Category Archives: Beyond Church

“I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Steve Simms

Are you a “good person”? According to Jesus the phrase, “I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron. Jesus said; “No one is good–except God alone.” (Mark 10:18) In fact, Jesus calls 3 groups of people “evil” or “wicked:” 1) His … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, all have sinned, Beyond Church, Bible, ekklesia, evil, good person, greed, Jesus, Jesus Christ, judge, judge not, judgment, Luke, Mark, New Testament, oxymoron, Pharisees, problem of evil, Savior, sin, sinfulness, source of evil, there is none righteous, Uncategorized, wickedness, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cereal, cars, & church alternatives . . .

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

If for many centuries, almost everyone in the world who ate breakfast always had some brand of cereal, we would think it strange if a few people started talking and writing about having pancakes for breakfast. Breakfast cereal eaters might … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Beyond Church, change in church, change management, changes in worship, ekklesia, fresh expressions, house church, lay testimonies, messy church, nontraditional church, personal testimonies, Quakers, salvation testimonies, simple church, Spirit-led, Uncategorized, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Forgivers, enemy-lovers, and Divine visitation

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers are called to be forgivers and enemy-lovers. We cannot afford to be offended when our comfort zone is breached. So how are we doing? “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Are you: 1) … Continue reading →

Posted in André Cox, being religious, Beyond Church, General Andre Cox, Holy Spirit, How to forgive., Meeting for Worship, presence of God, religious ceremonies, secularism, simple church, spiritual disciplines, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God dropped two burning books in my lap.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Steve Simms

A retired Nazarene preacher called me and wanted to donate his personal library of 9 big boxes of books. How could I say no? So this week I picked up two of those hundreds of books. Bang! They shook my … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible type revival, Christian books, ekklesia, house church, Is the church failing?, Let The Church Be The Church, Martin Lloyd-Jones, organic church, Raymond C. Ortlund, revival, revival fires, simple church, spiritual awakening, Steve Simms, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Church = Audience? Or Team?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Is a church service with only one speaker like a band with only one instrument? (That’s an oxymoron, isn’t it?) Jesus said: “New wine must be poured into new wine skins.” If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, agreeing in prayer, audience, Beyond Church, binding and loosing, Christian community, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek word for, house church, Matthew 18:20, organic chruch, simple church, team, the lost of the Bible, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hope for those burned out on politics

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

Administrations come with fanfare. Administrations go with disappointment. It’s an ongoing cycle that can leave us discouraged. Here’s hope for those burned out on politics . . . Jesus prayed and taught us to pray for An environment ruled by The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan Redpath, Beyond Church, body of Christ, casting your vote, ekklesia, house church, how to know God's will, Jesus Christ, kingdom come, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, kingdom values, organic chruch, poem, political environment, quote, simple church, Steve Simms, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, where two or three are gathered | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can church be a caucus for Christ?

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

Does Jesus call us to caucus? Iowa debt to Christ That I can never repay So I will vote with my life To obey Him everyday! Jesus calls us to caucus, Which means in essence, We gather in His name, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, faith in politics, organic chruch, politics, politics and religion, presidential campaign, presidential candidates 2016, presidential election, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ-followers are called out to be Christ’s City Council

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

Jesus said (in the original Greek) “I will build My ekklesia.” Ekklesia was the city council in Greek city-states. (The Greek word literally means called out ones. The Greeks chose it as the name for their city council because citizens were called out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible quotations, Bible verses, called out ones, church elders, city council meeting, Divine healing, faith healing, gifts of healing, Greek, Greek city-states, Greek New Testament, Head of the church, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church, I will build my church, Matthew 16:18, On this rock I will build My church, organic church, the gates of hell, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

–“Nones have said, “No church.” –“Dones” have said, “Goodbye, church.” –“Beyonds” have said, “Hello, ekklesia!” For those who want to reach the “Nones, the “Dones,” and the “Beyonds:” –Peter and John, whom the Bible calls “unschooled, ordinary men,” said: “We … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative Christianity, alternative church, Beyond Church, book of Acts, ekklesia, people leaving church, Peter and John, the things that we have seen and heard, Uncategorized, We cannot help but speak | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When church is so-so, perhaps it’s time to sew-sow

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Steve Simms

If you find church to be so-so; maybe you need to go beyond church and sew-sow. Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible–Ekklesia sews biblical truth and practical advice together in a warm, friendly, easy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible, boredom in church, ekklesia, giving, Henri Nouwen, house church, overcoming boredom, reaping what you sow, Romans, seed faith, simple church, sowing and reaping, sowing into ministry, Uncategorized, where there is hatred let me sow love, William Barclay, you shall reap what you sow | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment