Category Archives: ekklesia

It doesn’t take an Einstein to experience ekklesia

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

You don’t have to be an Einstein to experience ekklesia. Ekklesia is: Two or more Christ-followers meeting under Christ’s control! –E = MC2– [E (ekklesia) = M (meeting under) C (Christ’s control) 2 (two or more Christ-followers)] We 21st Century … Continue reading →

Posted in awe, awe in church, Berry Street, curiosity, ekklesia, Jesus Christ, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, mystery, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, simple church, the Pilgrims, two or three in My name, Uncategorized, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

“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

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

“Jesus Christ Superstar Revival” pic shows powerful vision for church

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Steve Simms

This picture from the Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar by Tony-winning director Des McAnuff (which opened at the Neil Simon Theatre 0n March 22, 2012 and ran for 116 performances) vividly portrays the vision I have for church.  Jesus is … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway plays, Des McAnuff, ekklesia, house church, Neil Simon, organic church, simple church, theatre, Tony winning director, Uncategorized, vision, where there is no vision the people, young men will see visions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The ministry of the Holy Spirit

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Steve Simms

Have you experienced the glorious ministry of the Holy Spirit? –The Bible says that the ministry of the Spirit is greater than the glory on Mt. Sinai as the mountain burned and Moses’ face glowed! “Now if the ministry that … Continue reading →

Posted in 2 Corinthians, alternative Christianity, alternative church, Beyonds, church burn out, dechurched, ekklesia, glory of God, house church, It's Supernatural, nones, organic chruch, simple church, supernatural, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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