Category Archives: church history

The type of meeting that can manifest and maintain a Spirit-led movement . . .

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Steve Simms

The ancient Greeks had the secret to maintaining a movement. Jesus borrowed their word for it! Spiritual movements happen when people spontaneously open their heart to one another as equals and to Jesus as their daily Lord. Institutions don’t maintain … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, body of Christ, change in church, church history, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek history, revelation, revival, rock of revelation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Where in Christendom is the Christian?”—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Steve Simms

When Jesus prayed,“Your kingdom come,”He wasn’t talkingAbout ChristendomWhere church and stateCompelled all to humIn obligatoryUnison. Finding passionate, heart-felt, Spirit-led Christianity is sometimes like finding Waldo. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Where in Christendom is the Christian?” To call the world today … Continue reading →

Posted in biblical Christianity, Christian history, church history, popular Christianity, Western Christianity | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blowing in the wind of ekklesia

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Steve Simms

The First Spirit-Led, Christ-Centered Town Hall Meeting (Ekklesia) Was Windy! The sound of mighty rushing windSpread visible spiritual fireTo all of Jesus’ gathered disciplesOpening their mouthsWith supernatural wordsAnd giving them boldnessTo hit the streetsRejoicing withThe living JesusSo that peopleFrom around … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian poetry, church history, Pentecost, poetry, religious poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Constantine & the Emperor’s new (institutional) clothes

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Steve Simms

Constantine dressed up Christianity by putting the Emperor’s new (institutional) clothes on it. However, like Saul’s armor on young David as he prepared to fight Goliath, rigid institutionalism hasn’t been a very effective way to demonstrate the power and presence … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian history, church history, Constantine, Roman history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bible Belt question: “Where do you go to church?”

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Steve Simms

I grew up in the part of the United States called the Bible Belt where people in casual conversation would ask: “Where do you go to church?” Like church around the Western World, church attendance in the Bible Belt has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian history, Christianity, church decline, church history, church of your choice, church programming, fruit of the Spirit, history, the Western church, Uncategorized, Western Europe, Western religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Home again? Home again ecclesiology!

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Steve Simms

“Ecclesiology” is a big sounding word. It also has a really big sounding definition: “theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian Church.” However, Christianity didn’t begin as formal church (needing an academic course of study), tightly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, alternative Christianity, alternative church, assembly of God, church history, early church, Henry Hon, house church, lost and restored, lost word of the Bible, New Testament church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, rethink church, rethinking church, simple church, theologians, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus said “Follow Me,” not “Follow a 501c3!”

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christian disciples turn the world upside down; but religious adherents are often swept along with the world’s viewpoints. Jesus said: “Follow Me!” Not: “Follow a 501c3.” The risen Jesus lives inside of all His followers, so He doesn’t need a hierarchy … Continue reading →

Posted in apest, body of Christ, Christian organizations, church history, church movements, church organization, institutional church, Jesus Movement, Let the redeemed of the Lord, organizational chart, persecution, reform movements, religious persecution, spiritual life, spiritual movement, transformation movements, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dear Salvation Army: We need God’s fire more than ever!

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Steve Simms

Back in the day when The Salvation Army was young and was spreading the power, love, and presence of the living God around the world, General William Booth wrote a song that passionately cried out for God to send His … Continue reading →

Posted in another Pentecost, Bible type revival, church history, demonstration of the Spirit's power, early Salvation Army, God's power, greatness of a man's power, Pentecost, power, power of God, prayer walking with The Salvation Army Flag, revival fires, revival history, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Flag, Salvation Army General, Salvation Army soldiers, Salvation Army USA, spiritual awakening, spiritual fire, spiritual formation, spiritual revolution, The History of The Salvation Army, Uncategorized, wonder working power, You shall receive power | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are sermon points and systematic theology in the Bible?

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

Sermon points? Sermons frequently have numbered points. However, when you read through the New Testament, you can’t find even one incidence of number points. So how did such an unbiblical idea become so common in church services? (Perhaps it is … Continue reading →

Posted in All I have written, alternative to preaching, Christian history, church history, history, house church, New Testament, organic church, preaching, preaching the Word, preaching without words, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mother Teresa did this:

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Steve Simms

Mother Teresa traced the tracks of Christ with her feet and while doing so she transformed her life and the life of countless others. Now the Catholic Church has officially called her a saint. The truth is: All genuine Christ-followers … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic, Christ followers, Christian history, church history, examples of forgiveness, Follow Me, followers of Christ, following Christ, Footprints In The Sand, history, holiness, In His steps, India, Indian history, Indians, normal Christianity, Quotations, Roman Catholic, The Normal Christian Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment