspired by Indian Christians)

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Steve Simms

The Misunderstanding of Christianity (Part 3: Inspired by Indian Christians) In 1984, I was a burned-out pastor on fire for Jesus, managing a small retail lumber yard in Murfreesboro, TN. Religious obligation had me faithfully attending a nondenominational, non-charismatic church. … Continue reading →

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The Misunderstanding of Christianity (Part 2: The Struggles of a Misfit Pastor)

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Steve Simms

“How hard it is to enter the kingdom of God.” How hard it is to do things the way God wants to lead you instead of the way that makes you look good and feel comfortable. The Misunderstanding of Christianity … Continue reading →

Posted in church hurt, church leadership, contemporary church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, pastoring | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment