Category Archives: church

How many sermons does it take to make a person pure?

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers are called to be pure and holy! That’s not easy to do when seductive media is so readily accessible and overflowing with negativity, disrespect, vulgarity, adultery, nudity, profanity, and worse. Have all the sermons that we have heard (and … Continue reading →

Posted in church, church fathers, church government, city council meeting, early church, ekklesia, evangelism, God's government, government, on earth as it is in heaven, Origen, religion, spiritual formation, spiritual transformation, testimonies, Thom Schultz, transformation, Uncategorized, Walk by the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meeting “to do the 2” — the ekklesia 2-step

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

Ekklesia meets to do the two — to give people hands on practice, training, and experience in living out Jesus’ two greatest commandments. This is the dance of the body of Christ — the ekklesia two-step. Step one: “Love the Lord your … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, church, dancing, ekklesia, family of God, heart, heart care, heart of worship, love the Lord your God, Matthew 22, organic church, two or three in My name, Uncategorized, worship dancing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

One note don’t make a song . . .

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Steve Simms

You don’t have a song when only one note on a keyboard is repeated over and over and all the other notes are kept silent. You have no tune, no melody, no harmony — nothing but a monotone. –So how … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, church, harmony, how we do church, melody, monotone, organic church, playing church, rechurch, simple church, Uncategorized, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

8 past keys to Christianity’s powerful future!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Steve Simms

Although Christianity appears to be in rapid decline in the Western world, it is about to break out with fresh power that will radically transform those who experience it. How? The biblical example of ekklesia was established by Jesus Christ when He … Continue reading →

Posted in church, clergy, clergy laity, ekklesia, family of God, family values, Greek New Testament, Holy Spirit, house church, led by the Spirit, New Testament church, organic chruch, priesthood of the believer, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, serving others, simple church, sin, Tennessee, Uncategorized, universal priesthood, unprogrammed | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Icons transport me beyond church

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Icons in my favorite church building transport me beyond church. It’s an Orthodox church near Franklin, Tennessee. Icons are images dedicated, set apart, and anointed to reflect the glory of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. Icons, unlike ordinary religious art, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ the Head of the church, Christian history, church, church government, church in decline, Eastern Orthodox churches, ekklesia, Greek Orthodox Church, move of God, organic church, organized religion, Pentecost, revival, revival history, spiritual awakening, Tennessee, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Beyond predictable religion to unpredictable, untamed ekklesia (quotes)

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Steve Simms

Church is caught in continual predictability, perpetually presenting the same basic program week after week. That’s one reasons millions of people are leaving church and calling themselves “Dones.” However, the Greek New Testament concept of ekklesia is never the same from … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Catholic mass, Chet Akins, church, country music, ekklesia, Eleanor Roosevelt, Francesca Battistelli, Frans de Waal, George R.R. Martin, Gordon Parks, Greek New Testament, house church, James Dashner, James Woods, Jesus Christ, Leo F. Buscaglia, Mark Batterson, Nashville, New Testament, organic chruch, Pope Francis, R.T. Kendall, Ralph Abernathy, simple church, Skye Jethani, T.F. Hodge, Uncategorized, unpredictable | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some things the Bible never said:

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Steve Simms

The Bible never said: “When you come together, everyone sits quietly and listens to the same man speak, week after week.” However, the Bible did say: “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, church, church format, church meetings, church program, church programming, church roles, clergy, clergy laity, Jeff Hurt, let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Meetings magazine, plan your meetings, priesthood of the believer, royal priesthood, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Beyond Church — My New Book On Amazon

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

I have a new book that is now available on Amazon. It’s called Beyond Church — An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible. Please get it for yourself and for your friends at this link. Also please write … Continue reading →

Posted in Armybarmy Blog, best seller, church, David Harper, Eric Wilson Courageous, Lara Landon, lost word of the Bible, New York Times, Stephen Court, Tom Griner, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Getting in tune with the Spirit is like learning to balloon

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Steve Simms

Getting in Tune With the Spirit is Like Learning to Balloon A group can’t learn ballooning By listening to a lecture on hot air. They need to be untethered And go careening in the clouds, Controlled by the currents of … Continue reading →

Posted in church, ekklesia, gifts of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, house church, simple church, Spirit-led church, spiritual gifts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it time for an octastich — a new beginning in how Christ-followers meet?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Steve Simms

An Octastich Based On 1 Corinthians 14:26   When the body of Christ comes together Each person has a special part to play, As we allow the presence of the living, Resurrected Jesus to lead the way. Some people have … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1st Century church, body of Christ, church, church poems, Dones, ekklesia, how the body of Christ functions, meaning of number 8, new beginning, octastich, organic church, poem, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment